JPH0458974A - Card type pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid a fact that a great hit state is annihilated while a new card is being purchased by applying a game holding command signal to an electrical controller from a game holding command means, and sending a signal for stopping its operation to an accessory controller. CONSTITUTION:On one side of a front panel 105, a pause switch button being a game holding command means for giving a command for stopping an advance of a great hit operation is provided. A turn-on signal of a pause switch 107a provided on the inside of this pause switch button is inputted to a unit controller 180. A great hit generation signal outputted from an accessory controller 158, and a great hit operation holding signal outputted from the unit controller 180 are supplied to the unit controller 180 through a pinball machine controller 195, and to the accessory controller 158 through the pinball machine controller 195, respectively.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a pachinko game machine in which a game can be played only by inserting a predetermined card, and in particular, a pachinko game machine that is equipped with an accessory that generates a specific game state called a jackpot. The present invention relates to technology suitable for use in pachinko gaming machines.

[Prior Art] Currently, in pachinko machines that use cards, a card called a prepaid card, which has the same value as money, is purchased, and this card is inserted into a ball lending machine to release pachinko balls. It has been put into practical use that is used for games after being converted to .

Although this prepaid card system uses cards, it simply uses cards in place of money, and the configuration of the pachinko machine remains the same as before, and the gaming system is almost the same as the existing one. This cannot be rationalized in any way. Rather, it is inconvenient for the player that he or she is forced to perform an extra operation of purchasing a card before obtaining a rental ball.

In contrast, a card-type pachinko machine uses an enclosed ball circulation system and is equipped with a card reader so that the purchased card can be inserted into the pachinko machine and converted into balls in the pachinko machine to play the game. has also been proposed.

This system records the number of balls obtained as a result of a game on a card, so it has the advantage of eliminating the need to carry a large number of pachinko balls, which tend to fall.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, pachinko machines have a variable display that starts a display revision operation when a prize is won in a specific winning slot, and generates a jackpot state when a plurality of displays match a predetermined state. Some use accessories such as devices. If this type of accessory is used in the aforementioned card-operated pachinko machine, if a jackpot occurs when the balance on the card is zero and the number of balls held is almost gone, the number of balls remaining will be reduced without any hit balls entering the winning slot. It has been found that there is a problem in that even if the number reaches zero and you rush to buy a new card, there is a risk that the jackpot status will disappear in the meantime.

In conventional pachinko machines that use rented balls, if you hit a jackpot after the balls run out, you can deposit coins into the so-called sand inch ball rental machine installed adjacent to the pachinko machine. By obtaining this, it was possible to restart the game before the jackpot disappeared.

However, in a gaming system consisting of card-type pachinko machines, it is expected that the purchase unit of cards will be 2,000 yen, so the card issuing machine will become larger, and the card issuing machine will be installed between the pachinko machines. It is thought that no aircraft will be deployed. Therefore, after a jackpot occurs,
If you go to buy a new card, there is a high risk that the jackpot will disappear. Furthermore, even if a compact card issuing machine were developed that could be placed between pachinko machines, it would take time to distinguish between banknotes, and it would take time to remove old cards from the card reader and create new ones. Due to the need to insert the card and the time it takes to read the date on the magnetic side of the card, the time required to restart the game with additionally purchased balls is longer than that of the traditional sandwich style. Since it is expected that the card system will take several times as long as the ball lending machine, there is a high possibility that the jackpot will disappear.

The present invention has been made by focusing on the problem described in item 1. In a card-type pachinko machine equipped with a card reader, when a jackpot occurs when both the amount of money on the card and the amount of balls held are close to zero, Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system that allows the game to be reliably restarted before the jackpot disappears.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a card reader that reads information on an inserted card, and an accessory control device that controls the operation of an accessory provided on a game board. In a pachinko game machine that is equipped with an electric control device that monitors the status and amount of the card and the control status of the entire game machine, and that allows games to be played only with a card that has valuable data or an identification code recorded corresponding to the purchase amount, The front of the machine is provided with a game hold command means, and the accessory control device is equipped with:
A specific game state detecting means is provided to detect the occurrence of a specific game state and notify this to the outside, and when a game reservation command signal is input from the game reservation command means to the electrical control device, the accessory control device A signal is sent to stop the operation.

[Operation] According to the above means, if a jackpot occurs when the number of balls in possession is zero or close to zero, the jackpot state is suspended by operating the pause switch button as the game suspension command means, and the number of balls in possession is By operating the switch button again after increasing the number of cards, the suspended state is canceled and control of the game is restarted, so it is possible to avoid the jackpot state from disappearing while a new card is being purchased.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a card-type gaming system using a pachinko machine according to the present invention.

The pachinko gaming system of this embodiment includes a pachinko machine 100 as a gaming machine, a card issuing machine 200 that issues a card CD, a card payment machine 300 for paying prize balls obtained as a result of the game, and the various types described above. A management device 400 that centrally manages and controls terminals, and this management device 400
and a data transmission path 500 consisting of an optical fiber cable or the like that organically connects each terminal, and these constitute an organic combination. Note that the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, etc. can be operated using optical communication without using the data transmission line (optical fiber, etc.) 500. It is also possible to send and receive data between the card payment machine 300 and the management device 400, and when optical communication is used, complicated wiring is unnecessary and the trouble of wiring connections etc. is saved, so it is possible to play games. You can keep the store tidy, maintain it,
Management can be made easier. In the gaming system shown in FIG. 1, intervention is possible only by the card CD indicated in -.
Moreover, the operation of cards and the conversion of their valuable data are only possible through systems that are connected to each other. Therefore, each component of the system is a pachinko machine +00, a card issuing machine 200, a card payment machine 300, and a management device 4.
00 are each provided with a card reader (in this specification, a device that writes on the magnetic surface of a card is also referred to as a card reader), and information on the card and information on each terminal device is stored in the management device 400. It is stored in the form of a file in the storage device.

Next, the cards used in the system shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the card CD used in the system of this embodiment has an amount display section PRT on which the purchase amount, etc. is printed, provided in the center of the card along the longitudinal direction of the card.

Immediately above the amount display section PRT, there is provided a variable display section DSP that variably displays the balance of the card and the number of balls held in numbers.

On the other hand, at a position slightly below the center of the card, there is a magnetic recording section MG coated with a band-shaped magnetic material from the front end to the rear end. This magnetic recording section MG records the card number, unused amount (equals the purchase amount at the time of issue), number of balls held, card limit, security code, etc.

Further, in the card of this embodiment, a security storage section SCT is provided below the magnetic recording section MG, which has a special mark that cannot be discerned by the human eye but can be read by an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like. This security mark is hidden by being provided under a colored coating layer on the surface or hidden inconspicuously within a pattern printed on the surface.

The variable display unit DSP is, for example, shown in FIGS. 3(A) to 3(C).
It can be realized at low cost by using the structure shown in FIG. That is, magnetic particles 10 are contained in a nonmagnetic material.
A spacer 13 having a honeycomb structure as shown in FIGS. 3(B) and 3(C) is formed by partitioning a transparent plate 12 made of acrylic or the like having magnetic particles 10 dispersed therein by partition walls 13a. The high viscosity liquid 14 mixed with colored magnetic powder 15 such as iron powder is sealed in the gap. As the high viscosity liquid 14, it is preferable to use silicone oil or the like, which does not change easily over time, and to make it cloudy by dispersing colored particles 16 such as titanium oxide therein to make an opaque liquid.

The variable display unit DSP having the above structure uses a magnet or the like from below the substrate 11 to spread the magnetic powder 15 in the high viscosity liquid 14 to a third place.
If you move it downward as shown in Figure (B), the transparent plate 12
The surface becomes white and becomes undisplayed. On the other hand, when displaying is desired, a writing head consisting of a large number of microelectromagnets arranged in a seven-segment, dot matrix, or linear arrangement is approached and current is applied only to predetermined microelectromagnets. Then, the magnetic powder 15 in the high viscosity liquid 14 is attracted to the surface by the magnetic force of the excited microelectromagnet and lands on the back surface of the transparent plate 12. and,
When the writing head is released, black dots will rise only in the areas where the magnetic powder has been adsorbed, and numbers and letters will be displayed. Since the high viscosity liquid 14 is sealed between the substrate 11 and the transparent plate 12, the magnetic powder 15 cannot be easily moved and the display does not disappear even after being left for a long time. Moreover, since the high viscosity liquid 14 mixed with the magnetic powder 15 is sealed in the gap between the honeycomb-structured spacers 13, it is possible to prevent the magnetic powder from moving in the lateral direction, thereby preventing display unevenness.

If you want to rewrite the display, bring a large magnet close to the back side of the substrate 11 and remove the magnetic powder 15 floating on the front side.
After the data is erased by moving it to the back side, a writing head may be placed on the surface of the transparent plate 12 again soon. When the writing head is composed of linearly arranged micromagnets, by moving the head or the card, it is possible to sequentially attract the cards and make a display appear.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show an example of the configuration of the card issuing machine 200.

The card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment includes a bill identifying device 210 that identifies bills for card purchase, and an issuing device 700 that selects a card with an amount corresponding to the inserted bill, prints the issue date on the card, and issues the card. , a bill dispensing device 230 for dispensing bills as change, and various indicators 221
225 and a unit control device 280 that controls the entire card issuing machine 200 and performs data communication with the management device 400.

1. Corresponding to the banknote identification device 210, the front panel 201, which can be opened and closed, is provided with a banknote insertion unit 211, a purchase selection switch group 212, and an amount display 213. Therefore, when a player first inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 2]1, the amount of money inserted is displayed on the amount display 213. Then, by pressing the switch corresponding to the desired purchase amount from the purchase selection switch group 212,
A card corresponding to the desired purchase amount is sent to the issuing device 700.
The card is issued from the card ejection port 202. The purchase selection switch group 212 is composed of switches each with a built-in lamp, and when a banknote is inserted, there are switches that can be selected within the range of the inserted amount (3 for 3,000 yen, 3 for 5,000 yen). The built-in lamps corresponding to 5) will be lit.

When a banknote is inserted through the banknote insertion slot 211 of the card issuing machine 200 and a purchase amount is determined by the purchase selection switch 212 and a balance is generated, a banknote dispensing device 230 for discharging the remaining balance stores banknotes. It is equipped with a banknote tank and is configured to discharge banknotes corresponding to the remaining amount from a banknote dispensing port 232 provided on the front panel 201.

Further, on the front panel 201 of the card issuing machine 200, an issuance lamp 221 indicates that the card is in a state where the card can be issued, and an issuance stop lamp 22 indicates that the card cannot be issued.
2. A bill insertion indicator 223 that indicates whether or not bills can be accepted into the bill insertion slot 211, a card issue indicator 224 that indicates the issuing status of the card, and a bill dispensing indicator 225 that indicates the status of paying out the balance are provided.

Furthermore, the card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment is configured such that each of the plurality of issuing machines (several tens of machines) installed in the game parlor can be distinguished from each other so that the management device 400 can grasp which issuing machine has issued a particular card. For this purpose, a machine number setting device 205 is provided inside, and the machine number set by this setting device 205 is transmitted to the management device 4. The information is sent to the OO and used to generate a transmission address for data communication and to create a data file for each issuing machine.

On the other hand, the issuing device 700 selects the cards stocked for each amount in the plurality of card tanks 701, takes them out one by one, prints the date of issue on the printing device, and prints the issue date on the card with the printing device. Open the front panel 201
The card is discharged from the card issuing port 202 provided in the card. The purpose of punching a hole at the time of issue is to ensure that only the card issued by the issuing machine is valid.Another possible method is to additionally write a specific code on the magnetic surface at the time of issue. Note that information regarding the issued card is recorded in a file within the management device 400.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the card payment machine 300.

The card payment machine 300 of this embodiment has the card number and amount recorded on the magnetic recording section of the inserted card CD,
A card reader that reads the number of balls held, etc., a printer that issues a receipt with the number of balls acquired through games, and a unit that controls various displays 303, 304, 341, 342 and the entire card payment machine 300. ), control device, etc.

This card payment machine 300 has a top panel 301 that can be rotated in the vertical direction.
However, on the top surface of the top panel 301, there are provided a number-of-balls display 303 that displays the number of prize balls won (number of balls held) and an amount display 304 that displays the amount to be paid when redeeming the prize balls for cash. . Moreover, the card payment machine 300 of this embodiment
It has two flat surfaces and is provided with two sets of man-hour display 303 and amount display 30/I so that it can be used as a counter installed in a pachinko parlor, one of which is tilted forward. One side is tilted backwards to make it easier for the staff inside the counter to read. Further, a display reset switch 305 is provided near the rear of the upper surface of the negative panel 301 to clear the display on the display to IOJ. When a player first inserts a card into the card insertion slot 302, the card reader in the card payment machine 300 reads the card CD.
The card number, amount, and number of balls recorded on the magnetic surface of the card are read, the number of balls acquired is displayed on the ball number display 303, the card number is sent to the management device, the file is confirmed, and the printer prints out the unused ball. A receipt with the amount, number of balls acquired, history data, etc. printed will be issued. Also, if the balance on the card after payment is zero, it will be confiscated into the internal card collection tank.

In addition, the card payment machine 3o○ of this embodiment has a built-in bill dispenser for dispensing banknotes and a coin dispenser for dispensing 100 yen coins so that prize balls can be exchanged for cash and unused amounts can be settled. A bill dispensing port 322 is provided on the front panel 306 corresponding to the bill dispensing device, and a coin dispensing port 326 is provided corresponding to the coin dispensing device. However, these devices do not necessarily need to be provided, and it may be possible to make it impossible to settle unused money. This is because a card with a balance can be used from the next day onwards, and also at other game parlors.

Further, the two-sided panel 301 of the card payment machine 300
On the top surface, there is a payment in progress lamp 341 that indicates that the card payment is in progress, and a payment cancellation lamp 3 that indicates that the card payment is not possible.
42 are provided.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a pachinko machine to which the present invention is applied.

The pachinko machine of this embodiment uses an enclosed ball circulation system, and each pachinko machine 100 is equipped with a card reader 420 and a display lamp 163 for displaying the amount of balls held in an analog manner, as shown in FIG. At the top of the front frame 108 that holds the game board, there is also an operation panel 110 that gives commands such as ending a game with cards, changing to the number of balls, etc., and a front panel 105 that covers the front of the firing device is located at the bottom of the pachinko machine. Each is provided. One side of the front panel 105 (
On the left side in the figure, a pause switch button 107 is provided as a game hold command means for giving a command to stop the progress of the jackpot operation. Pause switch 107a provided inside this pause switch button
The on signal is input manually to a unit control device 180, which will be described later (see FIG. 15).

Furthermore, inside each pachinko machine 100, an enclosed ball circulating device 130 and a ball launcher 103 that launches enclosed balls one by one into the game area are arranged, and an operation dial 1.04 is provided at the lower front. Also, operation dial 1
04], there is an amount display 11 for enabling procedures for starting a game using the card, a ball number display 112, a conversion switch 113, an interruption switch 114, an end switch 115, and a game status display. An operation panel 110 including a device 116 and the like is provided. The configuration of the playing area on the front of the pachinko game board is the same as the conventional one.

The conversion switch 1.13 is an instruction switch for converting the amount into game balls in units of 200 yen, etc., within the range of the amount held by the card, assuming that the card is inserted into the card reader 420. The number of game balls you have is the number of balls you have.

The remaining amount of the card is displayed on the amount display 111 in units of 100 yen, and the converted number of balls is displayed on the number of balls display 112, and the ball launcher releases one game ball. Each time it is fired, the number of balls you have is subtracted by one,
When a winning ball occurs, the number of prize balls will be added and displayed.

By turning on the end switch 115 whenever the player wants to end the game (including when changing the game machine), the card being used can be ejected from the card reader 420. At that time, the card reader 420 displays the player's remaining balance and number of balls (sum of purchased balls and acquired balls) at that time on the variable display section DSP of the card, and records it on the magnetic recording section MG of the card. then eject the card.

In addition, the interrupt switch l 1.4 is a switch that is used by the player to temporarily interrupt the game for a break, even though the player does not intend to stop playing on the gaming machine that is currently being played. Then, the card reader 420 temporarily ejects the card and enters a standby state until the same card is inserted again, and does not accept any other cards during that time. At this time, the remaining amount and the number of balls held are displayed and recorded on the card and discharged. Of the switches described in 2 above, conversion switch 11.3 has a built-in lamp, and when the number of balls in possession reaches ``O'' when there is money left on the card, conversion switch 11.3 is activated.
The lamp in 3 will blink to display a message prompting conversion.

Next, a configuration example of the back side of the pachinko machine 100 will be explained using FIG. 8.

The pachinko machine of this embodiment], OO is configured as a closed game machine that circulates game balls sealed inside the machine, and has an enclosed ball circulation device 130 on the back surface that circulates the enclosed balls.

That is, the winning ball collection gutter 13 covering a plurality of winning ball outlet holes formed to penetrate the game board corresponding to the winning area provided in the game area on the front surface of the game board is connected to the frame 1.
．． It is attached to the back of the game board held by 06. The bottom wall of the winning ball gathering gutter 13120- is sloped downward toward the center to form a guide shelf 131a.
Below that, a guide gutter 132 is arranged.

This guide gutter 132 is an out ball gutter 132a as shown in FIG.
The first safe ball gutter 132b and the second safe ball gutter 132c are integrally formed, and in the middle of each machine there is a pair of light emitting lights,
Photoelectric out-sensor SNS consisting of a light receiver 1 and 1
A safe sensor SNS 2 and a second safe sensor 5NS3 are attached. Further, the guide gutter 132 includes a merging mallet portion 132d that collects the balls that have flowed into each machine in one place, and the end of the merging mallet portion 132d has a gentle slope to align the pachinko balls in a line, as shown in FIG. It is connected to the upstream side of the inclined guide trough 133, thereby forming an enclosed ball circulation device 130. And the guide gutter 133]
- On the downstream side, there is a foul ball receiving port 134 (see Fig. 11) provided at the upper end of the firing rail to collect so-called foul balls that are hit along the firing rail and return toward the rail board. A foul ball gutter 133a facing the guide gutter 133a is integrally formed so that foul balls flow down through the guide gutter 132 and merge with the balls flown down onto the guide gutter 133. Foul ball gutter 133
A foul sensor 5NS4 is disposed in the middle of a.

Then, a ball feeder 135, which has a ball storage 1135a facing the lower end of the distribution gutter 133 and separates the balls on the guide gutter 133 one by one and causes them to flow downward, swings. installed as possible.

A stopper 136 is fixed at the rear of the ball feeder 135, which prevents the ball feeder 135 from rotating more than necessary, so that when the ball feeder 135 rotates downward due to the weight of the incoming balls, the two end faces of the ball feeder 135 are fixed. Balls on the guide gutter 133 can be prevented from flowing down. Furthermore, a rotatable ball leveler 137 is attached to the middle of the guide trough 133, and a sliding ball removing mechanism 138 is provided downstream.

As shown in FIG. 10, this ball extraction mechanism 138 prevents the ball from sliding in the lateral direction by a blocking piece 148 protruding from the back surface of the frame board 109 when the enclosed ball circulating device 130 is attached to the back surface of the frame board 109. This prevents him from removing the ball. Thus, the enclosed ball circulating device 130 is attached so that it can rotate as a whole at a hinge section 139 provided on one side (the right side in FIG. 10), and rotates rearward about the hinge section 139. When the ball is moved, the ball removal mechanism 138 can be slid to remove the ball. Moreover, an elastic locking piece 133 is provided at the end of the guide trough 133.
a is fixed, and by engaging this with the engagement stepped portion 149 of the frame board 109, the enclosed ball circulation device 13
0 can be fixed so that it cannot be rotated.

The pachinko balls separated by the ball feeder 135 pass through a ball passage hole 139 (see FIG. 11) formed in the frame board 109 disposed behind the front panel 105, and are fixed obliquely to the front surface of the frame board. Launch rail 14
One piece is flowed down to the base of 0. A firing rod 103a is arranged so as to face the base of this firing rail 140 (see FIG. 12). At the same time, below the base of the firing rail 140 is a push-up piece 1 which is rotated in conjunction with the firing rod 103a and pushes up the ball delivery feed 135.
An interlocking member 141 having 41a is provided.

Further, a concave groove is formed on the upper surface of the launch rail 140 to guide the ball, and the frame board 140 is provided with a concave groove for guiding the ball.
A firing sensor 5NS5 consisting of a firing type charging switch that detects a ball passing on the rail is mounted on the curved surface of bracket 1.
42, the firing sensor 5NS5 is attached to the upper surface of the rail at a distance of at least one ball. At the upper end of the bracket 142, there is a return ball prevention wall 143 that prevents the return ball from jumping over the sensor. is provided. Further, a foul ball receiving port 134 is formed in the frame board 109 corresponding to the upper end of the firing rail 140 to guide the returning ball into the guide gutter 132 at the rear of the frame board. The receiver is piece 14
4 is provided protrudingly.

A game board mounting portion 109a is provided at the upper end of the frame board 109, and game board positioning protrusions 145 are erected at both ends. Further, a frame engaging portion 146 is formed along the upper end of the frame board 109 and has a groove in which the frame 106 for holding the game board can be engaged, and is used for positioning the frame 106 from above the frame board 109. By descending along the protrusion 145 and engaging the lower end with the groove of the frame engaging portion 146, the two can be coupled. Furthermore, four locking tools 106a are provided on the side wall of the frame 106 to removably engage the game board.
The frame board 1 holds the game board held in the frame 106.
The fastening tool 147 is placed on the mounting portion 109a of 09.
It is designed to be tightened and fixed. A speaker 150 is attached to the front side (left side in FIG. 11) of the frame board 109 to generate sound effects related to the game.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the front panel 105 covering the nj side of the frame board 109 has a holding frame inside the front frame 108, which can be opened and closed using one end (left end) as a fulcrum at the lower part of the opening bordered by 08c. A launch rail frame 151 located above the launch rail 140 is fixed to the back side of the launch rail frame 140, and the launch sensor 5NS5 faces into the frame in the middle of the launch rail frame 151. A notch 151a is provided to allow for this.

Further, a lock lever 152 is provided on the back surface of the end of the front panel 105 opposite to the hinge. Front frame 10
The front panel 105 in 8 has a glass frame 15 on one side.
4 is also attached so that it can be opened and closed.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which a frame 106 holding a game board and a frame board 109 are attached to the back side of the front frame +08, and a winning ball gathering gutter 131 is also attached to the back side of the game board held by the frame 106. Further, a pachinko machine control device 195 is arranged below the frame board l○9.

Furthermore, a game control device 158 and a relay board 159 are attached to the back side of the frame 1.06 and the winning ball gathering gutter 131.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the card reader 420.

A card insertion/ejection opening 421 is provided at one end (the right end in the figure) of the card reader 420, and a photoelectric insertion detection sensor 431 for detecting the end of the card is disposed near the card insertion/ejection opening 421.

Further, a card running path 423 is provided inside the card reader corresponding to the card insertion/ejection opening 421, and this card running path 423 is provided inside the card reader.
Conveyance rollers 424, 425 and a conveyance motor 426 are disposed along 23.

A conveyance belt 427 is wound between the conveyance rollers 424, 425 and the conveyance motor 426. Further, at the end of the card running path 423 (the left end in the figure) there is a sensor 432 for detecting the reversal position of the card, and in the middle of the card running path 423, that is, the conveying rollers 424 and 425.
A sensor 435 for reading the security mark provided on the card and a magnetic head 436 for reading and writing data in the magnetic recording section MG provided on the card are disposed between the card and the card. This magnetic head 43
Next to 6, there is a magnetic fixing device 440 for writing to the variable display section DSP provided on the card and a variable display section DSP.
A magnetic material release device 439 for erasing the display is arranged so as to face each other across the travel path 423.

In the card reader 4.20, when a card is inserted into the card insertion/ejection opening 421, the insertion detection sensor 431 takes out the end of the card, and based on the detection signal, the transport motor 426 consisting of a pulse motor is driven to transport the card. Conveyance rollers 424° and 425 are rotated via a belt 427. Then,
The card is conveyed along the travel path 423 and taken into the card reader. The transport motor 426 includes an encoder 433 for detecting the rotation angle and a rotation position detection sensor 43.
4, and the motor is stopped when the card is conveyed by a predetermined amount.

The magnetic body fixing device 7140 is, for example, shown in FIG. 14(B).
As shown in FIG. 14(A), a head 443 has minute solenoids 81-37 each having a coil 442 wound around an elongated iron core 441 and arranged in seven segments as shown in FIG. 14(A). By selectively passing current through a predetermined solenoid, the magnetic powder free in the variable display section DSP of the card is attracted to the surface, and an arbitrary number can be displayed. The magnetic body fixing device 440 is
- You can have as many heads 443 as the number of display digits as shown below and write all the digits at once, or you can have just one head 443 and feed the card intermittently and write one digit at a time. You can do as you like.

The magnetic material release device 439 is attached to the head 44 in FIG. 14(B).
It can be constructed by winding a coil around a core of about the same size as 3.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the configuration of a control system for a pachinko machine.

In the same figure, 188 is a card reader control device that controls each component of the card reader 420 shown in FIG. 13, such as the transport motor 426, the magnetic head 436, and the magnetic body fixing device 440.

This card reader control device 188 is connected to a unit control device 180 that is connected to a management device (described later) for the entire game parlor via a communication line. The unit control device 180 includes a machine number setting switch 171, a test switch 179, and a call switch 165 provided in the pachinko machine.
In response to input from the pause switch 107a, the analog lamp 163, pachinko machine status lamp 162, safe ball lamp +64, card insertion lamp 168, and speaker 166 are controlled.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the control device 195 of the pachinko machine 1.00 is connected via the optical cable 191.
1- is connected to the unit control device 180, and detection signals from various sensors are input thereto, and drive control signals for display devices and the like are output. To enable communication using optical fiber cables, an optical multiplex data link (interface ) is the unit controller 1
80 and fiber optic cable 1. 9 1 and between the optical fiber cable 191 and the pachinko machine control device 195
are provided at the connection points with the

The optical fiber cable 191 is connected to the unit control device 180.
By using it for data communication between the machine controller 195 and the pachinko machine control device 195, it simplifies the large number of wires that were conventionally arranged in a complicated manner on the back of the pachinko machine, making maintenance and management easier, and reducing the noise caused by noise. Malfunctions can be prevented.

Under the control of the pachinko machine control device 195, the amount display 111, the number of balls display 112, the conversion lamp 121 in the conversion switch 113, the game status display lamp 123, the control device 194 of the batted ball firing device 103, and the accessory control device 158
At the same time, the signal from the conversion switch 113, the interrupt switch 11.4, the end switch 115, the out sensor, and other ball detection sensors SNS1 = SNS5 is waveform-shaped by the Pachinko machine control device 195. and is supplied to the unit controller 1.80.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration of the pachinko machine control device 195.

Pachinko machine controller 95 monitors the pachinko machine controller CPUI, which is a microcomputer, and periodic watchdog pulses output from this controller CPU1, and resets the controller when the pulses are interrupted.
・Parallel-to-serial conversion means for converting parallel transmission data into serial data and converting serial reception data into parallel data in order to enable optical data transmission between the reset circuit R3T1 that generates a signal and the unit control device 180 Multiplex transmission controller C equipped with last-minute conversion means
NT1 and optical cable 191 via optical connector 193
A photoelectric conversion circuit connected to
Decoders DECI and DEC2 that decode the display data to the amount display] 11 and ball number display 11.2, and the driver DRV that forms a drive signal for the display based on the output thereof.
1. ．． Buffer BFF having a buffering function for input/output signals between DRV2, driver DRV3 that forms drive signals for conversion lamp 121, game status display lamp 123, and batted ball launcher 103, and accessory control device 1.58. It is composed of.

Regarding the processing of the detection signal from the sensor in this pachinko machine control device 195, the noise is simply removed from the detection signal, the signal is shaped into a constant pulse width, and then sent to the unit control device 180 as detection data for shooting balls, safe balls, etc. . In other words, calculations such as the number of safe balls are not performed on the pachinko machine control device 195 side, and such calculations are performed by the unit control device 18.
This is done on the 0 side.

Similarly, the jackpot occurrence signal output from the accessory control device 158 is sent to the unit control device], 80 via the pachinko machine control device 195, and the jackpot operation hold signal output from the unit control device 180 is sent to the pachinko machine control device. It is configured to be supplied to the accessory control device 158 via the device 195, respectively.

Furthermore, noise is easily generated in pachinko machines due to static electricity, etc., but since there is a reset circuit RS T l that monitors the watchdog pulse, even if the pachinko machine controller CPUI goes out of control due to noise etc. When the dog pulse disappears, a reset signal is generated and the CPU initializes, thereby preventing runaway.

The watchdog pulse can be easily generated by an interrupt from a timer counter inside CI)U.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of the unit control device 1.80.

The unit control device 180 transmits data between the management device 400 and the unit controller I/roller 190 that centrally controls the card reader control device 188 and the pachinko machine control device 95 in order to enable pachinko games using cards. It is comprised of a data transmission controller 551 that performs control related to the data transmission controller, and a network controller 553 that performs the establishment of receivables and the serial/parallel conversion of data in the network under the control of the data transmission controller. And each controller 1.90 and 551 questions and 551 and 55
3 data is received and passed using the dual boat memory (R
AM) 550 and 552. Among these, the memory 552 is divided into a transmission data storage area and a reception data storage area, and has an adjustment function for making all transmission and reception data the same length (packetization) and speeding up data transmission (2. ,sMbps)
It has a buffer function to measure the

This packet memory 552 is composed of four pages each having a capacity of 256 bytes, of which page 0 is used for transmitting a transmission request packet, and page 1 is used for transmitting a scheduled data transmission packet. - Pages 2 and 3 are used alternately for receiving data packets. The data transmission controller 551 instructs the network controller 553 as to which page to use. Even if the data transmission controller 551 is processing received packet data, even if the next packet data is sent, it will be received by another page, so all packets can be reliably received.

A common reset circuit 555 is provided to allow each controller 551, 553 to be initialized simultaneously.

On the connection side of the network controller 553 with the management device 4oO, an optical The selector switch 54 can be connected to the connector 186, and can also be connected to the transmission line of the low-layer network using a circular shaft cable.
2, it can be connected to a branch circuit 540 for separating and combining the transmitted signal and the received signal.

The optical connector 186 includes the optical transceiver 1 shown in FIG.
85 is connected.

Further, between the data transmission controller 55] and the network controller 553, a latch circuit 561 for the network controller 553 to store the data reception result in response to a request from the data transmission controller 551, and a data transmission controller 551 are provided. , a latch circuit 562 for storing commands such as a data transmission command for the network controller 553, a latch circuit 563 for storing a low-layer network address, and three L's for indicating an abnormality in the communication control state within the unit control device 180. A latch circuit 564 is provided for storing display data on a monitor display 556 consisting of an ED lamp. 557 each of the above latch circuits 561 to 56
This is a decoder that decodes the address given to 4 and generates a selection signal.

On the other hand, between the unit controller 190 and the card reader control device 188, there is a transceiver 571 that converts the level of transmitted and received data.
A multiplex transmission controller 572 and a photoelectric conversion device 573 that perform parallel-to-serial conversion of transmitted and received data are connected between the two.

Furthermore, the unit controller 190 includes, via a data bus 581, a latch circuit 574 that latches the amount of money, display data (segment data and common data) of the number of balls display, a purchase lamp, a game status display lamp, and control for batted ball firing. a latch circuit 575 that latches the signal;
An input/output controller 576 that places input signals from various switches provided in the pachinko machine 100 and the control unit 160 onto the data bus 581 at a predetermined timing and latches output signals that display various lamps, and the control unit 160 A latch circuit 577 for latching audio signals generated from the internal speaker 166 is connected thereto.

582 is a voice synthesis LSI, 583 is a low-pass filter that cuts high frequency components and improves the sound quality, and 584 is an amplifier that adjusts the volume. Among these, the voice synthesis LSI 582 stores multiple voice data in a built-in EPROM. It selects audio data according to a selection signal (So-83) given from the unit controller 190, outputs the audio signal in synchronization with the start signal ST, and stops the output in response to the reset signal R.

Note that 558 is a program ROM that stores a control program for the unit controller 190, and 559 is a program ROM that stores a control program for the transmission controller 551. 585 decodes the address signal output from the unit controller 190 and sends it to the program memory 558, unit memory 550, and latch circuit 57.
4. ．． 575.577 and input/output controller 576
This is a decoder that forms a selection signal.

As described above, the unit control device 180 controls the management device 40
It has information exchange windows on three sides: 0, card reader control device 188, and pachinko machine control device 195, and management device 4. It has a function of controlling pachinko games using cards under the control of the OO, and periodically transmitting pachinko machine game information generated as game results to the management device.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a special RAM is used as the unit memory 550 in which a predetermined terminal INT goes up when data is written to a predetermined address (7FE). Then, when the system is started, the data transmission controller 551 writes data to a specified location, turns on the terminal INT, sends the signal from that terminal to the unit controller 190, and transmits the data between the controllers regarding the use of the unit memory. I'm trying to keep it in sync. Note that the specific terminal INT falls when the unit controller 1.90 reads data at the predetermined address.

On the other hand, synchronization with the management device 400 at the time of system start-up is performed by the data transmission controller 551. done by sending.

By the way, as mentioned above, the pachinko machine control device 195 side does not perform calculations such as the number of safe balls, but such calculations are performed on the unit control device 180 side.
Detection signals related to game balls such as safe signals and signals from the purchase switch 113 are input to the unit controller 190.

Based on these signals, the unit controller 190 calculates operating data such as the number of balls put out, number of out balls, number of balls held, and sales amount, and generates operating information (playing status) and monitor information regarding the pachinko machine. and writes them to the transmission data area of unit memory 550 consisting of dual port memory.

The operating data etc. written to the unit memory 550 are
The data is sent to the management device through data communication between the transmission controller 551 and the management device 400 . Further, data sent from the management device 400 is also temporarily written to the reception data area in the unit memory 550, and the unit controller 190 reads the data to receive the data. The unit memory 550 includes a communication area for storing commands and status information to notify the other controller that other transmitted data and received data are in the memory, a working area for each controller, and an area for synchronization between controllers. It is provided.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a control procedure in the accessory control device 158.

This control flow is executed, for example, every two seconds by turning on the power and interrupting a timer.

The accessory control device first reads the status of various switches, such as the power switch and the activation switch for the accessory installed in a specific prize opening of the game board, removes chattering, and formats it into a format that can be used in the following processing. (Step Sl).

Next, from the read switch state, it is determined whether the startup is due to power-on or other causes (timer interrupt, reset, etc.), and if the startup is due to power-on, the RAM is initialized (step S2 , 83). Also, when activated by a timer interrupt or reset, it is checked whether the memory is normal by inspecting the specific RAM area set by the above initialization (
Step S 4. ). And if there is a problem with the memory,
Initialize the RAM area again.

On the other hand, if the memory is normal as a result of checking, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether a hold signal is received from the accessory control device.

Here, if the hold signal is not input, step S6
The system determines whether or not there is fraud based on the input status of various switches and sensors, and if there is fraud, the game will not start even if a prize is won in the starting slot, and fraudulent processing such as displaying an abnormality or generating an alarm will be carried out. (Step S1.1).

If there is no fraud, the process proceeds to step S7, and depending on the state of the switch, the solenoid, motor, lamp, etc.
Game processing such as comparison and calculation is executed by operating segment type displays etc. for a predetermined time in a predetermined order.

During this game process, it is determined whether or not a jackpot state in which the variable display matches a specific state has occurred. Then, editing is performed to form an output signal for driving accessories such as solenoids and motor lamps (step S8), and processing for outputting the edited output information to the output boat is executed (step 89). When the occurrence of a jackpot is detected in the game process of step S7, a jackpot occurrence signal is outputted in step S9. After that, perform pre-editing and output processing (step 81.0) to generate the sound effect specified by the game processing (step S7) or fraud processing (step 511) from the speaker, and wait until the next startup. .

” If the occurrence of a jackpot is detected in step S7 and a jackpot occurrence signal is sent to the unit control device 1.80, and a hold signal is returned from the unit control device, this is detected in step S5, and the step The process shifts to a standby state without executing the processes from S6 to SIO. As a result, the control of the accessory corresponding to the jackpot is stopped.

Next, a specific control procedure in the unit controller 190 will be explained using FIGS. 19 to 27.

Processing in the unit controller 190 includes an initialization task after power-on or reset, and subsequent
There are 0 types of main tasks, timer interrupt processing based on interrupt signals received from the timer every millisecond, and serial interrupt processing that occurs when transmitting and receiving functions to and from the card reader controller.

Of these, 10 types of main tasks are repeatedly executed in real-time processing. Here, the 10 main tasks are a packet reception task, a card reader control task, a packet transmission task, an error control task, a man-hour calculation task, a switch detection task, a sound output task, a timer control task, a lamp drive task, and a boat output task. There are 10 types of control tasks. Of these, accurate management of the number of balls held, which is the objective of the present invention, is achieved mainly by sensor and switch detection processing (FIG. 20) using timer interrupts and switch detection task (FIG. 23).

Processing related to control of the pachinko machine will be described below.

Figure 19 (A) shows timer interrupt processing, Figure 19 (B)
shows the procedure for serial interrupt processing.

In the timer interrupt processing in FIG. 19(A), first the hot code (855A) in the unit memory 550 is checked (procedure Pl), and if there is an abnormality, a reset is applied, and if normal, the corresponding timer interrupt is executed. (Procedure P2). Next, unit controller 1
．． After updating the timer prepared in the internal RAM of the 90, the rFF is
HJ is set and the watchdog counter in the unit memory, which is decremented by 1 every 20 mS, is checked (procedures P3 and P4). Here, the watchdog counter is r
Q", it is determined that the data transmission controller is down, the common signal for driving the segment type display is fixed, and a reset is applied by the reset circuit 555.

If the watchdog counter is normal, the next sensor and switch detection process (see Figure 20 (A)) is executed, and then the switch detection signal invalidation process (see Figure 20 (B)) is executed (procedure). P5゜P6).

After that, the amount and number of balls data are read from the unit memory and converted into codes, and the amount display 111
, segment data and common data for the ball number display 112 are formed and output, and the amount and number of balls are dynamically displayed (procedures P7 to P8).

On the other hand, in the serial interrupt processing shown in FIG. 19(B), when an interrupt comes in from the transmit buffer or receive buffer inside the unit controller 190, it is first determined whether it is a receive interrupt or not, and if it is a receive interrupt, a 1-byte Move the received data to internal RAM (procedure Pll, PI3). In addition, if the serial interrupt is an interrupt from the transmission buffer, 1 byte of transmission data is converted to serial data by shifting the transmission buffer and output.
Execute byte transmission processing (procedure PI3゜P 14.
). Note that the serial interrupt mentioned above is automatically interrupted by the CPU when sending/receiving data enters the receiving buffer or sending buffer.
An interrupt signal is input to the .

The sensor and switch detection processing during the timer interrupt processing (FIG. 19(A)) is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 20(A).

That is, first, the on/off states of the pause switch 107a, conversion switch 113, interrupt switch 114, end switch 115, test switch 179, and call switch 165 are read and compared with the previous states (procedures P51 and P52).

By comparing the states, it can be easily determined whether the states have changed by performing a logical operation such as ebusive OR. Here, if there is a switch that is newly turned on, the on state of that switch is saved in the internal RAM (procedure Pb0).

Next, check whether the sensor is being detected (procedure Pb4).
In other words, it is determined whether "game" is January or not, and if the sensor is being detected, the firing sensor SNS 5, the safe sensor 5NS2, 5
NS3, foul sensor 5NS4, out sensor SNS
The state of 1 is read and compared with the previous state (procedures P55 and P56).

If there is a sensor that has newly turned on, the on state of that sensor is saved in the internal RAM (procedure P
b0).

After that, it is determined whether or not the drive control of the batted ball launcher 103 is being performed, and if it is being controlled, jumps to procedure P60, and if it is not being controlled, the ON state of the launch sensor saved in the RAM is invalidated in procedure Pb0. (Procedure P
58. P59). Then, if the data saved in the RAM is checked and the firing sensor is on, a counter provided in the RAM for counting the number of floating balls is incremented (procedures P2O and P61). Also, if the firing sensor is off, proceed to the next procedure P62 without incrementing the number of floating balls.
Then, it is determined whether the number of floating balls is "O" or not. Here, if the number of floating balls is rOJ, disable the on state of the first safe sensor SNS 2 saved in RAM (procedure P7O),
If it is not "0", check whether the first safe sensor is on or not, and if it is on, subtract the number of floating balls (procedures P63 and P64).
), and if the first safe sensor is off again, the process directly proceeds to procedure P65, and it is again determined whether the number of floating balls is 10.

Then, if the number of floating balls is "0", the second
Procedure P to disable the on state of safe sensor 5NS3
77), if it is not "0", check whether the second safe sensor is on or not, and if it is on, subtract the number of floating balls (procedure P66).
, P67), and if the second safe sensor is off again, the process directly proceeds to procedure P68, and it is again determined whether the number of floating balls is rOJ. Here, if the number of floating balls is rQJ, invalidate the on state of the foul sensor SNS< saved in RAM (P78), and if it is not "O", check whether the foul sensor is on or not, and if it is on, check the number of floating balls. After subtraction (procedure P69.P2O), if the foul sensor is off again, the process directly proceeds to procedure P71, and it is again determined whether the number of floating balls is "0" or not. Here, if the number of floating balls is "○", invalidate the on state of out sensor SNS 1 saved in RAM (procedure P2O), if it is not "O", check whether the out sensor is on state or not, and if it is on, floating balls After subtracting the number (procedures P72 and P73), if the out sensor is off, proceed directly to procedure I]74, and if either safe sensor 1 or 2 is enabled, reserve the output of the hit sound and turn on the safe bulb indicator lamp. after incrementing (+1) the on-count counter for the valid on-state sensor that is saved in the RAM (procedure P75).
.

Thereafter, the switch invalidation process shown in FIG. 20(B) is executed. In this process, first check whether the operating status is "gaming",
If "playing", disable the on state of the test switch saved in RAM. Procedure P81. P82), if it is other than "playing", disable the on state of the interrupt switch 114 and the purchase switch 113 (procedure P83), then determine whether the card state is "return to zero" or not, and if it is "return to zero", turn on the saved conversion switch. , invalidate the on state of the interrupt switch and the end switch 115 (procedures P84 and P85).

As mentioned above, the control of the pachinko machine by the unit controller of this embodiment incorporates the concept of floating balls,
Winning balls, etc. that result in the number of floating balls being [0] or less, with balls equal to the number of winning balls, out balls, and foul balls subtracted from the number of launched balls being considered to exist on the game board as floating balls. If it is detected, it will be invalidated. This eliminates erroneous detection signals due to noise, etc., and improves the accuracy of calculation of the number of balls.

Next, the initialization task and ten types of main tasks processed in real time by the unit controller 190 will be described.

FIG. 21 shows an initialization task among them.

When the unit controller 190 receives a reset signal from the reset circuit 555 when it is turned on or when the watchdog pulse disappears, it starts an initialization task, first clears the internal RAM and writes a check code at a predetermined address. Then, initial values are set in the internal registers and the I10 port is set to a predetermined initial state (procedures P91 to P93). Then, after setting each of a plurality of reference timers prepared in the RAM, the CPU waits for the rise of the initialization signal INT output by writing to the unit memory 550 by the data transmission controller 551 (procedures P94 and P95). Then, when the INT signal rises, the setting number of the machine number setting switch 171 is read, the serial number and the channel number are calculated, and after writing them to the transmission data area of the unit memory, the management device 400 sends the "' line test. ``Wait for the packet to be sent (procedure P96)
~P98) and check the test switch 179. Then, if the ``line test'' packet is received, return the ``ACK'' packet to the management device and return to the main task, and if the test switch is turned on before receiving the ``line test'' packet, set the test mode flag. 22 shows the procedure of the ball number calculation task among the ten types of main tasks of the unit controller 190.

In this task, first check the flag or signal to determine whether the sensor is being detected or in other words, if the game is being played.P1.81
), if the sensor is not being detected, clear the counter that counts the number of times each sensor is turned on (P2S5); if the sensor is being detected, clear the firing sensor obtained in the process of FIG. 20(A) according to procedures P183 to P199. 5NS5,
First safe sensor 5NS2, second safe sensor 5NS3
, foul sensor 5NS4, out sensor SNS], calculate the total number of winning balls, number of balls out, number of out balls, and difference number one after another, and finally record the total number in the stop calculation register. Add the number of prize balls (procedure P2O0).

FIG. 23 shows the procedure of the switch detection task among the main tasks of the unit controller 190.

In this task, first check the flag or signal to determine whether sensor detection is enabled or not (procedure P2O1). Check whether switch 107a is turned on (procedures P2O2 to P2O7). When any switch is turned on, the corresponding process (see FIGS. 24(b) to 24(h)) is executed. In addition, among the above switches, the call switch 16
When 5 is turned on, the status display lamp 1 of the pachinko machine
62 to blink and reserve the output of the switch operation sound (procedure P2+, 9). In addition, the pause switch 107a
is turned on, the pause flag is checked in procedure P2O3, and if the flag is "0", the pause switch processing (Fig. 24 (g)) is performed, and when the flag is rlJ, the pause cancel processing (Fig. 24 (g)) is performed. Execute (h)).

On the other hand, when it is determined in procedure P2O1 that the sensor detection is valid, the process moves to procedure P211 to judge whether the search timer (procedures P215 and P217) is operating. It is determined whether the number of balls on the card is "O" or not. If the number of balls held is not "O", proceed from procedure P2S5 to P2S5, and determine whether the value of the stop calculation register has become greater than the predetermined number of balls held, and if it is less, do nothing. The process returns to procedure P2O2 according to code A, and when the number increases, a termination process (a) as shown in FIG. 24(a) is executed.

In addition, in the normal gaming state where sensor detection is enabled and the search timer is not operating, the procedure P2O1-P211→P2
31, determine whether the number of balls held is rQJ, and the number of balls is rQ
J, it is determined whether the amount is rQJ in procedure P2S5, and if the amount is not "0", a conversion request process (procedure P2
34).

Specifically, a reservation is made to output a sound to prompt the operation of the conversion switch 113, and a reservation is made to make the display of the lamp 121 built into the conversion switch blink.

However, when both the number of balls and the amount are "O", the ball launch control is stopped, the search timer (10 seconds) is activated, and a flag indicating that the return to zero is being determined is set, and then the code is Follow the steps to return to procedure P2O2 (procedure P23
3).

Then, when the process goes from procedure P2O1 to P211 again and it is determined whether the search timer is operating, if it is operating, procedure P2
12, the floating ball counter updated in the switch detection process of FIG. 20(A) is checked to determine whether there are any floating balls remaining on the game board. Here, if there are no floating balls, proceed from procedure P212 to P221 according to code B, determine whether or not the return to zero is being determined, and then determine whether the number of balls is "0" again. If it is "O", return to "return". Reserve the transmission of zero″ packets (
Procedure P2S5).

On the other hand, if it is determined in procedure P2L2 that there is a floating ball, the process proceeds to procedure P213 to determine whether the search timer has exceeded or not, and if the search timer has not exceeded, it returns to procedure P2.
Repeat the operation from 212 to P213. Then, when 10 seconds have elapsed while the game balls remain present, the process moves to procedure P214, and, for example, the pachinko machine status display 162 is made to blink to display an unauthorized display. Normally, a fired ball stays on the game board for a few seconds, and the reason why the number of floating balls does not reach ``0'' even after 10 seconds is because the ball is stuck in the middle of the board. When the balls on the board are removed during the fraudulent display and put into the winning slot, the prize balls are added according to the process shown in FIG. 22.

Furthermore, when there are no more floating balls, the process moves from procedure P212 to procedure P221 according to code B, and then to procedure P222.
Proceed to , and here it is determined that the number of balls held is not "o", so the incorrect display and search timer are stopped, and
Set the firing motor to the driving state, clear the zero return determination flag, and cancel the return to zero determination (procedures P223 to P223)
225).

Such processing is also performed when a floating ball enters the winning slot during the operation of the search timer and the number of balls held is added. As a result, game control is continued again.

During execution of the above routine, if it is determined in procedure P2O2 that the interrupt switch is turned on, the process moves to procedure P215, starts a search timer (for example, 10 seconds), suspends the on state of the interrupt switch, and then returns to procedure P2O1. Then, in procedure P2O1, it is determined that switch detection is in effect, and the process proceeds to procedure P211, where it is determined whether the search timer is in operation.

If it is determined that the search timer is operating, procedure P21
If the number of floating balls is rQJ, that is, there are no pachinko balls left on the game board, the process moves to procedure P211 according to code B, and a return to zero determination is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in procedure P212 that there is a floating ball, the process proceeds to procedure P213, where it is determined whether or not the search timer has timed out, and if the search timer has not timed out, procedure P21
Go back to 1 and continue P20+, P21 until time is over.
1 → P212 → P2] 3 is repeated, and when 10 seconds have elapsed while the floating ball remains, the process moves to procedure P214 and an unauthorized display is performed. If a ball is removed from the board and thrown into the winning slot during the fraudulent display, the suspension process is suspended and the prize balls are added according to the process shown in FIG. 22.

Furthermore, when it is detected that the suspension switch is turned on, a search timer is activated, the suspension switch is kept on hold in procedure P216, and after confirming that there are no floating balls in procedure P212, the suspension processing routine shown in FIG. 23 is executed. Since the process proceeds to the flow shown in (B), even if a winning ball occurs immediately after turning on the interruption switch, the addition of prize balls is executed according to the process shown in FIG. 22. When the interruption switch is turned on and there are no more floating balls while the search timer is operating, or balls on the board are removed during incorrect display and there are no more floating balls, the process moves to procedure P221 in FIG. 23(B) in accordance with symbol B. Procedure P2
In step 21, the return to zero determination flag set in procedure P2S5 of FIG. The set flag is checked to determine whether the interrupt switch is pending. Then, when it is on hold, after executing the interrupt switch process shown in FIG. 24(b), step P22
At step 7, the on-state hold of the switch is released, and then the process returns to procedure P2O2 according to code A.

If the above procedure P228 determines that the interrupt switch is not pending, the end switch process is executed.

The search timer is activated only when entering zero judgment (procedure P2S5), when the interrupt switch is turned on (procedure P215), and when the end switch is turned on (procedure P217). be.

On the other hand, when the termination switch 115 is turned on, FIG.
It is recognized in procedure P2O4 of A), proceeds to procedure P217, starts the search timer, suspends the ON state of the end switch, and returns to procedure P2O1. After that, the process proceeds according to the same flow as when the interrupt switch was turned on, and if there are no floating balls, procedure P212 → P221 →
The process advances to P228 and the end switch process (FIG. 24(C)) is executed, and if the floating ball remains even after the search timer has elapsed for 10 seconds, an incorrect display is made (procedure P214).

In this embodiment, although not particularly limited, even if the interrupt switch or end switch is turned on during the return to zero determination, if the number of balls held increases due to winning, procedure P225 is performed to make the switch operation valid. After canceling the return to zero determination in step P216 and step P218, it is determined whether the switch-on state is pending or not. P227)
, if it is on hold, suspend switch processing or termination switch processing is executed.

FIG. 24(a) shows the procedure of the termination process (a) during the switch detection process of FIG. 23.

When entering this abort process, the flag is first checked to determine whether or not the test mode is in progress (P581). If the test mode is not, a "stop" packet is reserved for transmission and then After updating the number of hits (+1) and setting the card status to "stopping and free", sensor detection and drive control of the batted ball launcher 103 are stopped, and the output of the hitting sound is reserved (procedures P582~ P587
).

Although the card ejection command is not performed here, the above-mentioned "stop" packet is sent to the management device 400, and when the ACK is returned, the "card ejection" function is executed during the reception process there. When the card is sent to the card reader and a stop occurs, the card is ejected.

On the other hand, if an abort occurs during the test mode, procedure P5
81 to P591, sends the card ejection function to the card reader, stops sensor detection and control of the ejection device, and then returns the test mode drive IF.
After clearing the arithmetic register and changing the display state and operation information of the lamp to "stop", the output of the stop table is reserved (procedures P591 to P597), and the state is set. The test mode is designed to be executed even when the system is offline and not connected to the management device. If termination occurs during the test mode, by turning on the termination switch 115, the termination switch processing in FIG. 24(d) shifts to the test mode termination processing in FIG. 24(f), and the online Each process is executed depending on whether it is offline or not.

FIG. 24(b) shows the procedure for interrupt switch processing during the switch detection task of FIG. 23.

This process starts when it is detected that the interrupt switch 114 is turned on, and first, it is determined whether or not the test mode is in progress (procedure P2).
O3). Here, if it is not test mode, procedure P2
Proceed to O3, reserve the transmission of the ``Suspend Switch'' packet, change the card status to ``Suspended'', stop sensor detection and drive control of batted ball launcher 1.03, and return to the original routine. Return [Procedures P603 to P605]. Card ejection, etc. caused by turning on the interrupt switch is performed at the time when an ACK packet for the above packet is received. On the other hand, when the interrupt switch is turned on during the test mode, the operation information is updated, the transmission of the card ejection function is reserved, and the display of the control stop lamp is changed during the interrupt switch processing (Procedure P611~ P616)
. This takes offline test mode into consideration.

FIG. 24(C) shows the procedure of conversion switch processing in the switch detection task of FIG. 23.

When the conversion switch 113 is turned on, first, an instruction is given to turn off the conversion lamp 121 built into the conversion switch (procedure P621). This lamp remains lit until the amount of money does not reach rOJ, and is driven to blink by the conversion request procedure P217 of FIG. 23, which is performed when the number of man-hours reaches rOJ. Then, the blinking is stopped at the same time as the conversion switch is turned on. Next, determine whether the amount on the card is “O” and “0”.
”, then return to the routine in Figure 23 without doing anything (procedure P
622).

On the other hand, if the amount remains, proceed to procedure P623,
After reading the conversion rate of the purchaser, the number of balls equivalent to 200 yen is added to the number of balls and the number of balls in the unit memory 550 (procedure P624).

Then, the frequency of the amount (remaining amount) is "-2", the number of purchases is "+1", the frequency of "sell" 1 is "+2", and it is determined whether the amount has become "0" (Procedure P625 ~P
628). Here, if the amount is "0", the conversion lamp 123
If there is still money remaining, the conversion lamp 123 is turned on and the drive control of the batted ball firing device 103 is started (procedures P628 to P630). Therefore, the conversion lamp 123 is temporarily turned off when the conversion switch 113 is turned on, but it is immediately turned on as long as there is money left.

Further, when the player turns on the conversion switch 113 based on the conversion request sound and display, the conversion lamp changes from blinking to on or from blinking to off depending on the amount of the card.

After starting control of the batted ball launcher, the output of the conversion request sound is canceled, and the output of the switch operation sound is reserved, and the process ends (procedures P631 and P632).

FIG. 24(d) shows the procedure of the end switch processing in the switch detection task of FIG. 23.

When it is detected that the end switch 115 is turned on, the sensor detection is first stopped, and then the drive control of the batted ball launching device 103 is stopped (procedure P641., PGA1). Then, in procedure PGA3, it is determined whether or not it is a test mode, and if it is a test mode, it moves to the test mode termination process shown in FIG. Then change the card status to "free" (procedures P64.4.P645).

Card ejection commands, lamp display changes, etc. are performed when a response packet ACK to the "interrupt switch" is received.

FIG. 24(e) shows the test switch processing procedure in the switch detection task of FIG. 23.

When it is detected that the test switch 179 is turned on, the switch operation sound output is reserved and the test card function wait flag is set (procedures P651 and P652).
). Then, it is determined whether or not the device is offline, and if the device is offline, a reservation is made to send the "Card Acceptable" function to the card reader, and if it is online, nothing is done. In other words, the "Card Acceptable" function is not sent.

Therefore, when online, the test mode is entered only when card acceptance is enabled.

However, even if it is actually possible to accept cards online (suspended), the test card will be ejected if the operation information is other than "free".

FIG. 24(f) shows a specific procedure for the test mode termination process during the termination switch process in FIG. 24(d).

When this process is started, all the lamps are first turned off, sensor detection and drive control of the batted ball firing device] and 03 are stopped, and then it is determined whether it is offline or online (procedures P661 to P664). Here, if you are online, check whether the operation information of the pachinko machine is "forced termination" (procedure P2S
5) If it is a forced termination, the transmission reservation of the "card not accepted" function and the output reservation of the card ejection sound are made, and the process returns to the original routine (procedures P671 and P672). In addition,
When the card reader receives the "card cannot be accepted" function, it ejects the card it is holding and then enters a state in which it does not accept cards. In cases other than forced termination, lamp 1
After changing the display of 23, 163 to the customer waiting state, it is checked whether the operation information in the operation data area in the test mode is "discontinued" (procedures P666, PO67). Then, if it is canceled, jump directly to procedure P670, and if it is other than cancelled, the transmission reservation of the "card ejection" function and the output reservation of the card ejection sound (procedures P2O3, P6
69), the process moves to procedure P670, changes the display of the card insertion lamp to blinking, and returns to the original routine. Therefore, the pachinko machine returns from the test mode to the "free" state of the normal operation mode.

As mentioned above, when the status is canceled, procedure P2O3 (card ejection function transmission reservation) is omitted and procedure PO6 is executed.
The jump from 7 to P670 is shown in Figure 24 (a
) is done in the abort process (procedure P591), and this is to avoid duplication of procedures. Also,
The reason why procedure P669 (card ejection pitch) J reservation) is omitted when canceling is to prevent the ejection sound from being output even though the card is not ejected. That is, in the test mode, when termination occurs, the card is ejected, and then when the termination switch 115 is turned on, the process shifts to the test mode termination process (Fig. 24(d)
) Procedure P642), outputting the card ejection sound here is because it does not match reality.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the process is offline in the above procedure PO64, the process moves to procedure PO73 and sets the "Offline at end of pass test mode" flag after reserving the transmission of the card-unacceptable J-function and reserving the output of the card ejection sound. and checks whether the "return error" flag is set (procedures P673 to P676).

Here, if there is no reader error, return to the original routine,
If there is a reader error, move to procedure PO77 and follow the steps above.
At the end of the test mode, clear the offline ``'' flag and wait for the ``line test'' packet (Figure 21 Procedure PO
2).

FIG. 24(g) shows the pause switch processing procedure in the switch detection task of FIG. 23. Turning on of the pause switch 107a is detected, and the pause flag (
When rOJ (set to rOJ at the time of reset) is determined to be r(+1), this pause switch processing is started, and first, the jackpot generation signal from the accessory control device 158 is checked to determine whether or not the accessory jackpot operation is in progress ( Procedure P2S5).Here, if it is determined that the jackpot operation is not in progress, the process returns to the original routine (Fig. 23) without doing anything.If the pause switch 107a is turned on intentionally or accidentally during normal play, this This is to ignore it.

On the other hand, when the pause switch 107a is turned on during the jackpot operation, the process moves to procedure P2S5 and the batted ball launcher 1.0
After giving the drive stop command No. 3, a hold signal is transmitted to the accessory control device 158 (procedure P2S5). and,
Change the pachinko machine status lamp 162 and game status lamp 123 to a blinking display indicating that the accessory is stopped, and set the pause flag to rlJ (procedure P2S
5°P2S5).

As a result, the accessory control device 158 enters a stopped state (the various lamps are turned off) while maintaining the accessory in the jackpot occurrence state (see FIG. 18).

After that, when the player purchases a new card, inserts it into the card reader, operates the conversion switch 113 to increase the number of balls he has, and then turns on the pause switch 107a again,
It is detected in procedure P2O7, and the process moves to procedure P228. At this time, since the pause flag is "rl", the pause cancellation process (FIG. 24(h)) is executed.

In the pause release process, the pause flag is cleared to "o" and then a dog hit hold release signal is transmitted to the accessory control device 158 (procedures P691., P692). after that,
Change the display of the pachinko machine status lamp 162, etc. indicating that the accessory is stopped from flashing to continuous lighting, give a command to start drive control of the ball launcher 103, and return to the original routine (Fig. 23) (procedure P693, P694).

FIG. 25 shows the processing procedure of the sound control task among the ten types of main tasks of the unit controller 190.

In this task, [Hit sound], [Switch operation sound],
Check whether there is a reservation to output "Card ejection sound", "Card reception success sound", or "Card reception failure sound" (procedures P221 to P225), and if there is a reservation, select the type of sound to be output. While setting the data and output time shown in the internal RAM, the voice synthesis circuit (sound IG) 582
and stop the sound being output (Procedure P2
S5゜P232). Then, the process moves to procedure P2S5, where a control signal is given to the sound IC to output the selected sound. Then, it is determined whether the set output time has elapsed, and if it has exceeded, the output is stopped (procedure P
235. P2S5). On the other hand, if the output time has not exceeded, it is determined whether the output sound is a repeating sound, and if it is not a repeating sound, the sound output is stopped (Procedure P236.P
2S5).

However, even if a sound output stop command is issued in procedure P2S5, the sound IC does not stop sound output until one phrase of the sound being output ends, and stops at the end of the phrase.

If there is no output reservation for any of the above five types of sounds, it is checked in procedure P226 whether the sound is being outputted, and if it is being outputted, the process moves to procedure I) 235 to check whether the output time has exceeded. – When power or sound is not being output,
Check whether there is an output reservation for "Search timer sound", "Purchase request board", "Stop sound" or "Forced termination sound" (Procedure P22)
7 to P230), in some cases, after setting the data and time specifying the sound to be output (procedure P233), proceed to procedure P2S5 and start outputting the sound, and stop the sound output if a timeout occurs. . In other words, these four sounds are output after waiting for the output of the other sounds to finish.

FIG. 26 shows the procedure of the timer control task among the main tasks of the unit controller.

In this task, 10 m5 and 1. oo
It manages two standard timers of ms, updates (decrements) the l0mS timer every 10ms, and
, updates the 100m5 timer every OOm seconds (procedures P241 to P244).

FIG. 27 shows the processing procedure of the lamp display control task among the main tasks of the unit controller 190.

In this task, during the above various processes, the safe bulb lamp 164, the P machine status display lamp 162, the conversion lamp 121, the card insertion lamp 168, the game status lamp 1
Change the display state when there is an update of 23 (
Procedures P251 to P255). Next, it is determined whether a "customer waiting display" or "stop display" is necessary, and when the customer waiting display is displayed, the analog display 163 is scrolled, and when the stop display is displayed, all the lamps of the analog display 163 are displayed. blink at the same time (procedures P256 to P259).

Furthermore, the necessity of displaying the number of balls is determined, and if necessary, the lamps of the analog display 163 are turned on in order from the left side according to the number of balls (Procedure I] 260, P261.)
. Moreover, this analog display of the number of balls is performed using a so-called logarithmic display in which the number of balls displayed by one lamp increases as the number of lamps lit increases. moreover,[
Customer waiting display J, "Hit] J-, display" and [Number of balls display J
When any display is unnecessary, the analog lamp 163 is turned off (procedure P2S5).

In addition, in the above embodiment, when the jackpot operation tl+i the pause switch 107a is turned on, the accessory control device 158
When the pause switch 107a is turned on again, a signal is sent to release the accessory hold state.When the pause switch 107a is turned on for the first time, a timer is activated and the hold signal is set for a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 It is also possible to send a signal to automatically release the hold state after a certain period of time (minutes) has elapsed. This is because it is sufficient for the hold state of the jackpot operation to continue for the time required to purchase a new card, and it is undesirable for the game parlor to continue the hold state for a second time.

Further, in the above embodiment, a case where a special game state called "Jackpot J" is temporarily interrupted has been explained as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In a gaming machine in which a jackpot occurs when an accessory is opened and closed once or twice and a ball hits a special prize opening in the accessory during that time, the ball hits a specific prize 10 as a start. 1 if Pause Sui Sochi is turned on when you win a prize
It is also possible to control the hinge piece so that it can temporarily open and close.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the application is applied to a card-type pachinko machine equipped with a card reader and an enclosed ball circulation device, but this invention does not encapsulate game balls inside the machine, but instead installs a ball ejecting device for each gaming machine. The present invention also applies to an open-type pachinko machine, which is configured such that cards are held in a card reader during play, and a predetermined number of game balls are ejected into a supply tray by a ball ejection device using a conversion switch. can do.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a card reader that reads information on an inserted card, an accessory control device that controls the operation of an accessory provided on a game board, and a card state control device that controls the operation of an accessory provided on a game board. In a pachinko game machine that is equipped with an electric control device that monitors the amount of money and the control status of the entire game machine, and that allows games to be played only with a card that records valuable data or an identification code corresponding to the purchase amount, the front side of the game machine is In addition to providing a game hold command means, the accessory control device is also provided with a specific game state detection means for detecting the occurrence of a specific game state and notifying this to the outside, and the electrical control is carried out from the game hold command means. When a game hold command signal is input to the device,
1. Since a signal is sent to the accessory control device to stop its operation, if a jackpot occurs when the number of balls in possession is zero or close to it, the pause switch button as a means of commanding game suspension can be pressed. By operating the jackpot, the jackpot state will be suspended, and by increasing the number of balls you have and operating the switch button again, the suspended state will be canceled and control of the game will be resumed. This has the effect of avoiding the disappearance of the jackpot state.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a gaming system using a card-type pachinko machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a card used in the pachinko machine according to the present invention. , FIG. 3(A) is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the variable display section of the card, FIG. 3(B) is a plan view showing an example of the spacer of the variable display section of the card, and FIG. 3(C) is the A cross-sectional view of the spacer, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a card issuing machine that constitutes a card-based gaming system, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the card issuing machine, and FIG. 6 is a card-based gaming system. 7 is a front view showing an example of the structure of a card-type pachinko machine; FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view showing an example of the structure of the back side of the pachinko machine; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the enclosed ball circulation device on the back of a pachinko machine, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the enclosed ball circulation device attached to the pachinko machine, and Figure 11 is details of the base of the ball launch rail. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the front panel of the pachinko machine in an open state; Figure 13 is a schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of a card reader; Figures 14 (A) and (B) are magnetic 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the entire pachinko machine; FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the pachinko machine control device. , Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the pachinko machine control unit, Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the accessory control device, and Figs. 19 to 27 show the task processing flow of the unit controller. Figure 19 (A) is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer interrupt processing, Figure 19 (B) is a flowchart showing the procedure of serial interrupt processing, and Figures 20 (A) and (B) are the flowchart of Figure 18. A flowchart showing the specific steps of sensor and switch detection processing and switch invalidation processing during the interrupt processing flow. Figure 21 is the main task chart of the unit controller. Figure 22 is the pitch count which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller. 23(A) and 23(B) are flowcharts showing the steps of the switch detection task, which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller. FIG. 24(a) is the switch of FIG. 23. 24(b) is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the abort switch processing during the switch detection task of FIG. 23; FIG. 24(c) is the FIG. 24(d) is a flowchart showing the specific procedure of the conversion switch processing during the switch detection task of FIG. 23, FIG. e) is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the test switch processing during the switch detection task in FIG. 23, and FIG. 24(f) is the specific procedure of the test mode termination processing during the termination switch processing in FIG. 24(d) 24(g) is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the pause switch process during the switch detection task of FIG. 23; FIG. 24(h) is the pause release process during the switch detection task of FIG. 23. 25 is a flowchart showing the steps of the sound control task, which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller, and FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the steps of the timer control task, which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller. Flowchart Showing Procedures FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the steps of a lamp display control task, which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller. 100...Pachinko machine, 107...Game hold command means (pause switch button), 110...Operation panel, 113...Conversion switch, 114...Interruption switch, 115...End switch , 130...
Enclosed sphere circulation device, 160...control unit, 1.8
0... Unit control device, 188... Card reader control device, 195... Pachinko machine control device, 190
... Unit controller, 200 ... Card issuing machine, 300 ... Settlement machine, 550 ... Unit memory, 551 ... Data transmission controller, 553 ...
...Network controller, 420...Card reader. Figure (△) Figure 18 Sl l 云j = Self-bow - Zoki) (A) (B) 21 Figure 22 □□J ( (b) 24th Shikoku C) (d) Figure 24 (f) Figure 24 (e) Figure 24 (h) Figure 26

Claims (1)

[Claims] A card reader that reads information on the inserted card, an accessory control device that controls the operation of accessories installed on the game board, and an electrical controller that monitors the status and amount of the card and the control status of the entire gaming machine. In a pachinko game machine that is equipped with a control device and can be played only with a card on which valuable data corresponding to the purchase price or an identification code is recorded, a game hold command means is provided on the front of the game machine, and the above-mentioned accessory control device is provided. is provided with a specific gaming state detection means that detects the occurrence of a specific gaming state and notifies the outside, and when a game suspension command signal is input from the game suspension command means to the electrical control device, the above-mentioned role is activated. A card-type pachinko game machine, characterized in that a signal is sent to an object control device to stop its operation.