JPS62379A - Data totalizing system of pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application] The present invention relates to a data aggregation system, and relates to a technique that is effective when used, for example, in a system that automatically collects and aggregates data from a plurality of pachinko gaming machines.

[Prior art and its problems] When a pachinko machine manufacturer develops a new model, it collects various data such as the ball payout rate and slump, and uses this to clarify the characteristics of the machine. If you do not inform pachinko parlors of the characteristics of the products when delivering them to pachinko parlors, the ball payout rate may be higher than expected, or the reslump where the ball payout rate was low may be too long, resulting in poor customer satisfaction. There is a risk that this may lead to a delay in playing the game, resulting in unexpected disadvantages for the game parlor.

In addition, when developing a new model, manufacturers build prototype machines and conduct operational tests to determine the final arrangement of the obstacle nails, in order to commercialize a new pachinko machine with the desired characteristics. There is a need.

For this reason, in the past, multiple prototype pachinko machines were prepared, and each machine had a person who tallied the total number of balls hit into each winning slot, the number of times the variable winning device was operated, In addition to collecting various data such as the number of balls supplied (purchased) and the number of prize balls (balls put out), the person who collects the balls replenishes the supply tray with balls and removes balls from the tray when it is full of prize balls. It was done by hand.

Moreover, such an operation test needs to be conducted for a long time (for example, 10 hours or more).

Therefore, a large amount of manpower is required at the stage of data collection to investigate the characteristics of pachinko gaming machines, and there are also limits to the types of data that can be collected, and there is also the risk of errors in data collection. Furthermore, in order to use a computer to compile and process the data obtained for each match and extract the characteristics of the gaming machine, it is necessary to input that data into the computer again. Therefore, there was a problem in that work efficiency was extremely poor.

[Objective of the Invention] The object of the present invention is to automatically collect and aggregate data from a plurality of pachinko gaming machines at the same time without requiring much manpower, collect various data over a wide range, and - This allows us to create materials that allow us to understand the characteristics in detail at a glance, which not only makes it possible to develop new models more efficiently, but also makes it easy for game arcades to understand how to adjust the nails that are appropriate for the game machine. To provide a data aggregation system for pachinko gaming machines that can convey information.

[Means for Solving the Problem] Therefore, the present invention has a system in which a counting detector is built in above the prize ball tank, which is provided at the upper part of the back of the pachinko game machine and stores spare balls to be paid out as prize balls. In addition, on the side of the game machine, there is a ball rental device that replenishes game balls to a supply tray that stores game balls (purchased) before they are hit into the game area. The tray installed at the bottom of the front of the gaming machine to store the prize balls (balls released) is equipped with a ball removal processing device that includes a ball removal device and a ball removal detector. The drive source of the detector and the various winning ball detectors and accessories installed in the pachinko game machine itself and its control device are connected via an interface box with a control status notification function.
Connecting to a collection control machine that has a control function for the above-mentioned spare ball supply device, ball rental device, ball extraction device, etc., and a collection function that collects data based on signals from the detector and control device on the pachinko machine side. This achieves the above object of providing a data aggregation system that can automatically collect and aggregate data from a plurality of pachinko gaming machines.

[Example] Fig. 1 shows a pachinko game machine that performs data aggregation using the data aggregation system according to the present invention, and an auxiliary bag installed inside or around this game machine to enable automatic aggregation in an unattended state. An example of the configuration of - is shown.

A guide rail 3 is disposed on the front surface of the game board 1, and guides a ball fired by a ball launcher 2 driven by a lower operation dial 2a to the upper part of the game board 1.
A game area is formed in a space surrounded by a guide rail 3 and a glass plate on the front side of the game board 1. In the center of this gaming area, there is a variable display device 4 as a game device, and below it, which normally forms a part of the gaming area, when a specific mode occurs in the variable display device 4, a prize can be won. A special variable prize winning device 5 for converting into the area is provided.

First specific winning lowers are provided on both sides of the variable display device 4, and a second specific winning opening 8 is provided between the variable display device 4 and the special variable winning device 5. Of these, the first specific winning lower is the game board 1 in this embodiment.
It consists of a so-called diving type winning device that has a recess that penetrates through it, and the recess is used as a specific winning lower. The opening of this penetrating recess, that is, the specific winning lower that exists on the same plane as the game board surface, is formed into a semi-cylindrical shape with a diameter approximately twice the diameter of the ball when viewed from the front, and the bottom part of the special winning lower There is a hole (not shown) for the winning ball in the back.

The second specific winning hole 8 consists of a winning tool called a winning chatker that opens upward in the gaming area.

Above the variable display device 4, there are three winning openings 6a and 6b, so-called ``Heaven'', ``Heaven's left'', and ``Heaven's right''.

6c is integrally provided. In this example.

Although it is provided integrally with the variable display device, it may be provided separately above the variable display device. Furthermore, tulip type hit ball winning devices 9 are arranged diagonally downward and outward from the first specific winning lower.

In addition, at the bottom of the game board 1, there is an out port 10 for collecting batted balls that did not win in the winning areas 6a to 6c, 7, 8, 9, etc. while falling from above to the rear of the game board. It is provided. Further, at appropriate positions on the surface of the game board 1, there are a large number of obstacle nails 11 that randomly change the direction of the hit ball falling from above, and a transfer guide member 12 that controls the falling speed and direction of the hit ball. It is provided almost symmetrically with respect to the vertical center line of the gaming area.

On both sides of the center of the game board 1, illumination means 25 are provided which blink or turn on when a specific mode occurs due to the stoppage of the variable display operation of the variable display device 4. Also,
At the top of the game board 1, there are a prize ball lamp 21 and a variable 9 display device 4 that are temporarily turned on when a ball hits a winning hole such as the sky winning holes 6a to 6c or the tulip type hit ball winning device 9. A turbo lamp 22 that lights up or flashes when a specific condition occurs due to the stoppage of the variable display operation, a segment type display 23 that displays the number of winning batted balls when the special variable winning device 5 is opened, and a predetermined number. A display member 20 is provided with a completion lamp 24 that indicates the end of the game when all winning balls have been paid out.

Furthermore, a firing device drive lamp 26 is provided at the top of the holding frame 100 of the pachinko game machine that holds the game board 1 having the above configuration, which is turned on when the operation dial 2a of the batted ball firing device is operated. Further, a supply tray 102 is attached to the opening/closing panel 101 attached to the lower part of the holding frame 100, which holds the batted balls supplied to the batted ball launcher.
A saucer 103 is provided below it for storing prize balls overflowing from the supply tray. A variable display stopping means 30 for stopping the variable display device 4 driven by a winning in a specific winning opening is provided on the side (left side in the figure) of the holding frame 100.

In the pachinko game machine configured as described above, when a batted ball hit into the game area by the batted ball firing device wins a specific prize winning lower or 8, the display means of the variable display device 4 is driven, and each of the four windows 4b is displayed. The displayed numbers will change accordingly.

Then, when the player presses the variable display stop means 30 provided in the holding frame 100, or when a certain period of time has elapsed, the variable display is automatically stopped by a timer, and a specific mode is selected depending on the combination of numbers displayed at that time. is generated.

When a specific mode occurs, the special variable winning device 5 is converted to an open state, and the probability of winning there is changed from zero to a very high state. As a result, a large number of prize balls are generated within a relatively short period of time, and a large number of prize balls are given to players.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the entire back mechanism to which the variable display device 4 and the special variable prize winning device 5 having the above configuration are attached. That is, the back mechanism board 110 is made of, for example, a transparent plastic plate, and is attached to the back side of the holding frame or the game board storage member so as to be openable and closable. Furthermore, collecting gutter 111 is attached to the back surface of the game board at a constant interval (at least one ball). The collecting gutter 111 is
It faces an opening 110a provided in the back mechanism plate 110. A guide shelf 111a provided on the back mechanism plate 110 and a winning ball controller 112 are provided at a position corresponding to the lower part of the collection gutter 111.

The guide shelf 111a is for collecting the winning balls guided to the back side of the game board 1, and has a front-to-back width (interval) that allows the winning balls to flow down, and a horizontal width corresponding to the game board. and slopes slightly downward toward the center. A winning ball controller 112 is disposed in the opening at the lower end of the guide shelf, and the winning ball controller 112 that receives one collected winning ball and causes it to flow down is provided below the opening. An operating gutter 1 that guides the ball to one end of the lower operating lever 113
14 entrances are open.

Therefore, when a ball hit into the game board enters any of the winning holes while flowing down inside the game section, the ball is led out to the back side of the game board 1 and collected as a winning ball by the guide shelf 111a. Then, the winning ball is placed on the guide shelf 111.
When it flows into the winning ball controller 112 from the opening at the lower end, the winning ball controller 112 is tilted by the weight of the winning ball, causing the winning ball to flow down into the operation gutter 114 for one ball, and then stopped.

The winning balls flowing down from the winning ball controller 112 pass through the base plate of the back mechanism plate and land on the ball playing portion at one end of the operating lever 113. When a winning ball is placed on the ball game section, the operating lever 113 is tilted by the ball's own weight, and the upper winning ball ejecting device 116 is activated via the interlocking rod 115 and the like.

On the other hand, a prize ball tank 117 for storing prize balls is provided at the upper part of the back mechanism board 110, and the prize ball tank 117
Below the prize ball outlet 118, which is provided at the bottom of the
The entrances are facing each other.

The other end of the guide gutter 119 is the prize ball ejecting device! 116.

And at the bottom near the entrance of the guide gutter 119.

A treadle lever 120 is pivotally mounted such that the free end is located on the upstream side and the pivoted end is located on the downstream side, and a ball shortage detector 121 is provided opposite the treadle lever 120. Therefore, when there is a shortage of balls in the prize ball tank 117, the treadle lever 120 is raised to activate a stopping device (not shown) provided in the opening/closing panel on the front of the game board, and the ball shortage detector 31 is activated. Turns on. Then, the completion lamp 24 on the front of the pachinko game machine is lit to notify the player of the discontinuation state, and a discontinuation signal is transmitted to the management room.

The prize ball ejecting device 116 operates when a hit ball enters the winning hole and forms a winning pattern, and discharges a number of prize balls corresponding to the winning pattern into the supply tray 102 or the saucer 103 on the front of the pachinko game machine. A case capable of storing a certain number of balls inside is pivotably attached to the back side of the back mechanism, with the - side facing the exit of the guide gutter 119 and the other side facing the entrance of the prize ball outlet path 122. , and is connected to the interlocking rod 115 via the operating rod 123.

The prize ball lead-out path 122 is for guiding the prize balls discharged by the prize ball ejecting device 116 to the supply tray 102 or the receiving tray 103. On the way, the prize ball controller 112 is returned to its original position by the falling prize balls. A treadle 124 for communicating with the guide shelf 111a is rotatably pivoted, and a bell 1 that generates a prize ball ejection sound effect is provided at the bent portion bent forward.
25 is provided, and is further communicated with the supply tray 102 via a prize ball communication passage 126 that passes through the game board 1 and opens forward. Further, at the upstream bottom of the bent portion of the prize ball outlet path 122, an outlet of a branch gutter 127 branched and extended from there is opposed to an inlet of a guide gutter 128 communicating with the receiving tray 103. There is.

Therefore, if enough spare balls are stored in the prize ball tank 117, the spare balls will flow from the outlet 118 to the guide gutter 119.
The balls flow down inside the ball, are arranged in the middle of the flow, and are distributed to the prize ball ejecting device 1.
16. The first ball that has flowed into the prize ball ejecting device 116 is stopped by a stopper 129 located at the exit of the prize ball ejecting device.
The ball stops when the ball hits the ball, and a certain number of balls (for example, 13 balls) are waiting in the prize ball ejecting device 116. And the winning ball occurs,
The actuation lever 11 is activated by the weight of the guided winning ball.
3 is tilted, the first ball in the prize ball discharging device 116 comes off the stopper 129, so the ball stopped in the gutter flows down into the prize ball outlet path 122 as a prize ball.

The prize ball that has flowed down into the prize ball lead-out path 122 presses the step board 124 with the downward force (inertial force) while flowing down, thereby returning the winning ball controller 112, and then the bell 12
5, a prize ball ejection sound effect is generated, and the prize ball communication path 126
and flows out into the supply tray 102. Note that when the supply tray 102 is filled with balls.

The prize balls flowing down from the prize ball discharge device 116 are sent to the diversion gutter 1.
27 and is discharged into the tray 103 via the guide trough 128.

Further, a control board 130 on which a control device is mounted is detachably attached to the rear side of the prize ball lead-out path 122. Also,
A relay board 140 that connects this control board 130 to various prize detectors and the like is removably attached to the collecting gutter 111. Furthermore, the speaker 106 is removably attached below the guide gutter 128.

The configuration up to this point is the same as a gaming machine installed in a pachinko game parlor. However, in the system of this embodiment, one side (hinge side) of the gaming machine that is the target of data collection.
A ball rental device 40 is arranged along. This ball rental device 40 includes a built-in sprocket having a game ball engaging recess on its outer periphery and its rotational drive device, and includes the supply tray 1 on the front of the game machine.
When the game balls in 02 are about to run out, the collection controller (
The sprocket is rotated by the command from (described later),
A predetermined number (for example, 75) of game balls are ejected. The discharge port 41 of the ball rental device 40 is opened at a slightly higher position than the above-mentioned supply tray 102, and a flexible discharge noise 42 is attached to this discharge port 41, and its tip is connected to the supply tray 10.
It is facing the upstream side of 2. As a result, the game balls (dead balls) discharged from the ball rental device 40 are automatically flowed down onto the supply tray 102.

The game balls discharged from the ball rental device 40 onto the supply tray 102 are supplied in a dripping manner from a supply gutter 141 which also serves as a spare ball supply device 60 disposed above after a pachinko game. There is. A detector for detecting the number of balls to be rented is provided in the ball rental device 140.

The ball rental device 40 having the above-mentioned configuration has the same structure as a ball rental machine called a hamburger, which is usually installed between game machines in a pachinko game parlor, or a ball rental device 40 using the same structure and installed at its outlet. The above nozzle 42 instead of the shutter
It can be easily configured by attaching the .

A solenoid 51 constituting the ball extraction device 50 is fixed on the tray part 103a of the saucer 103 at the bottom of the gaming machine, and the operating rod end of this solenoid 51 is connected to a guide roller 52, 53 attached to the holding frame 100. One end of the wound wire 54 is locked. The other end of the wire 54 is locked to an operation knob 103b of a sliding opening/closing plate (not shown) provided at the bottom of the saucer. The opening/closing plate is normally kept in a closed state by a return spring built into the saucer, and when the solenoid 51 is energized, the knob 103b is pulled to the left to open the opening/closing plate, and the prize ball in the saucer 103 is released. It flows down into a ball removal processing device 55 disposed below.

As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, the ball removal processing device 55 has two stages of inclined guide surfaces 55a and 55 that are inclined in opposite directions.
b, and ball removal detectors 32a to 32c are provided at the downstream end thereof.
is installed. The pulled balls that flowed down from the saucer 103 are
3 while flowing along the inclined guiding surfaces 55a and 55b.
They are arranged in a row, and the three detectors 32a to 32c detect one in each row. As a result, even if a large number of prize balls are taken out at once, they can be processed in a short time and the exact number can be determined.

Furthermore, a foul ball detector 3 is installed in the middle of a foul ball flow path 105 that is provided to return a ball that is missed by the ball launcher from the guide rail 3 to the supply tray 102.
3 is provided.

On the other hand, a prize ball tank 11 is located above a prize ball tank 117 that stores spare prize balls provided at the upper part of the back of the gaming machine.
A replenishment device 60 for replenishing spare balls into the ball 7 is provided. This replenishment device 60 has the same configuration as a replenishment device disposed above an island facility where a plurality of game machines are installed in a pachinko game parlor, and when the prize ball tank 117 becomes empty.

A stepping board 120 arranged opposite to the prize ball outlet 118
rises. The ball shortage detector 31 detects this, the detection signal is sent to the collection controller, and the replenishment device W160 is operated according to a command from the collection controller, and a predetermined number of balls (for example, 4
00 spare balls are supplied to the prize ball tank 117. Inside the replenishment device 60.

It has a built-in detector to count supply balls.

In addition, a branch part A between the prize ball lead-out gutter 122 and the branch gutter 127
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the shutter 72 has one end rotatably supported by a shaft 71, and a solenoid 73 for opening and closing the shutter 72.
A prize ball path switching device 70 is provided which includes an operating member 74 that transmits the driving force of the solenoid 73 to the shutter 72 to rotate it. This switching device 70 either blocks the flow path toward the prize ball communication passage 126 that communicates with the supply tray 102 as shown by the solid line in the figure, or blocks the inlet of the one-way flow gutter 127 as shown by the broken line in the figure. , is controlled to take either state. As a result, a part of the prize balls paid out like in a normal pachinko game machine is flowed out to the tray 103 via the diversion gutter 127, and the remaining prize balls are flowed out to the supply tray 102 via the prize ball communication path 126. In order to prevent such a situation, all the prize balls discharged at once are discharged only into either the supply tray 102 or the receiving tray 103. by this.

It becomes possible to always accurately know the number of balls on each dish.

Further, at the lower part of the back of the gaming machine, there is a detector 34 for detecting out balls collected from the out opening 10 and winning balls after winning from each winning opening and operating the winning ball controller 112 as recovered balls. A built-in collected ball processing device 80 is provided. The recovered ball processing bag @ 80 is used for the ball removal processing device 55.
It is possible to have a similar configuration.

A winning ball controller 11 is located below the downstream end of the operating gutter 114.
A safe ball detector 35 is provided to detect the winning ball that has been activated.

An interface box 90 having a control status notification function is provided for each gaming machine in correspondence with the pachinko gaming machine configured as described above and its peripheral auxiliary equipment. It is connected to a collection control machine 200 (described later) that controls the corresponding pachinko game machine, and provides a signal interface between the corresponding pachinko game machine and the collection control machine 200.

Next, FIG. 5 shows an outline of the data aggregation system according to the present invention.

Pachinko gaming machine P 1 t P 2 configured as above
v...Pn are each interface box 9
The collection controller 200 is connected to a totalizer 300 using a personal cocomputer or the like, and receives a start signal from the totalizer 300 and starts its own control. Data generated by the operation of the plurality of pachinko machines located below is collected for each machine, and is sent to a totaling machine periodically (for example, every minute).

The totaling machine 300 includes an input operation device 31O such as a keyboard for inputting the number of purchases at one time, the number of prize balls for one payout operation, and other initial values to be set in advance before the system starts operating. Stores programs for operation and data sent from the collection controller 200.
, an external storage device 320 such as a floppy disk device for storage, a CRT display device 330 for displaying the results of compiling and processing the obtained data, and a printer 340 for printing out the data.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the collection control machine 200 is configured such that a maximum of 16 pachinko gaming machines can be installed under the control of one collection control machine 200.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an interface box 90 that provides an interface between the corresponding pachinko game machine Pi and the collection controller 200.

In this embodiment, the interface box 90 consists of an interface circuit section 91 and a drive circuit section 92. The interface circuit unit 91 receives a total of nine types of detection signals such as detectors 31 to 35 provided in the pachinko game machine and the controller 1.
The signal notifying the occurrence of the 30 specific aspects is level-converted and passed to the collection controller 200, and the collection controller 200
A ball rental device 40 outputted to each pachinko game machine from
゜Ball removal device 50. Spare ball replenishing device 60 and prize ball path switching device [level converting drive signal of 70 and passing to each gaming machine,
On the other hand, the drive circuit section 92, based on the signal supplied from the collection controller 200, displays an abnormality display lamp L1 provided in the main body case of the interface box 90 that indicates an abnormality in the supply of spare balls, and the current game game. A game display lamp L2 that displays the game status of the machine (which can be determined from the difference between the cumulative number of purchased balls and the prize balls; if there are more prize balls, it is indicated as 1 win). A stop display lamp L3 that indicates that the prize ball has reached a preset number of shots, a number indicator CNT that indicates the number of purchases by the ball rental device 40 in several digits, and the above-mentioned replenishment abnormality display lamp L1 or a stop display. At the same time when the lamp L3 is turned on, a buzzer B provided to notify this with sound is driven.

Furthermore, the interface box 90 is provided with switches sw and tsw2, and by turning on the switch SW□, all collected data regarding the corresponding gaming machine in the collection control machine 200 can be cleared. With.

By turning on the switch SW2, counting of various detection signals sent from the corresponding pachinko game machine can be started.

The interface box 90 allows centralized electrical connection between the gaming machine side and the collection control machine described later, and also connects the notification means L1 to L3 provided in the interface box 90 and the setting switches sw1. SW
2 makes it easy to freely collect data and manage it for each gaming machine.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a block configuration of the collection controller 200. The part surrounded by the broken line C in the figure is the collection controller, and this collection controller 200 controls the timing within this controller, the operation of the auxiliary devices (40, 50, 60) around the pachinko machine, and the data. CPU board 2 that performs collection
10, an input board 220 that receives input signals supplied from each gaming machine and auxiliary equipment via the interface box 90, and passes them to the CPU board 210 in response to a request from the CPU; Auxiliary equipment!
(40,50,60) and interface box 9
It is composed of an output board 230 that outputs various drive signals for 0 at appropriate timing, and a power supply section 240. These CPU boards 210. Input board 220 and output board 230
05, and the power supply voltage generated by the power supply section 240 is also supplied to each board through the power supply line within this bus 205.

Among the above boards, the input board 220 can input 8 bits x 8 signals, and has an interface.
The input signals supplied from the box 90 are first inputted to the photocouplers 222, respectively.
is held in the latch circuit 224 via the latch circuit 224. By using the photocoupler 222, electrical noise on the cable connecting the interface box 90 and the collection controller 200 can be removed to prevent erroneous data collection.

The input signal held in the latch circuit 224 is transferred to the buffer 2
26, and one corresponding buffer 226 is selected by a selection signal formed by decoding an address signal output from the CPU board 210 onto the bus 205 at an appropriate timing with a decoder 228. is driven, and the desired input signal is applied to bus 20.
5 and taken into the CPU board 210.

In this embodiment, three input boards 220 that can accept 8 bits x 8 inputs as described above are used, and thereby a maximum of 16 pachinko machines can be placed under its own control. It is now possible to do so.

The output board 230 has 8 bits x 4 latch circuits 232 that take in the drive signal output from the CPU board 210 onto the bus 205, and has the same <CPU
A corresponding latch circuit 232 is selected by a selection signal formed by decoding an address signal output from the board 210 onto the bus 205 by a decoder 234.
is operated, and the signal output on the bus 205 at that time is taken in and held. The signal taken into the latch circuit 232 is passed through the photocoupler 236 to the driver 238.
The signal is supplied to the driver 238 and output to the outside by the driver 238.

The signal output from the output board 230 is supplied to the interface box 90.

The driving sources in the auxiliary devices (40, 50, 60) such as the internal lamps L1 to L3, the number display CNT, or the purchasing device are operated. In this embodiment, four output boards 230 as described above are used, and this allows pachinko gaming machines and their auxiliary equipment (including interface boxes), which require eight types of drive control signals per machine, to be used. Can control up to 16 units.

The CPU board 210 includes a microprocessor (CPU) 211 such as Z80, a read-only ROM (read-only memory) 212 in which a system control program is stored, and a RAM for storing various collected data. (Random Access Memory) 213 and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus 215 on the board. This bus 215 is connected via a buffer 214 to the bus 205 that connects the boards. In this embodiment, the RAM 213 has a counter function, and includes missed ball detectors 32a to 32c and foul ball detectors 33. Detection signals from the safe ball detector 342, recovered ball detector 35, etc. are counted for each bill, and the results are held.

Further, in this RAM 213, initial setting values such as the number of balls to be prized at one time and the number of purchased balls are stored, which are set by the aggregation machine 300 when data collection is started.

A serial interface circuit 216 is connected to the bus 215 on the CPU board 210, which performs a data communication interface with the aggregation machine 300 outside the collection controller, and periodically (for example, every minute) The data collected is converted into a serial signal and sent to the tabulation machine 300. An operation start/end signal and initial setting values supplied from the totalizer 300 also enter the CPU board 210 via the serial interface circuit 216.

Furthermore, an interrupt generation circuit 21 is provided on the CPU board 210.
7 is provided, and this interrupt generation circuit 217 interrupts the CPU 211, for example, once each Looms, based on a signal (clock) sent from a timer circuit 218 provided on the board. A program is executed according to the flow shown in FIG. As a result, the CPU 211 sequentially accesses the buffers 216 on the input board 220 and sequentially reads the various signals held in the latch circuit 214, thereby scanning the various detectors and forming corresponding control signals. Data obtained from various detectors is stored in the RAM 213.

Note that the timer circuit 218 also forms a reference clock that determines the baud rate (transfer rate) when performing serial communication between the serial interface circuit 216 and the external aggregation machine 300.
It is designed to supply 6.

An example of a control procedure for data collection of a pachinko game machine by the CPU 211 in the collection controller 200 is shown in FIG. Collection controller 20
Before starting data collection using 0, the following preparatory work is required.

This task is the minimum required for automatic data collection.

That is, first, the supply tray 102 of the pachinko game machine that is the object of data collection. saucer 103. Remove all the balls from the prize ball tank 1171, collected ball processing device 80, etc. in the gaming machine.

Then, the power to the collection controller 200 is turned on, and the measurement start switch SW2 of the interface box 90 provided corresponding to the gaming machine to be subsequently operated is turned on. This allows the collection control machine 200 to know which gaming machines should collect data from now on. In other words,
Even if 16 gaming machines are installed under the control of the collection control machine 200, data can only be collected for the desired gaming machine, and the data for the other gaming machines can be collected using the above-mentioned method. Work can be omitted.

Next, the aggregation machine 300 is powered on, and a floppy disk containing a program for setting initial values and data aggregation is set in the external storage device 320. Then, the program is loaded and executed, and first the display 33
The operating procedure is shown on the screen of 0, so follow the instructions and press the keyboard 310 for each gaming machine that is the target of data collection.
Use to set initial values such as the number of prize balls and the number of purchased balls.

Note that if the operator does not make any settings, the number of prize balls is set to 13 and the number of purchased balls is set to 75 (corresponding to the average number of balls purchased by a player at one time). Then, when a start command is given, the CPU 211 in the collection controller 200
Control according to the program in 12 is started.

The control procedure of the CPU 211 will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 8 as follows.

That is, the CPU 211 outputs an appropriate address, drives the buffers 216 on the input board 210 in order, receives signals from each detector, and selects the balls provided corresponding to the prize ball tank 117. Based on the signal from the shortage detector 31, it is determined whether the prize ball tank 117 is empty (step SL).

When the prize ball tank 117 is empty, step Sll
, and outputs a drive signal for the replenishing device 60 to replenish the prize ball tank 117. This replenishment is carried out for 400 balls at a time, and this is confirmed by a signal from a detector in the replenishing device 60.The replenishment, which normally takes 30 seconds due to ball jams, etc., is performed even after 90 seconds have elapsed. If the number does not reach 400, an abnormality indicator lamp L1 on the interface box 90 is turned on and an alarm buzzer B is sounded.

When the supply to the prize ball tank 117 is completed, step S2
Then, the number of game balls on the supply tray 102 is 260.
Determine whether there are more than 1. The number of balls on the supply tray 102 is the number of balls initially discharged onto the supply tray 102 by the ball rental device 40 (number of purchased balls) and the cumulative prizes paid out for winning balls (safe balls) generated during the game. You can know from the number of balls and the number of balls fired into the game board, and the number of purchased balls is calculated by CPU2.
From the drive signal from 11 to the ball rental device 40, the cumulative number of prize balls is determined from the detection signal from the safe ball detector 35 and the preset number of prize balls for winning balls (for example, 13). The number can be easily calculated from the detection signals of the recovered ball detector 34 and the foul ball detector 33.

In this way, the reason for determining whether or not the number of balls on the supply tray 102 has reached 260 is to avoid accurate data because as the number of balls on the supply tray 102 increases, the balls overflow from the supply tray and are spilled. This is because it becomes impossible to collect.

If it is determined in step S2 that the number of balls on the supply tray 102 has not reached 260, the prize ball lead-out path 12 on the back of the game board
2, the shutter 72 (see FIG. 4) is switched as shown by the broken line, and all the prize balls that have been paid out are transferred to the supply tray 10.
2 (step S3).

However, in step S2, the number of balls on the supply tray 102 is 26.
When it is determined that the number of prize balls is 0 or more, the shutter 72 in the middle of the prize ball outlet path 122 on the back of the game board is switched as shown by the solid line, so that all the paid out prize balls flow out onto the saucer 103 (step 512).

The switching of the shutter 72 is performed by driving the solenoid 73 approximately 0.8 seconds after the safe ball detector 35 detects a safe ball. this is,
If the shutter 72 is rotated while the prize balls put out by the prize ball discharge device 116 are passing through a branch point of the prize ball outlet path 122, the shutter will bite the ball and the path will not be completely closed. This is to prevent On average, after the winning ball (safe ball) that activated the winning ball controller 112 is detected by the safe ball detector 35.

It takes approximately 0.6 seconds for all the prize balls (13 balls) to pass through the branch point. Therefore, by switching the shutter 72 0.8 seconds after safe ball detection as described above, ball clogging in this area can be prevented.

The number of balls in the saucer 103 can be calculated by calculating the sum of the safe ball detection signal and the foul ball detection signal after the shutter 72 is switched.

After switching the shutter, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined whether the number of balls in the saucer 103 is 250 or more.

If it is determined in step S4 that the number of balls on the tray 103 has not reached 250, the shutter for removing balls provided at the bottom of the tray 103 is closed (step S4).
5). However, if it is determined in step S4 that the number of balls on the saucer 103 has reached 250 or more, the ball extraction device 50 is operated to open the shutter provided at the bottom of the saucer 103, and the balls in the saucer 103 are removed. (Step 513).

In this manner, by removing the balls from the saucer 103 in step 313, overflow in the saucer can be prevented. In addition, when the balls are removed by the ball removing device 50, the internal detectors 32a to 32c detect and count the balls removed, and the count is stored in the RAM 213.6 After step S5 or S13, proceed to step S6. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of balls on the supply tray 102 is more than 20. If it is more than 20, the process jumps to step S1, and the above operation is repeated. Therefore, the supply tray 102
When it is determined that the number of pitches above has become 20 or less, step S
The process advances to step 7, where it is determined whether the number of balls on the saucer 103 is 25 or more. This is to determine whether or not there are enough balls to be transferred from the receiving tray 103 when the number of balls on the supply tray 102 is low.

If it is determined in step S7 that the number of balls in the saucer 103 is 25 or more, the process proceeds to step S14, where the ball extraction device 5
0 is operated to remove all the balls in the tray 103, and then in step 515A, the ball rental device 40 is operated to supply 25 balls at a time onto the supply tray 102. This can prevent the ball launcher from spinning idly due to the supply tray 102 becoming empty.

The operations in steps S7 → 314 → 315 replace the operation in which the player moves the ball to the supply tray 102 if there is a ball on the tray 103 when there are no more balls on the supply tray 102 during the game. In this embodiment, since there is no device for performing such work, this is performed by the ball extraction device 50 and the ball rental device 4.
This is done in a pseudo manner by using 0. Therefore, in this case, even if the ball rental device 40 is operated to replenish the supply tray in step S15, the number of purchased balls in the RAM 213 is not increased, and instead, the number of balls pulled from the tray 103 is decreased by 25. let

After step S15, the process returns to step S1 and repeats the above operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that the number of balls in the saucer 103 is not 25 or more, the process advances to step S8 and the number of balls in the saucer 103 is already 25 or more.
It is determined whether the sum of the remaining number of balls extracted from the ball and the current number of balls in the saucer 103 is 25 or more. This sum is 2
If there are 5 or more balls, there are 25 or more remaining prize balls (including foul balls) that have already been paid out in the actual game, so the player can return them to the supply tray and repay the rented balls. This means there is no need to buy balls from the device.

Therefore, if it is determined in step S8 that there are 25 or more,
Proceeding to step S15, from the ball rental device 40 to the supply tray 102
^25 balls will be supplied, and 25 will be subtracted from the remaining number of balls instead. Hereinafter, this will be referred to as a reduction ball.

On the other hand, in step S8, the remaining amount of the number of balls pulled and the receiving tray 10 are determined.
If it is determined that the sum of the number of balls in 3 is not 25 or more, the process advances to step S9, and the ball rental device 140 is operated to supply balls onto the supply tray 102, and the accumulated number of purchased balls is reduced by that number. I'll increase it. The number of items purchased at one time is determined based on the initial setting value, and if no setting is made, 75 items are automatically purchased. After step S9, the process returns to step S1 and repeats the above operation.

While the CPU 211 performs control according to the above procedure,
It receives and receives detection signals and special game mode generation signals from various detectors, performs calculations, collects various data, and passes the data to the totaling machine 300 every - minute. Collection controller 200
The data collected by and passed to the tabulation machine 300 includes, for example, the number of purchased balls, the number of foul balls, the number of safe balls, the number of out balls, 2 the number of recovered balls,
Number of balls supplied, number of balls in the prize ball tank (remaining amount), number of balls in the supply tray.

Number of balls in the saucer, number of returned balls, number of balls thrown out2. There are balls out (number of balls in the supply tray + number of balls in the saucer + number of balls pulled out), number of balls stopped, etc.

Note that when the number of balls put out reaches a predetermined number (for example, 3000 balls), even if there is a replenishment request signal from the ball shortage detector 31, the prize ball tank 117 is not replenished, and the display on the interface box 90 is The lamp L3 is turned on and the buzzer B is sounded to notify that the game has stopped. When the game is stopped, the collection control machine 200 stops collecting data, and then the operator operates the clear switch SW1 on the interface box 90 to clear the collected data, and after removing all the balls from the gaming machine. By turning on switch SW2 to start measurement again,
Resume data collection. In the above case, the collection controller 20
0 can know the number of stoppages by counting the number of times the clear switch SW1 is operated, and can pass this to the counting machine.

The aggregation machine 300 processes the above-mentioned various data received from the collection control machine 200, and also collects data such as the division number (balls out ÷ nettle x 10) and slump degree (number of safe balls per minute). The calculations are made to create, for example, a line graph as shown in FIG. 9 or a bar graph as shown in FIG. 10, which are displayed on the CRT display device 330 or printed by the printer 340.

As explained above, according to the data collection system of this embodiment, balls can be replenished to the prize ball tank 117 for each gaming machine placed under the control of the collection controller 200, as well as to the supply tray 102 and to the receiving tray. Work that conventionally required manual labor, such as picking out prize balls from the ball 103, and data collection, such as the number of winning balls, are all automatically performed. Therefore, there is no need for a worker to be assigned to each gaming machine to collect data, supply and extract balls, etc., and long-term operation tests can be performed continuously with almost no human effort.

As a result, highly reliable data can be obtained.

In addition, in the above embodiment, since the gaming machine itself is hardly equipped with any special equipment for testing except for the switching shutter 72, the operation test can be performed in conditions close to the gaming conditions at a gaming parlor, and therefore extremely accurate. data can be collected.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the types of data that can be collected are increased compared to the conventional method that relied on manual labor. A wide variety of data can be collected, and easy-to-understand materials such as graphs can be created over a wide range based on the data. It can be created and displayed not only after the operational test but also during the test. Therefore, based on these materials, it is possible to correct the arrangement of the obstructing nails in the gaming machine, streamline the process up to final commercialization, and efficiently develop new models.

Furthermore, since a wide variety of data can be collected as described above, by performing different nail adjustments for each number, it is possible to easily see changes in characteristics due to adjustments. As a result, these data can be printed out in the form of graphs and tables and used as reference materials when determining the final gauge (nail arrangement), allowing us to provide better products. At the same time, when delivering the product, the characteristics of each game machine and the nail adjustment method can be explained in an easy-to-understand manner and with high reliability while showing the materials to the game store. As a result, game parlors can fully understand the characteristics of each machine type, quickly make adjustments that suit the music conditions, and conduct business that takes advantage of the characteristics.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the detector 35 collectively detects the balls that enter each winning hole provided in the gaming area as safe balls, but a detector is provided for each winning hole, The ease with which a ball can win a prize may be collected as data. In addition, it is also possible to provide a detector at an appropriate position in the game area other than the winning hole to detect the ball passing through a specific flow path and check the falling situation. In any of the above cases, it is relatively easy to install and install the detector by using a non-contact sensor that detects metal as the detector and attaching it to the glass plate on the front of the game board using a suction cup or the like. The mounting position can be changed. It is also possible to provide a sensor that detects the first position of the ball fired by the ball launcher 2 and collect data based on the difference in the hitting position.

Furthermore, during the operation test, conditions other than the gaming machine such as the temperature, humidity, and polishing of the balls during the test are entered into the counting machine.
It is also possible to print it out along with the collected data.

[Operations and Effects] As explained above, the present invention has a spare ball replenishing device with a built-in detector above the prize ball tank provided at the upper part of the back of the pachinko game machine, On the side thereof, there is a ball rental device that replenishes game balls to a supply tray that stores game balls (purchased balls) before they are hit into the gaming area, and a ball rental device that stores the prize balls that have been paid out (played balls). A ball extraction processing device with a built-in ball extraction device and a detector is installed in the saucer provided at the lower front of the pachinko game machine. Various detectors, drive sources, their control devices, etc. are connected to the control functions of the spare ball replenishing device, ball rental device, and ball extraction device, and the detector of the pachinko game machine through an interface box that has a control status notification function. Since it is connected to a collection controller that has a data collection function based on signals from the control device, data from multiple pachinko machines can be collected automatically and simultaneously without the need for a lot of manual labor. Moreover, the ability to collect various data over a wide range makes it possible to create materials that can be viewed and learn about the characteristics in detail, making it possible not only to efficiently develop new models, but also to This has the effect of being able to clearly communicate to game parlors the nail adjustment method that is appropriate for the machine6.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a pachinko game machine in which data is collected by a data aggregation system according to the present invention and auxiliary devices provided around the machine, and FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a ball removal processing device, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the chain line A section in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the data aggregation system according to the present invention. figure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the interface box, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the collection controller, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the control procedure of the CPU in the collection controller, and FIG. Figures 1 and 10 are graphs showing examples of representations of data obtained by the data aggregation system according to the present invention. 1...Game board, 2...Battered ball launcher, 3...
・Guide rail, 4...Variable display device, 5...
Special variable winning device, 7, 8...specific winning opening, 10.
...Out port, 31-35...Detector, 40...
...Ball rental device, 50...Ball removal device, 60...Replenishment device, 72...Switching shutter, 90...
Interface box, 102... Supply tray, 1
03...Saucer, 117...Prize ball tank, 122
... Prize ball lead-out path, 200 ... Collection control machine, 2
10...CPU board, 220...Input board', 230...Output board, 3
00...Tally machine. Figure 2, Δl Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 8

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Has a play area surrounded by guide rails in the front,
The pachinko game machine includes a winning area in which prize balls are paid out when game balls win prizes, and an out port for collecting balls that do not win prizes as out balls. A replenishment means is arranged around the pachinko machine to supply balls to a prize ball tank at the back of the machine and a supply tray at the front of the machine, and a supply means for replenishing balls from a tray at the bottom of the machine. , and a ball pulling means having a detector capable of detecting each ball, a detector for detecting balls that have entered a winning area provided at least in the gaming area, and detecting balls collected from an out exit. and a collection control means which calculates the number of balls of each type in response to a signal from a detector, and forms and outputs a control signal for operating the replenishing means and ball extraction means based on the calculation results, etc. A data aggregation system for pachinko gaming machines. (2) The above-mentioned pachinko gaming machine and its surrounding replenishment means and ball extraction means are connected to the above-mentioned collection control means via an interface means, and a plurality of pachinko gaming machines are controlled by the above-mentioned collection control means. 2. A data aggregation system for pachinko gaming machines according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to collect data from a plurality of pachinko gaming machines at the same time. (3) The data aggregation system for pachinko gaming machines according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the interface means is provided with reporting means for notifying the control status of each corresponding pachinko gaming machine.