JP4445508B2 - Game device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus in which a game is progressed by receiving a game medium and a predetermined amount of the game medium is discharged when a predetermined discharge condition is satisfied.

  As this type of game device, for example, a medal game machine installed in a game center or the like is known. In the medal game machine, when a player inserts a medal as a game medium and plays a game, the medal is discharged directly to the outside of the machine or discharged into the play field depending on the result of the game. Patent Document 1 discloses a medal game machine that uses a medal (IC medal) provided with a storage unit for storing electronic data. In this medal game machine, expiration date data is written in the IC chip of the IC medal, and when the IC chip is inserted, the expiration date data is read to determine whether or not the IC medal has expired. Judging. Then, an error process is performed for an IC medal that has expired.

JP 2006-87900 A

  However, in the medal game machine described in Patent Document 1, the inserted IC medal is accommodated in a medal accommodating part inside the game machine and is collected by a store clerk. The process of writing the expiration date data on the IC medal is performed by a medal lending machine that lends the medal to the player. In other words, in the medal game machine described in Patent Document 1, the inserted IC medal is recovered by the store clerk, transported to the medal lending machine, and rented from the medal lending machine. Therefore, in the medal game machine described in Patent Document 1, IC medal expiration date management cannot be performed unless the inserted medal is returned to the medal lending machine, and it is difficult to manage the IC medal expiration date. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device capable of easily and appropriately managing the expiration date of a game medium.

To achieve the above object, the present invention 請 Motomeko 1 includes a game medium receiving means, a game medium to a player visible passes to receive the game medium comprising tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data game medium that has passed through the play field, the game medium discharge means a game medium comprising tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data is discharged to the playing field, the playing field is discharged by the game medium discharge means for Game medium payout means for paying the game medium out through the game medium payout exit, and first data reading means for reading the medium specifying data for specifying the game medium from the storage unit of the game medium received by the game medium receiving means And correspondence information for identifying the correspondence between each medium specifying data and the corresponding expiration date. The expiration date corresponding to the medium specifying data is specified based on the correspondence information storing means stored, the medium specifying data read by the first data reading means, and the correspondence information stored in the corresponding information storing means. The expiration date determining means for determining whether or not the specified expiration date has passed, and the game medium receiving means having received the game medium determined by the expiration date determining means that the expiration date has not passed. Control to perform an error process for prohibiting the progress of the game when the game medium receiving means receives the game medium that is permitted to proceed and the expiration date determining means determines that the expiration date has passed, Game control means for controlling the game medium discharge means to discharge a predetermined amount of game media when a predetermined discharge condition is satisfied; The second data reading means for reading the medium specifying data from the storage portion of the game medium when the game medium is discharged to the play field, and the game medium discharged to the play field by the game medium discharge means is the game medium payout means. Until the payout to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout port, the storage means for storing an approximate value of the amount of game media discharged to the play field by the game medium discharge means, and the second data reading means read Based on the amount of game media discharged by the game medium discharge means after the game medium discharge means discharges the game medium corresponding to the medium specifying data, and the approximate value stored in the storage means, the game medium Predicts the payout time to be paid out to the outside of the device through the game media payout exit, and becomes the time after the predicted payout time As described above, the expiration date determining means for determining the expiration date of the game medium in accordance with predetermined expiration date determination conditions, and the expiration date determined by the expiration date determination means in correspondence with the medium specifying data of the game medium corresponding thereto And expiration date registration means for registering in the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game device according to the first aspect , wherein the play field comprises a tangible object that does not include a game medium discharged from the game medium discharge means and a storage unit for storing electronic data. A mounting table having a mounting surface on which a large number of game media of 2 are mounted, and a game medium and a second game medium existing on a part of the mounting surface are pushed out to the other side of the mounting surface. Are pushed out of the mounting surface by the pushing member that reciprocally moves along the portion with respect to the placement surface, and the game medium and the second game medium pushed out by the pushing member. And a second groove for dropping the second game medium to the play field, the game medium payout means, and a second game medium discharge means for discharging the second game medium to the play field. The fall The game media and the second game media that have fallen into the game are paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game media payout exit, and the game control means is configured to output the second game when a predetermined second discharge condition is satisfied. The medium discharging means is controlled to discharge a predetermined amount of the second game medium, and the approximate value stored in the storage means is the game medium discharged to the play field by the game medium discharging means. The estimated value of the total amount of the game media and the second game media that are discharged to the play field by the game media discharge means and the second game media discharge means before being paid out to the outside of the apparatus by the means. The prediction of the payout time performed by the expiration date determining means is a game medium corresponding to the medium specifying data read by the second data reading means. Total amount of game media and second game media discharged by the game medium discharge means and the second game medium discharge means after the game medium discharge means is discharged, and an approximate value stored in the storage means It is based on these.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium receiving means for receiving a game medium comprising a tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data, and a game medium comprising a tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data. A game medium discharge means; a game medium payout means for paying out the game medium discharged by the game medium discharge means to the outside of the apparatus through a game medium payout outlet; and a storage unit for the game medium received by the game medium reception means. Correspondence relation information storage means for storing correspondence information for identifying correspondence relation between the medium specifying data and the expiration date corresponding to each medium specifying data, for reading the medium specifying data for specifying the game medium Based on the medium specifying data read by the first data reading means and the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means. An expiration date determining means for determining an expiration date corresponding to the medium specifying data and determining whether the specified expiration date has passed, and a game medium for which the expiration date determination means has determined that the expiration date has not passed Is received by the game medium receiving means, and the progress of the game is permitted, and when the game medium receiving means receives the game medium that the expiration date determining means has determined to have expired, the progress of the game is prohibited. And a game control means for performing control for discharging a predetermined amount of game medium to the game medium discharge means when a predetermined discharge condition is satisfied, Before the game medium discharged by the means is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout port, the second data is read from the storage unit of the game medium. Between the data reading means and the second data reading means until the game medium whose medium identification data has been read by the second data reading means is paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout outlet by the game medium payout means. Storage means for storing an approximate value of the amount of game media from which the medium specifying data is read, and a payout timing at which the game medium from which the second data reading means has read the medium specifying data is paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout port, After this reading, the second data reading means makes a prediction based on the amount of game medium from which the medium specifying data is read and the approximate value stored in the storage means, and is set to a predetermined time after the predicted payout time. An expiration date determining means for determining an expiration date of the game medium in accordance with an expiration date determination condition, and an expiration date determined by the expiration date determination means And expiration date registration means for registering in the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means in correspondence with the medium specifying data of the game medium corresponding thereto.

The present invention reads the medium specifying data of the game medium from the storage unit of the game medium received by the game medium receiving means, and based on the medium specifying data and the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means, Specify the expiration date of the game media. If the specified expiration date has not passed, the progress of the game is permitted, and if the specified expiration date has passed, the progress of the game is prohibited. When a predetermined discharge condition is satisfied, a predetermined amount of game medium is discharged by the game medium discharge means, and the game medium is finally discharged to the outside through the game medium payout exit. Therefore, the player can reuse the game media paid out from the game device.
Here, in this onset bright, at a time prior to the game media are paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout opening, reading media specific data from the storage unit of the game medium. In this case, if the time from when the medium specifying data is read until the game medium is actually paid out to the outside of the device through the game medium payout opening is indefinite, the expiration date is set starting from the reading point of the medium specifying data. If the decision is made, proper expiration date management cannot be performed, and in the worst case, the expiration date may have already passed when it reaches the player's hand.
Therefore, the invention according to 請 Motomeko 1, discharge after reading the medium identification data by the second data reading unit, a payout timing of the game media are paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout opening, after discharging the game medium Prediction is made based on the amount of game media discharged and the approximate value stored in the storage means. According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium which reads after the reading the payout timing when the game medium is paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout port after the medium specifying data is read by the second data reading means. The prediction is made based on the quantity and the approximate value stored in the storage means. Then, the expiration date of the game content is determined according to a predetermined expiration date determination condition so as to be a time after the predicted payout time. As a result, a time later than the time when the player is expected to receive the game content is set as the expiration date of the game content, so even if there is some prediction error, Occurrence of the situation that the expiration date has passed is suppressed. If sufficiently high prediction accuracy is obtained, the expiration date of the game medium can be properly managed even in the invention according to claim 1 .
Further, in this onset bright, without writing the expiration date data determined for the game medium paying out the game medium, by registering the corresponding relationship information relationship information storage means of the game apparatus, the expiration date of each game medium to manage. Therefore, a configuration for writing data to the storage unit of the game medium for the expiration date management becomes unnecessary. Further, since after writing the expiration data to the storage unit of the game medium it is not easy to change this, but flexible expiration date management is difficult, a game apparatus of correspondence according to the present onset bright Since the expiration date can be changed simply by rewriting the correspondence information in the information storage means, flexible expiration date management is easy.

  According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the expiration date of the game medium can be managed easily and appropriately.

[ Reference Example 1]
Hereinafter, an example of a pusher game machine is Gate beam system (hereinafter, the present example of. "Reference Example 1") will be described with reference to the drawings.
Each figure only schematically shows the shape, size, and positional relationship to the extent that the contents of the present invention can be understood. Therefore, the present invention is the shape, size, and position illustrated in each figure. It is not limited to relationships only. Moreover, in each figure, a part of hatching in a cross section is abbreviate | omitted for clarification of a structure.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the appearance of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first reference example .
The pusher game machine 1 is provided with four satellite portions SA so as to surround the center lottery device 2000. Each satellite unit SA includes four station units ST which are medal game machines as game devices, and each player plays a game on each station unit ST. Each satellite unit SA includes one satellite lottery device 1000 as physical lottery means, and each station unit ST is arranged around the satellite lottery device 1000.

(Configuration of station unit ST)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of the station unit ST in the pusher game machine 1.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal structure of the station unit ST.
As shown in FIG. 3, the station unit ST includes a medal insertion mechanism (game medium receiving means) 100, a medal transport path 200, a first lift-up hopper 300, a second lift-up hopper 350, and a medal discharge path 400. A play field 500, a control unit 600, a display unit 700, and a housing 800.

  The casing 800 is a configuration that is a framework of the station unit ST. In the housing 800, the medal insertion mechanism 100 is disposed on the upper front side, the display unit 700 as display means is disposed on the upper back side, and the play field 500 is disposed on the upper center. In addition, the medal transport path 200, the first lift-up hopper 300, the second lift-up hopper 350, the control unit 600, and the like are housed in the housing 800. Here, “front side” means the side located when the player plays the game, “back side” means the side opposite to the side where the player plays the game, and “center” means the above-mentioned side. It means the area between the “front side” and the “back side”.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 is configured to insert a normal medal (hereinafter simply referred to as “medal”) M, which is a normal tangible object as a second game medium, into the pusher game machine 1 when the player plays a game. The medal M inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 is transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 through the medal transport path 200 and is temporarily stored in the first lift-up hopper 300. As described above, the medal transport path 200 and the first lift-up hopper 300 are disposed in the housing 800. The medal transport path 200 mechanically and physically connects the medal insertion mechanism 100 and the first lift-up hopper 300, and transports the medal M inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the first lift-up hopper 300. It has a function.

The first lift-up hopper 300 is lifted up with a normal medal storage unit 310 as a normal medal storage container for storing medals M, and a lift-up unit 320 for lifting up the medals M to a predetermined height. And a normal medal discharging unit 330 for discharging the medal M at a predetermined timing. In addition, a medal discharge path 400 for guiding the discharged medal M to the play field 500 is provided at the discharge port of the normal medal discharge unit 330 so as to be able to swing left and right.
The upper end of the lift-up unit 320 is disposed above the play field 500. Accordingly, the normal medal discharge unit 330 provided at the upper end of the lift-up unit 320 is also disposed above the play field 500. Therefore, the medal M temporarily accumulated in the normal medal storage unit 310 provided under the play field 500 is lifted above the play field 500 by the lift-up unit 320 and then from the normal medal discharge unit 330 to the medal discharge route. It is injected into the play field 500 via 400.

The second lift-up hopper 350 includes an IC medal storage unit 360 as a special medal storage container for storing special medals (hereinafter referred to as “IC medals M ′”) as special tangibles as game media, and an IC medal M. A lift-up unit 370 for lifting up 'to a predetermined height, and an IC medal discharge unit 380 for discharging the lifted up IC medal M' at a predetermined timing. In addition, a medal discharge path 450 for guiding the discharged IC medal M ′ to the play field 500 is provided at the discharge port of the IC medal discharge unit 380 so as to be able to swing left and right.
The upper end of the lift-up unit 370 is disposed above the play field 500. Accordingly, an IC medal discharge unit 380 provided at the upper end of the lift-up unit 370 is also disposed above the play field 500. Therefore, the IC medal M ′ temporarily accumulated in the IC medal storage unit 360 provided under the play field 500 is lifted above the play field 500 by the lift-up unit 370 and then the medal from the IC medal discharge unit 380. It is injected into the play field 500 via the discharge path 450.

  In the play field 500, there are provided a main table 501 as a mounting table for storing the medal M and the IC medal M ′ as a deformed object, and a pusher portion 510 as a pushing member mounted on the main table 501. ing. The pusher unit 510 is stored in an upper surface (referred to as a sub table 511) for storing medals M and M ′, an inclined table 512 on which the medals M and M ′ dropped from the sub table 511 slide, and a main table 501. And a pushing wall 513 for pushing the medals M and M ′. The pusher unit 510 is slidably provided on the main table 501 in the play field 500, and slides back and forth at a constant cycle or an arbitrary cycle under the control of the control unit 600. A part (the back side) of the pusher unit 510 is stored in a storage unit 720 (described later) provided below the display unit 700. The pusher portion 510 reciprocates back and forth by sliding so as to enter and exit from the storage portion 720.

  The frame member 710 of the display 701 in the display unit 700 is slidably contacted with the sub table 511. Therefore, when the pusher unit 510 moves in the direction in which the pusher unit 510 is stored in the storage unit 720, the medals M and M ′ on the sub table 511 are pushed forward by the frame member 710. Due to this pushing, some medals M and M ′ on the sub-table 511 fall onto the tilting table 512. Some of the medals M and M ′ dropped from the sub-table 511 enter openings (which are referred to as chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3) serving as medal passage openings provided on the tilting table 512. To do. Further, the remaining medals M and M ′ are dropped to the main table 501 as they are and stored in the main table 501.

  The medals M and M ′ on the main table 501 are pushed by the sliding movement of the pusher unit 510 in the same manner as the medals M and M ′ on the sub table 511. That is, since the pusher portion 510 is placed on the main table 501 with no gap, when the pusher portion 510 moves in the direction of unloading from the storage portion 720, the pusher portion 510 is moved forward by the pushing wall 513 that is the front surface of the pusher portion 510. The medals M and M ′ on the table 501 are pushed forward. Due to this pushing, some medals M and M ′ on the main table 501 fall. Of the dropped medals M and M ′, the medals M and M ′ dropped from the player side end (referred to as the front end 501a (see FIG. 2)) to the medal drop groove are paid out to the player, and other medals M , M ′, for example, medals M and M ′ dropped from both sides of the main table 501 (referred to as side ends 501b) are stocked in a predetermined storage section in the station section ST.

In addition to the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the station unit ST according to the first reference example includes a medal movement simulation effect unit 900. As will be described later, the medal movement simulation effect unit 900 includes a plurality of light emitting units (LEDs 920 described later) arranged from the vicinity of the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the vicinity of the normal medal discharge unit 330, and these light emitting units are used as the medal insertion mechanism. By sequentially lighting from the 100 side to the normal medal discharge unit 330, a state in which the medal M inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 moves is simulated. At this time, the route on which the medal M actually moves and the route simulated by the effect may not be the same or close to each other.

Further, the medal M inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 is temporarily stored in the normal medal storage unit 310 in the first lift-up hopper 300. In the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300, the medal M stocked in the normal medal storage unit 310 is lifted up by the lift-up unit 320 and set in advance. When the medal M is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the first lift-up hopper 300 discharges the medal M previously set in the normal medal discharge unit 330 to the play field 500 according to the control from the control unit 600. As described above, in the first reference example , the medal M inserted by the player and the medal M actually inserted into the play field 500 are different medals.

  In addition, when the medal insertion mechanism 100 inserts the medal M, the medal movement simulation effect unit 900 sequentially arranges the arranged LEDs 920 from the medal insertion mechanism 100 side to the normal medal discharge unit 330 according to the control from the control unit 600. Light up. At this time, the state in which the medal M inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 moves is controlled by controlling the timing at which the LED 920 in the vicinity of the normal medal discharging unit 330 is turned on and the timing at which the medal M is discharged from the normal medal discharging unit 330. Can be produced in a simulated manner by the medal movement simulation production unit 900.

On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ stocked in the IC medal storage unit 360 is lifted up by the lift-up unit 370 and set in advance in the IC medal discharge unit 380 of the second lift-up hopper 350. The IC medal discharging unit 380 discharges the IC medal M ′ set in advance to the play field 500 in accordance with the control from the control unit 600. That is, in the first reference example , the play field 500 includes a medal M that is a normal medal that does not include a storage unit that stores electronic data, and a special medal that includes a storage unit that stores electronic data. The IC medal M ′ is mixed.

In the first reference example , medal value data is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. The medal value data is data indicating its own relative value with respect to a predetermined reference value. In the first reference example , how many IC medals M ′ have the medal value corresponding to the IC medal M ′. It is the data shown. The “relative value of the self with respect to the predetermined reference value” is indicated by a numerical value, and means a relative value with respect to a predetermined reference value. Here, the “medal value” means a converted value to the normal medal M, and the IC medal M ′ whose medal value data is 10 has a medal value for 10 normal medals. In the first reference example , the medal value data stored in the IC medal M ′ is any one of “10”, “30”, and “50”. Therefore, there are three types of IC medals: an IC medal M ′ corresponding to 10 normal medals, an IC medal M ′ corresponding to 30 normal medals, and an IC medal M ′ corresponding to 50 normal medals. However, it is not limited to this.

Further, in the first reference example , the external dimensions of the IC medal M ′ are formed smaller than the medal M, and the pattern and color on the medal surface are different from the medal M, and the appearance is different from the medal M. ing. Therefore, the player can distinguish and recognize the medal M and the IC medal M ′ mixed in the play field 500 in appearance. However, in Reference Example 1, since all IC medals are identical in appearance, the difference in electronic data stored in the IC chip cannot be distinguished and recognized in appearance. It should be noted that it may be possible to recognize it by distinguishing the appearance according to the difference in electronic data stored in the IC chip.
The medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be distinguished from each other in appearance as in the first reference example , so that the IC medal M ′ is dropped with priority over the medal M existing in the play field 500 with respect to the player. Strategic play of dropping into the groove can be promoted, and the game performance is improved. Note that the medal M and the IC medal M ′ may be the same in appearance, and the player may not recognize the medal M and the IC medal M ′ in distinction in appearance. In this case, it is possible to provide game characteristics that cannot be provided when the player can recognize the medal M and the IC medal M ′ by distinguishing them in appearance.

Further, the IC medal M of Reference Example 1 'in the IC chip of the present IC medal M' unique store ID to the shop which is used are stored. As a result, as described later, it is possible to prevent the IC medal M ′ of another store that is prohibited from being used at the store from being used illegally.
Further, expiration date data indicating the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ of the first reference example . Thereby, the expiration date management of the IC medal M ′ can be performed. Details of the expiration date management using the expiration date data will be described later.
The electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is not limited to that illustrated in the first reference example , and electronic data appropriately selected according to the usage method of the IC medal M ′ and the like are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the station part ST has a ball throwing mechanism 1800 on at least one side. The ball throwing mechanism 1800 has a configuration for throwing balls B1 and B2, which are spherical objects, which will be described later, into the play field 500, and includes a ball throwing slope 1801 and a ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810. The balls B1 and B2 are lottery objects for executing a bingo game described later.

  The ball throwing slope 1801 is configured to guide balls B1 and B2 thrown from a ball carrier 1520 described later to the ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810 by gravity. Therefore, it is a downward slope. The ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810 is a structure for drawing lots on the play field 500 where the balls B1 and B2 are thrown. In this way, the balls B1 and B2 thrown into the station unit ST from a ball carrier 1520 described later are thrown into the play field 500 via the ball throwing slope 1801 and the ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the station unit ST has a ball transport mechanism 1900 on at least one side. The ball transport mechanism 1900 is configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 when the balls B1 and B2 fall from the main table 501 in the play field 500 to the medal drop groove provided on the front side thereof. And has a ball transport path 1040, a ball transport unit 1910, and a ball transport unit traveling slope 1901, which will be described later. The ball transport path 1040 is provided below the front end 501a and guides the balls B1 and B2 dropped from the front end 501a to the ball transport unit 1910. The ball transport unit 1910 is configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 received via the ball transport path 1040 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and travels on the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 according to the control of the control unit 600. The balls B1 and B2 conveyed to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 are delivered to a ball carrier 1520 (see FIG. 6) described later.

  The station unit ST has a medal payout mechanism including a third lift-up hopper 1020, a fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as a game medium discharge means, and a medal payout unit 1030. By driving this medal payout mechanism, The medal M or the IC medal M ′ having the same medal value as the medal M or the IC medal M ′ that has dropped into the medal dropping groove from the front end 501a is discharged to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  In addition, a game screen of a game different from the pusher game such as a bingo game or a digital lottery game (slot game) is displayed on the display unit 700 in the station unit ST. In the pusher game machine 1, as will be described later, in addition to the pusher game, a slot game screen as shown in FIG. A game screen is displayed on the display unit 700 to execute a bingo game.

  The slot game is a digital lottery game in which the control unit 600 in the station unit ST mainly draws digitally. The start condition of this slot game is that the medal M or the IC medal M ′ enters one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3 provided on the inclination table 512 of the pusher unit 510. The display unit 700 displays a slot game screen as shown in FIG. 4 during a period when a bingo game described later is not in progress, and the medal M is displayed on any of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3. Alternatively, when the IC medal M ′ enters and the slot lottery start condition is satisfied, the control unit 600 performs display control to rotate the three dice-shaped slots DS. In the digital lottery in the slot game, the control unit 600 executes a predetermined lottery program, and determines whether the generated random number is won or lost in light of a predetermined winning table. Thereafter, when the winning combination is determined, the control unit 600 performs display control for stopping the rotation of the three dice slots DS so that the combination of symbols related to the winning combination is stopped and displayed on the display unit 700.

In the first reference example , as a combination of digital lottery, a small winning combination A for supplying three medals M to the play field 500, a small winning combination B for supplying three IC medals M ′ to the play field 500, and the play field 500 The ball supply combination for supplying the ball B1, the normal bonus combination for supplying 30 medals to the play field 500, the 30 medals for the play field 500, and the winning probability set in the subsequent digital lottery. Probability bonus combinations using the winning table, direct satellite combination for directly supplying the ball B1 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and the like are prepared. The winning probability of each combination is set to be lower in this order. In addition, what kind of combination is prepared and what winning probability is set for each combination is arbitrary. For example, various benefits such as paying out the medal M directly to the player may be provided to the player.

In the first reference example , a digital lottery for determining whether or not to supply the ball B1 to the play field 500 is performed by determining whether or not the control unit 600 wins the ball supply combination. When the ball supply combination is won by the digital lottery of the control unit 600, a ball supply command is output from the control unit 600 to a control unit (not shown) of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Thereby, as will be described later, the control unit of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 delivers the ball B1 from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520, and passes the ball carrier 1520 along the outer periphery of the annular ball conveyance path 1500. The ball supply combination is moved to the corresponding position of the station unit ST selected. Then, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball carrier 1520 to the ball throwing mechanism 1800 of the station section ST, and the ball B1 is supplied from the ball throwing mechanism 1800 to the play field 500. In the first reference example , the ball B2 is supplied to the play field 500 only when a bingo of a specific line is established on a bingo card of a bingo game described later. The configuration and operation related to the ball supply at this time are almost the same as those of the ball B1 except that the ball B2 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1400 different from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520.
In the first reference example , the component for supplying the balls B1 and B2 to the play field 500 in this way constitutes the deformed object supply means.

The bingo game is a physical lottery game that progresses by physical lottery using two types of balls B1 and B2 and the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and includes a control unit (not shown) in the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 described later and a control unit 600 in the station unit ST. And proceed by. In the bingo game, the control unit of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 mainly controls the lottery for determining the winning bingo numbers of the bingo game, and the control unit 600 of each station unit ST belonging to the satellite unit SA including the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Is mainly responsible for the control of bingo game production and the determination of bingo establishment. In the first reference example , a physical lottery in which one winning bingo number (winning object) is selected from among a plurality of different bingo numbers (lottery objects) by moving the balls B1 and B2 with the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Do. In the physical lottery of the first reference example, one winning bingo number is selected from the bingo numbers “1” to “9”. Then, the bingo card arrangement information in which bingo numbers of “1” to “9” are arranged in a matrix is individually obtained for each station unit ST by the control unit 600 as an arrangement information generating unit of the station unit ST, for example. To generate. Thereafter, a bingo card image BC in which images of bingo numbers “1” to “9” (lottery target images) are arranged according to the arrangement information is displayed on the display unit 700 of each station unit ST as shown in FIG. . In the first reference example , the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 700 during a period when the bingo game is not performed, and when the bingo game physical lottery starts, the game is shown in FIG. Switch to the bingo game screen. When the physical lottery of the bingo game ends, the screen returns to the slot game screen again, but the bingo card image BC is displayed small at the top of the slot game screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, the player can always check how many winning bingo numbers are available on the bingo card of the station section ST that he / she plays.

In this reference example 1, each bingo game performed at each station is normally performed independently for each station ST. That is, when the balls B1 and B2 fall into the medal drop groove at one station part ST and the physical lottery apparatus 1000 starts, the bingo numbers won by this are won only by the one station part ST. It is treated as a bingo number and is not treated as a winning bingo number in other station units ST. However, in the first reference example , if a predetermined event condition described later is satisfied, the bingo number to be won in the physical lottery performed when the balls B1 and B2 fall in the medal drop groove of one station unit ST is Not only one station part ST but also the winning bingo numbers of other station parts ST are handled.

Here, the other station units ST in the first reference example are the remaining three station units ST belonging to the same satellite unit SA as the one station unit ST. That is, in the first reference example , all the station units ST provided in the pusher game machine 1 are divided into a plurality of groups, and each group is defined as a satellite unit SA, and the above-described event is performed between the station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. When the condition is satisfied, it is possible to create a situation where the games of each player are related to each other. As a result, for example, a game characteristic that players who play in the station units ST belonging to the same satellite unit SA cooperate with each other and aim for medal acquisition is born.
The details of the bingo game in Reference Example 1 will be described later.

(Configuration of satellite lottery system)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000.
The satellite lottery apparatus 1000 includes an outer turbine stage 1100, an inner bingo stage 1200, ball supply mechanisms 1300 and 1400, a ball transport path 1500, a stage ball input mechanism 1600, and a support base 1700.

  The support base 1700 is a configuration that is a framework of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 and supports other configurations. In the support base 1700, an inner bingo stage 1200 is disposed at the upper center, and an outer bingo stage 1100 is disposed so as to surround the inner bingo stage 1200. Further, a ball transport path 1500 is disposed so as to surround the outer turbine stage 1100. Next to the ball transport path 1500, ball supply mechanisms 1300 and 1400 are provided.

  The ball supply mechanism 1300 is configured to supply a certain type of ball, for example, a non-metallic ball B1. On the other hand, the ball supply mechanism 1400 is configured to supply a species different from the ball B1, for example, a metal ball B2. Note that the difference between the ball B1 and the ball B2 may be defined by other factors, for example, the color of the ball, regardless of whether it is a metal or a nonmetal.

  The ball supply mechanism 1300 includes a ball supply unit 1301, a lift-up unit 1302, and a ball return path 1303. The ball supply unit 1301 is configured to supply the ball B1 to a ball carrier 1520 described later. The lift-up unit 1302 is configured to lift the ball B1 to the ball supply unit 1301. The ball return path 1303 is configured to be a path for returning the ball B1 supplied to the later-described outer turbine stage 1100 to the lift-up unit 1302 in the ball supply mechanism 1300.

  Similarly, the ball supply mechanism 1400 includes a ball supply unit 1401, a lift-up unit 1402, and a ball return path (not shown). The ball supply unit 1401 is configured to supply the ball B2 to a ball carrier 1520 described later. The lift-up unit 1402 is configured to lift the ball B2 to the ball supply unit 1401. A ball return path (not shown) is configured to be a path for returning a ball B2 supplied to an inner bingo stage 1200 (to be described later) to the lift-up unit 1402 in the second ball supply mechanism 1400.

  The ball carrier 1520 is configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 along the outer periphery of the annular ball transport path 1500. The ball carrier 1520 has a receiving portion made of two bar-shaped members bent in a V shape, and holds the balls B1 and B2. The ball carrier 1520 is fixed to a ring-shaped member 1550 provided along the ball transport path 1500. Therefore, when the ring-shaped member rotates along the ball transport path 1500, the ball carrier 1520 moves along the ball transport path 1500.

  The ball transport path 1500 has a plurality of sensor units 1510 on the outer peripheral surface. The sensor unit 1510 is configured to detect whether or not the ball carrier 1520 exists in the immediate vicinity thereof. Information detected by the sensor unit 1510 is input to a control unit (not shown), for example, as appropriate or in real time. This control unit specifies the position of the ball carrier 1520 based on the information sent from the sensor unit 1510, and controls the running and stopping of the ball carrier 1520 based on this. For example, when supplying the ball B1 to the station unit ST shown in FIG. 2, the control unit stops the ball carrier 1520 at the position of the sensor unit 1510-1 based on information from the sensor unit 1510. As a result, the ball carrier 1520 is positioned on the extension of the ball throwing slope 1801. In this state, when the V-shaped receiving portion of the ball carrier 1520 is tilted toward the ball throwing slope 1801 by a control unit (not shown), the balls B1 and B2 held on the ball carrier 1520 are thrown into the ball throwing slope 1801 (FIG. 2). )). The sensor unit 1510 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ball transport path 1500 at a position where the ball throwing slope 1801 is arranged in each station unit ST and a position where the ball transport unit traveling slope 1901 is arranged. .

  The balls B1 and B2 thrown into the ball throwing slope 1801 are temporarily held by the stopper 1802 shown in FIG. When the player presses the button 160 and an operation signal is sent to the control unit 600, the control unit 600 controls the drive so that the stopper 1802 falls to the exit side of the ball throwing slope 1801. Thereby, the balls B1 and B2 stopped by the stopper 1802 roll down due to the inclination of the ball throwing slope 1801, and are thrown into the play field 500 via the ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810. The balls B1 and B2 thrown into the play field 500 fall from the front end 501a of the main table 501 to the medal drop groove, in the same manner as the medal M and the IC medal M ′, in the course of the pusher game. As described above, the dropped balls B1 and B2 are set in the ball transport unit 1910 via the ball transport path 1040 described later. The ball transport path 1040 includes a ball receiving portion 1041 that receives only the balls B1 and B2 and passes the medal M and the IC medal M ′. Further, the ball transport unit 1910 stands by at the ball discharge port 1043 of the ball transport path 1040 in a normal state.

  The ball transport unit 1910 has a configuration for transporting the balls B1 and B2 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 as described above. When the balls B1 and B2 are set, the ball transport unit 1910 runs up the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 based on control from a control unit (not shown) and moves to the upper end of the ball transport unit travel slope 1901. A ball carrier 1520 is waiting in the vicinity of the upper end of the ball transporting portion traveling slope 1901. The ball transport unit 1910 moves to the upper end of the ball transport unit traveling slope 1901 and then transfers the transported balls B 1 and B 2 to the ball carrier 1520. Note that the ball carrier 1520 to which the balls B1 and B2 have been transferred is in a posture to hold it.

  Further, when receiving the balls B1 and B2, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600 based on control from a control unit (not shown). The stage ball throwing mechanism 1600 includes a tray 1610 for throwing the ball B1 into the outer bingo stage 1100, and a pan 1620 for throwing the ball B2 into the inner bingo stage 1200. The ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the tray 1610 or 1620 according to the type of the held ball (B1, B2) based on the control from the control unit (not shown) described above. When receiving balls from the ball carrier 1520, the trays 1610 and 1620 descend to a position facing the ball carrier 1520, and when receiving a ball from the ball carrier 1520, the trays 1610 and 1620 rise to a position facing the ball throwing paths 1110 and 1210. The ball is held until the ball is thrown in.

  For example, when the ball carrier 1520 receives the ball B1 from the ball transport unit 1910, the ball carrier 1520 travels along the ball transport path 1500 and then delivers the ball B1 to the tray 1610 in the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600. The tray 1610 that has received the ball B1 throws the held ball B1 into the ball throwing path 1110, for example, when the player presses the button 160. The thrown ball B1 is thrown into the outer turbine stage 1100 after obtaining acceleration corresponding to the inclination and length of the ball throwing path 1110. For example, when the ball carrier 1520 receives the ball B2 from the ball transport unit 1910, the ball carrier 1520 travels along the ball transport path 1500 and then delivers the ball B2 to the tray 1620 in the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600. The tray 1620 that has received the ball B2 throws the held ball B2 into the ball throwing path 1210, for example, when the player presses the button 160. The thrown ball B2 is thrown into the inner bingo stage 1200 after obtaining acceleration in accordance with the inclination and length of the ball throwing path 1210. Whether the type of the ball delivered to the ball carrier 1520 is B1 or B2 is provided in the ball carrier 1520 such as a metal sensor when the ball B1 is made of a non-metal and the ball B2 is made of a metal, for example. Can be detected. Further, for example, when the balls B1 and B2 have different colors, the type of the delivered ball can be detected by providing a color sensor or the like on the ball carrier 1520. The detected ball type is sent to a control unit (not shown). Accordingly, the ball carrier 1520 is controlled based on the type of ball notified to the control unit.

The outer turbine stage 1100 has two or more holes (this is referred to as a winning spot 1101) having a diameter that allows the ball B1 to pass through, and rotates around the inner bingo stage 1200 at a predetermined cycle. In the first reference example , a total of ten winning spots 1101 are provided to which the bingo numbers “1” to “9” used in the bingo game and the lose are respectively assigned. The ball B1 thrown into the outer bingo stage 1100 goes around the outer bingo stage 1100 by the acceleration obtained in the ball throwing path 1110 and the rotation of the outer bingo stage 1100 itself, and then enters one of the winning spots 1101. Information on which winning spot 1101 has entered the ball B1 is appropriately sent to a control unit (not shown). When the ball B1 enters one of the winning spots 1101 to which a bingo number is assigned, the control unit cooperates with the control unit 600 of the station unit ST that is the transportation source of the ball B1, and the winning spot 1101 The bingo number assigned to is used as the winning bingo number, and the bingo game proceeds. The ball B1 that has entered the winning spot 1101 is temporarily held at the entrance of the winning spot 1101 so that the player can check it, and then thrown into the ball return path 1303 provided below the outer bingo stage 1100.

Similarly, the inner bingo stage 1200 has one or more winning spots 1201 having a diameter that allows the ball B2 to pass therethrough, and rotates at a predetermined cycle with the central portion as a rotation center. In the first reference example , four winning spots to which two bingo numbers in “1” to “8” used in the bingo game are assigned, and a bingo number of “9” used in the bingo game are assigned 1 A total of five winning spots 1201 of two winning spots are provided. The ball B2 thrown into the inner bingo stage 1200 goes around the inner bingo stage 1200 by the acceleration obtained in the ball throwing path 1210 and the rotation of the inner bingo stage 1200 itself, and then enters one of the winning spots 1201. Information about which winning spot 1201 has entered the ball B2 is appropriately sent to a control unit (not shown). When the ball B2 enters one of the winning spots 1201 to which a bingo number is assigned, the control unit cooperates with the control unit 600 of the station unit ST that is the transportation source of the ball B2, and the winning spot 1201 The bingo number assigned to is used as the winning bingo number, and the bingo game proceeds. The ball B2 entering the winning spot 1201 is temporarily held at the entrance of the winning spot 1201 so that the player can check, and then thrown into a ball return path (not shown) provided below the inner bingo stage 1200. .

(Play field configuration)
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view in which the configurations of the play field 500 and its peripheral part are extracted.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the reciprocating motion of the pusher unit 510 in the play field 500. FIG.
As described above, the play field 500 includes the main table 501 that is a mounting table and the pusher portion 510 that is a push member that is slidably mounted on the main table 501. The pusher unit 510 slides back and forth on the main table 501 so as to enter and exit a storage unit 720 provided below the display 701 of the display unit 700. 8A is a top view when the pusher portion 510 is most retracted into the storage portion 720, and FIG. 8B is a top view when the pusher portion 510 protrudes most from the storage portion 720. It is.

  As described above, the frame member 710 of the display unit 700 is in contact with the sub-table 511 that is the upper surface of the pusher unit 510. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ stored on the sub-table 511 which is the upper surface of the pusher unit 510 moves in the direction in which the pusher unit 510 enters the storage unit 720 ((b) → (a )), The frame member 710 pushes the sub table 511 toward the tilt table 512, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ on the sub table 511 flows in the direction toward the tilt table 512 as a whole. As a result, some medals M or IC medals M ′ on the sub-table 511 existing in the vicinity of the tilt table 512 fall on the tilt table 512. Part of the dropped medal M or IC medal M ′ enters one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3 provided on the tilting table 512, and the rest falls to the main table 501. To do. Further, drop prevention walls 521 are provided on both sides of the range in which the pusher portion 510 slides, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is prevented from dropping from the side of the sub table 511.

  Further, the pusher portion 510 is placed on the main table 501 without any gap. Here, “no gap” means that there is no gap larger than the width of the medal M and the IC medal M ′. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ stored on the main table 501 is moved to the pusher portion when the pusher portion 510 moves in the direction of exiting the storage portion 720 (see (a) → (b) in FIG. 8). The push wall 513 on the front surface of 510 is pushed in the direction of the front end 501a on the main table 501, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 flows in the direction toward the front end 501a as a whole. As a result, some medals M or IC medals M ′ on the main table 501 existing in the vicinity of the front end 501a fall from the front end 501a to the medal drop groove. In addition, due to the flow of medals M or IC medals M ′ at this time, some medals M or IC medals M ′ on the main table 501 that exist in the vicinity of both ends (side ends 501 b) of the main table 501 are It may fall from the side end 501b. Note that the medal M or the IC medal M ′ dropped from the side end 501b is stored in a predetermined storage unit inside the station unit ST.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ dropped from the front end 501a is received by the medal receiver 1001 provided below the front end 501a, that is, in the medal dropping groove. The medal receiver 1001 is connected to a medal transport path 1002 including a medal sorting unit. In addition, the medal receiver 1001 is inclined toward the connection portion with the medal transport path 1002. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ received by the medal receiver 1001 flows into the medal transport path 1002. The medal transport path 1002 is inclined toward the storage unit 1021 in the third lift-up hopper 1020 of the medal payout mechanism. Note that a separation rod 1010 for blocking balls B1 and B2, which will be described later, is provided at a connection portion between the medal receiver 1001 and the medal transport path 1002, and the balls B1 and B2 are transported on the medal transport path 1002. It is configured not to be conveyed downstream in the direction.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing a configuration of a medal sorting unit as sorting means provided in the medal transport path 1002.
The medal sorting unit is configured by a sorting hole 1003 provided on the bottom surface of the medal transport path 1002. The width of the sorting hole 1003 (the length in the direction orthogonal to the medal transport direction) is smaller than the diameter of the medal M and larger than the diameter of the IC medal M ′. Therefore, when the medal M is slid and conveyed with the medal surface abutting against the bottom surface of the medal conveyance path 1002, the medal M does not fall into the sorting hole 1003 but passes through the sorting hole 1003, and the third It is conveyed to the storage part 1021 in the lift-up hopper 1020. On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ having a diameter smaller than the medal M falls into the sorting hole 1003 when it is slid and conveyed with the medal surface abutting against the bottom surface of the medal conveyance path 1002. Below the sorting hole 1003, an IC medal transport path 1004 inclined toward the storage unit 1051 in the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is disposed. Therefore, the IC medal M ′ that has fallen into the sorting hole 1003 is conveyed to the storage unit 1051 in the fourth lift-up hopper 1050.

  A medal counter 1006 described later is provided at the entrance of the storage unit 1021 in the third lift-up hopper 1020. This medal counter 1006 counts the number of medals M inserted into the storage unit 1021 from the medal transport path 1002. The number of medals M counted by the medal counter 1006 is notified to the control unit 600 in FIG. The control unit 600 drives the third lift-up hopper 1020 based on the notified number of medals, thereby paying out the number of medals M from the medal paying unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100.

The third lift-up hopper 1020 includes a hopper drive unit 1022 and a lift-up unit 1023, and the medal M to be paid out is lifted up by operating the hopper drive unit 1022 based on control from the control unit 600. It is paid out from a medal payout unit 1030 provided at the end of 1023. In the first reference example , the medal payout mechanism including the third lift-up hopper 1020 and the medal payout unit 1030 causes the medal M to be sent to the player on condition that the medal M falls from the front end 501a of the main table 501 to the medal drop groove. It functions as a means for paying out tangible objects.
The basic configuration of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is the same as the configuration of the third lift-up hopper 1020. However, the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is an IC writer as data writing means for writing electronic data instructed by the control unit 600 to the IC chip of the IC medal to be ejected into the lift-up unit 1053 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. It differs from the structure of the 3rd lift-up hopper 1020 in that 1054 is provided.

An IC reader 1005 as data reading means is provided on the bottom surface of the IC medal transport path 1004. The IC reader 1005 reads electronic data stored in the IC chip of the passing IC medal M ′. The IC reader 1005 transmits the medal value data read from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ to the control unit 600 in FIG. The controller 600 controls the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 based on the received medal value data. More specifically, the control unit 600 writes the same medal value data as the medal value data received from the IC reader 1005 to the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in the lift-up unit 1053 using the IC writer 1054. . The written IC medal M ′ is then paid out from the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100 through the lift-up unit 1053. That is, in the first reference example , when the discharge condition that the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal drop groove in the pusher game is satisfied, the IC medal M ′ is discharged by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 and paid out to the player. It is.

  Here, the case where the IC medal M ′ is dropped from the front end 501a of the main table 501 into the medal dropping groove is a payout condition (discharge condition) of the IC medal M ′, but is not limited thereto. . For example, an IC medal M ′ payout condition (discharge condition) may be that a predetermined number of medals M fall from the main table 501 within a predetermined period. In such a condition, the means for discharging the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 is not necessarily required, and therefore the second lift-up hopper 350 described above is not necessary. In this case, the IC medal M ′ does not exist on the main table 501, and only the normal medal M is accumulated.

In the first reference example , on the main table 501, balls B1 and B2 supplied from the ball carrier 1520 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 are also present. The balls B1 and B2 move on the main table 501 along with the flow of the medal M or the IC medal M ′ due to the reciprocating motion of the pusher portion 510, and then fall from the front end 501a to the medal dropping groove. As described above, the ball transport path 1040 is provided below the front end 501a, that is, in the medal drop groove. The ball transport path 1040 receives only the dropped balls B1 and B2 and stops the ball receiving portion 1041 through which the medal M or the IC medal M ′ passes and the ball received by the ball receiving portion 1041 until a predetermined condition is satisfied. A ball stop unit 1042 to be placed and a ball discharge port 1043 are provided. Therefore, the balls B1 and B2 received by the ball receiving portion 1041 are stopped by the ball stop portion 1042 until a predetermined timing and then discharged from the ball discharge port 1043. As a result, the balls B1 and B2 are set in the ball transport unit 1910 (see FIG. 2) that has been waiting at the ball discharge port 1043. Note that the station unit ST in FIG. 2 and the station unit ST in FIG. 3 or FIG. 7 are reversed left and right for convenience of explanation, but the configuration is the same.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the main table 501 is provided with guide portions 530R and 530L for controlling the flow of medals M and IC medals M ′ and balls B1 and B2. Further, below the main table 501, a guide part moving mechanism 540 for moving the guide parts 530R and 530L up and down with respect to the main table 501 is provided. The guide portions 530R and 530L respectively include a ball guide plate 531 for controlling the flow of the balls B1 and B2, a medal guide plate 533 for controlling the flow of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, and the ball guide plate 531. And a support portion 534 for supporting the medal guide plate 533. Also, the ball guide plate 531 and the medal guide plate 533 are supported up and down by the support portion 534 so that a predetermined shape of the passage opening 532 is formed therebetween.

  When the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the upper ends of the medal guide plates 533 in the guide portions 530R and 530L are located at the same level or lower than the upper surface of the main table 501. That is, when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the medal guide plate 533 is stored below the main table 501. However, even in this case, the entire passage opening 532 between the medal guide plate 533 and the ball guide plate 531 is not blocked. Thus, in the state where the medal guide plate 533 is retracted below the main table 501, the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 is not hindered by the medal guide plate 533. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M 'Can flow through the passage 532 in any direction. That is, the medal M and the IC medal M ′ can flow toward the side end 501 b of the main table 501. As a result, there are more medals M or IC medals M ′ falling from the side end 501b than when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, for example. However, the obstruction of the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ by the support portion 534 is ignored for the sake of simplicity. Even when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the ball guide plate 531 protrudes on the main table 501, and the flow of the balls B1 and B2 is restricted by the ball guide plate 531. That is, the balls B1 and B2 are guided in the direction of the front end 501a so as not to fall from the side end 501b of the main table 501.

  On the other hand, when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, the upper end of the medal guide plate 533 in the guide portions 530R and 530L is projected by the medal guide plate 533 in such a state that protrudes above the main table 501. Since the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 is hindered, the flowing direction of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is limited to the direction of the front end 501a. As a result, the number of medals M and IC medals M ′ falling from the side end 501b can be reduced as compared with, for example, the case where the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position. However, the obstruction of the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ by the support portion 534 is ignored for the sake of simplicity. Even when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, the ball guide plate 531 protrudes on the main table 501, so that the flow of the balls B1 and B2 is restricted by the ball guide plate 531. That is, the balls B1 and B2 are guided in the direction of the front end 501a so as not to fall from the side end 501b of the main table 501.

As described above, in the first reference example , by moving the guide portions 530R and 530L to the lower limit position, in other words, by storing the medal guide plate 533 of the guide portions 530R and 530L under the main table 501, the ball B1 The flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be made relatively free while restricting the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′. As a result, it is possible to increase the ratio of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ falling from the side end 501b among the medal M and the IC medal M ′ falling from the main table 501. On the other hand, by moving the guide portions 530R and 530L to the upper limit position, in other words, by causing the medal guide plate 533 of the guide portions 530R and 530L to protrude on the main table 501, the medal M and IC along with the flow of the ball B1. The flow of the medal M ′ can be restricted in the direction of the front end 501a. As a result, the flow of medals M and IC medals M ′ can be concentrated in the direction of the front end 501a, and many medals M and IC medals M ′ can be dropped from the front end 501a and medals falling from the side end 501b. The ratio of M and IC medal M ′ can be reduced.

(Composition of medal insertion mechanism)
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the medal insertion mechanism 100 according to the first reference example .
FIG. 11 is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 includes a horizontal region 21, a first inclined region 22 and a second inclined region 23 located on both sides of the horizontal region 21, and a first side portion located outside the first inclined region 22. A structure 117 and a second side structure 118 located outside the second inclined region 23 are included. The medal insertion mechanism 100 includes a storage surface 101 that stores a plurality of medals including the medal M and the IC medal M ′. The storage surface 101 constitutes the horizontal region 21 of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further includes a first inclined wall that extends while inclining continuously upward from the first boundary region 102 in contact with the first side portion of the storage surface 101. The first inclined wall forms a first inclined region 22. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall lower region 104 and a first inclined wall upper region 106. The first boundary region 102 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further extends while inclining continuously upward from the second boundary region 103 in contact with the second side portion of the storage surface 101 located on the side opposite to the first side portion described above. A second inclined wall is included. The second inclined wall forms a second inclined region 23. The second inclined wall includes a second inclined wall lower region 105 and a second inclined wall upper region 107. The second boundary region 103 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further includes a first medal insertion portion 108 having a first medal insertion port 108-1 at a position close to the first inclined wall, and a second position at a position close to the second inclined wall. And a second medal slot 109 having a medal slot 109-1. The first boundary region 102, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the first medal insertion unit 108 are connected to the first inclined region 22 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Form. The second boundary region 103, the second inclined wall lower region 105, the second inclined wall upper region 107, and the second medal insertion unit 109 are connected to the second inclined region 23 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Form.

  The first medal slot 108 further includes a first mounting flange 110 that extends from a part of the first boundary region 102 to a part of the storage surface 101. . The second medal insertion portion 109 further has a second mounting flange 111, and this second mounting flange 111 extends from a part of the second boundary region 103 to a part of the storage surface 101. . As shown in FIG. 12, the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 extending on the storage surface 101 have large rounded corners. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 define on the storage surface 101 a medal storage area for storing the medal M and the IC medal M ′. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 are separated from each other, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is supplied from the medal supply side 119 between the two flanges 110 and 111. The supplied medal M or IC medal M ′ is restrained by the rounded corners of the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111. The first medal for preventing the medal M or the IC medal M ′ supplied from the storage surface 101 to the front side where the player is present from spilling on the side opposite to the medal supply side 119 of the storage surface 101. A restraining plate 112 is provided.

  A first guide 113 is formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106. The 1st guide part 113 is comprised so that the medal which slides down the 1st inclination wall upper area | region 106 may be latched, and it may be slid into the 1st medal insertion slot 1080-1 along a 1st guide part. The first guide portion 113 includes a first step 113 formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106. The first step 113 extends while descending linearly toward the first medal slot 108-1. The first inclined wall upper region 106 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M and the IC medal M ′ that are slid into the first guide portion 113. That is, the first inclined wall upper region 106 is spaced upward from the first guide portion 113 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, and the direction in which the first guide portion 113 extends. At least one ridge-shaped protrusion 115 extending substantially in parallel is provided. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 115 are formed.

  A second guide portion 114 is formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The 2nd guide part 114 is comprised so that the medal which slides down the 2nd inclined wall upper area | region 107 may be latched, and it may be slid and transferred to the 2nd medal insertion slot 109-1 along a 2nd guide part. The second guide portion 114 includes a second step 114 formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The second step 114 extends while descending linearly toward the second medal slot 109-1. The second inclined wall upper region 107 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M and the IC medal M ′ that slide in and move along the second guide portion 114. That is, the second inclined wall upper region 107 is spaced upward from the second guide portion 114 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, and the direction in which the second guide portion 114 extends. It has at least one ridge-shaped protrusion 116 extending generally in parallel. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge-line shaped protrusions 116 are formed.

  An outer upper end portion of the first inclined wall upper region 106 is coupled to the first side structure 117. The first side structure 117 has a deformed L-shaped cross section and includes a horizontal upper portion, a vertical wall portion, and a horizontal lower portion. The horizontal upper portion continuously extends outward from the outer upper end portion of the first inclined wall upper region 106. The vertical wall extends vertically downward from the outer end of the horizontal upper part. The horizontal lower portion extends inward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion. An operation handle in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of the discharge end of the medal discharge path 400 is attached to the horizontal upper part, and the player operates the operation handle to set the discharge end of the medal discharge path 400. Control position and orientation. The horizontal lower part serves as a mounting flange for mounting the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the casing 800 of the station unit ST.

  The outer upper end portion of the second inclined wall upper region 107 is connected to the second side structure 118. The second side structure 118 has a deformed L-shaped cross section and includes a horizontal upper part, a vertical wall part, and a horizontal lower part. The horizontal upper portion continuously extends outward from the outer upper end portion of the second inclined wall upper region 107. The vertical wall extends vertically downward from the outer end of the horizontal upper part. The horizontal lower portion extends inward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion. An operation handle in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of the discharge end of the medal discharge path 400 is attached to the horizontal upper part, and the player operates the operation handle to set the discharge end of the medal discharge path 400. Control position and orientation. The horizontal lower part serves as a mounting flange for mounting the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the casing 800 of the station unit ST.

  Storage surface 101, first boundary region 102, second boundary region 103, first inclined wall lower region 104, second inclined wall lower region 105, first inclined wall upper region 106, and second inclined wall If the upper region 107 is composed of the same member, the region where the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is movable has no joint, and the resistance can be reduced.

  Further, the first medal slot 108-1 of the first medal slot 108 and the second medal slot 109-1 of the second medal slot 109 have only one medal M and IC medal M ′. Has dimensions that allow it to enter. When a plurality of medals enter the first medal insertion slot 108-1 or the second medal insertion slot 109-1 at the same time, the first medal insertion part 108 or the second medal insertion part 109 is jammed. This is to reliably prevent this.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 described above has a generally symmetric shape and structure with respect to an intermediate position between the first and second side portions.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.
Since the first medal insertion unit 108 and the second medal insertion unit 109 have the same structure, the internal structure of the second medal insertion unit 109 will be described below as an example.
The second medal insertion portion 109 communicates with the second guide portion 114, that is, the second medal insertion port 109-1 adjacent to the end portion of the second step portion 114, and the end portion of the second step portion 114. The medal insertion path 109-7, the medal drop hole 109-8 communicating with the medal insertion path 109-7, and both sides of the medal insertion path 109-7 and the medal insertion path 109-7 are defined. 1 medal guide plate 109-5 and second medal guide plate 109-6. The medal insertion path 109-7 is formed to guide the medal M inserted through the second medal insertion port 109-1 to the medal dropping hole 109-8.

  Further, the second medal slot 109 has a first intermediate plate 109-3 having a first roller 109-4. The first intermediate plate 109-3 is attached to the first medal guide plate 109-5 and the second medal guide plate 109-6. The first roller 109-4 is positioned on the medal drop hole 109-8, so that the medal M or the IC medal M ′ that has passed through the medal insertion path 109-7 reaches the medal drop hole 109-8. At this time, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is slightly pushed down by the first roller 109-4, and falls from the medal dropping hole 109-8.

The medal insertion mechanism 100 of the first reference example is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in the middle of the medal insertion path 109-7, specifically, in a portion covered by the medal insertion unit cover 109-2. An IC reader 109-9 is provided as data reading means for reading electronic data. The medal dropping hole 109-8 constitutes a sorting unit similar to the sorting hole 1003 of the above-described medal sorting unit, the medal M passes without dropping into the medal dropping hole 109-8, and the IC medal M ′ falls. It is configured to fall into the hole 109-8. The medal M that has passed without falling into the medal dropping hole 109-8 is transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 through the medal transport path 200. The medal M transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 is lifted up to the supply end of the medal discharge path 400 and is supplied onto the play field 500 from the discharge end via the medal discharge path 400. On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ that has dropped into the medal dropping hole 109-8 is conveyed to the second lift-up hopper 350. Before the IC medal M ′ is dropped into the medal dropping hole 109-8, the electronic data stored in the IC chip is read by the IC reader 109-9. That is, for all IC medals M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the electronic data stored in the IC chip is read by the IC reader 109-9. Thus, in the first reference example , various controls can be performed using the electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100. A specific example of the control will be described later.

  The player extends the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall that extend the medal M or the IC medal M ′ stored in the storage surface 101 while continuously inclining upward from the storage surface 101. When the upper region 106, the second inclined wall lower region 105, and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are slid up and released from the medal M or the IC medal M ′, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is caused by gravity. Slides down the first sloped wall upper region 106 and the second sloped wall upper region 107, and the first step portion 113 constituting the first guide portion 113 and the second guide portion 114 constituting the second guide portion 114. Locked to the step 114. The first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 slide the medal M or the IC medal M ′ into the first medal insertion port 108-1 and the second medal insertion port 109-1 by gravity. Configured to let

  That is, the player extends the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, the second inclined wall lower region 105, and the first The medal M or the IC medal M ′ is slid up on the second inclined wall upper area 107, and then the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is moved to the first by gravity when the hand is released from the medal M or the IC medal M ′. The sloping wall upper region 106 and the second sloping wall upper region 107 slide down and are locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114, and then the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is the first step. The first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the second medal insertion slot 109-1 of the first insertion section are slid into the first medal insertion section 101-1 by gravity along the first step section 113 and the second step section 114. When the medal M or the IC medal M ′ rolls along the first step 113 and the second step 114, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ includes the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second step. It slides with respect to the inclined wall upper area 107. That is, the player receives the medal M or the IC medal M ′ from the storage surface 101, the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall. It is only necessary to slide up along the upper area 107 and release the hand. Compared with the conventional operation of carrying the medal M or the IC medal M ′ by hand to the medal slot and inserting it into the medal slot, To make the movement easier. For this reason, even if the player continues to insert medals for a long time, the fatigue felt by the player can be greatly reduced. In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert medals, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and enjoy the game sufficiently. In addition, since the player's insertion work is facilitated without fully automating the insertion of medals, the player can play continuously for a long time while having a sense of playing the game.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow when the IC medal M ′ is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100.
When the IC reader 109-9 reads various data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 (S51), the control unit 600 first receives the data from the IC reader 109-9. It is determined whether or not the store ID is a valid store ID (S52). Specifically, the valid store ID data stored in the RAM 603 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the received store ID matches the valid store ID data. When it is determined that the store ID is not a valid store ID, an error notification is generated, or an error process is performed in which the IC medal M ′ is collected before being transported to the second lift-up hopper 350 and returned to the player. Perform (S53). On the other hand, when it is determined that the store ID is a valid store ID, the control device 601 functions as an expiration date determination unit and determines whether or not the expiration date indicated by the received expiration date data has passed ( S54). Specifically, current date / time data is acquired from a clock unit (not shown), and it is determined whether or not the expiration date indicated by the received expiration date data exceeds the current date / time data. In addition, when the unit of the expiration date is a day unit, the data acquired from the clock unit may be date data, and when the unit of the expiration date is a time (hour and / or minute) unit, The data to be acquired may be time data. If it is determined that the expiration date has been exceeded, an error notification is performed, or an error process is performed in which the IC medal M ′ is collected before being transported to the second lift-up hopper 350 and returned to the player ( S53). On the other hand, when determining that it is within the expiration date, the control unit 600 controls the first lift-up hopper 300 based on the medal value data received from the IC reader 109-9, and the medal value data indicates A process of continuously discharging the medals M corresponding to the medal value to the play field 500 is performed (S55).

  Further, the control device 601 of the control unit 600 performs a process of adding “1” to the count value of the number of inserted IC medals stored in the RAM 603 described later (S56). Then, it is determined whether or not the count value is “3” (S57). In this determination, when it is determined that the count value is not “3”, the processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the count value has reached “3”, it is determined that the jackpot lottery start condition is satisfied, the count value is reset to zero (S58), and the flowchart shown in FIG. Is controlled to perform a jackpot lottery (S57). Details of the jackpot lottery performed in the center lottery device 2000 will be described later.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a control flow when discharging the IC medal M ′ from the fourth lift-up hopper 1050.
In the first reference example , when the IC reader 1005 reads the medal value data from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ and the control unit 600 receives the medal value data (S61), the control device 601 of the control unit 600 First, current date / time data is acquired from a clock unit (not shown) as time measuring means (S62). The control device 601 functions as an expiration date determining unit, executes a predetermined expiration date calculation program, and calculates an expiration date based on the acquired date and time data (S63). In the present reference example , the time after 24 hours from the current time is calculated as the expiration date. However, the method for calculating the expiration date from the current date and time is not limited to this and is appropriately selected. In addition, when the unit of the expiration date is a day unit, the data acquired from the clock unit may be date data, and when the unit of the expiration date is a time (hour and / or minute) unit, The data to be acquired may be time data.

  After calculating the expiration date in this manner, the control device 601 stores the medal value data received from the IC reader 1005 in S61 and the expiration date data indicating the expiration date calculated in S63 in the lift-up unit 1053. A process of writing to the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ using the IC writer 1054 is performed (S64). Thereafter, the control device 601 controls the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 to discharge the IC medal M ′ written with data from the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100 through the lift-up unit 1053. Processing is performed (S65).

As described above, in the first reference example , the IC medal M ′ is discharged by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 when the discharge condition that the IC medal M ′ falls in the medal drop groove in the pusher game is satisfied, and the player To be paid out. And in this reference example 1, since expiration date data is written immediately before discharging by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050, appropriate expiration date data calculated from the time when the IC medal M ′ reaches the player's hand is stored in the IC chip. Can be written, and appropriate expiration date management.

(Configuration of center lottery equipment)
FIG. 17 is a front view showing the configuration of the center lottery apparatus 2000.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the center lottery apparatus 2000.
The center lottery device 2000 mainly includes a circular rotary transport device 2100, a device support base 2200 that supports the rotary transport device 2100 from the lower side in the vertical direction, a display device 2300, and a large ball thrower for throwing a large lottery ball 2400. The mechanism 2500 and a transport slope 2600 that transports the large lottery balls 2400 thrown from the large ball throwing mechanism 2500 to the rotary transport device 2100 are configured.

The rotary conveyance device 2100 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing by a driving device (not shown) provided on the device support 2200. With this driving device, the rotary transport device 2100 always rotates at a constant cycle after the pusher game machine 1 is turned on. A plurality of holding spaces F having an internal space in which only one large lottery ball 2400 can be accommodated are formed in the outer peripheral region of the rotary conveyance device 2100 along the outer peripheral direction. In the first reference example , 20 holding spaces F are provided at equal intervals in the outer peripheral area of the rotary conveyance device 2100. Each holding space F rotates around the outer periphery of the rotary conveyance device 2100 by the rotation of the rotary conveyance device 2100. In the rotary conveyance device 2100 of the first reference example , the rotation axis is inclined both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. Therefore, each holding space F moves around along a virtual plane inclined with respect to both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane.

  A large ball throwing mechanism 2500 is provided on the left side of the rotary conveyance device 2100 in the drawing. The large ball throwing mechanism 2500 mainly includes a ball collection port 2510 that receives the large lottery ball 2400, a ball holding unit 2520 that holds the large lottery ball 2400 received from the ball collection port 2510, and a case 2530. Yes. The large lottery ball 2400 that has entered the ball collection port 2510 passes through the inside of the case 2530 and is transported to the ball holding unit 2520 by its own weight, and is stopped by the ball stopper 2521 of the ball holding unit 2520. The ball stopper 2521 is driven between a ball holding position for stopping the large lottery ball 2400 and a ball releasing position for releasing the large lottery ball 2400 in accordance with control of a control unit of the center lottery device 2000 (not shown). FIG. 18 shows a state where the ball stopper 2521 is positioned at the ball holding position and the large lottery ball 2400 is held by the ball holding unit 2520.

When the ball stopper 2521 moves from the ball holding position to the ball release position, the large lottery ball 2400 held by the ball holding unit 2520 rolls onto the transport slope 2600 due to its own weight. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 17, the large lottery ball 2400 rolls on its conveyance slope 2600 by its own weight, and moves like a pendulum around the lowest point of the conveyance slope 2600. The conveyance slope 2600 is configured such that a part of the region centering on the lowest point is adjacent to the holding space F of the rotary conveyance device 2100 and the region is inclined to the rotary conveyance device 2100 side. . Therefore, when the moving speed of the large lottery ball on the transport slope 2600 gradually decreases, any one of the holding spaces F that move around by the rotation of the rotary transport device 2100 that is adjacent to the transport slope 2600. The large lottery ball 2400 enters the holding space F. In the first reference example , the lowest point of the conveyance slope 2600 is configured to be inclined most toward the rotary conveyance device 2100, and the larger lottery ball 2400 becomes closer to the lowest point of the conveyance slope 2600. It is easy to enter the holding space F.

  As shown in FIG. 18, a ball sensor 2101 for detecting that a large lottery ball 2400 has entered the holding space F is provided inside each holding space F of the rotary conveyance device 2100. Each ball sensor 2101 is connected to a control unit (not shown) of the center lottery apparatus 2000, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit. Thereby, the control part of the center lottery apparatus 2000 can grasp in which holding space F the large lottery ball 2400 has entered.

Each holding space F is assigned with an award. Among these awards, the reference example 1 includes a jackpot award, an event award, and a medal supply award. The center lottery apparatus 2000 performs a physical lottery game (jackpot lottery) in which holding space F the large lottery ball 2400 enters. The jackpot award is a prize that is supplied to the play field 500 of the station section ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition for the number of jackpots stored (the amount of payout). The number of jackpots stored is a number corresponding to a part of the number of inserted medals (for example, 0.03) every time medals are inserted in all station units ST with respect to a predetermined initial value (for example, 500). Cumulative addition. The number of medals supplied to the play field 500 when winning the jackpot prize, that is, the number of jackpots stored, is the largest among the number of medals that can be supplied to the play field 500 at one time in the pusher game machine 1. It is set. Therefore, the player who plays with the pusher game machine 1 usually plays aiming to win the jackpot award.

  In addition, when the event award is won, the predetermined event condition described above is satisfied, and during the subsequent predetermined event period, the satellite section SA to which the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery belongs is selected. The prize is that the winning bingo number won in the physical lottery performed by the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 performed in any one of the four station units ST to which the station unit ST belongs is handled as the winning bingo number in the other three station units ST.

  The medal supply award is an award for supplying a prescribed number of medals M to the play field 500 of the station unit ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition. Note that the number of medals supplied by winning this medal supply award is preferably smaller than the initial value of the number of jackpots stored.

  Further, in the display device 2300 of the center lottery device 2000, when the jackpot lottery is not performed, as shown in FIG. 19, if the current jackpot storage number, that is, the current jackpot prize is won, the play field 500 is entered. A screen showing the number of medals to be supplied is displayed. On the other hand, during the jackpot lottery period, the jackpot lottery effect screen is displayed.

  When the jackpot lottery is started, the station support ST 2200 itself is rotated around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction by a driving device (not shown), and the station unit ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition is The center lottery device 2000 is driven to face the satellite unit SA to which it belongs. Thereafter, the jackpot lottery proceeds. Details of the jackpot lottery will be described later.

(Configuration of game control system)
FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the game control system of the pusher game machine 1 and the discharge control system of the medal M or the IC medal M ′. Note that this block diagram is omitted for the sake of convenience of explanation, such as a drive control system other than the discharge relationship of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, such as a drive control system for driving each part in accordance with the progress of the game. ing.
The configuration of the game control system in the first reference example mainly includes a control unit 600 of the station unit ST, a control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and a control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000. The control unit 600 of the station unit ST mainly controls the overall progress of the above-described slot game and bingo game. The control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 mainly controls the physical lottery and ball of the bingo game described above. The control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 is mainly responsible for the jackpot lottery control described above.

  The control unit 600 of the station unit ST mainly includes a control device 601 as game control means, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, and a communication device 604. The control device 601 executes various programs stored in the ROM 602 and performs various controls. In particular, the control device 601 executes various programs necessary for the pusher game by executing an execution program for the pusher game stored in the ROM 602 by the internal computer, and controls the progress of the pusher game. The ROM 602 stores execution programs for various controls to be performed by the control unit 600 of the station unit ST. The RAM 603 temporarily stores various data or information. The communication device 604 is for data communication with the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery device 1000.

  The control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 mainly includes a control device 611, a ROM 612, a RAM 613, a station side communication device 614, and a center side communication device 615. The control device 611 executes various programs stored in the ROM 612 and performs various controls. The ROM 612 stores various control execution programs to be performed by the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. The RAM 613 temporarily stores various data or information. The station side communication device 614 is for performing data communication with the control unit 600 of each station unit ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. The center side communication device 615 is for performing data communication with the control unit 620 of the center lottery device 2000.

  The control unit 620 of the center lottery device 2000 mainly includes a control device 621, a ROM 622, a RAM 623 as a shared data storage unit, and a communication device 624. The control device 621 executes various programs stored in the ROM 622 and performs various controls. In particular, the control device 621 performs various controls necessary for jackpot lottery by executing an execution program for jackpot lottery stored in the ROM 622 by the internal computer, and controls the progress of the jackpot lottery. . The ROM 622 stores various control execution programs to be performed by the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000. The RAM 623 temporarily stores various data or information including jackpot stored number data that is shared data. The communication device 624 is for performing data communication with the control unit 610 of each satellite unit SA.

  The above configuration is an example in which the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 are connected in series. , 610, 620 may be connected to each other in parallel (star type or bus type).

(Slot game flow)
Next, the flow of the slot game proceeding at each station section ST of the pusher game machine 1 in the reference example 1 will be described.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the slot game in the first reference example .
When the player inserts the medal M on the storage surface 101 into the first medal slot 108-1 or the second medal slot 109-1 as described above, the medal is directed toward the sub-table 511 in the play field. M is sent out. Then, a part of the medal M or the IC medal M ′ on the sub-table 511 slides down the inclined table 512 and enters one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3, and detects a medal (not shown). When detected by the means, the detection signal is sent to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, and the control device 601 puts the medal M in any of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3. (S1). Thereby, the control device 601 determines that the slot game start condition is satisfied, executes the lottery program stored in the ROM 602, and the generated random number plays one of the roles described above in light of a predetermined winning table. A digital lottery is performed to determine whether the player has won or lost (S2). Further, the control device 601 performs display control for rotating the three dice slots DS on the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 displayed on the display unit 700, and when the winning combination is determined by digital lottery. Display control is performed to stop the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS so that the combination of symbols related to the winning combination is stopped and displayed on the display unit 700 (S3).

When it is determined in the digital lottery that no winning combination is won (S4), the control device 601 ends the slot game as it is.
On the other hand, when the small winning combination A is won (S5), the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 and supplies three medals M to the play field 500 (S6). . In Reference Example 1, as a mechanism for discharging the medal M into the play field 500, the medal M is placed on the sub-table 511 in the play field 500 when the player inserts the medal M on the storage surface 101. Although the case where the first lift-up hopper 300 to be sent out is also used will be described, a mechanism different from the first lift-up hopper 300 may be used. When another mechanism is used, the same configuration as that of the first lift-up hopper 300 can be employed.

When the small winning combination B is won (S7), the control device 601 controls the IC medal discharge unit 380 of the second lift-up hopper 350, which is a special medal discharge mechanism, to the play field 500 with three IC medals. M ′ is supplied (S8).
Here, in this reference example 1, under the control of the control device 601 of the control unit 600, a command is given from the control device 601 of the control unit 600 to the IC chip of the IC medal set in the IC medal discharge unit 380 in advance. An IC writer 390 for writing the electronic data is provided. In the first reference example , when the small winning combination B is won, the control device 601 uses the medal value data stored in the IC chip of each IC medal M ′ discharged to the play field 500 as a predetermined medal value determination condition. After appropriately rewriting according to the above, it is discharged to the play field 500. As the predetermined medal value determination condition, for example, a condition of rewriting to medal value data determined by lottery using a random number or the like can be adopted. Further, it is possible to adopt a condition that the actual payout rate in the pusher game machine 1, the satellite unit SA or the station unit ST is rewritten with medal value data determined so as to be close to the target payout rate. When this condition is adopted, if the actual payout rate is lower than the target payout rate, the medal value data written to the IC medal M ′ to be discharged is increased, and conversely, the actual payout rate is the target payout rate. If the rate is higher than the rate, the medal value data written on the IC medal M ′ to be discharged is made smaller.
Note that the predetermined medal value determination condition is not limited to the above exemplified conditions, and other conditions may be adopted. The IC writer 390 is not necessarily provided.

When the normal bonus combination is won (S9), the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply 30 medals M to the play field 500 (S10-1). ). In addition, the control device 601 changes the setting so as to use a normal winning table in which the winning probability is set lower as the winning table used in the subsequent digital lottery (S10-2).
Further, when the winning bonus combination is won (S11), the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply 30 medals M to the play field 500 (S12-1). ). Further, the control device 601 changes the setting so as to use a high-probability winning table with a higher winning probability as the winning table used in the subsequent digital lottery (S12-2).

  When the ball supply combination is won (S13), the control device 601 outputs a ball supply command for the ball B1 to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. As a result, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520, and the ball B1 is delivered from the ball carrier 1520 to the ball throwing mechanism 1800 of the station portion ST where the ball supply combination is won. The ball B1 delivered to the ball throwing mechanism 1800 is temporarily held by the stopper 1802 of the ball throwing slope 1801. When the player presses the button 160 and the control device 601 receives the operation signal, the control device 601 releases the ball B1 from the stopper 1802, and the ball B1 rolls down on the ball throwing slope 1801 and the ball It is delivered to the input position lottery mechanism 1810. Then, the ball insertion position lottery mechanism 1810 draws the ball supply position on the play field 500, and the ball B1 is supplied to either the back side or the near side on the main table 501 (S14). The ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810 has a configuration in which a ball receiving port through which the balls B1 and B2 can pass reciprocates between the near side and the far side with the lowest point of the ball throwing slope 1801 as the center. When the ball enters the ball receiving port, the ball is supplied to the front side on the main table 501, and when the ball does not enter the ball receiving port, the ball is supplied to the back side on the main table 501. When the ball is supplied to the front side on the main table 501, the moving distance to the medal drop groove is shorter than that supplied to the back side on the main table 501, so the ball B1 is dropped into the medal drop groove. It becomes easy to satisfy the start condition of the bingo game. Therefore, the player plays such that the ball B1 held by the stopper 1802 pushes the button 160 at a timing so that the ball B1 enters the ball receiving port of the ball insertion position lottery mechanism 1810.

  When the satellite combination is won directly (S15), the control device 601 outputs a ball supply command for the ball B1 to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. As a result, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520. Thereafter, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600, and delivers the ball B1 to the tray 1610 of the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600. Then, at the timing when the player presses the button 160 and the control device 601 receives the operation signal, the control device 601 outputs a ball insertion command to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. Thereby, the ball B1 is thrown into the outer bingo stage 1100 via the ball throwing path 1110, and physical lottery is performed. If the direct satellite combination is won, the control device 601 starts a bingo game, which will be described later, assuming that the bingo game start condition is satisfied (S20).

(Bingo game flow)
Next, the flow of the bingo game that proceeds in each station section ST of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first reference example will be described.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of the bingo game in the first reference example .
In the bingo game of the first reference example, if the start condition of the bingo game is satisfied (S21), the ball B1 or B2 falls into the medal drop groove or directly wins the satellite role in the slot game described above (S21). The control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the unit ST executes a bingo execution program stored in the ROM 602 and starts a bingo game. Specifically, the control device 601 first switches the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 displayed on the display unit 700 to the bingo game screen shown in FIG. 5 and performs display control thereof (S22). . Here, the bingo card image BC displayed on the bingo game screen is based on arrangement information generated at an arbitrary past timing. The timing for generating the array information includes when the pusher game machine 1 is turned on, when a reset button (not shown) is operated, when bingo is established in a past bingo game, and the like. In the first reference example , a case where new sequence information is generated when bingo is established in a bingo game and this is replaced with past sequence information will be described as an example.

  In addition, when the start condition of the bingo game is satisfied, the control device 601 outputs a bingo start command to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. Thereby, the control device 611 moves the ball carrier 1520 to a position facing the exit of the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 in the ball transport mechanism 1900 of the station unit ST that has received the command. Further, the control device 601 controls the ball transport mechanism 1900 to transport the balls B1 and B2 that have fallen into the medal drop groove from the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 to the ball carrier 1520. Thereafter, as described above, the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000 moves the ball carrier 1520 to the position opposite to the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600, and the stage ball throwing mechanism according to the type of the balls B1 and B2. By controlling 1600, the balls B1 and B2 are thrown into the outer turbine stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200 (S23).

  When the balls B1 and B2 thrown into the outer bingo stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200 enter one of the winning spots 1101 and 1201, the signal is sent to the controller 611 of the controller 610 in the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Thereby, the control device 611 recognizes which winning spots 1101 and 1201 have entered the balls B1 and B2.

When the winning spots 1101 and 1201 containing the balls B1 and B2 are winning spots to which bingo numbers are assigned, the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 has information indicating the assigned bingo numbers. Is output to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the bingo game. Receiving this information, the control device 601 stores the bingo numbers related to the information as winning bingo numbers in the winning bingo number storage area in the RAM 603 serving as storage means. In this winning bingo number storage area, the winning bingo numbers after the arrangement information corresponding to the station unit ST is generated are stored cumulatively. The control device 601 functions as a determination unit, and refers to all winning bingo numbers stored in the winning bingo number storage area and the arrangement information stored in the arrangement information storage area in the RAM 603. Whether or not all the winning bingo numbers in the card array (lottery target array) of the bingo numbers “1” to “9” on the bingo card indicated by the array information are specific arrays Bingo determination is performed (S25). In addition, the specific arrangement | sequence in this reference example 1 is a vertical, horizontal, and diagonal row | line on a 3x3 bingo card, and is a total of 8 rows.

In the first reference example , each specific array includes an IC medal payout prize for paying a predetermined number of IC medals M ′ to the play field 500, a normal ball supply prize for supplying the ball B1 to the play field 500, and a ball B2 for the play field. One of the special ball supply prizes to be supplied to 500 is assigned. In the bingo determination, when the control device 601 determines that the specific arrangement is not satisfied, that is, when it is determined that bingo is not established (No in S25), the bingo game is ended.

On the other hand, the control device 601 determines that bingo has been established (Yes in S25), and when the specific arrangement is related to a special ball supply award (Yes in S26), the control device 601 functions as a privilege granting unit, and is described above. The predetermined number of IC medals M ′ are supplied onto the play field 500 in the same manner as when the small winning combination B is won in the slot game (S27-1), and the ball supply combination is won in the slot game described above. The ball B2 is supplied onto the play field 500 by the same method as in the case (S27-2).
Further, when the specific arrangement in which the bingo is established relates to the normal ball supply award (Yes in S28), the control device 601 functions as a privilege granting unit, and the small winning combination B is won in the slot game described above. A predetermined number of IC medals M ′ are supplied onto the play field 500 in the same manner as in the above case (S29-1), and on the play field 500 in the same manner as when the ball supply combination is won in the slot game described above. The ball B1 is supplied to (S29-2).
Further, when the specific arrangement in which the bingo is established relates to the medal supply prize (No in S28), the control device 601 functions as a privilege granting unit, and the small winning combination B is won in the slot game described above. A predetermined number of IC medals M ′ are supplied onto the play field 500 in the same manner as in the case (S30).
Note that the number of IC medals M ′ supplied onto the play field 500 when the bingo is established may be different for each prize related to the establishment of the bingo, or may be the same. Further, the medal M may be supplied instead of the IC medal M ′.

  In this way, the control device 601 that has performed processing after the establishment of bingo functions as an array information generation unit, executes an array information generation program stored in the ROM 602, generates new array information, and stores data in the RAM 603. The sequence information stored in the sequence information storage area is replaced with the newly generated sequence information, and the sequence information is reset (S31).

(Jackpot lottery flow)
Next, the flow of the jackpot lottery that proceeds in the center lottery device 2000 of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first reference example will be described.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of jackpot lottery in the first reference example .
Jackpot game of the present reference example 1, the count value in the RAM603 in the control unit 600 of the station unit ST is "3", i.e., turned player of three cumulative an IC medal M 'to the medal shooting mechanism 100 If the start condition for jackpot lottery to be satisfied is satisfied (S41), the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 executes the jackpot execution program stored in the ROM 622 and starts jackpot lottery. Specifically, the control device 621 first rotates the device support 2200 so that the center lottery device 2000 faces the front with respect to the satellite unit SA to which the station unit ST satisfying the jackpot lottery start condition belongs. The drive is controlled as follows. Further, a jackpot lottery effect screen is displayed on the display device 2300, and this is controlled.

  Thereafter, when a player playing in the station unit ST presses the button 160 of the station unit ST (S42), the operation signal is input to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST. As a result, the control device 601 outputs a ball insertion command to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery device 1000. As a result, the control device 621 outputs a ball throwing command to the large ball throwing mechanism 2500. The large ball throwing mechanism 2500 that has received the ball throwing command moves the ball stopper 2521 from the ball holding position to the ball releasing position, and throws the large lottery ball 2400 held by the ball holding portion 2520 into the transport slope 2600 (S43). ). As a result, the large lottery ball 2400 moves like a pendulum on the conveyance slope 2600 around its lowest point, and finally enters one of the holding spaces F of the rotary conveyance device 2100. When the large lottery ball 2400 enters one of the holding spaces F, the signal is sent to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000. Thereby, the control device 621 recognizes the holding space F in which the large lottery ball 2400 is contained.

At this time, when the holding space F containing the large lottery ball 2400 is assigned with the jackpot prize (Yes in S44), the control device 621 reads the jackpot storage number data from the RAM 623, and the data is Processing for supplying the indicated number of medals M to the play field 500 of the station section ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition is performed (S45-1). At this time, a medal supply command is output from the control device 621 to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST, and the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to play the medal M. You may make it supply to the field 500. FIG. However, since the medals M supplied when winning the jackpot prize are large, the medals M may be supplied using a unique medal discharge mechanism separately from the first lift-up hopper 300 described above. In this case, it is also suitable as an effect when winning the jackpot prize. Alternatively, using the second lift-up hopper 350 described above, the IC medal M ′ is set so that the sum of the medal value data of all the IC medals M ′ to be supplied is the same as the number indicated by the jackpot stored number data. You may make it supply. The fraction generated in the sum of the medal value data of the IC medal M ′ is supplied as the medal M using the first lift-up hopper 300.
Further, the control device 621 resets the jackpot stored number data stored in the RAM 623 to the initial value (S45-2).

  On the other hand, if the holding space F containing the large lottery ball 2400 is assigned with an event award (Yes in S46), the control device 621 performs control in the station unit ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition. The medal supply command is output to the control device 601 of the unit 600. Thereby, the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply a predetermined number (for example, 100) of medals M onto the play field 500 of the station unit ST (S47-). 1). Further, the control device 621 outputs an event start command to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000 of the satellite unit SA to which the station unit ST belongs. Upon receiving this, the control device 611 determines that a predetermined event condition has been satisfied, and in a physical lottery of a bingo game to be performed for any of the four station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA during the subsequent predetermined event period. Event processing is performed so that the winning bingo numbers to be won are handled as winning bingo numbers in the other three station units ST (S47-2). Specifically, the control device 611 transmits information indicating the winning bingo numbers won in the physical lottery of the satellite lottery device 1000 performed during a predetermined event period to the control units 600 in all station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. To the control device 601.

  Further, when the holding space F containing the large lottery ball 2400 is assigned with a medal supply prize (No in S46), the control device 621 in the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery. A medal supply command is output to the control device 601 of the control unit 600. Accordingly, the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply a predetermined number of medals M onto the play field 500 of the station unit ST (S48).

As described above, in the first reference example , the validity indicating the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ from the IC chip (storage unit) of the IC medal M ′ that is the game medium received by the medal insertion mechanism 100 as the game medium receiving means. The term data is read by the IC readers 108-9 and 109-9. Then, the control device 601 advances the game if the expiration date has not passed, and does not advance the game if the expiration date has passed. The control device 601 discharges the IC medal M ′ from the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as the game medium discharging means when a predetermined discharging condition that the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping groove is satisfied. Thereby, the IC medal M ′ is paid out to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100 outside the apparatus through the discharge port (game medium payout port) of the medal payout unit 1030. Therefore, the player can transfer the IC medal paid out from the station unit ST to the station unit ST or other station unit ST in the pusher game machine 1 or a medal game machine different from the pusher game machine 1. Can be reused.
Moreover, in the first reference example , the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ paid out from the station unit ST is when the IC medal M ′ is paid out from the outlet of the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. It is determined. Therefore, it is possible to set the expiration date of the IC medal M ′, starting from the time when the player actually receives the IC medal M ′. Therefore, the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ can be properly managed.

[ Reference Example 2]
Next, another example of a flop Tsu Shah game machine (Hereinafter, the present example of "Reference Example 2".) Will be described.
In the pusher game machine of Reference Example 2, the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ stores a medal ID that is medium specifying data for specifying each IC medal and the store ID described above, and medal value data. And it is different from the case of the said reference example 1 by the point by which the expiration date data is not memorize | stored. In the second reference example , the correspondence value of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 of the pusher game machine 1 is set such that the medal value data and the expiration date data of each IC medal M ′ correspond to the medal ID of each IC medal M ′. It is stored in the RAM 623 which is information storage means. In this reference example 2, the case where medal value data is also stored on the pusher game machine side will be described. However, as in the case of the reference example 1, the medal value data of each IC medal M ′ is each IC medal M. It may be stored in the IC chip.
Further, in the second reference example , an IC reader 1054 ′ as a second data reading unit is provided in place of the IC writer 1054 in the lift-up unit 1053 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as the game medium discharge unit. This is different from the above Reference Example 1.
Except for the above points, the basic configuration of the pusher game machine of the second reference example is the same as that of the first reference example. Therefore, in the following description, only the points different from the pusher game machine of the first reference example will be described. .

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow when the IC medal M ′ is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100.
When the IC reader 109-9 as the first data reading means reads various data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 (S71), the control unit 600 firstly As in the case of the reference example 1, it is determined whether or not the store ID received from the IC reader 109-9 is a valid store ID (S72). When it is determined that the store ID is a valid store ID, the control device 601 functions as an expiration date determination unit together with the control device 621, and stores the expiration date data and medal value data corresponding to the received medal ID. The process which reads from RAM623 of the control part 620 in the lottery apparatus 2000 is performed (S74-1). Specifically, the control device 601 transmits a data acquisition request corresponding to the received medal ID to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery device 1000. Thereby, the control device 621 has an expiration date table (a data table describing the correspondence between each medal ID and expiration date data) and a medal value table (each medal ID and medal) as correspondence information stored in the RAM 623. A data table describing a correspondence relationship with the value data), the expiration date data and the medal value data corresponding to the medal ID related to the data acquisition request are specified, and the expiration date data and the medal value data are used as the data. It returns to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 of the station unit ST that is the transmission source of the acquisition request. Thereby, the control device 601 can acquire the expiration date data and medal value data of the IC medal M ′ inserted by the player. Thereafter, the control device 601 determines whether or not the expiration date indicated by the acquired expiration date data has passed (S74-2), and performs error processing when determining that the expiration date has been exceeded (S73). . On the other hand, when determining that it is within the expiration date, the control unit 600 controls the first lift-up hopper 300 based on the acquired medal value data, and the medal is the same as in the case of the first reference example. A process of continuously discharging the medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the value data to the play field 500 is performed (S75).
Since the subsequent processes (S76 to S79) are the same as in the case of the reference example 1, description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow when the IC medal M ′ is discharged from the fourth lift-up hopper 1050.
When the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal drop groove, the IC reader 1005 reads the medal ID from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′, and the control unit 600 receives the medal ID (S81), the control unit 600 The control device 601 uses the IC reader 1054 ′ as the second data reading means to set the IC medal M ′ to be discharged next, specifically, the discharge end portion of the lift-up portion 1053 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. The medal ID stored in the IC chip of the set IC medal M ′ is read (S82). Upon receiving this medal ID, the control device 601 performs a process for rewriting the medal value data of the IC medal M ′ to be ejected into the medal value data of the IC medal M ′ that has fallen into the medal dropping groove (S83). . Specifically, the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 sends a data rewrite request for making the medal value data corresponding to the medal ID read in S82 the same as the medal value data corresponding to the medal ID read in S81. To the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000. Thereby, the control device 621 reads the medal value data corresponding to the medal ID read in S81 with reference to the medal value table stored in the RAM 623, and medal value corresponding to the medal ID read in S82. A process of rewriting the data with the read medal value data is performed.

On the other hand, the control device 601 that has received the medal ID of the IC medal M ′ to be discharged next acquires the current date and time data from a clock unit (not shown) as time measuring means (S84). The control device 601 functions as an expiration date determining unit, executes a predetermined expiration date calculation program, and calculates the expiration date based on the acquired date / time data as in the case of the reference example 1 (S85). ). The control device 601 registers the expiration date data indicating the expiration date calculated in this way in the expiration date table in the RAM 623 of the control unit 620 of the center lottery device 2000 as the expiration date data of the IC medal M ′ to be discharged. For this purpose (S86). Specifically, a data rewrite request for rewriting the expiration date data corresponding to the medal ID read in S82 to the expiration date data indicating the expiration date calculated in S85 is sent via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. It transmits to the control apparatus 621 of the control part 620 in the center lottery apparatus 2000. As a result, the control device 621 performs processing for rewriting the expiration date data corresponding to the medal ID related to the data rewrite request in the expiration date table stored in the RAM 623 to the expiration date data related to the data rewrite request. Thereafter, the control device 601 controls the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 to discharge the IC medal M ′ to be discharged from the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100 through the lift-up unit 1053. (S87).

As described above, in Reference Example 2, the medal ID (medium identification) of the IC medal M ′ is obtained from the IC chip (storage unit) of the IC medal M ′ that is the game medium received by the medal insertion mechanism 100 as the game medium receiving unit. Data) is read by the IC readers 108-9 and 109-9. Then, the control device 601 acquires the expiration date data corresponding to the read medal ID from the center lottery device 2000, and if the expiration date has not passed, the game proceeds, and if the expiration date has passed, the game Do not proceed. The control device 601 discharges the IC medal M ′ from the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as the game medium discharging means when a predetermined discharging condition that the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping groove is satisfied. Thereby, the IC medal M ′ is paid out to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100 outside the apparatus through the discharge port (game medium payout port) of the medal payout unit 1030. Therefore, also in the present reference example 2, the player uses the IC medal paid out from the station unit ST as the station unit ST in the pusher game machine 1, the other station unit ST, or the pusher game machine 1. Can be reused in another medal game machine.
Also in the second reference example , the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ paid out from the station unit ST is the time when the IC medal M ′ is paid out from the outlet of the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. It is determined. Therefore, it is possible to set the expiration date of the IC medal M ′, starting from the time when the player actually receives the IC medal M ′. Therefore, the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ can be properly managed.

In particular, in the second reference example , the expiration date data of each IC medal M ′ is stored in the RAM 623 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 of the pusher game machine 1 instead of the IC chip of each IC medal M ′. The pusher game machine 1 is collectively managed. Such a management method has a higher security effect in that it is easier to prevent unauthorized data tampering than when the expiration date data is stored in each IC medal M ′ as in the first reference example . Further, since it is possible to change the expiration date data associated with each IC medal M ′ without accessing each IC medal M ′, it is possible to flexibly deal with the store side operation policy. That is, in the present reference example 2, even after the IC medal M ′ has been delivered to the player, the expiration date data of the IC medal M ′ can be changed. According to the present reference example 2, it is possible to cope with a situation in which the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ is changed after the M ′ is paid out.

Furthermore, in the present reference example 2, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which only fixed data that does not need to be rewritten, such as a medal ID and a store ID, is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. In this case, the pusher game machine does not require data writing means for writing electronic data to the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. Since the writing process of electronic data to the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is generally more restricted than the reading process, the ability to omit such a writing process is advantageous for simplification of control and structure. Cost reduction can be achieved.

In the second embodiment , the case where the process for determining the expiration date is performed by the control unit 600 of each station unit ST has been described. May be.

EXAMPLES shaped state]
The invention will now be described with the exemplary type condition applied to the same pusher game machine as in Reference Examples 1 and 2.
The pusher game machine of the present embodiment forms condition, the reference as in the case of Example 2, 'the medal value data and expiration data for each IC medal M' each IC medal M medal ID to in correspondence present pusher game of It is stored in the RAM 623 which is the correspondence information storage means of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 of the machine 1. In the present exemplary type condition, there will be described a case of storing also the pusher game machine side medal value data, as in the case of Reference Example 1, the medal value data of each IC medal M 'each IC medal You may make it memorize | store in the IC chip of M '.
In pusher game machine of the present embodiment forms condition, the difference in construction between the reference example 2, the third lift-up hopper 1020 and the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is omitted, the medal M and IC medal that has fallen from the medal falling groove M ′ is configured to be guided directly to the outside of the apparatus without being sorted and reach the player, and to the lift-up unit 370 of the second lift-up hopper 350 serving as a game medium discharge means, an IC writer Instead of 390, an IC reader 390 ′ as a second data reading means is provided.
Except for the above, the basic configuration of the pusher game machine of the present embodiment forms condition is is similar to that of Reference Example 2, the following description only describes points different from the above Example 2 of the pusher game machine .

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a control flow when discharging the IC medal M ′ from the second lift-up hopper 350 to the play field 500.
If the winning condition for discharging the IC medal M ′ to the play field is satisfied by winning the small winning combination B in the slot game or winning a prize in the bingo game after winning the bingo ( S91), the control device 601 of the control unit 600 uses the IC reader 390 ′ as the second data reading means to lift up the IC medal M ′ to be discharged next, specifically, the second lift-up hopper 350. The medal ID stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ set at the discharge end of the unit 370 is read (S92). Then, the control device 601 that has received this medal ID determines the medal value of the IC medal M ′ to be ejected according to the predetermined medal value determination condition in the same manner as in the case of the reference example 1 (S93-1). The medal value data is registered in the medal value table stored in the RAM 623 of the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 (S93-2). Specifically, the data rewriting request for rewriting the medal value data corresponding to the medal ID read in S92 to the medal value data determined in S93-1 is sent to the center lottery via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. The data is transmitted to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the device 2000. Thereby, the control device 621 performs a process of rewriting the medal value data corresponding to the medal ID related to the data rewrite request in the medal value table stored in the RAM 623 to the medal value data related to the data rewrite request. . Then, the control device 601 controls the second lift-up hopper 350 to discharge the IC medal M ′ to be discharged from the IC medal discharge unit 380 to the play field 500 through the medal discharge path 450. (S94).

Here, in this embodiment shaped state, 'against, then the medal is discharged to the playing field 500 M, M' IC medal M discharged from the second lift-up hopper 350 are medal fall groove pushed by The stored information cannot be read from the IC chip until the IC medal M ′ is inserted again after being dropped from the medal drop groove and finally discharged from the apparatus. Yes. Therefore, originally, but to calculate the expiration time of over a player's hand as starting point is important for properly manage the expiration date of the IC medal M ', in the present embodiment form status, the player It is not possible to directly grasp the point of time when it reaches the hand.
On the other hand, a general pusher game machine can grasp in advance the number of medals necessary for replacing all medals in the play field. In the pusher game machine of this embodiment shaped state, the medal M of 1000 to the playing field, 'if charged, medal M, M in the play field' M can be a total replacement of the. Therefore, after discharging the IC medal M ′ to the play field, if at least 1000 medals M, M ′ are subsequently discharged to the play field, the IC medal M ′ falls from the medal drop groove and goes out of the apparatus. Predicting what has been paid out with high accuracy. However, the time required until 1000 medals M, M ′ are discharged to the play field 500 after the IC medal M ′ is discharged to the play field 500 depends on the action of the player. Therefore, when the IC medal M ′ is discharged to the play field 500, it is very difficult to predict with high accuracy when the IC medal M ′ is paid out to the outside of the apparatus.

Therefore, Oite to this exemplary type state adopts the following configuration and control.
That is, the control device 601 of the control unit 600 performs a process of discharging the IC medal M ′ to be ejected, whose medal ID is read by the IC reader 390 ′, to the play field 500 (S94), and functions as a prediction information acquisition unit. Thereafter, a process of cumulatively counting the number of medals M discharged from the first lift-up hopper 300 and the number of IC medals M ′ discharged from the second lift-up hopper 350 is started (S95). ). That is, a process of counting the cumulative number of medals M and M ′ (prediction information) supplied into the play field 500 after the discharge condition is satisfied is started. The control device 601 functions as an expiration date determining means. When the count value reaches a predetermined value (1000 sheets) determined in advance (S96), the IC medal M ′ discharged in S94 is paid out of the device. The current date / time data is acquired from a clock unit (not shown) as a time measuring means (S97). Then, the control device 601 executes a predetermined expiration date calculation program, and calculates the expiration date based on the acquired date and time data as in the case of the reference example 2 (S98). The control device 601 stores the expiration date data indicating the expiration date calculated in this way in the expiration date table in the RAM 623 of the control unit 620 of the center lottery device 2000 as the expiration date data of the IC medal M ′ discharged in S94. Processing for registration is performed (S99). Specifically, a data rewrite request for rewriting the expiration date data corresponding to the medal ID read in S92 to the expiration date data indicating the expiration date calculated in S98 is sent via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. It transmits to the control apparatus 621 of the control part 620 in the center lottery apparatus 2000. As a result, the control device 621 performs processing for rewriting the expiration date data corresponding to the medal ID related to the data rewrite request in the expiration date table stored in the RAM 623 to the expiration date data related to the data rewrite request.

Above, Oite the present type state medals M that has fallen from the medal falling groove, M 'is configured to pay out is guided as it is to the outside of the apparatus, omitting the third lift-up hopper 1020 and the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 Therefore, the configuration becomes very simple and the cost can be reduced. On the other hand, there is a time lag between reading the medal ID in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ and paying out the IC medal M ′ to the outside of the apparatus. In addition, since the delay time is indefinite, it is impossible to directly grasp the time point when the IC medal M ′ reaches the player. However, in this embodiment, as described above, when the IC medal M ′ having read the medal ID is to be paid out to the outside of the apparatus can be predicted with high accuracy, the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ is appropriately set. Can be managed.
Further, Oite the present type state, as in the case of Reference Example 2, the IC medal M 'expiration data of each IC medal M' instead of the IC chip, the present pusher game machine 1 Center Since it is stored in the RAM 623 of the control unit 620 in the lottery device 2000 and is collectively managed in the pusher game machine 1, the security effect is high, the store side management policy can be flexibly dealt with, etc. The same effects as in the case of the reference example 2 are obtained.
Further, Oite the present type condition also only unnecessary fixed data rewriting of medals ID and the shop ID, it becomes possible to adopt a configuration that is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ', control and structure This is advantageous for simplification and the like, and has the same effect as in the case of the reference example 2 that the cost can be reduced.
In the present exemplary type condition, there has been described a case where the process for determining an expiration control unit 600 of each station unit ST, elsewhere, for example, as performed in the control unit 620 of the center drawing device 2000 It may be.

This embodiment forms state is, in the case of time lag 'to read the medals ID in the IC chip of the IC medal M' IC medal M to are paid out to the outside of the device occurs, not limited to the above configuration, the other The configuration can also be applied.
For example, in the case where the IC medal M ′ is discharged by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as in Reference Example 2, the case where the IC reader 1054 ′ provided in the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is omitted is considered. In this case, the medal ID stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ discharged by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is finally read because the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping groove and the fourth lift-up is performed. An IC reader 1005 of the IC medal transport path 1004 transported to the storage unit 1051 of the hopper 1050. A large number of IC medals M ′ are stored in the storage unit 1051, which are discharged in the order of being transported to the storage unit 1051, and sequentially from the medal payout unit 1030 through the lift-up unit 1053 to a medal insertion mechanism outside the apparatus. It is paid out to the storage surface 101 at 100. Accordingly, there is a time lag after the medal ID is read by the IC reader 1005 until the IC medal is discharged by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. However, even in this case, in the reference example 2, the IC reader 1005 is configured so that one IC medal M ′ is discharged by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 every time the medal ID is detected. After 1005 detects the medal ID, the number of detections of the medal ID by the IC reader 1005 (prediction information) and the number of discharges of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 (prediction information) were stored in the storage unit 1051. When the number of IC medals M ′ (a prescribed value) is reached, it can be predicted with high accuracy that the IC medals M ′ have been paid out to the outside of the apparatus. Therefore, also in this case, as in the case of the embodiment type condition, it is appropriate expiration date management.

The guide to be omitted from the configuration of the third lift-up hopper 1020 and the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as in this embodiment shaped condition, to guide the IC medal M 'that has fallen into the token dropping groove outside the apparatus By providing the data writing means and data reading means on the route, it is possible to directly grasp the time point when the IC medal M ′ reaches the player. In this case, the expiration date can be properly managed by the same method as in Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 2. However, in this case, the IC medal M ′ dropped in the medal dropping groove is aligned and the guide path is moved, and then data is written to and read from the IC chip of the moving IC medal M ′. It should be noted that the configuration cannot be sufficiently simplified, and it is difficult to cope with an error in data writing or reading.

Further, by providing the IC reader 1005 as in Reference Examples 1 and 2, when the IC medal M ′ falls in the medal drop groove, the pusher game machine or another game connected to the pusher game machine is provided. Data processing and control using various kinds of data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ can be performed in an external device such as a machine or a store management device. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new game characteristic to the player or provide various services to the player by using various data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. Note that the type of electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is appropriately determined according to the contents of data processing and control performed using the electronic data.

In the first and second reference examples , the medal value data written to the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ to be paid out to the player is the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ dropped into the medal dropping groove. Although it is the same, different medal value data may be used. In this case, the control unit 600 can appropriately write the medal value data determined in accordance with a predetermined medal value determination condition on the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ to be paid out. As the predetermined medal value determination condition, for example, a condition of rewriting to medal value data determined by lottery using a random number or the like can be adopted. Further, it is possible to adopt a condition that the actual payout rate in the pusher game machine 1, the satellite unit SA or the station unit ST is rewritten with medal value data determined so as to be close to the target payout rate. When this condition is adopted, when the actual payout rate is lower than the target payout rate, the medal value data written to the IC medal M ′ to be paid out is increased, and conversely, the actual payout rate is the target payout rate. If it is higher than the rate, the medal value data written to the IC medal M ′ to be paid out is made smaller. Of course, the predetermined medal value determination condition is not limited to the above exemplified conditions, and other conditions may be adopted.

In addition, as a configuration that allows the player to insert the IC medal M ′ that has been paid out into the pusher game machine 1, for example, the following configuration may be used.
That is, a medal sorting unit such as a sorting hole 1003 provided in the bottom surface of the medal transport path 1002 is provided in the medal transport path 200 through which the medal inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is transported. The inserted medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be sorted. At this time, the medal M is transported to the normal medal storage unit 310 of the first lift-up hopper 300, and the IC medal M ′ is transported to the IC medal storage unit 360 of the second lift-up hopper 350. In addition, the electronic data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is read until the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is conveyed to the IC medal storage unit 360 of the second lift-up hopper 350. An IC reader as a data reading unit is provided so that the control unit 600 can receive medal value data read by the IC reader. Then, the control unit 600 controls the first lift-up hopper 300 so that the medal M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data received from the IC reader is continuously discharged to the play field 500. With the above configuration, when the player inserts the IC medal M ′ into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ are continuously provided. Then, it is discharged into the play field 500.

Further, as a configuration for allowing the player to insert the IC medal M ′ that has been paid out into the pusher game machine 1, the following configuration can also be employed.
That is, a medal sorting unit such as a sorting hole 1003 provided in the bottom surface of the medal transport path 1002 is provided in the medal transport path 200 through which the medal inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is transported. The inserted medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be sorted. At this time, the medal M is transported to the normal medal storage unit 310 of the first lift-up hopper 300, and the IC medal M ′ is transported to the second lift-up hopper 350. Here, the second lift-up hopper 350 is not provided with the IC medal storage unit 360, and the second lift-up hopper 350 discharges the IC medal M ′ itself inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the play field 500. To drive. With the above configuration, when the player inserts the IC medal M ′ into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the IC medal M ′ itself is discharged into the play field 500.

In the reference examples 1 and 2 and the embodiment described above , if the player inserts three IC medals M ′ into the medal insertion mechanism 100 in any station section ST, the jackpot lottery start condition is satisfied, and the center Although the jackpot lottery in the control unit 620 of the lottery device 2000 can be played, two or more station units ST having different jackpot lottery start conditions may exist. For example, the number of IC medals M ′ required to satisfy the start condition for jackpot lottery may be configured such that there are three station units ST or one station unit ST. .

In the case where the number of IC medals M ′ necessary to satisfy the start condition of the jackpot lottery varies between station units, the expected value of the medals M to be paid out in the jackpot lottery is substantially the same between these station units. It is preferable to set so that The “expected value” here is a value indicating the number of medals M that the player can expect to win when one jackpot lottery is performed. Specifically, for each of the three prizes, Jackpot Prize A, Event Prize B, and Medal Supply Prize C that can be won in the jackpot lottery, the number of medals to be paid out when winning the prize α _A , α _B , α _C Is multiplied by the winning probabilities β _A , β _B , and β _C of the prize, and the sum is divided by the number γ of IC medals M ′ necessary to satisfy the start condition of the jackpot lottery. The expected value. In other words, in Reference Example 1, the expected value R ₁ when the number r ₁ of IC medals M ′ necessary to satisfy the start condition of the jackpot lottery is _one is expressed by the following equation (1). Further, the number r ₃ of IC medal M 'required expectations R ₃ in the case of the three is given by the following equation (2). The expected value R ₅ when the required number r ₅ of IC medals M ′ is ₅ is expressed by the following equation (3).
R ₁ = {(α _A × β _A ) + (α _B × β _B ) + (α _C × β _C )} / γ ₁ (1)
R ₃ = {(α _A × β _A ) + (α _B × β _B ) + (α _C × β _C )} / γ ₃ (2)
R ₅ = {(α _A × β _A ) + (α _B × β _B ) + (α _C × β _C )} / γ ₅ (3)
When the expected value is set to be the same between stations having different numbers r of IC medals M ′ necessary to satisfy the start condition of the jackpot lottery, the medal payout number α for at least one prize is adjusted. Or the winning probability β for at least one prize may be adjusted.

Further, in the reference examples 1 and 2 and the embodiment described above, the example in which the normal medal M and the IC medal M ′ are mixed has been described. However, when all the medals that are game media are the IC medal M ′. But the same is true. In this case, the configuration related to discharging the medal M (the first lift-up hopper 300, the third lift-up hopper 1020, etc.) and the configuration related to the medal sorting (the sorting hole 1003, etc.) are unnecessary, and the configuration is simplified. Can do.

Further, in the reference examples 1 and 2 and the above-described embodiment , the case where the game medium made of a tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data is the IC medal M ′ is described. However, the game medium is not necessarily a medal. It does not have to be, and may be another tangible object such as a coin or a pachinko ball.

In the above-described Reference Examples 1 and 2, if the deformed object falling from the medal drop groove, which is a discharge condition for discharging the IC medal M ′, is different from the normal medal M, the IC medal M ′ It does not have to be. That is, the IC medal M ′ may be paid out when a tangible object other than the IC medal M ′ such as a ball-shaped tangible object or a block-shaped tangible object falls from the medal dropping groove. In this case, a configuration for discharging the IC medal M ′ to the play field is unnecessary.
However, when the irregular shape in the play field has the same appearance as the IC medal M ′, it is possible to make the player recognize that what has fallen into the medal dropping groove is paid out as it is.

  The present invention is not limited to the pusher game machine as described above, but can be applied to all medal game machines, pachinko machines, pachislot machines, and other game machines.

It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the whole structure of the pusher game machine which concerns on the reference example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the station part in the pusher game machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of the station part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for slots displayed on the display part of the station part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for bingo displayed on the display part of the station part. It is a perspective view which shows the main structures of the satellite lottery apparatus in the pusher game machine. It is the fragmentary perspective view which extracted the structure of the play field of the station part, and its peripheral part. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reciprocating motion of the pusher part in the play field. It is a top view which shows the structure of the medal sorting part provided in the medal conveyance path | route of the pusher game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism of the station part. It is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a front perspective view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a partial exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of control when an IC medal is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of control when discharging | emitting IC medal from the 4th lift-up hopper of the station part. It is a front view which shows the structure of the center lottery apparatus in the pusher game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the center lottery apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display apparatus of the center lottery apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the game control system and medal | token discharge control system in the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the slot game performed in each station part of the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the bingo game performed in each station part of the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the jackpot lottery performed with the center lottery apparatus of the same pusher game machine. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow when an IC medal is inserted into a medal insertion mechanism of a pusher game machine according to Reference Example 2. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of control when discharging | emitting IC medal from the 4th lift-up hopper of the station part in the pusher game machine. Is a flow chart showing an example of control flow when discharging the IC medal from the fourth lift-up hopper of the station unit in the pusher game machine according to an exemplary shape state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pusher game machine 100 Medal insertion mechanism 101 Storage surface 108-9, 109-9, 1005 IC reader 300 1st lift up hopper 310 Normal medal storage part 320 Lift up part 330 Normal medal discharge part 350 Lift up hopper 360 IC medal storage Part 370 lift up part 380 IC medal discharge part 390, 1054 IC writer 500 play field 501 main table 510 pusher part 600, 610, 620 control part 1000 satellite lottery device 1002 medal transport path 1003 sorting hole 1004 IC medal transport path 1020 3rd Lift-up hopper 1021 Reserving part 1022 Hopper driving part 1023 Lift-up part 1030 Medal paying part 1050 Fourth lift-up hopper 1051 Reserving part 053 lift-up part 1300 and 1400 the ball supply mechanism 2000 center drawing apparatus B1, B2 ball M medal M 'IC medal SA satellite portion ST station part

Claims (3)

A game medium receiving means for receiving a game medium comprising tangible object having a storage unit for storing the electronic data,
And playing fields that game medium passes through a player is visible,
Game medium discharging means for discharging a game medium made of a tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data to the play field;
A game medium payout means for paying out the game medium discharged by the game medium discharge means and passing through the play field to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout exit;
First data reading means for reading medium specifying data for specifying the game medium from a storage unit of the game medium received by the game medium receiving means;
Correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information for specifying the correspondence between each medium specifying data and the expiration date corresponding to each medium specifying data;
An expiration date corresponding to the medium specifying data is specified based on the medium specifying data read by the first data reading means and the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means, and the specified expiration date has passed. Expiration date judging means for judging whether or not,
A game for which the game medium receiving means accepts the game medium that the expiration date determining means has determined that the expiration date has not passed, and allows the game to proceed, and the expiration date determining means has determined that the expiration date has passed. When the game medium receiving means receives the medium, control is performed to perform error processing for prohibiting the progress of the game, and when a predetermined discharge condition is satisfied, a predetermined amount of the game medium discharge means is given to the game medium discharge means. Game control means for performing control to discharge the game media;
Second data reading means for reading medium specifying data from the storage unit of the game medium when the game medium discharging means discharges the game medium to the play field;
The game medium discharged by the game medium discharge means to the play field until the game medium discharged to the play field is discharged by the game medium discharge means to the outside through the game medium discharge outlet. Storage means for storing an approximate amount,
The amount of game media discharged by the game medium discharge means after the game medium discharge means discharges the game media corresponding to the medium specifying data read by the second data reading means and the rough estimate stored in the storage means Based on the value, the payout time when the game content is paid out to the outside of the device through the game content payout port is predicted, and the expiration date of the game content is determined according to a predetermined expiration date determination condition so as to be a time after the predicted payout time. Expiry date determining means for determining
An expiration date registration means for registering the expiration date determined by the expiration date determination means in correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means in association with the medium specifying data of the game medium corresponding thereto. A game device comprising: The game device according to claim 1 ,
A mounting table having a mounting surface on which a plurality of game media ejected from the game media ejecting means and a second game media made of a tangible object not including a storage unit for storing electronic data are placed in the play field. And relative to the placement surface along the portion so as to push out the game media and the second game media existing on the placement surface to the other portion side on the placement surface. An extruding member that reciprocally moves in the direction of the game, and a game medium pushed out by the extruding member and a second groove that causes the game medium pushed out of the placement surface and the second game medium to fall. And
Furthermore, it has a second game medium discharge means for discharging the second game medium to the play field,
The game media payout means pays out the game media and the second game media that have fallen into the drop groove to the outside of the apparatus through the game media payout exit,
The game control means performs control to cause the second game medium discharge means to discharge a predetermined amount of the second game medium when a predetermined second discharge condition is satisfied,
The estimated value stored in the storage means is the amount of game media discharged until the game media discharged to the play field by the game media discharge means is paid out to the outside of the apparatus by the game media payout means. And an approximate value of the total amount of the game media and the second game media discharged to the play field by the means and the second game media discharge means,
The payout time prediction performed by the expiration date determining means is performed after the game medium discharging means discharges the game medium corresponding to the medium specifying data read by the second data reading means, and the second A game device, which is performed based on a total amount of game media and second game media discharged by the game media discharge means and an approximate value stored in the storage means. Game medium receiving means for receiving a game medium made of a tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data;
A game medium discharging means for discharging a game medium made of a tangible object having a storage unit for storing electronic data;
Game medium payout means for paying out the game medium discharged by the game medium discharge means to the outside of the apparatus through a game medium payout exit;
First data reading means for reading medium specifying data for specifying the game medium from a storage unit of the game medium received by the game medium receiving means;
Correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information for specifying the correspondence between each medium specifying data and the expiration date corresponding to each medium specifying data;
An expiration date corresponding to the medium specifying data is specified based on the medium specifying data read by the first data reading means and the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means, and the specified expiration date has passed. Expiration date judging means for judging whether or not,
A game for which the game medium receiving means accepts the game medium that the expiration date determining means has determined that the expiration date has not passed, and allows the game to proceed, and the expiration date determining means has determined that the expiration date has passed. When the game medium receiving means receives the medium, control is performed to perform error processing for prohibiting the progress of the game, and when a predetermined discharge condition is satisfied, a predetermined amount of the game medium discharge means is given to the game medium discharge means. Game control means for performing control to discharge the game media;
Second data reading means for reading the medium specifying data from the storage unit of the game medium before the game medium discharged by the game medium discharge means is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout port;
The medium specifying data is read by the second data reading means until the game medium having the medium specifying data read by the second data reading means is paid out to the outside of the apparatus by the game medium paying means through the game medium payout port. Storage means for storing an approximate value of the amount of game media played;
The payout timing at which the game medium read by the second data reading means reads out the medium specifying data is paid out to the outside of the apparatus through the game medium payout exit, and the amount of game medium from which the second data reading means reads the medium specifying data An expiration date determining means for predicting based on the approximate value stored in the storage means and determining the expiration date of the game medium according to a predetermined expiration date determination condition so as to be a time after the predicted payout time;
An expiration date registration means for registering the expiration date determined by the expiration date determination means in correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means in association with the medium specifying data of the game medium corresponding thereto. A game device comprising: