JPH09313703A - Information relaying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the replacing cost of a pachinko game machine. SOLUTION: Information relaying devices 400 each of which has a function of outputting one pulse of a prescribed score-providing signal to a management computer 408 are constituted so as to be separately independent of a game machine 1, without being constituted by a control substrate or the like of the game machine 1, in the case where it is proven that the score provided by the game machine 1 to a player on the basis of the score-providing information caused by the ball-filled game machine 1 in the inside of which hitting balls are filled has reached a prescribed number.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information relay device for relaying score-giving information generated in a gaming machine.
The present invention relates to an information relay device that relays score-giving information generated in a gaming machine configured to give a predetermined score to a player in response to a hit ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional information relay device of this type, for example, information for relaying score giving information generated in a gaming machine configured to give a predetermined score to a player in response to a winning of a hit ball. There was a relay device.

In this type of information relay apparatus, for example, the score giving information is relayed and predetermined information is transmitted to a hall management computer or the like which is the transmission destination.

By the way, a conventionally known hall management computer directly receives, for example, a prize ball payout signal output from a conventionally known prize ball payout type ball game machine, and the ball game machine. Was managing the number of prize balls paid out. Further, most of the ball game machines are configured to output a prize ball payout signal for one pulse every time a predetermined number (for example, 10) of prize balls are paid out. Therefore, most of the hall management computers are configured to recognize that a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out per one pulse of the prize ball payout signal. On the other hand, since the score-giving type gaming machine is configured not to output the score-giving information each time the score awarded to the player reaches the predetermined number, but to output it every time a score is awarded. However, if the conventional hall management computer is used as it is, the score management of the score-giving type gaming machine cannot be performed.

Therefore, in the conventional information relay device, it is possible to manage the points given by the gaming machine of the point giving type by the hole management computer without changing the specifications of the conventionally used hole management computer. In order to achieve this, instead of simply relaying the score giving information and transmitting it to the hall management computer or the like, the score given to the player based on the score giving information is cumulatively stored, and the stored number is For each predetermined number, information indicating that the predetermined number of points has been given is output to the hall management computer or the like. Therefore, with the management computer or the like, it is possible to manage the score of the score-giving type game machine in the same manner as the prize-ball payout type ball game machine.

[0006]

However, since the conventional information relay apparatus of this type is integrally formed with the gaming machine as one of the functions of the control board of the gaming machine, for example, the information relay apparatus of the related art is accordingly provided. However, there is an inconvenience that the unit price is higher than that of the gaming machine which does not have the function.

[0007] In particular, since game machines are frequently replaced at the game arcade, there is a problem that the cost required when replacing the game machines is very high.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information relay device that enables easy and inexpensive management of gaming machines.

[0009]

The present invention according to claim 1 relays score giving information generated in a gaming machine configured to give a predetermined score to a player in accordance with a winning of a hit ball. Which is an information relay device capable of inputting the score giving information, and is capable of accumulating and storing the score given to the player based on the score giving information inputted to the information input device. A score storage means, and information output means for outputting information indicating that a predetermined number of scores are given to the transmission destination every time the number of storages of the score storage means reaches a predetermined number, It is characterized in that it is configured separately from the gaming machine.

[0010]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, by the function of the information inputting means, a score is generated by a game machine configured to give a predetermined score to a player in response to a winning of a hit ball. Information is entered. Then, by the function of the score storage means, the scores given to the player based on the score giving information inputted to the information input means are accumulated and stored. Further, by the function of the information output means, information indicating that a predetermined number of points has been given to the transmission destination is output every time the number of memories of the score memory means reaches a predetermined number. The information relay device is configured separately from the gaming machine.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a pachinko game machine 1 which is an example of a game machine.
3 is a front view showing a common card unit 100. FIG.
The operation unit 17 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided so as to project to the front side with respect to the front plate 4, and on its upper surface, although not shown, various indicators and operation switches for player operation. Is provided.

When a player wants to play a game, he or she searches for a pachinko gaming machine 1 to be played from among a plurality of pachinko gaming machines installed in a game hall, and a common card unit connected to the pachinko gaming machine. A common card owned by the user is inserted into the common card insertion / ejection slot 101 of 100. A common card is a third-party-issued prepaid card that can be used anywhere in the game arcade that is a member of the common card system. By inserting this common card into the card insertion / ejection slot 101, the record information recorded on the inserted common card is read by the card reader / writer unit 111. Card balance information is included in the card information, and the card balance is calculated based on the read card balance information.
It is displayed on the balance display device (not shown) provided in 7.
When the player presses a withdrawal switch (not shown) provided on the operation unit 17, a predetermined amount is withdrawn from the remaining amount of the card, and the points are added and updated. The added and updated points are displayed on a predetermined indicator (not shown) provided in the operation unit 17. Further, the balance of the common card is displayed on the balance display (not shown) provided in the operation unit 17. In the upper part of the front frame 3 of the pachinko gaming machine 1,
A point analog display 13 is provided for displaying the point analogly by the amount of lighting. Further, speakers 14 are provided on the left and right of the point analog display 13.

When the player operates the hitting ball operating handle 5 in the state where the holding points are present, the hitting hammer 24 intermittently swings and one pachinko ball is formed on the front surface of the game board 27 one by one. Be driven into. The shot ball hit is detected by the shot ball detector 25. Note that the pachinko balls whose launch momentum is too weak to reach the game area 28 flow down and enter the foul ball return port 363, and are detected as foul balls by the foul ball detector 26 (see FIG. 2). It In the game area 28, the normal winning hole 3
9, 37 and a start winning opening 40 are provided. A variable display device 29 that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information and changes the display state is provided substantially at the center of the game area 28. In addition, an opening / closing plate 32 is opened below the opening / closing plate 32 so that it can be changed to a first state which is advantageous to the player and a second state where the opening / closing plate 32 is closed and which is disadvantageous to the player. Is provided.

When a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning port 40 and the starting winning ball is detected by the starting winning ball detector 41, the variable display device 29 is variably started, and the variable display device 29 is variably stopped. Is displayed in a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 777), a specific game state occurs, the opening / closing plate 32 of the variable winning ball device 30 is opened, and a ball is hit in the winning opening 31. This is the first state that is easy to perform. The variable winning prize ball device 30 is in the second state in which the open / close plate 32 is closed and the ball cannot be won because the solenoid 33 is not excited in the normal state. Is generated, the solenoid 33 is excited to perform the big hit control in which the variable winning ball device 30 is in the first state. The first state of the variable winning ball apparatus 30 ends when a predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 10) is won or a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), whichever comes first, is satisfied. The second state. In the winning opening 31 of the variable winning ball device 30, a specific winning area (V pocket) 34 is provided at a predetermined position, and a winning ball that has won the specific winning area 34 is detected by a specific winning ball detector 35. Is detected. In addition, all the winning balls that have been won in the variable winning ball device 30 are detected by the winning number detector 36.

If a ball hitting the specific winning area 34 is detected by the specific winning ball detector 35 while the variable winning ball device 30 is in the first state, the variable winning ball device for that time is detected. Waiting for the first state of 30 to end, repetitive continuation control for controlling the variable winning ball apparatus 30 to the first state is performed again. The upper limit number of times of this repeated continuation control is set to 16 times, for example.

When a pachinko ball enters the ball entrance 38 provided above the variable display device 29, the ball is guided downward and guided to a position above the starting winning opening 40, and the starting winning opening 40 of the starting winning opening 40. It is released to the game area 28 again from above. If the pachinko ball again wins the start winning opening 40 while the variable display device 29 is variably displaying, the start winning is stored, and the variable display of the variable display device 29 is stopped and the variable display can be started again. At this point, the variable display device 29 is variably displayed based on the start winning memory. The upper limit of the memory for winning the winning prize is set at 4, for example.
In the figure, reference numeral 43 denotes a lamp which lights or blinks according to the game state. Further, at the lowermost end of the game area 28, an out port 42 is formed for collecting, as an out ball, a pachinko ball that has not won any winning port or winning ball device. If the display result of the variable display device 29 becomes a specific display result based on a predetermined probability variation symbol and a specific game state (big hit state) occurs, the probability variation control in which the probability of the subsequent big hit occurrence is improved is performed. It is. Further, if the display result of the variable display device 29 becomes a display mode corresponding to a lucky number set in advance by the game arcade, it is possible to continue the game without exchanging the prizes after the jackpot is over. Is given.

Each time a pachinko ball is fired and detected by the fired ball detector 20, the holding point is decremented by "1" and a subtraction display is made on the predetermined display of the operating section 17 or the holding point analog display 13. To be done. On the other hand, foul ball detector 2
Each time a foul ball is detected in 6, the score is incremented by "1". Further, when a pachinko ball wins the winning opening or the winning ball device, the score of a predetermined size is added and updated to the score. In addition, the speaker 14 outputs an addition sound at the time of addition and update when the number of points is increased due to a winning of a hit ball, a lending sound when a common card balance is deducted, and the like. Further, when the number of points becomes low, the player is notified of that fact. The front panel 4 has a speaker 19
Is provided, and a sound effect at the time of a big hit is output.

Reference numeral 11 in the drawing is a reset key switch,
By inserting a predetermined key into the reset key switch 11 and operating the reset key switch 11, whether or not to allow the continuation of the game using the score at the end of the big hit is input.
The operation of the reset key switch 11 is detected by a reset operation detector 11a. Reference numeral 12 denotes a game continuation permission display, which is lit to indicate that the game continuation is permitted by operating the reset key switch 11.

In the common card unit 100, 10
Reference numeral 5 denotes a unit availability indicator that lights up to indicate that the common card unit is ready for use. Reference numeral 102 is a fraction display switch, and when there is a fraction in the balance of the common card, by pressing this fraction display switch 102, the fraction is displayed on the balance display on the operation unit 17. Has been done. When the common card is inserted while the fraction display switch 102 is pressed, the points recorded on the common card are displayed on the balance display. Reference numeral 103 is a connection direction display, which lights up and displays the connection direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to which the common card unit 100 is connected. Reference numeral 104 denotes a card insertion display, which lights up and displays that a common card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 101.
Reference numeral 106 denotes an information output unit, which is the common card unit 1
The information relating to the identification information of the common card inserted in 00 is output to the management computer installed in the game arcade. Reference numeral 170 denotes an information input unit, which inputs collation result information of the common card and the like from the management computer.

In the game area 28 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, when a clogging of a pachinko ball occurs due to the influence of a nail or the like, the glass door 3 is opened by an attendant of the game arcade to eliminate the clogging of the ball. To be done. Also, if a ball jam occurs, the game is temporarily interrupted, so that a clerk or the like may give a pachinko ball as a service ball to one of the winning openings to give the player a predetermined score. The service ball at this time is supplied from the ball hole 377 by operating the ball lever 376 provided at the back of the front plate 4. The bobble lever 376 can be operated by opening the front panel 4 by operating the front panel opening / closing section 375. The front plate opening / closing portion 370 is attached to a position where the glass door 3 cannot be operated unless the glass door 3 is opened, and the player cannot perform the operation.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the common card unit 100.
The gaming board holding frame 44 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a rotating lever 45 for attaching the gaming board. By rotating the rotating lever 45, the gaming board 27 becomes detachable.

On the back side of the game board 27, there is provided a prize-ball guiding cover member 57 for guiding prize-winning balls won from a winning opening formed in the game board or a winning ball device. Below the prize-ball guiding cover member 57, there is provided a prize-ball collecting cover member 72 having a prize-ball collecting gutter 73 for collecting the prize balls at one place. Then, all the winning balls to be won from the winning openings and the winning ball devices provided in the game area 28 are the winning ball collecting cover members 72.
After being collected by and detected by the winning ball detector 74, they are guided to the confluent gutter 75. Winning ball set cover member 7
A member for guiding the out ball that has entered the out port 42 is also provided at 2, and the out ball from the out port 42 is guided to the confluence gutter 75. Then, the outflow ball and the winning ball are merged by the merging trough 75, detected by the striking ball detector 76, and led to the striking position where the ball is hit again by the striking hammer 24 through the striking ball outlet 77. . The hit ball hammer 24 is intermittently swung by the driving force of the hit ball motor 54 of the hit ball firing unit 53. The interlocking raising / lowering rod 56 moves up and down in conjunction with the intermittent swing of the hitting hammer 24, and the pachinko balls are supplied one by one to the hitting ball firing position in accordance with the vertical movement. Then, the pachinko balls supplied to the hitting ball firing position are repelled by the hitting hammer 24 and hit into the game area 28.

On the other hand, as described above, the foul ball enters the foul ball return port 363, is detected by the foul ball detector 26, and is then guided to the driven-in ball outlet 77. 378 is
A ball discharge passage for discharging the pachinko balls enclosed in the gaming machine to the outside when supplying service balls. By operating the ball projecting lever portion 376 shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko ball is projected from the ball projecting passage 378 to the ball projecting hole 37.
It is discharged to 7.

As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is a ball-enclosed gaming machine that circulates the enclosed balls enclosed therein for use in the game.

On the back surface side of the game board 27, a game control board 67 for controlling the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided. A score calculation control board 91 for arithmetically controlling the score is provided on the back side of the winning ball set cover member 72.
And relay boards 85 and 138 are provided. Further, a liquid crystal display unit 58 constituting the variable display device 29 faces the back side of the winning ball guiding cover member 57, and a relay board 60 is provided. Reference numeral 2 in the drawing denotes a front frame.

On the other hand, the common card unit 100 includes a unit control board 107 and a card reader / writer unit 1.
11 are provided. And the unit control board 1
07 and the card reader / writer unit 111 are electrically connected via the connectors 110 and 112. On the unit control board 107, the withdrawal amount setting switch 10
8 is provided, and an attendant of the game arcade sets the withdrawal amount setting switch 108 to input the withdrawal amount of the card remaining amount withdrawn with one withdrawal operation. The card reader / writer unit 111 is provided with a reset switch 172. The reset switch 172 is provided at a place where the player cannot operate the reset switch 172 but can operate the game room staff. By operating this, an inappropriate card is ejected. In the figure, reference numeral 106 denotes an information output unit, and 170 denotes an information input unit.

The start-up winning ball detector 41 is connected to the relay board 60 via the connector 64. The specific winning ball detector 35 is connected to the relay board 60 via the connector 65. The winning number detector 36 is connected to the relay board 60 via the connector 66. The solenoid 33 is connected to the relay board 60 via the connector 63. The lamp 43 and the like provided on the front surface of the game board are connected to the relay board 60 via the connector 62. This relay board 60 is
It is connected to the game control board 67 via the connectors 61 and 69.

The winning ball detector 74 is connected to the relay board 85 via the connector 87. The driving ball detector 76 is connected to the relay board 85 via the connector 90. The launch ball detector 25 is connected to the relay board 85 via a connector 88, and the foul ball detector 26 is connected to a relay board 85 via a connector 89. The reset operation detector 11a is connected to the connector 27.
It is connected to the relay board 85 via 2. Relay board 8
5 is connected to the holding point control board 91 via connectors 86 and 81.

On the holding point control board 91, the connector 1
57, 158 and 159 are provided. Connector 15
7, 158 and 159 are connected to the speaker 19 and the like by electrical wiring passing through the opening 160.

Further, the holding point control board 91 is electrically connected to the game condition setting switch unit 6 via a connector 79. Further, the dot control board 91 is electrically connected to the hit ball launching unit 53 via the connectors 84 and 55. Furthermore, this point control board 91
Are electrically connected to the game control board 67 through the connectors 83 and 68, electrically connected to the relay board 46 through the connectors 78 and 47, and the connectors 82 and
It is electrically connected to the relay substrate 138 via 139.

The relay board 138 has connectors 142, 10
9, and is electrically connected to the unit control board 107. This relay board 138 is provided with connectors 140, 14
By the electric wiring from 1 to the opening 160, the operation unit 17
(See FIG. 1) It is electrically connected to various operation switches and indicators provided on the display.

Further, the holding point control board 91 includes a connector 8
It is electrically connected to the game control board 67 via 3 and 68. The game control board 67 includes connectors 70 and 5.
9, and is electrically connected to the liquid crystal display unit 58.

The game control board 67 is electrically connected to the point analog display 13 via the connector 71.
The dot analog display 13 is electrically connected to the relay board 46 via the connector 48.

The relay board 46 has an output connector 49.
52 to 271 are provided. Connectors 51, 52
A communication line for transmitting information extending from is electrically connected to a management computer 408 (see FIG. 3) which is a management computer for halls. Then, the withdrawal (sales) information of the common card is transmitted to the management computer 408 via the connector 51 and the termination information is transmitted to the management computer 408 via the connector 52. On the other hand, communication lines for information transmission extending from the connectors 49, 50 are electrically connected to the game information relay device 400 (see FIG. 3) provided on the game machine installation island 500 (see FIG. 3). Then, each time a player is given a score in association with the generation of a winning ball, score giving information (disadvantage information)
Is transmitted to the game information relay device 400 via the connector 49. In addition, the hit value information (profit information) is transmitted to the game information relay device 400 via the connector 50 each time the hit ball is shot and the points are subtracted. In addition, a display lighting control signal is output to the game continuation permission display 12 via the connector 271.

The communication lines extending from the connectors 49 and 50 include a timing pulse transmission communication line for notifying the game information relay device 400 of the timing at which the score giving information and the driving value information should be received. There is.

The game condition setting switch unit 6 includes a type setting switch unit 7 for setting the type of gaming machine and a unit number setting switch unit 8 for setting the unit number of the gaming machine.
Are provided. These switch sections are constituted by thumb rotary switches. As shown in the figure, type setting keys 7a and 7c are provided above and below the type display portion 7b, and the type code displayed on the type display portion 7b can be changed by operating the type setting key 7a above, for example. You can step forward one by one, and the lower type setting key 7
By pressing c, the type codes displayed on the type display portion 7b can be sequentially subtracted and set.
Similarly, the unit number setting switch unit 8 is also provided with unit number setting keys 8a above and below according to each digit displayed on the unit number display unit 8b capable of displaying a four-digit number.
By pressing the upper platform number setting key 8a, the platform number display portion 8b corresponding to the digit is sequentially stepped up, and by operating the lower platform number setting key 8a, the platform number corresponding to the digit is displayed. The numbers in the section 8b are sequentially subtracted and updated. As a result, it is possible to set and input 10 types of 0 to 9 and set and input the gaming machine stand numbers of 0000 to 9999. In addition, with the type of gaming machine,
For example, it may be a type of ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, a slot machine, or the like, and, for example, a plurality of types of pachinko game machines (so-called fever type, airplane type, right type) Etc.) may be indicated.

The game condition setting switch unit 6 is further provided with a point-to-point use condition setting switch 9 including display portions, and if the point-to-point use condition setting switch 9 is located at a position corresponding to , Any game machine is in a state in which points as a game result value can be used unconditionally,
If it is located in the place corresponding to, it indicates that it can be used only in the case of the same type of gaming machine, and if it is located in the place corresponding to, the points from other gaming machines are It indicates that it cannot be used at all.

Further, the game condition setting switch unit 6 is provided with a game continuation setting switch 10 at the end of a big hit, and if the switch is located at a position corresponding to, the game can be continued even if the big hit ends. The state is shown, and if it is located at a position corresponding to, the state in which the game is stopped due to the state that the ball cannot be shot due to the end of the big hit is shown.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining the connection configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the information relay device 400, and the management computer 408. Island 50 with game machines installed in the game arcade
At 0, a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 and common card units 100 corresponding to the pachinko gaming machines 1 are installed in parallel. Communication lines extending from the connectors 49 and 50 on the relay board 46 (see FIG. 2) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are connected to the information relay device 400 through a predetermined path provided on the awning 501. The communication lines extending from the connectors 51 and 52 of the relay board 46 do not pass through the information relay device 400,
It is directly connected to the management computer 408 (not shown). The information relay device 400 is installed in parallel at a predetermined position on the gaming machine installation island 500 corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1 as shown in the figure. The information relay device 400 and the management computer 408 are connected by a communication line.

At the time of replacing the stand of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the communication line is removed from the connector of the relay board 46, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 to be replaced is removed from the gaming machine installation island 500. And, a new pachinko game machine 1 is installed on the game machine installation island 5
00, and the communication line is connected to each connector of the relay board 46. Therefore, as a matter of course, it is not necessary to replace the information relay device 400 when replacing the table.

The information relay device 400 is a pachinko gaming machine 1.
The number of points is cumulatively stored based on the score giving information input from. Then, each time the number of points given to the player reaches a predetermined number, a predetermined score giving signal is outputted to the management computer 408. The management computer 408 manages the number of points given to the player in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the like. This management computer 408 is, for example, the number of points given to the player on the gaming machine (normal prize ball payout type ball game in which the gaming machine pays out a prize ball instead of giving a score to the player. In case of machine, the number of prize balls)
It is previously determined how many are to be considered for one pulse of the input signal.

In the information relay device 400, every time a score corresponding to one pulse of the signal predetermined by the management computer 408 is given to the player by the pachinko gaming machine 1, only one pulse of the predetermined score giving signal is given to the management computer 408. It is configured to output to.

As described above, since the information relay device 400 is constructed separately from the pachinko gaming machine 1, the same function as the information relay device 400 is provided on the control board or the like inside the gaming machine. Compared with the pachinko machine 1
Manufacturing cost can be reduced. This allows
It is possible to reduce the replacement cost required for the replacement of a pachinko gaming machine having the function of the information relay device 400.

The information relay device 400 processes the driving-in value information input from the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the same manner as the score giving information, and each time the pachinko gaming machine 1 consumes a predetermined number of points. One pulse of the predetermined driving value signal is output to the management computer 408.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the information relay device 400. The information relay device 400 includes relay control means 401, game information input means 402, game information output means 403, and power supply circuit 40.
4, a clock circuit 405, a score counter 406, and a driving counter 407.

Information relay device 400 from the pachinko gaming machine 1
In the game information input means 402, the score giving information and the timing pulse for measuring the reception timing thereof are inputted, and further, the hit value information and the timing pulse for measuring the reception timing thereof are inputted. The score giving information and the driving value information input to the game information input means 402 are relay control means 40 together with the timing pulse.
Input to 1. The relay control means 401 is the addition means 40.
1a and subtraction means 401b are included. Then, when the score giving information is input together with the timing pulse, the adding means 401a executes control to add and update the count value of the score counter 406. On the other hand, if the driving value information is input together with the timing pulse, the adding means 40
The processing of adding and updating the counter value of the driving counter 407 is executed by 1a.

The relay control means 401 uses the score counter 40.
When the counter value of 6 reaches a predetermined value, the clock circuit 405
The control for outputting the predetermined score giving signal from the game information output means 403 is executed by using the clock signal input from. The predetermined score giving signal output from the game information output means 403 is input to the management computer 408. The relay control unit 401 executes control for subtracting the predetermined value from the score counter 406 in accordance with execution of output control of the predetermined score giving signal. This subtraction processing is performed by the subtraction means 401b.

Similarly, when the driving value information and the timing pulse are inputted from the game information input means 402 to the relay control means 401, the addition means 401a updates the addition counter 407. When the counter value of the hit counter 407 reaches a predetermined value, a predetermined hit value signal is output from the game information output means 403 to the management computer 408, and the count value of the hit counter 407 is subtracted and updated by a predetermined value. It

When the predetermined score giving signal is inputted, the management computer 408 considers that the player has given a predetermined number of scores in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Similarly, if a predetermined hit value signal is input, it is considered that a predetermined number of points has been consumed in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

FIG. 5 relates to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the timing pulse and the scoring information input from the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the information relay apparatus 400, and the predetermined score scoring output from the information relay apparatus 400. It is a timing chart of a signal.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 raises the timing pulse in accordance with the output timing of the score giving information. The score giving information represents one score for one pulse. If 5 points are given to the player based on that a hit ball has been won in any of the winning holes in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a signal of 5 pulses will be continuously output as the point giving information. . Meanwhile, the timing pulse continues to rise. Then, the signal is input to the information relay device 400 as shown in the timing chart.

The information relay device 400 updates the counter value of the score counter 406 (see FIG. 4) according to the pulse signal input as the score giving information, on condition that the timing pulse rises. In the timing chart, since the five pulse signals are input as the score giving information first, the count value of the score counter is updated to "5". Then, the timing pulse falls in synchronization with the trailing edge of the fifth pulse signal. Based on the fall of the timing pulse, the information relay device 400 finishes updating the score counter. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is configured to raise the timing pulse during the output of the point giving information, and the information relay device 400 validates only the point giving information inputted during the rising period of the timing pulse. To process. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of being erroneously processed as the score-giving information when noise is mixed and a pulse is generated except when the score-giving information is output. For example, the last signal generated as the score giving information in the timing chart is noise. However, since the timing pulse is falling, there is no addition to the score counter. Here, the output of the timing pulse and the score giving information is shown in the case of positive logic, but the circuit may be configured so that it can be inputted in negative logic. Thereby, the noise resistance is further improved.

Now, in the timing chart, scoring information representing the scoring of 5 points is input and, after a predetermined period has elapsed, scoring information representing the scoring of 15 points is input. The information relay device 400 sequentially adds and updates the counter value of the score counter in response to the input of the score giving information (pulse signal), and outputs the predetermined score giving signal to one pulse outside when the counter value becomes "10". To do. And
"10" corresponding to one pulse of the predetermined score giving signal is subtracted from the count value of the score counter, and the addition / update process of the score counter is executed again according to the score giving information that is subsequently input.

The predetermined score giving signal outputted to the outside is inputted to the management computer 408 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the disadvantage information (score giving information) processing and the profit information (input value information) processing of the information relay device 400 according to the first embodiment. A control program including each processing procedure described below is R configured in the relay control unit 401 shown in FIG.
It is stored in an OM (not shown).

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a main routine for executing each processing of the disadvantage information processing and the profit information processing. First, in S1, the disadvantage information processing is executed. The processing procedure of the disadvantage information processing is shown in FIG.
(B). Next, profit information processing is executed in S2. The processing procedure of profit information processing is shown in FIG. After the unfavorable information processing and the profit information processing are completed, the waiting state for the interrupt is entered.

FIG. 6B is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the disadvantage information processing. First, in S3, it is determined whether or not the scoring information is input from the pachinko gaming machine 1. If you do not enter the scoring information,
The process proceeds to S6 described below. On the other hand, if the score giving information is input, the process proceeds to S4.

At S4, it is determined whether or not the timing pulse has risen. If the timing pulse has not risen, it is determined to be due to noise as described above, and the process proceeds to S6, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the timing pulse has risen, the process proceeds to S5. In S5, "1" is added to the score counter.

Next, in S6, it is determined whether or not the count value of the score counter is a predetermined value "10". If the count value of the score counter is not the predetermined value, the process ends. On the other hand, when the count value of the score counter is the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S7. In S7, the predetermined score giving signal is output. Next, in S8, the predetermined value "10" is subtracted and updated from the score counter, and then the process ends.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing the procedure of profit information processing. First, in S9, it is determined whether or not the driving-in value information is input. If the driving-in value information has not been input, the process proceeds to S12 described below. On the other hand, if the input value information is input, the process proceeds to S10.

At S10, it is determined whether or not the timing pulse has risen. If the timing pulse has not risen, the process proceeds to S12 described later. On the other hand, if the timing pulse has risen, the process proceeds to S11. In S11, a process of adding "1" to the driving counter and updating is executed.

Next, in S12, it is judged whether or not the count value of the driving counter is a predetermined value "10". If the count value of the driving counter is not the predetermined value, the process ends. On the other hand, when the count value of the driving counter is the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S13.

At S13, a predetermined driving value signal is output. Next, in S14, a predetermined value "1" is input from the driving counter.
After the process of subtracting and updating "0" is executed, the process ends.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the second embodiment of the information relay device 400, the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the management computer 408.

Information relay device 40 according to the second embodiment
In 0, two types of game information input means capable of inputting information output from the pachinko gaming machine 1 are provided. And, according to the information output mode of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the game information input means can be switched and used. One of the two types of game information input means is a serial game information input means 402a. To the serial game information input means 402a, score giving information and driving value information transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 1 by serial communication, and timing pulses corresponding to both information are input.
The serial game information input means 402a transmits the input information and timing pulse to the relay control means 401.

The other game information input means provided in the information relay device 400 is the parallel game information input means 40.
2b. The parallel game information input means 402b is compatible with the pachinko gaming machine 1 that transmits score giving information and hit value information by parallel communication, and score giving information D1 to D4 and hit value information D1 input in parallel. D
4, and the timing pulse of both information is relay control means 4
01.

Next, serial game information input means 402a
The processing when the score giving information is input to will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 outputs a pulse signal which is scoring information during the rising period of the timing pulse. Furthermore, the score of the pulse signal differs depending on when the pulse signal was output from the rising edge of the timing pulse. For example, the pulse signal output simultaneously with the rise of the timing pulse has a score of 1
The pulse signal output immediately before the falling edge of the timing pulse indicates 8 points. The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

The relay control means 401 is a clock circuit 40.
The timer 409 updated based on 5 counts the period in which the pulse signal (score giving information) is input from the rising timing of the timing pulse, and grasps the number of points that the pulse signal means. Next, in the same manner as the first embodiment described above,
The score is added to the score counter 406 and updated. Then, each time the count value of the score counter reaches the predetermined value "10", the predetermined score imparting signal is output in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment, and the subtraction update process of the score counter is executed.

The score giving information inputted to the serial game information input means 402a is processed by the above processing procedure. With respect to the driving-in value information, the counter value of the driving-in counter 407 is updated by the same processing procedure, and the predetermined driving-in signal is output from the game information output means 403. Therefore, the detailed description of the processing content of the predetermined value information is omitted.

Next, parallel game information input means 402b
The processing procedure of the information relay device 400 when the score giving information D1 to D4 is input to the following will be described.

In the parallel game information input means 402b,
Score giving information D1 to the rising period of the timing pulse
D4 is input by parallel communication. This D1-D4
Are binary information with and without pulse, respectively, and D1
A 4-bit information frame is composed of D4. For example, if "with pulse" is "1" and "without pulse" is "0", when (D1, D2, D3, D4) is (1, 1, 1, 1), 15 points are shown. There is. Alternatively, when (0, 1, 0, 1), five points are shown.

The relay control means 401 receives the score-giving information (D1, D2, D3, D4) simultaneously transmitted from the parallel game information input means 402b, and the score represented by the information is the same as in the first embodiment. Similarly, it is added to the score counter 406. Then, each time the count value of the score counter 406 reaches the predetermined value “10”, a predetermined score giving signal is output as in the case of the first embodiment, and the subtraction update process of the score counter 406 is executed.

The score giving information input to the parallel game information input means 402b is processed by the above processing procedure. Regarding the driving-in value information, the counter value of the driving-in counter 407 is updated by the same processing procedure, and the predetermined driving-in value information is output from the game information output means 403. Therefore, the detailed description of the processing contents of the input value information D1 to D4 will be omitted.

As described above, the information relay device 400 according to the second embodiment is provided with two types of interfaces which can be selectively used according to the type of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information relay device having higher versatility as compared with the first embodiment. FIG. 8 relates to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and includes a pachinko gaming machine 1 to an information relay device 40.
Timing pulse and scoring information input to the serial game information input means 402a of 0, and the information relay device 4
10 is a timing chart of a predetermined score giving signal output from 00.

In this timing chart, scoring information indicating 5 points is input during the rising period of the first timing pulse, and scoring information indicating 15 points is input during the rising period of the second timing pulse. There is.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 changes the number of points the pulse signal means according to the timing of outputting the pulse signal (score giving information) from the rise of the timing pulse. In the timing chart, for example, a total of four pulse signals are input during the second rising edge of the timing pulse. However, the pulse signal output at the same time as the rising edge of the timing pulse has one point and the rising edge of the timing pulse. The pulse signal output after a predetermined period means two points respectively. Also, score 2
A pulse signal output later than the output timing of the pulse signal indicating a point by a predetermined period means 4 points, and a pulse signal output later by a predetermined period after that means 8 points.

Next, the operation of the information relay device 400 will be described according to the timing chart. Two pulse signals are input as the score giving information in the first timing pulse rising period. It should be noted that each pulse signal is recognized by the information relay device 400 as information indicating 1 point and 4 points from the rising time.

First, the information relay device 400 adds "1" to the score counter 406 in response to the input of the first pulse signal. Next, “4” is added to the score counter 406 according to the input of the second pulse signal. After that, since the timing pulse falls, the addition update process of the score counter is finished.

After that, when the timing pulse rises again and the score giving information is inputted, the score determined in advance in accordance with the input time is sequentially added to the score counter 406 and updated. In the timing chart, if the third pulse signal is input in the second timing pulse rising period, the counter value of the score counter 406 is "12".
Becomes The counter value of the score counter 406 is a predetermined value "1.
When the value is "12" which is equal to or greater than "0", the predetermined score giving signal is output to the outside. Then, the predetermined value “10” is subtracted from the counter value of the score counter 406. This allows
The counter value becomes "2". Further, “8” is added to the score counter according to the score giving information that is subsequently input. As a result, the counter value becomes "10", so the predetermined score giving signal is output again to the score counter 40.
The predetermined value "10" is subtracted from the counter value of 6. After that, the processing is ended in response to the fall of the timing pulse.

The pulse signal input as the score-giving information after the second fall of the timing pulse is noise. As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that noise generated in a period other than the score giving information output period is erroneously recognized as the score giving information as in the first embodiment. This is because the pulse signal generated outside the rising period of the timing pulse is ignored. With this configuration, the output period of the gaming machine can be shortened, so that even when a large number of points are awarded in a short period of time, it can be dealt with in real time.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of disadvantageous information processing of the information relay apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment. In particular, this disadvantage information processing represents a processing procedure when the disadvantage information (score giving information) is input to the serial game information input means 402a (see FIG. 7). When the disadvantage information is input to the parallel game information input means 402b, it is controlled by another subroutine. The control program including the processing procedure described below is
ROM of relay control means 401 shown in FIG. 7 (not shown)
It is stored in. The main routine including the disadvantage information process and the profit information process described later with reference to FIG. 10 is the same as that in FIG. 6A, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

First, at SA3, it is determined whether or not the timing pulse has risen. If the timing pulse has not risen, the process proceeds to SA5, the timer 409 (see FIG. 7) is reset, and SA10 to be described later is executed.
Proceed to. On the other hand, if the timing pulse has risen, the operation proceeds to SA4.

At SA4, it is determined whether the timer 1 is operating. The timer 1 is one of the time counting counters configured in the timer 409. If timer 1 is not running, proceed to SA6
Is started. Then, it proceeds to SA7. On the other hand, when the timer 1 is operating, SA7 is directly
Proceed to. At SA7, it is judged whether or not the score giving information is inputted. If the score giving information is not input, the process proceeds to SA10 described later. On the other hand, when the score giving information is input, the process proceeds to SA8. At SA8, the time count value of timer 1 is checked. Next, the process proceeds to SA9, where the score counter 4 is a value corresponding to the score giving information period based on the timer value checked in SA8.
The process of adding to 06 is executed.

Next, in SA10, the score counter 406
It is determined whether the counter value of is greater than or equal to the predetermined value "10". If it is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process ends.
On the other hand, if it is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to SA11. SA1
In 1, a predetermined score giving signal is output.

Next, in SA12, the score counter 40
After the process of subtracting the predetermined value “10” from 6 is executed,
The process ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of profit information processing of the information relay device 400 according to the second embodiment. In particular, this profit information processing represents a processing procedure when profit information (entered value information) is input to the serial game information input means 402a (see FIG. 7). When the profit information is input to the parallel game information input means 402b, it is controlled by another subroutine. The control program including the processing procedure of this profit information processing is stored in the ROM configured in the relay control unit 401 of FIG. 7.

First, at SA13, it is determined whether or not the timing pulse has risen. If the timing pulse has not risen, the operation proceeds to SA15, the timer 409 (see FIG. 7) is reset, and the operation proceeds to SA20. On the other hand, if the timing pulse has risen, the operation proceeds to SA14.

At SA14, it is judged whether or not the timer 2 is in operation. The timer 2 is one of the time counting counters configured in the timer 409. If the timer 2 is not in operation, the process proceeds to SA16, and the timer 2 starts counting time. And it progresses to SA17. On the other hand, when the timer 2 is operating, the process directly proceeds to SA17.

At SA17, it is judged whether or not the driving-in value information is inputted. If the drive-in value information has not been input, the process proceeds to SA20 described later. On the other hand, if the input value information is input, the process proceeds to SA18.

At SA18, the timer value of timer 2 is checked. Then proceed to SA19. SA19, SA
Based on the timer value of the timer 2 checked in 18, a process of adding a value corresponding to the driving value information period to the driving counter is executed.

Next, in SA20, the driving counter 407.
It is determined whether the counter value of is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
If the count value of the driving counter 407 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to SA21. At SA21, a predetermined driving value signal is output.

Next, in SA22, the driving counter 407 is operated.
After the process of subtracting the predetermined value “10” is executed, the process ends.

Next, modifications and characteristic points of the embodiment of the invention described above will be listed below. (1) In FIG. 3, the information relay device 400 is configured to be installed on the gaming machine installation island 500. However, it may be configured to be separably mounted at a predetermined position of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as a game facility.

(2) In FIG. 7, the serial game information input means 402a has the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG.
The output information can be input, and the relay control means 4
01 may be configured to be able to process such information. With this configuration, the information relay device 400 shown in FIG. 7 has two interfaces, and
It becomes possible to correspond to the input specifications of three types of information.

Also, serial game information input means 402a
The parallel game information input unit 402b and the parallel game information input unit 402b may be configured as a common input unit, and may be configured to be switched by an operation of a changeover switch or the like. Further, according to FIGS. 7 and 9, the parallel game information input means 402b inputs to the relay control means 401 by parallel communication, but the parallel game information input means 402b converts the information from the gaming machine into serial communication, and the same. The relay control means 401 may be controlled by the subroutine of.

(3) The information relay device 400 is configured to output the predetermined score giving signal or the predetermined driving value signal to the outside when the count value of the score counter 406 or the driving counter 407 reaches the predetermined value "10". did. However, the predetermined value may be configured to be changed as appropriate according to the specifications of the management computer 408.

(4) Since the information relay device 400 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the like can support both the case where the information output specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are parallel communication and the case where serial communication is used, It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as specifications not being met when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is replaced with a gaming machine of another manufacturer while leaving the information relay device 400 as the facility of the gaming hall.

(5) The information relay device 400 shown in each embodiment converts the score giving information and the driving value information inputted from the pachinko gaming machine 1 into the predetermined score giving signal and the predetermined driving value signal, respectively. , Management computer 408
Is configured to be output. However, in addition to the conversion function for converting such information, the information input from the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be relayed without conversion and output to the management computer 408. This makes it possible to relay the big hit information, the probability variation information, etc. output from the pachinko gaming machine 1 and output them to the management computer 408 as they are. Further, there is provided a relay unit capable of simply relaying and outputting to the management computer 408 without converting the score giving information and the driving-in value information inputted from the pachinko gaming machine 1,
The relay control means 40 transfers the score-giving information and the driving-in value information input from the pachinko gaming machine 1 by a changeover switch or the like.
It may be configured so that it can be selected whether to perform processing by one or the relay means. When the management computer 408 has information input specifications that match the information output specifications of the gaming machine, and conversely, when the gaming machine has information output specifications that match the information input specifications of the management computer 408, Information may be relayed by the relay unit without causing the relay control unit 401 of the information relay apparatus 400 to function.

(6) In the information relay device 400 according to the second embodiment, the information output specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are compatible with both serial communication and parallel communication. However, it is desirable that the pachinko gaming machine 1 be configured so as to be able to cope with smaller differences in specifications. For example, it is conceivable to provide the information relay device 400 with an input changeover switch or the like for dealing with a game machine maker in order to cope with a difference in specifications between game machine makers. Then, the input specification of information is switched by switching the input selector switch. In the timing chart of FIG. 8, the score giving information represents the scores of 1, 2, 4, and 8 in order from the rise of the timing pulse, but by changing the input changeover switch, for example, the meaning score is changed. It is conceivable to configure it to do so. Further, the score giving information and the like are configured to be recognized by the pulse input from the pachinko gaming machine 1. However, by changing the input conversion switch, the score giving information and the like can be recognized depending on whether the signal line is conductive or not. It is conceivable to configure so that they can be switched. The input changeover switch may be a dip switch, a rotary switch, a slide switch, or the like.

[0101]

[Specific example of means for solving the problem] Information relay device 4
00 configures an information relay device that relays score-giving information generated in the gaming machine configured to give a predetermined score to the player in accordance with the winning of a hit ball. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 constitutes a gaming machine configured to give a predetermined score to the player in accordance with the winning of a hit ball.

The game information input means 402 shown in FIG. 4, the serial game information input means 402a and the parallel game information input means 402b shown in FIG. 7 constitute information input means capable of inputting the score giving information. .

Score counter 40 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.
6 constitutes a score storage means capable of accumulating and storing the scores given to the player based on the score giving information inputted to the information input means.

The game information output means 403 shown in FIG. 4 or 7 outputs information indicating that a predetermined number of points has been given to the destination every time the number of points stored in the point number storage means reaches a predetermined number. The information output means for doing so is configured. Further, the management computer 4 shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.
08, the transmission destination is configured.

The information relay device 400 shown in FIG. 3 and the information relay device 400 shown in FIG. 4 or 7 constitute the information relay device which is configured separately from the gaming machine.

[0106]

[Effect of a concrete example of means for solving the problem]
With respect to the information relay device, each time the game machine is given a predetermined number of points, it can output information indicating that fact to the destination, and is also configured separately from the game machine. When the game machine is replaced, the information relay device can be diverted, so that the game machine can be managed easily and at the lowest cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

1] Pachinko gaming machine 1 and common card unit 1
It is a whole front view of 00.

[FIG. 2] Pachinko gaming machine 1 and common card unit 1
It is the whole rear view of 00.

[Figure 3] Pachinko gaming machine 1, common card unit 10
0, an information relay device 400, and a management computer 408.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an information relay device 400 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart (first embodiment) of timing pulses and scoring information input from the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the information relay device 400, and a predetermined scoring signal output from the information relay device 400.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a start processing of the information relay device 400 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the disadvantage information processing of the information relay device 400 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of profit information processing of the information relay device 400 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining an information relay device 400 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart (second embodiment) of timing pulses and scoring information input from the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the information relay device 400, and a predetermined scoring signal output from the information relay device 400.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of disadvantageous information processing of the information relay device 400 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of profit information processing of the information relay device 400 according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko game machine, 100 is a common card unit, 4
00 is an information relay device, 401 is relay control means, 402 is game information input means, 402a is serial game information input means, 402b is parallel game information input means, 403 is game information output means, 405 is a clock circuit, and 406 is a score. A counter, 407 is a driving counter, 408 is a management computer, 409 is a timer, and 500 is an amusement machine installation island.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An information relay device for relaying score-giving information generated in a gaming machine configured to give a predetermined score to a player in response to a winning of a hit ball, wherein the score-giving information is input. Possible information input means, a score storage means capable of accumulating and storing the scores given to the player based on the score giving information inputted to the information input means, and a storage of the score storage means An information output unit for outputting information indicating that a predetermined number of points is given to the transmission destination each time the number becomes a predetermined number, and is configured separately from the gaming machine. To do
Information relay device.