JP5005797B2 - Game system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a plurality of gaming devices capable of performing control for lending gaming value to a player using a valuable value specified by recorded information recorded on a recording medium, and the plurality of gaming devices The present invention relates to a gaming system comprising a management device connected to the gaming device .

What is conventionally known as this type of gaming system , for example, pachinko gaming machines that can play games using gaming balls as an example of gaming value, and can communicate with pachinko gaming machines There are connected card units. In this case, the gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) transmits a signal corresponding to one lending request from a card unit as an example of a gaming device with a lending request of a predetermined amount (for example, 100 yen) as one unit. Each time it is done, a predetermined number (for example, 25) of game value (game balls) is lent (rented) to the player.

  However, in the combination of the above gaming machine and gaming device, the rental unit price per game ball is a fixed amount (for example, 25 for 100 yen). Since there is a possibility that the lending unit price may change in the future, the pachinko gaming machine will lend from the card unit when the lending unit price is changed (for example, 24 units for 100 yen). In order to change the number of game balls to be lent according to a signal corresponding to the request, it is necessary to change control software related to the rent of game balls.

  In addition, when operating with different rental unit prices for each game hall, pachinko machines and card units are controlled so that game ball rental control is performed according to the game unit rental unit price. The software needs to be redesigned for each amusement hall that uses different lending unit prices.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming system that can easily cope with a change in the amount of gaming value lent in response to a lending request. That is.

Specific examples of means for solving the problems and their effects

(1) Using the valuable value specified by the record information (frequency data, amount data, game value number data, ID number, etc.) recorded on the recording medium (magnetic card, optical card, IC card, etc.) A game comprising a plurality of gaming devices (card unit 50) capable of performing control for lending a gaming value (game ball) to a player, and a management device connected to the plurality of gaming devices A system,
At least one of the plurality of gaming devices (several (for example, one card unit 50 out of the plurality of card units 50))
Setting means (FIG. 9 (b)) for setting a unit loan amount that is a quantity of game value to be loaned per predetermined unit valuable value based on an artificial operation;
Transmission means (FIG. 9 (b)) for transmitting the unit loan amount set by the setting means to another gaming device,
The one gaming device and the other gaming device are:
A communication means (communication unit 360) capable of communicating with a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine 1) capable of playing a game using the gaming value;
Information reading means (card reader / writer 330) capable of reading the recorded information;
A game value quantity signal (lending quantity signal) indicating the quantity of gaming value to be lent (lending) to a player is created using the valuable value specified by the recorded information read by the information reading means. Control means (control unit 340),
The control means creates the gaming value quantity signal based on the unit loan quantity set by the setting means or the unit loan quantity transmitted by the transmission means,
Wherein the communication means transmits the value quantity signal for a game created by said control means to said game machine (in FIG. 8 (c), in FIG. 10 (d), in FIG. 11 (d) and FIG. 13 see (d)),
The one gaming device and the other gaming device further include a setting information transmission unit that transmits the unit loan amount set by the setting unit or the unit loan amount transmitted by the transmission unit to the management device. (Each card unit 50 of the game hall notifies (sends) setting contents (a signal that can specify the number of game balls for lending of one unit) to the hall computer,
The management device, the settings for each respective card unit 50 in the unit lending quantities to be transmitted to determine whether or not identical to each other (hall computer side from the one of the game devices and the other gaming device Check if they are the same) .

According to the above configuration, since the communication means transmits the game quantity signal created by the control means to the gaming machine, it easily lends the game value of any quantity indicated in the game value quantity signal. be able to.
(2) The control means creates, as the game value quantity signal, a signal (lending quantity signal, BRQ in FIG. 11 (d)) indicating the quantity of game value to be lent to the player by the number of pulse signals. ,
The communication means appropriately receives at least one pulse signal of the transmitted gaming value quantity signal by the gaming machine before transmission of all the pulse signals of the gaming value quantity signal is completed. And starting to accept a reply from the gaming machine of a confirmation signal indicating the number of gaming values that is the same as the gaming value quantity indicated by the gaming value quantity signal by the number of pulse signals. (EXS in FIG. 11 (e)),
The one gaming device and the other gaming device further return from the gaming machine whether or not all the pulse signals of the transmitted gaming value quantity signal have been properly received by the gaming machine. Determination means (see FIG. 11) for determining by the number of pulse signals of the confirmation signal that has been received,
The control means determines the quantity indicated by the gaming value quantity signal transmitted after the judgment means determines that the gaming machine has properly received all the pulse signals of the gaming value quantity signal. A command signal for lending the player's gaming value to the player (see (9) of FIG. 11 (d)),
The communication means transmits the command signal to the gaming machine (see (9) in FIG. 11 (d)).
According to the above configuration, since the communication means transmits the game value quantity signal created by the control means to the gaming machine, it is easy to lend the game value of any quantity indicated in the game value quantity signal. Can be done. In addition, in order to determine whether or not all the pulse signals of the gaming value quantity signal transmitted by the confirmation signal from the gaming machine have been properly received by the gaming machine, the reliability of communication between the gaming machine and the gaming device is improved. Improvements can be made. On the gaming machine side, it is possible to specify the quantity of gaming value to be lent by simply counting the number of pulses of the gaming value quantity signal, so the processing burden is reduced.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko gaming machine from the front. It is a whole rear view which shows the internal structure of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a payout control board. It is a figure which shows the ball paying mechanism used for a pachinko game machine. It is a disassembled perspective view of a ball dispensing device. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the internal structure of a card unit. 3 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a setting operation by setting operation means for setting the number of game balls to be lent out in the card unit according to the first embodiment. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. 10 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a payout control board according to a second embodiment. 10 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit according to the second embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a gaming value represented by a coin gaming machine or a slot machine, and Any gaming device that can communicate with these gaming machines can be applied to other gaming machines and gaming devices.

(Embodiment 1)
First, an overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be a coin gaming machine or the like. It can also be applied to image-type gaming machines and slot machines.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing the stored balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear of the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided in front of the game board 6.

  Further, on the front side of the hitting ball supply tray 3, a card balance display 45 for indicating a balance of a card in which a valuable value used in the game is stored, and a game using a portion of the valuable value stored in the card are used. A ball lending switch 46 serving as a switch for paying out the game balls supplied to the player to the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a return switch 47 for returning the card inserted into the insertion slot of the card unit 50 from the card unit 50 are provided. It has been.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 including a special symbol display unit 9 and a normal symbol display unit 10 is provided. The variable display device 8 is provided with a special symbol memory display 18 and a normal symbol memory display 41 each consisting of four LEDs. Based on the number of lit LEDs of the special symbol memory display 18, it is displayed that the number of winnings to the start port 14 for starting the special symbol is stored with an upper limit of 4. In addition, the number of the lit LEDs of the normal symbol memory display 41 indicates that the number of passing game balls to the passing gate 11 for starting the normal symbol is stored with an upper limit of 4. .

  The game ball passage that has passed through the start winning port 14 is provided with a start port switch 17 for detecting the winning game ball. When the game ball is detected by the start port switch 17, a game control board is provided. A signal is sent to 31 to perform control for lighting the special symbol memory display 18. In addition, a gate switch 12 for detecting the passed game ball is provided in the path of the game ball that has passed through the passing gate 11, and when the gate switch 12 detects the game ball, a signal is sent to the game control board 31. Is sent, and control for turning on the normal symbol memory display 41 is performed.

  In the lower position of the variable display device, in the start winning port 14 that also serves as the variable winning ball device 15 (electric tulip role) and the specific game state (big hit state), the big winning is performed by driving the solenoid or the like. The mouth 20 is arranged in order. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening is detected by the start opening switch 17 and guided to the back of the game board. In addition, the winning ball to the big winning opening 20 is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 and led to the back of the game board.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 19, 24, and winning of the game balls to the winning openings 19, 24 is detected by winning opening switches 19a, 24a. Decorative lamps 25 that are lit and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an out mouth 26 that absorbs a hit ball that has not won a prize is provided below. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, game effect lamps 28a, 28b, and 28c are provided.

  In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on when the prize ball is paid out and a ball break lamp 52 that is turned on when the supply ball has run out are provided in the vicinity of the game effect lamp. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables a ball rental by inserting a prepaid card.

  The card unit 50 has a usable display lamp 151 indicating whether or not the card unit 50 is in a usable state, and when a fraction (a number less than 100 yen) remains in the remaining amount information stored in the card, the fraction is indicated as a hitting tray. 3 is a fraction display switch 152 for generating a frequency display LED provided in the vicinity of 3, a connecting table direction indicator 153 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit 50, a card unit 50, a card insertion indicator lamp 154 indicating that a card is inserted, a card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and a card reader / writer mechanism provided on the back surface of the card insertion slot 155 A card unit lock 156 is provided for opening the card unit 50 when checking the card.

  Further, on the front side of the card unit 50, a lending number display 157 for displaying the lending number per unit is also provided. The lending number displayed on the lending number display unit 157 can be set and changed by an operator's operation, and thus may differ for each game hall or model.

  The hit ball fired from the hit ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descends the game area 7. When the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the display device of the normal symbol display unit 10 is continuously changed. Further, when the hit ball enters the start winning port 14 and is detected by the start winning port switch 17, the symbol in the special symbol display unit 9 starts rotating if the variation of the symbol can be started. If it is not in a state where the change of the symbol can be started, the start winning memory is increased by one.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
On the back surface of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a gaming machine tank 38 is provided above the mechanism board 36, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island so that a gaming ball can be seen from above. It is supplied to the game ball tank 38. The game balls in the game ball tank 38 pass through the guide rod 39 and reach the ball dispensing device 97.

  The mechanism panel 36 includes a display control unit 20 including a display control board 80 and a display device for controlling the special symbol display unit 9 and the normal symbol display unit 10, a game control microcomputer covered by the substrate case 32, and the like. Is a game control board (main board) 31, game effect lamps 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, a prize ball lamp 51 and a ball break lamp 52, a lamp control board 35 for sending signals, and a voice for performing control related to voice A control board 70, a payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer that performs payout control of prize spheres, etc., a power supply board 910 for supplying power to each electric component control board and electric parts provided in the gaming machine, etc. Is installed. Further, a hitting ball launching device 34 that launches a hitting ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor is installed below the mechanism board 36. Further, a connector 100 for connecting the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 so as to communicate with each other is provided on the lower card unit 50 side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Further, the other end of the harness 55 having one end connected to the connector 100 is connected to a connector 500 provided in the card unit 50.

  In addition, the game ball that has passed through the guide rod 39 passes through the ball break detector 187 and reaches the ball dispensing device 97 via the supply rods 186a and 186b. The game balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 are supplied to the hitting ball supply tray 3 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the connection port. A surplus ball passage communicating with the surplus ball receiving tray 4 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed on the side of the communication port. A lot of premium balls based on the winnings are paid out, the hitting ball supply tray 3 is filled, and when the game balls are finally paid out after the game balls reach the contact port, the game balls are passed through the extra ball path and the extra balls. Guided to the tray 4. When the game ball is further paid out, the sensing lever presses the full tank switch and the full tank switch is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the stepping motor in the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, the operation of the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, and the driving of the hitting ball launching device 34 is stopped as necessary. In this embodiment, a ball payout device 97 for paying out game balls by rotation of a stepping motor is illustrated as a ball payout device for paying out game balls by driving an electric drive source. A ball payout device having a structure for delivering a game ball may be used, or a ball payout device having a structure in which a stopper is removed by driving of an electric drive source and payout is performed by the weight of the game ball may be used.

  In addition, signals from the winning port switches 19a and 24a, the starting port switch 17 and the V count switch 22 are sent to the main board 31 in order to perform prize ball payout control. The CPU 56 of the main board 31 knows that a winning corresponding to six prize ball payout has occurred when the start port switch 17 is turned on. Further, when the count switch 23 is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to 15 prize ball payouts has occurred. Then, when the winning opening switch is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to ten winning ball payouts has occurred. In this embodiment, for example, a game ball won in the winning opening 24 is detected by a winning opening switch 24a provided in the winning ball flow path from the winning opening 24 and won in the winning opening 19. Is detected by a winning port switch 19a provided in a winning ball flow path from the winning port 19.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. In FIG. 3, a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80 are shown. On the main board 31, the basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the program and the signals from the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23 and the winning port switches 19a and 24a are the basic circuit. And a solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 16 for opening / closing the winning ball apparatus 15 and the solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate of the big prize opening 20 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the main board 31 has a jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, and an effective starting information probability variation indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the image display of the special symbol display unit 9. An information output circuit 64 is provided for outputting the probability variation information indicating the occurrence to a host computer such as a hall management computer. Although not shown, the information output circuit 64 sends a signal that can specify the number of game balls for lending that is lent based on one lending operation transmitted from the card unit 50 to the host. It has been sent to the computer. The signal that can specify the number of rented game balls may be transmitted to the host computer when the predetermined number of units are collected.

  The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 that is an example of storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 that performs a control operation according to the control program, and an I / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and RAM 55 are mounted on the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to incorporate at least the CPU 56, and the ROM 54, the RAM 55, and the I / O port unit 57 may be external or built-in. The I / O port unit 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer.

  Further, the main board 31 has a system reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on, and decodes an address signal given from the basic circuit 53 to either I / O port unit 57. An address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting the O port unit is provided. In addition, there is switch information input to the main board 31 from the ball payout device 97, but these are omitted in FIG.

  A ball hitting device for hitting and launching a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 controls the display of the start memory display 18, the gate passing memory display 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board. At the same time, display control of the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52 provided on the frame side is performed. Here, the lamp control means is an example of a light emitter control means. The display control of the special symbol display unit 9 for variably displaying the special symbol and the normal symbol display unit 10 for variably displaying the normal symbol is performed by symbol control means mounted on the display control board 80.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as components of the payout control board 37 and the ball payout device 97. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection signal from the full switch 48 is input to the I / O port 57 on the main board 31 via the relay board 71. The full tank switch 48 is a switch for detecting a full tank of the surplus ball tray 4.

  Detection signals from the ball break detection switch 167 and the ball break switch 187 are input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 via the relay board 72 and the relay board 71. The ball break detection switch 167 is a switch for detecting the shortage of supply balls in the game ball tank 38, and the ball break switch 187 is a switch for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage.

  The CPU 56 of the main board 31 instructs the ball lending prohibition when the detection signal from the ball break switch 187 indicates a ball shortage state or when the detection signal from the full tank switch 48 indicates a full tank state. Send out a payout control command. When receiving a payout control command instructing prohibition of ball lending, the payout control microcomputer 370 of the payout control board 37 stops the ball lending process.

  Further, detection signals from the prize ball count switch 301A and the ball rental count switch 301B are also input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 via the relay board 72 and the relay board 71. The prize ball count switch 301A and the prize ball count switch 301B are provided in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 97 and detect the payout balls actually paid out.

  When there is a winning, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is input to the payout control board 37 from the output ports (ports G and H) 577 and 578 of the main board 31. The output port 577 outputs 8-bit data, and the output port 578 outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal). A payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is input to the I / O port 372a via the input buffer circuit 373. The payout control microcomputer 370 inputs a payout control command via the I / O port 372a and drives the ball payout device 97 in accordance with the payout control command to perform payout.

  In this embodiment, the payout control microcomputer 370 is a one-chip microcomputer and includes at least a CPU.

  The payout control microcomputer 370 outputs a ball lending number signal indicating the number of lending balls to the terminal board 160 via the output port 372g, and inputs / outputs a buzzer driving signal to the buzzer board 75. A buzzer is mounted on the buzzer substrate 75. Further, an error signal is output to the error display LED 374 via the output port 372e.

  Further, a detection signal from the prize ball count switch 301 </ b> A is input to the input port 372 b of the payout control board 37 via the relay board 72. A drive signal from the payout control board 37 to the payout motor 289 is transmitted to the payout motor 289 in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 97 via the output port 372c and the relay board 72.

  The card unit 50 is equipped with a card unit control microcomputer. Further, the card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display device 152, a connecting table direction indicator 153, a card insertion display lamp 154, and a card insertion slot 155 (see FIG. 1). The card unit 50 is provided with a setting switch 200 having a numeric keypad that can change the number of game balls to be lent out per unit. When the operator operates this setting switch 200, for example, the number of gaming balls per 100 yen is changed from 25 to 24 or 23 (for example, within the range of 10 to 100). Is possible. The setting switch 200 may be provided inside the card unit 50, or may be a remote controller that is communicably connected to the card unit 50 provided outside the card unit 50. Further, the setting switch 200 may be installed at a location where it can be operated when the front frame of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is opened or closed, or at another location. Although not shown, the card unit 50 is provided with an error code indicator for notifying that an error has occurred when a ball lending communication error has occurred.

  The balance display board 74 is connected to a frequency display LED, a ball lending switch 46 and a return switch 47 provided in the vicinity of the hitting ball supply tray 3. A ball rental switch signal and a return switch signal are given from the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50 via the payout control board 37 in accordance with the player's operation. Further, a card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and a ball lendable display signal are given to the balance display board 74 from the card unit 50 via the payout control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37, a connection signal (VL signal: not shown) indicating that the communication connection between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is good, a ball rental of the pachinko gaming machine A pachinko machine preparation signal (PRDY signal) indicating that the player is ready, a signal that can specify the number of game balls to be lent (BRQ signal), a proper reception of the BRQ signal, or a ball rental completion signal that indicates completion of the ball rental ( An EXS signal) and a card unit ball lending preparation signal (BRDY signal) indicating that the card unit 50 is ready for ball lending are exchanged via the I / O port 372f. Note that one wiring is provided for each of the VL signal, the PRDY signal, the BRQ signal, and the EXS signal.

  As described above, all the signals from the card unit 50 are input to the payout control board 37. Therefore, with respect to the ball lending control, no signal is input from the card unit 50 to the main board 31, and there is no room for an illegal signal input from the card unit 50 side to the basic circuit 53 of the main board 31. The main board 31 and the payout control board 37 are equipped with a distribution solenoid 310 and a driver circuit for driving a motor and a lamp, but these circuits are omitted in FIG.

  Next, the configuration of the intermediate base unit installed on the mechanism plate 36 on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the intermediate base unit, ball supply rods 186a and 186b and a ball dispensing device 97 are installed. As shown in FIG. 5, connection concave protrusions 182 are formed on the upper and lower sides of the intermediate base unit. The connecting concave protrusion 182 connects and fixes the intermediate base unit and the upper base unit and lower base unit of a mechanism plate (not shown).

  A passage body 184 is fixed to the upper part of the intermediate base unit. A ball dispensing device 97 is fixed to the lower part of the passage body 184. The passage body 184 includes spherical passages 186a and 186b that cause the two rows of spheres whose flow direction has been changed to the left and right directions by the curve rod 174 (see FIG. 2). On the upstream side of the ball passages 186a and 186b, ball break switches 187a and 187b are installed. The ball break switches 187a and 187b detect the presence or absence of a ball in the ball passages 186a and 186b. When the ball break switches 187a and 187b no longer detect a ball, the ball dispensing device 97 rotates the dispensing motor 289. Stops and ball payout is disabled.

  The ball break switches 187a and 187b are locked by a locking piece 188 at a position where it can be detected that 27 to 28 balls are present in the ball paths 186a and 186b.

  The central portion of the passage body 184 is formed in a shape that curves to the left and right so as to weaken the ball pressure of the sphere flowing down inside. A stop hole 189 is formed between the ball passages 186a and 186b. A mounting boss provided in the intermediate base unit is fitted on the back surface of the stop hole 189. In this state, the set screw is screwed, and the passage body 184 is fixed to the intermediate base unit. The passage body 184 can be aligned by the locking protrusion 185 provided on the intermediate base unit before being screwed.

  Below the passage body 184, there is provided a ball stopper 190 for supplying a ball to the ball dispensing device 97 and stopping the supply of the ball to the ball dispensing device 97 in the event of a failure. A ball payout device 97 installed below the ball stopper 190 is housed in a rectangular parallelepiped case 198. Projections are provided at the left and right sides of the case 198. The lower end of the case 198 is fitted into the elastic engagement piece provided at the lower part of the intermediate base unit in a state where each protrusion is placed on the positioning protrusion provided on the intermediate base unit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a ball distribution member 311 is provided below the ball dispensing device 97, and further below the ball distribution member 311 are a prize ball count switch 301A and a ball by a proximity switch. A lending count switch 301B is provided.

  The ball sorting member 311 is driven by the sorting solenoid 310. In a steady state in which the distribution solenoid 310 is not excited, the ball distribution member 311 is tilted to the left as shown by the solid line in the figure, and the falling ball passes through the prize ball passage 312A and is detected by the prize ball count switch 301A. The On the other hand, when the allocating solenoid 310 is excited, the ball allocating member 311 falls to the right side as indicated by the broken line in the figure, and the falling ball passes through the lent lending passage 312B and is detected by the lent lending count switch 301B.

  The distribution solenoid 310 is energized at the time of lending a ball and is not energized at other times. For this reason, at the time of winning based on winning, the ball sorting member 311 is tilted to the right, and both the game balls discharged from the ball discharge paths 283a and 283b pass the prize ball count switch 301A. On the other hand, at the time of lending a ball, both the game balls discharged from the ball discharge paths 283a and 283b by exciting the distribution solenoid 310 pass through the ball lending count switch 301B.

  Thus, by providing the ball distribution member 311, the ball that has flowed down the two ball passages passes only one of the prize ball count switch 301 </ b> A and the ball lending count switch 301 </ b> B. Accordingly, the number of winning balls or the number of balls lent can be immediately grasped from the detection output of the winning ball count switch 301A or the ball lending count switch 301B without determining whether the ball is a winning ball or a lending ball.

  In this manner, the ball payout device 97 can be operated not only for lending a ball but also for paying out a prize ball, so that the cost can be reduced. In addition, the winning ball and the rental ball can be counted individually by switching control of the ball sorting member 311.

  Further, since the state of the ball sorting member 311 is maintained so that the balls are guided to the prize ball count switch 301A side when it is not necessary to pay out the balls, the frequency of paying out the balls is generally used. Since the frequency of paying out the prize balls is higher than that, the number of times of switching control of the ball sorting member 311 can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the failure of the ball sorting member 311 and the control parts associated therewith when switching is repeated, and the life of those parts can be extended.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the ball dispensing device 97. The configuration and operation of the ball dispensing device 97 will be described with reference to FIG. In the ball dispensing device 97 in this embodiment, a stepping motor (dispensing motor) 289 rotates a screw 288 to pay out pachinko balls one by one. Note that the ball payout device 97 pays out not only winning balls based on winning a prize, but also balls to be lent out.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ball dispensing device 97 has two cases 198a and 198b. Engagement protrusions 280 are provided at two positions on the left and right sides of the respective cases 198a and 198b. In addition, ball supply paths 281a and 281b are formed in the cases 198a and 198b, respectively. The ball supply paths 281a and 281b have curved surfaces 282a and 282b, and ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b are formed below the ends of the curved surfaces 282a and 282b. Furthermore, ball discharge paths 283a and 283b are formed at the ends of the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b.

  The ball supply paths 281a and 281b, the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b, and the ball discharge paths 283a and 283b are formed in front of partition walls 295a and 295b that divide the cases 198a and 198b in the front-rear direction. Further, a ball pressure buffering member 285 is sandwiched between the cases 198a and 198b in front of the partition walls 295a and 295b. The ball pressure buffering member 285 distributes the balls supplied to the ball dispensing device 97 to the left and right sides and guides them to the ball supply paths 281a and 281b.

  Further, a payout motor position sensor including a light emitting element LED286 and a light receiving element (not shown) is provided below the ball pressure buffering member 285. The light emitting element 286 and the light receiving element are provided at a predetermined interval. The tip of the screw 288 is inserted within this interval. The ball pressure buffering member 285 is completely housed and fixed inside the case 198a, 198b when they are bonded together.

  Screws 288 that are rotated by a payout motor 289 are disposed in the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b. The payout motor 289 is fixed to the motor fixing plate 290, and the motor fixing plate 290 is fitted into fixing grooves 291a and 291b fixed to the rear of the partition walls 295a and 295b. In this state, the motor shaft of the payout motor 289 protrudes in front of the partition walls 295a and 295b, so that the screw 288 is fixed in front of the protrusion. On the outer periphery of the screw 288, a spiral protrusion 288a is provided for moving the ball placed on the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b forward by the rotation of the payout motor 289.

  A recess is formed at the tip of the screw 288 so as to accommodate the light emitting element 286, and two notches 292 are formed 180 ° apart from each other on the outer periphery of the recess. Therefore, during one rotation of the screw 288, the light from the light emitting element 286 is detected twice by the light receiving element through the notch 292.

  In other words, the payout motor position sensor including the light emitting element 286 and the light receiving element is for stopping the screw 288 at a fixed position, and detects that the payout operation has been performed. The wirings from the light emitting element 286, the light receiving element and the payout motor 289 are collectively drawn out from a drawing hole formed below the rear portions of the cases 198a and 198b and connected to the connector.

  When the dispensing motor 289 rotates in a state where the ball is placed on the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b, the ball moves forward on the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b by the spiral protrusion 288a of the screw 288. . And finally, it falls to the ball discharge paths 283a and 283b from the end of the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b. At this time, the left and right ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b are alternately dropped. That is, each time the screw 288 rotates halfway, one sphere falls from one side. Therefore, each time one sphere falls, the light from the light emitting element 286 is detected once by the light receiving element.

  Next, the configuration of the card unit 50 and the configuration of the management system outside the game arcade 1000 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card unit 50 and the configuration of the management system inside and outside the game hall, and illustration and description of some configurations are omitted.

  In the amusement hall 1000, a card unit management device 400 including a management computer for managing a plurality of card units 50 provided in the hall is provided. Outside the game hall 1000, a unit management center 5000, which is an organization that manages all the card units 50 in the plurality of game halls 1000 provided with the card units 50, is provided. The unit management center 5000 is provided with a central management device 501 including a computer that comprehensively manages all the card units 50 in a plurality of game halls 1000. The central management device 501 is communicably connected to the card unit management device 400 of each game arcade 1000 via a communication line. By communicating with each card unit management device 400, all of the central management devices 501 are connected to each game venue 1000. The card unit 50 is centrally managed.

  A control unit 340 of the control device 341 in the card unit 50 is connected to the card reader / writer device 33, sensors / lamps, buttons, and a numerical value input unit 95. Further, the control unit 340 communicates with the payout control board 37 provided with the control microcomputer provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and capable of paying out balls for lending through the communication unit 360. Connected in a possible manner. Further, the control unit 340 is communicably connected to the ball lending switch 46, the return switch 47, the card balance display 45, and the lending number display 157 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 via the communication unit 360. .

  The control unit 340 of the control device 341 receives an operation signal for each button, and performs control corresponding to the operation signal according to the operation signal. The control unit 340 receives an operation input signal from the numerical value input unit 95 and performs control according to the operation input signal. The numerical value input unit 95 is electrically connected to a setting switch 200 (see FIG. 4) as setting operation means, and a numerical value set using the setting switch 200 is input, and one unit (for example, 100) The setting can be changed to set the number of gaming balls to be rented per yen) (for example, 24).

  Then, a setting switch 200 (see FIG. 4) is set on a lending information display 157 (see FIG. 1) which is an LCD capable of displaying information in order to notify the player of information on the gaming balls to be rented per unit. In addition, the number of loans per unit and the distinction between the unit price of balls per game ball that can be set independently by the lending information setting switch 201 (see FIG. 4) as a lending information operating means, and tax outside tax are displayed. Is done. The display control of the lending information display 157 is performed by the control unit 340 as a lending information display control means via the communication unit 360 of the card unit 50.

  Therefore, for example, if the setting switch 200 is set to 25 per unit, the lending information setting switch 201 is set to 4 yen for the ball lending unit and the tax-exclusion tax is set to the internal tax, "1 “4 yen per sphere, 25 loans per unit, tax included” is displayed. If the setting switch 200 is set to 24 per unit, the lending information setting switch 201 is set to 4 yen for the ball lending, and the tax-exclusion is set to external tax, “Lent number 24, excluding tax” is displayed. As a result, the player can check each piece of information per unit (100 yen) in this gaming machine (per card count in the case of card recording information) so that the game can be played, ensuring transparency of information related to lending. it can.

  The lending information display 157 is shown in FIG. 1 as an example provided on the front surface of the card unit. However, if the player can easily see the lending information display device 157, the lending information display device 157 is located on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, The communication unit 360 and the display control board 80 may be electrically connected to be used for the variable display device 8 for display. When the variable display device 8 is used for display, it is not necessary to provide a new display device, and the increase in cost can be reduced.

  Further, the lending information display unit 157 is a game machine vicinity installed type lending information display provided in the vicinity of the pachinko gaming machine 1 on a gaming machine installation island (not shown) where the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 are installed. You may comprise as a means. Thereby, even when the pachinko gaming machine 1 or the card unit 50 is replaced, the lending information display unit 157 remains and can be used for a long period of time, so that resources can be used effectively.

  In addition, the lending information display 157 is not limited to the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and may be configured by a display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a dot matrix, a 7-segment display, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, It is good also as an analog display means which displays the numerical value of rental information like a bar graph in an analog manner. Further, in order to make it easier for the player to recognize the lending information, a sound notifying means for notifying by sound when performing a lending operation may be used together.

  Further, as the lending information to be displayed, the ball lending unit price per ball, the number of lending units per unit, and the three types of lending information display means for displaying the distinction between the tax and foreign tax are used. Or you may make it display only two types of lending information, such as one of the number of loans per unit and the tax-excluded tax, or a single-type loan that displays only the tax-excluded tax distinction Information display means may be used. In that case, the setting function of the ball lending unit price per game ball of the lending information setting switch 201 may be omitted when it is not necessary. Further, other types of lending information (for example, a ball lending amount in one ball lending operation or an elapsed time since the last ball lending operation) may be added and displayed. By configuring in this way, the player can easily confirm more information. Further, a plurality of types of lending information may be displayed in order without being displayed at the same time. As a result, the lending information display 157 can be relatively small.

  The control unit 340 of the control device 341 gives a control signal to the card reader / writer device 330 while monitoring the position of the card based on the detection signal from the card detection position sensor. In addition, the control unit 340 of the control device 341 performs ball lending control in accordance with a lending request operation signal from the ball lending switch 46. In addition, the control unit 340 performs card return control in response to a return request operation signal from the return switch 47. In addition, the control unit 340 gives a display control signal to the card balance display 45 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 so as to control the card balance display 45 to display the card balance of the card.

  Further, when any abnormality occurs in the card unit 50, the control device 341 performs control to display an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality on the money amount display or the card balance display 45. As a result, the money amount display or card balance display 45 displays an error code indicating the cause of the abnormality.

  The control unit 340 of the control device 341 performs control for lending a ball when there is a lending request operation (operation of the ball lending switch 46 by the player) at the time of card insertion. In this control, the control unit 340 transmits a rental number signal indicating the number of game balls to be lent (game value quantity signal of the present invention) to the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and instructs the start of lending. A lending command signal is transmitted to the payout control board 37. Then, the card balance corresponding to the number of rented game balls is subtracted.

  In this case, the rental number signal is a signal indicating the total number of game balls to be lent in response to one renting operation. A signal indicating the number (24) of game balls to be lent out in response to is transmitted. Further, the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 returns a lending completion signal to the control unit 340 of the control device 34 every time lending of the number of game balls indicated in the lending number signal is completed.

  The control unit 340 performs an operation of subtracting and updating the card balance read from the card and stored in the control unit 340 when receiving the lending completion signal. Further, the control unit 340 performs control to display the card balance updated in accordance with the card balance subtraction update on the card balance display 45. Then, the control unit 340 performs update recording control to rewrite the card balance of the card set in the card reader / writer device 33 to the updated card balance when the lending of the ball for the set amount of lending is completed.

  When the ball is lent by debiting the card balance of the card, consumption amount data indicating the rent amount is output from the control unit 340 to the outside of the card unit 50 via the communication unit 350 in real time.

  The consumption amount data output to the outside in this way is relayed by a plurality of relay devices 60 provided in the game hall 1000 and given to the card unit management device 400. The relay device 60 is a device having an information relay function provided for each gaming machine installation island in the game hall 1000, and relays various data output from a plurality of card units 50 in the gaming machine installation island. . The plurality of relay devices 60 are serially connected to the card unit management device 400, and data other than the relay device 60 directly connected to the card unit management device 400 is sent to the card unit via the other relay devices 60. The data is sent to the management apparatus 400. Similarly, the consumption amount data is also transmitted from the control unit 340 to a hall management computer (not shown) provided in the game hall 1000 and managing the sales of the game hall 1000.

  The card unit management device 400 is a management device including a microcomputer that executes various management processes. One card unit management device 400 is provided in the game hall 1000, and manages all the card units 50 installed in the game hall 1000 in an integrated manner. The management content includes management of the operating status of the card unit 50 and sales management of the card unit 3. For example, the card unit management device 400 is configured to be useful for the management of a prepaid card issuing company by transmitting the aggregated information for each card unit 50 to the unit management center 5000.

  In addition, the following information is communicated between each card unit 50 and the central management apparatus 501 via the card unit management apparatus 400. When the power of the card unit 50 is turned on before the store is opened on the business day of the amusement hall 1000, the card unit 50 indicates to the card unit management device 400 that a business operation (normal operation) is started. Operation start information is given. In the card unit management device 400, the operation start information received from all the card units 50 in the game hall 1000 is specified to the unit number of the card unit 50 as the transmission source, and transmitted to the central management device 501. When the central management device 501 receives the operation start information from each game hall 1000, it indicates that the operation of the corresponding card unit 50 is permitted on condition that a predetermined operation permission condition is satisfied. The operation permission information is sequentially transmitted to the card unit management device 400 of each game hall 1000 by designating the unit number of the destination card unit 50. Upon receiving the operation permission information, the card unit management device 400 immediately transmits the operation permission information to each card unit 50 together with the date information for self-management. The card unit 50 is permitted to operate for business on the condition that such operation permission information is received, and starts the business operation.

  Further, when the game hall 1000 is closed, after the store is closed, the daily sales information for each card unit 50 in the game hall 1000 is collectively transmitted from the card unit management device 400 to the central management device 501. In response to receiving the sales information, the central management device 501 aggregates sales information for each card unit 50, totals sales information for each game hall, and totals sales information for the card units 50 of all game halls. Performs aggregation processing and manages sales information.

  The valuable value recorded on the card (magnetic card, optical card, etc.) as an example of the recording medium processing apparatus used in the card unit 50 described above is the number of units corresponding to the purchase amount (a plurality of game balls (for example, 24) is used as a unit) (if 1 unit is 100 yen, 10 yen is recorded when a card for 1000 yen is purchased), but it corresponds to the purchase price of the card It may be any data such as the number of balls to be played, the amount data indicating the purchase amount of the card itself. Further, only the player's ID number is recorded on the card, and the card unit management device 400 may manage the remaining number or the remaining number data for managing the remaining frequency data. In this case, every time a game ball is lent, the remaining amount data or the remaining frequency data is subtracted and updated from the card unit management device 400.

  The control unit 340 generates a signal indicating a predetermined number of game balls and transmits the signal to the pachinko gaming machine 1 by using a portion of these data based on the player's lending operation. The signal indicating the predetermined number of game balls may be a signal transmitted once, or may be a signal transmitted divided into a plurality of times. For example, when there is a lending request for lending 100 gaming balls by one lending operation by a player, a signal indicating 100 may be transmitted, or a signal indicating 10 is transmitted 10 times. May be.

  Further, the predetermined number may be transmitted in correspondence with each unit number of the frequency data described above, or may be transmitted with data different from the unit number. For example, in the case where 24 game balls are lent out with 100 yen as a unit, if a player makes a rental request for 500 yen, a signal indicating 24 may be transmitted five times. A signal for lending 120 signals may be transmitted by two signals indicating 50 signals and one signal indicating 20 signals.

  Hereinafter, the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 will be described in accordance with a program executed on the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and a program executed on the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 using the timing charts of FIG. The contents of communication mutually communicated between the two will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the wiring connecting the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 is connected to each type of signal such as a PRDY signal, a BRDY signal, a BRQ signal, and an EXS signal. On the other hand, the number of signals to be communicated is one that is serially transferred using one signal line. As described above, in the present embodiment, communication of signals that can specify the number of game balls to be lent is performed using a communication method that can use signal lines that have been used conventionally. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be achieved only by changing the program without structural modification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50.

  As a means for solving the problems described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention, it is conceivable to change the structure of the current pachinko gaming machine and the card unit, but the current pachinko gaming machine and Changing the structure of the card unit incurs an economic burden on the game arcade. Therefore, the current communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit is changed to a communication method for transmitting / receiving a signal indicating the number of game balls without changing the current pachinko machine, the card unit, and the connection structure between them. Thus, the above situation can be easily dealt with.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit of the present embodiment. In the lending operation performed between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 according to the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. That is, when the signal (1) by the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46 provided in the gaming machine is activated, the PRDY signal is used as a lending preparation signal indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is ready for ball lending. On the condition that it is received from the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 8C, the card unit 50 starts up a BRDY signal as a lending request signal indicating that there is a lending request (3). Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the card unit 50 corresponds to the signal (1) due to the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46, so that the lending operation for a certain period is prevented in order to prevent erroneous lending due to continuous lending operations. The operation invalidation signal for invalidating the operation is activated (2). That is, the card unit 50 includes a lending operation invalidating unit that invalidates a lending operation after a valid lending operation in a predetermined period after a valid lending operation.

  Next, in response to the start of the BRDY signal (3), if the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not in a state where it is not possible to lend gaming balls (out of balls, full tanks, paying out prize balls, etc.) ( e) As shown in e), an EXS signal is set up as a lending preparation confirmation signal indicating that a gaming ball lending operation can be executed (4), thereby enabling lending (the number of gaming machines to lend can be specified) To the card unit 50. The card unit 50 has a timer for measuring a predetermined period (T1), and the EXS signal transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 1 rises before the timer T1 is timed (4). The pachinko gaming machine 1 recognizes that the game ball can be lent.

  Next, the card unit 50, which has recognized that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a state in which it can rent game balls, receives a BRDY signal a predetermined number of times (16 times) within a predetermined time, as shown in FIG. 8C. Is repeated at a fixed timing (5). Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (d), in correspondence with the rising timing and falling timing of the BRDY signal, the rental game for the rental of game balls out of the remaining amount data stored in the recording medium A BRQ signal is transmitted as a lending number signal that can specify the number of balls (6) (7). That is, the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 has a lendable determination unit that determines whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 1 can lend the gaming machine, and it is determined that the lending is possible by the lending possible determination unit. In this case, a signal that can specify the number of game balls to be lent out is transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Note that the rising timing and falling timing of the BRDY signal at a predetermined time become a clock signal indicating the data fetch timing of the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the payout control board 37 indicates the state of the BRQ signal at this timing. recognize. Since there are 16 rise and fall timings of the BRDY signal as a series of clock signals, 2 bytes (16 bits) of information can be communicated using the 16 rise and fall timings of the BRDY signal. It is possible. If such a serial signal (serial transfer signal) is used, the signal wiring connecting the existing pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is used as it is, and it is lent only by changing the program. This makes it possible to communicate a signal that can identify the game ball. Further, since pulses need only be communicated at the ON timing and OFF timing of the BRDY signal, the number of signals to be processed is reduced, and the processing of both the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 is performed. The burden has been reduced. Further, the card unit 50 can transmit to the pachinko gaming machine 1 a signal that can specify the number of game balls to be lent, using the first 1 byte (6) of the 2-byte signal. For example, a signal indicating 24 game balls is “00011000 (18H)”. Further, the card unit 50 uses the subsequent 1-byte (7) signal to indicate the same number as the number of game balls specified by the signal (6) that can specify the number of game balls transmitted first. (7) is transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines that the number of game balls can be normally received when the signals (6) and (7) indicating the number of game balls transmitted twice are matched and matched. That is, the payout control board 37 receives the signal indicating the same number of game balls to be received twice, and compares the number of game balls specified by the two received signals, thereby specifying the number of game balls to be lent. A determination means for determining whether or not the possible game value quantity signal of the present invention is appropriate is provided inside. Therefore, the reliability of mutual communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved. Moreover, since it is only necessary to transmit the same signal twice, the processing load is reduced. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (g), the number of game balls corresponding to the transmitted signals that can identify the number of game balls to be lent is collectively formed in storage means such as a RAM inside the payout control board 37. In order to notify the card unit 50 of the fact that it has been received normally and that the notified number of game balls can be paid out, it is stored in (e) of FIG. As shown, the EXS signal is lowered (9). In this way, the signal (9) indicating that the signal has been normally received is returned to the card unit 50, and the card unit 50 confirms that the pachinko gaming machine 1 has normally received the game value quantity signal of the present invention. Therefore, the reliability of mutual communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved.

  If the EXS signal is lowered (9) within the period T2 shown in FIG. 8C, the pachinko gaming machine 1 again raises the EXS signal after a predetermined period has elapsed (10). That is, the card unit 50 has a timer for measuring a predetermined period (T2), and determines whether or not a communication error has occurred depending on whether or not the EXS signal falls within the predetermined period T2. Yes. As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 notifies the card unit 50 that it is ready to lend a designated number of game balls. In response to this, the card unit 50 lowers the BRDY signal (11) and issues an instruction to start the lending to the pachinko gaming machine 1. The pachinko gaming machine 1 that has received the fall (11) of the BRDY signal starts lending the number of game balls specified by the BRQ signal (12), as shown in FIG. 8 (f). Thus, in order to start actual payout based on the fact that the BRQ signal as the lending command signal, which is a signal instructing start of payout, is properly received by the pachinko gaming machine 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card are started. The reliability of communication with the unit 50 is improved.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (f), the pachinko gaming machine 1 has rented out all the game balls (13), and as shown in FIG. 8 (e), the pachinko gaming machine 1 is rented out. The EXS signal is lowered as a completion signal (14). Further, the card unit 50 subtracts the valuable value corresponding to the number of game balls lent out from the card, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the operation invalidation signal is lowered (15), and the next loan request is accepted. Is acceptable. In this manner, the pachinko gaming machine 1 transmits a signal (14) indicating that all of the gaming balls have been lent to the card unit 50, and after the card unit 50 confirms the signal (14), the next Since the lending is permitted (15), the reliability of the lending is ensured. As shown in FIG. 8 (g), the payout counter of the pachinko gaming machine 1 decrements the numerical value by 1 every time one game ball is paid out.

  In addition, the communication mode when a communication error occurs in the communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit shown in (a) to (g) of FIG. e ′) and FIG. 8 (c ″) to (e ″).

  First, a communication mode at the time of a communication error when the BRDY signal is not properly received will be described using (c ′) to (e ′) in FIG. 8. Corresponding to the rise of the BRDY signal (16), if the EXS signal does not rise during the predetermined period (T1), the BRD signal is once lowered (17), and after the predetermined period has elapsed, for retry. Then, the BRDY signal is raised (18). In this retry, an upper limit value of a predetermined number of times has been determined, and if the EXS signal does not rise within the predetermined number of times, the card unit 50 determines that an error has occurred and notifies it. That is, the card unit 50 has an error determination unit that determines whether or not a communication error has occurred depending on whether or not a predetermined signal is received within a predetermined period. The error determination by the error determination means is to determine that an error has occurred when any error such as a disconnection error, a power failure error, or a noise error occurs. Further, the card unit 50 has error notification means for notifying that an error has occurred by the error determination means. This error notification means may be an error code display or may generate a sound for notifying an error.

  Next, a communication mode at the time of a communication error when noise occurs in the BRQ signal will be described with reference to (c ′) to (e ′) in FIG. 8. In this case, the BRDY signal shown in FIG. 8 (c ″) has the same form as usual, but the BRQ signal generates noise (19) as shown in FIG. 8 (d ″). If the number of signals indicating the number of game balls transmitted twice does not match, the pachinko gaming machine 1 sets the EXS signal within the period T2, as shown in FIG. 8 (e ″). Do not lower. The card unit 50 has a timer for measuring a predetermined period (T2) for confirmation of normal reception. If the EXS signal does not fall during the period T2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 outputs a BRQ signal. It is determined that the signal has not been properly received, the BRDY signal is once lowered (20), and communication is restarted from the beginning after a predetermined period. Also in this retry, the upper limit of the predetermined number of times was determined, the EXS signal did not fall within the predetermined number of times, and the BRQ signal indicating the number of game balls lent out by the pachinko gaming machine 1 was not properly received In such a case, the card unit 50 determines that an error has occurred and notifies it.

  That is, in the card unit 50, an error has occurred due to an error determination means in the control unit 340 in which a program for determining whether or not an error has occurred and an error indicator provided on the front surface of the card unit 50. Error notifying means for notifying. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the staff cannot confirm the error while the error is still occurring.

  In the above-described card unit 50, the timing of subtracting the valuable value (the corresponding data of the game balls to be lent) from the valuable value (remaining amount data) of the card based on one lending operation is In the form, it is after the renting of game balls is completed, but when the signal indicating the number of game balls is normally sent from the card unit 50 to the gaming machine, it is used from the valuable value stored in the card. You may make it subtract the valuable value of a minute.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as an example of giving game value, an example of actually paying out a game ball has been shown. However, instead of actually paying out a game ball, the quantity displayed in an analog manner on the score display device Alternatively, a numerical value that corresponds to the number of game balls is displayed as a digitally displayed numerical value, and the numerical value is stored in storage means inside the gaming machine, and the numerical value is transmitted to the card unit 50 at the end of the game and added to the card It may be something like that. In this case, the communication is completed when the communication is normally performed between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 (the number of game balls transmitted is recognized as normal). It is.

  Since various methods for improving the reliability of mutual communication are used between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the rental of gaming balls. ing.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the communication relationship between the card unit 50 and the hall computer.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment transmits the number of game balls actually paid out to an external hall computer via an information output circuit 64 (see FIG. 3). In this case, if a signal is transmitted for each rented game ball, the control burden is large. Therefore, a counter for storing the number of rented game balls is provided, and a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is paid out. Per pulse. Thereby, the control burden of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is reduced.

  In addition, a setting operation unit provided with a setting switch 200 for setting the number of game balls to be lent based on one lending operation, and a control unit 340 incorporating a program for changing the setting by the setting operation unit. As shown in FIG. 9A, the setting change means in the control unit 340 and the setting permission means in the control unit 340 having a function of determining whether or not to allow setting by operating the setting switch 200 are shown. It may be provided in the hall computer, or may be provided in the card unit 50 as shown in FIG. Note that the setting permission means may be, for example, a control unit in which a program for determining that a predetermined key has been inserted and rotated and allowing a setting operation is incorporated, or a card on which predetermined authentication data is recorded. Any structure or system that cannot be easily operated by a person other than a specific operator, such as a control unit with a program that allows setting by checking the authentication data. It may be a thing. This setting permission means functions as a setting change permission determination means for determining whether or not setting change by the setting operation means is permitted.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, setting operation means (setting switch 200) for setting the number of game balls in units of 100 yen is provided, and a numerical value is directly input using the setting operation means. However, predetermined numerical values such as 23 balls, 24 balls, and 25 balls are registered, and setting operation means for selecting any numerical value from a plurality of registered numerical values may be used. Thus, by providing the setting operation means, the operator can easily change the number of game balls to be lent out per unit.

  Since the number of game balls lent out in correspondence with this one rent operation is directly linked to the profit of the game hall and the player, the setting change method can be easily changed by those other than a specific operator. A method that cannot be performed, for example, a method in which a change is allowed only when a predetermined setting operation is performed after a predetermined authentication card is inserted into the card unit 50, or a dedicated setting change terminal is connected to the card unit 50 or the hall. A method of allowing a change by connecting to a computer is used. By adopting such a method, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized person from changing the number of game balls lent out per unit by a person other than a specific operator.

  In addition, the lending number signal communication is divided into a lending operation for a lending operation in a plurality of times (for example, when lending the number of game balls for 500 yen in a lending operation, the unit is 100 yen. 5 times), and may be executed by repeating the communication a plurality of times, or a signal indicating the number of game balls for a plurality of units of lending based on one lending operation may be communicated at a time. Also good. In the former case, it is possible to reduce the number of lending game balls to be paid out by the ball paying device 97, so that the possibility of interruption of the payout due to running out of the balls is reduced. The processing load on the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is reduced by reducing the number of communication of signals for lending based on the lending operation.

  In addition, when a large number of card units 50 are installed in the game hall, it takes a lot of labor to change the setting of the number of game balls for lending individually for each card unit 50. There may be an adverse effect such as the presence of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 whose settings are not changed due to an operator setting error or the like.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), if the number of game balls for lending is sent collectively from the hall computer to the card unit 50 and the setting is changed, the labor of the operator is reduced. It is possible to reduce the amount and make it difficult to make a mistake in changing the setting.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, by changing the setting of several (for example, one) card units 50 among the plurality of card units 50, the card unit 50 is connected to the changed card unit 50. Even if the settings of the other card units 50 are changed, it is possible to reduce the labor of the operation as well as the case where the settings are made collectively with the hall computer, and it is difficult to make mistakes in changing the settings. It becomes possible to do. In this case, each card unit 50 of the game hall notifies (sends) the setting contents (a signal that can specify the number of game balls for lending of one unit) to the hall computer, and the card unit on the hall computer side By checking whether the setting contents for each of the 50 are the same, it is possible to confirm that the setting change has been made in a unified manner.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit according to Modification 1 of the present embodiment. Also in the first modification, communication for predetermined lending is performed between the pachinko gaming machine 1 (payout control board 37) and the card unit 50 (control unit 340) as in the above embodiment. Is as follows.

  In the lending operation performed between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 according to the first modification of the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. When this is done, that is, when the signal (1) by the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46 is activated, the PRDY signal is used as a lending preparation signal indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is ready for lending. As shown in FIG. 10 (c), the card unit 50 raises a BRDY signal as a lending request signal indicating that a ball lending request has been made (3). Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the card unit 50 lends for a predetermined period in order to prevent erroneous lending due to continuous lending operations in response to the signal (1) due to the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46. An operation invalid signal for invalidating the operation is activated (2). That is, the card unit 50 includes a lending operation invalidating unit that invalidates a lending operation after a valid lending operation in a predetermined period after a valid lending operation.

  Next, in response to the start of the BRDY signal (3), if the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not in a state where it is not possible to lend gaming balls (out of balls, full tanks, paying out prize balls, etc.) ( As shown in e), it is possible to lend by raising the EXS signal as a lending preparation confirmation signal indicating that the lending operation of gaming balls can be executed (receivable signals of the number of gaming balls) To the card unit 50. The card unit 50 has a timer for measuring a predetermined period (T1), and the EXS signal transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 1 rises before the timer T1 is timed (4). The pachinko gaming machine 1 recognizes that it can be rented.

  Next, the card unit 50 that recognizes that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a state in which it can rent game balls, repeatedly turns on and off for the number of game balls designated to pay out the BRQ signal, as shown in FIG. 10 (d). (5) By transmitting pulses corresponding to the number of game balls, a lending number signal that is a signal indicating the number of game balls is transmitted. That is, the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 has a lending possibility determining unit that determines whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be lent, and only when the lending possible determining unit determines that lending is possible. The lending number signal is transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Note that the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a timer for monitoring the ON / OFF interval of the BRQ signal. If there is no ON for a predetermined period (if the interval between pulses is longer than the reference value), the transmission of the number of rented balls data As shown in FIG. 10E, the EXS signal is lowered as a communication completion signal (6).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (e), the pachinko gaming machine 1 indicates the number of game balls corresponding to the number of pulses by using the number of game signals specified by the number of pulses of the BRQ signal. It transmits to the card unit 50 as a lending number confirmation signal indicating that it has been determined that the signal has been normally received (7). Upon receipt of the EXS signal (7), the card unit 50 collates the number of game balls specified by the transmitted BRQ signal (5) with the number of game balls specified by the received EXS signal (7). If they match, as shown in FIG. 8D, a BRQ signal is raised as a lending confirmation signal to confirm whether the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a lending enabled state (8). That is, the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 has a determination unit that determines whether or not the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has properly received the lending number signal (5). In the second modification, unlike the first modification, the discrimination means of the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 has the same number of game balls as the number of rent signals (5) transmitted from the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is determined whether or not the lending number signal (5) properly transmitted by the pachinko gaming machine 1 is received depending on whether or not the signal (7) indicating the number is received. As a result, the number of game balls to be lent out is erroneously received in order to execute the next process after confirming whether or not the number of game balls output on the card unit 50 side is properly recognized on the pachinko gaming machine 1 side. Thus, it is possible to prevent the card unit 50 from being executed. As a result, the reliability of communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved. Further, from the rise (8) of the BRQ signal, the pachinko gaming machine 1 recognizes that the number of received game balls is normal, and as shown in FIG. 10 (g), the number of pulses of the BRQ signal received by the payout counter The number corresponding to is added (9).

  In addition, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the rise of the BRQ signal (8) shown in FIG. 10 (d), the pachinko gaming machine 1 rises the EXS signal as a rentable signal (10). Thus, the card unit 50 is notified that the number of game balls specified by the BRQ signal is ready to be lent. Then, the card unit 50 lowers the BRQ signal as a lending command signal (11) and transmits an instruction to start lending to the pachinko gaming machine 1. The fall of the BRQ signal (11) causes the pachinko gaming machine 1 to start paying out the number of game balls indicated in the rental number signal (5) (12). In this way, the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 has properly received the signal that can identify the game balls to be lent is transmitted to the card unit 50 (10), and the rent number signal (5) is properly received by the card unit 50. Since the lending is started in the pachinko gaming machine 1 after confirming (11) (12), the reliability of communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved. .

  Then, when all of the gaming ball lending is completed (13), the pachinko gaming machine 1 causes the EXS signal to fall as a lending completion signal (14). As a result, the card unit 50 subtracts the valuable value corresponding to the number of game balls lent out from the card and also allows the next lending request to be accepted by lowering the BRDY signal (15). Thus, after confirming that the lending corresponding to the lending number signal (5) has been performed (14) and enabling the next lending operation (16), the reliability of communication can be improved. ing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, various techniques for improving the reliability of communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 are taken. Reliability is improved.

  In addition, the communication modes when a communication error occurs in the communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit shown in FIGS. 10A to 10G are shown in FIGS. 10C to 10E and 10E. This is shown in (c ″) to (e ″) of FIG.

  First, a communication mode at the time of a communication error when the BRDY signal is not properly received will be described with reference to (c ′) to (e ′) in FIG. 10. Corresponding to the rise (17) of the BRDY signal shown in (c ′) of FIG. 10, the EXS signal does not rise within a predetermined period (T1) as shown in (e ′) of FIG. Then, the BRDY signal is once lowered (18). Then, after a predetermined period, the BRDY signal is raised again for retry (19). The retry is performed up to a predetermined number of times, and if the EXS signal does not rise in the retry within the predetermined number of times, the card unit 50 determines that an error has occurred and notifies that an error has occurred. Note that the BRQ signal shown in (d ′) of FIG. 10 is the same as the normal case shown in (d) of FIG. 10. In this way, the card unit 50 determines in the control unit 340 that an error has occurred when the pachinko gaming machine 1 has not properly received a BRQ signal that can specify the number of game balls to be lent out within a predetermined period. Error determining means is provided, and error notifying means for notifying that an error has occurred from an error code display is provided.

  Further, in the card unit 50, as shown in FIG. 10 (d ″) and FIG. 10 (e ″), the number of game balls (20) specified by the transmitted BRQ signal (20) and the received EXS When the number of game balls specified by the signal (21) does not match (for example, when the number of pulses of the EXS signal is two fewer than the number of pulses of the BRQ signal), the card unit 50 is shown in FIG. c ''), the BRDY signal is lowered (22). In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 1 determines that the BRQ signal (20) indicating the number of game balls has not been normally received, and waits to redo the communication with the card unit 50 from the beginning. Further, after a predetermined time elapses, the card unit 50 raises the BRDY signal (23) as shown in FIG. 10 (c ″), and performs communication with the pachinko gaming machine 1 again.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit according to Modification 2 of the present embodiment. In the lending operation performed between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 according to the second modification of the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. When it is performed, that is, when a signal (1) due to the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is activated, the lending preparation indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is ready for ball lending. On the condition that the PRDY signal as a signal is received from the pachinko gaming machine 1, the card unit 50, as shown in FIG. 11C, uses the BRDY as a lending request signal indicating that there is a ball lending request. Raise the signal (3). Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the card unit 50 disables the lending operation in response to the signal (1) due to the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46 in order to prevent erroneous lending due to the continuous lending operation. (2) The operation invalidation signal is set to the activated state. That is, the card unit 50 includes a lending operation invalidating unit that invalidates a lending operation after a valid lending operation in a predetermined period after a valid lending operation.

  Next, in response to the start of the BRDY signal (3), if the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not in a state where it is not possible to lend gaming balls (out of balls, full tanks, paying out prize balls, etc.) ( As shown in d), after elapse of a predetermined period, the card unit 50 sends the pachinko gaming machine 1 with a BRQ signal corresponding to one game ball as a rental number signal, as shown in FIG. Transmit (4). As a result, in response to one pulse of the received BRQ signal, the pachinko gaming machine 1 increments the payout counter for each piece (5) as shown in FIG. As shown in (e), a pulse EXS signal corresponding to the received BRQ signal is transmitted to the card unit 50 as a lending number confirmation signal (6).

  The card unit 50 has a timer for measuring a predetermined period (T1, T2) from the start and end of transmission of the BRQ signal, and each of the predetermined time (from the beginning and the end of pulse transmission of the BRQ signal (4) ( Since the first and last pulses of the EXS signal (6) are returned in T1, T2), the card unit 50 recognizes that the pachinko gaming machine 1 has properly received the BRQ signal (4). Therefore, the reliability of mutual communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (d), when it is confirmed that the number of game balls can be transmitted normally, a BRQ signal is used as a lending confirmation signal to confirm whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 1 is ready for lending. (7).

  In response to the rise (7) of the BRQ signal, the pachinko gaming machine 1 raises the EXS signal as a rentable signal (8). Thereby, the card unit 50 is notified that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is ready to lend out the number of game balls specified by the number of pulses of the BRQ signal (4).

  Then, the card unit 50 lowers the BRDY signal as a lending command signal (9) and gives an instruction to start lending. With the fall of the BRDY signal (9), the pachinko gaming machine 1 starts paying out the number of game balls specified by the BRQ signal (4) (10). As described above, also in the second modification, the card unit 50 confirms that the pachinko gaming machine 1 has properly received the loan number (4) transmitted from the card unit 50, and then executes the actual loan (10). Therefore, the reliability of mutual communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved.

  Thereafter, when all payout of the game balls is completed (11), the pachinko gaming machine 1 causes the EXS signal to fall as a lending completion signal (12). As a result, the card unit 50 subtracts the valuable value for the game balls lent out from the card, lowers the BRDY signal (13), and accepts the next lending request (14). As described above, in the second modification as well, in order to make the next lending operation possible after confirming in the card unit 50 that the gaming ball lending based on one lending operation has been properly executed, It is prevented that the next lending is executed without performing any lending.

  In addition, communication modes when a communication error occurs in the communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit shown in FIGS. 11A to 11G are shown in FIGS. 11C to 11E and 11E. This is shown in (c ″) to (e ″) of FIG.

  First, a communication mode at the time of a communication error when an EXS signal corresponding to the BRQ signal is not returned to the card unit within a predetermined period will be described with reference to (c ′) to (e ′) of FIG. 11. After the rise (15) of (c ′) in FIG. 11, it is shown in (e ′) in FIG. 11 within a predetermined period (T1) from the transmission start (16) of the BRQ signal shown in (d ′) in FIG. Thus, if the EXS signal does not rise, the BRDY signal is once lowered (17). Then, after a predetermined period, the BRDY signal is raised again for retry (18). The retry is performed up to a predetermined number of times, and if the EXS signal does not rise in the retry within the predetermined number of times, the card unit 50 communicates with the error determination means as in the above-described embodiment or modification 1. It is determined that an error has occurred, and the error notification means notifies that an error has occurred.

  Further, in the card unit 50, as shown in FIG. 11 (d ″) and FIG. 11 (e ″), the number of game balls specified by the transmitted BRQ signal (19) and the received EXS signal (20 ) Does not match the number of game balls specified (for example, when the number of pulses of the EXS signal is two fewer than the number of pulses of the BRQ signal), the pachinko gaming machine 1 uses the BRQ indicating the number of game balls The card unit 50 determines that the signal has not been normally received, and transmits the BRQ signal (21) having the number of pulses (2 pulses) corresponding to the number of game balls to be lent out to the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 Transmits an EXS signal (22) having a pulse number corresponding to the pulse number of the received BRQ signal (21) to the card unit 50. During this period, the card unit 50 keeps the BRDY signal raised (23) as shown in FIG. 11 (c ″). In the second modification example, since the signal (19) that can specify the number of transmitted game balls to be lent is not correctly received by the pachinko gaming machine 1, processing corresponding to the error is performed. The reliability of mutual communication between the gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is improved.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment and a gaming device capable of communicating with the pachinko gaming machine will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the communication relationship between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit of the present embodiment, and corresponds to the block diagram of FIG. 4 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment. . As shown in FIG. 12, the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit according to the present embodiment use a form of a signal communicated between the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50, and the signal is used for communication. Unlike the pachinko gaming machine and card unit 50 of the first embodiment, only the wiring structure and the program for processing the signal are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, communication is performed using a card unit preparation signal, a gaming machine preparation signal, an 8-bit card unit command signal and a gaming machine command signal, and an INT (interrupt) signal indicating the read timing of each command. I do. That is, the number of game balls to be lent out is specified by a signal transmitted using parallel communication. The card unit preparation signal is transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the card unit 50 to indicate that the card unit 50 is ready for ball rental, and the gaming machine preparation signal is sent from the card unit 50 to the pachinko gaming machine. 1 is a signal indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is ready for ball rental.

  The card unit command signal is transmitted twice from the card unit 50 to the payout control board 37 in a series of lending operations. The first time is a signal that can specify the number of game balls to be lent, and the second time is actually a game. This is a signal for giving an instruction to pay out a ball. The gaming machine command signal is transmitted twice from the payout control board 37 to the card unit 50 in a series of lending operations, and the first signal is the same number of gaming balls as the number of gaming balls specified by the first card unit command signal. The second time is a signal indicating that the number of game balls specified by the card unit command signal is actually paid out.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, among the conventional wiring structures, the wiring that has transmitted the BRQ signal has a plurality of wiring structures that can transmit commands, and the number of game balls that are lent out on the card unit 50 side is determined. Thus, a signal capable of specifying the number of rented game balls is transferred in parallel to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart for explaining a communication method between the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit of the present embodiment. In the lending operation performed between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 of the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), when a player's gaming ball lending operation is performed, That is, when the signal (1) is activated by the pressing operation of the ball lending switch 46 provided in the gaming machine, the card unit 50 indicates that it is ready for lending as shown in FIG. 13 (c). Raise the card unit preparation signal (3). In response to the start of the card unit preparation signal (3), if the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not in a state where it is not possible to lend a game ball (out of a ball, full tank, awarding a prize ball, etc.) ( As shown in f), a game machine preparation signal is raised (4). Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the card unit 50 disables the lending operation in response to the signal (1) due to the pressing operation of the ball lending switch in order to prevent erroneous lending due to the continuous lending operation. (2) An operation invalid signal for starting the operation is set to the activated state. That is, the card unit 50 includes a lending operation invalidating unit that invalidates a lending operation after a valid lending operation in a predetermined period after a valid lending operation.

  Next, in response to the start-up of the gaming machine preparation signal (4), the card unit 50 recognizes that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is available for lending after a predetermined period of time, and the process proceeds to (d) of FIG. As shown, a number signal for specifying the number of game balls is transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 1 by an 8-bit command as a card unit command signal (5), and as shown in FIG. 13 (e), the pachinko gaming machine 1 In order to instruct the reading of the number signal, the INT signal is transmitted in synchronism with the ON timing of the number signal (6). That is, the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 has a lending possibility determining unit that determines whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be lent, and only when the lending possible determining unit determines that lending is possible. A signal capable of specifying the number of game balls to be lent is transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 can recognize the number signal (5) only at the timing of receiving the 1NT signal. For this reason, it is suppressed that an incorrect number of game balls are lent out due to noise.

  Upon receiving the number signal (5), the pachinko gaming machine 1 collects the number of game balls in a payout counter provided in a storage means such as a RAM in the payout control board 37 as shown in FIG. 13 (j). Add (7). In response to the reception of the number signal (5), as shown in (g) of FIG. 13, a gaming machine command signal for specifying the same number of game balls as the number of game balls specified by the number signal (5). Is transmitted to the card unit 50 as number data, and an INT signal (9) for instructing reading of the number signal (8) as a gaming machine command signal at a timing synchronized with the number signal (8) as a gaming machine command signal. It transmits to the card unit 50.

  The card unit 50 also has a control unit that determines that the number of game balls has been successfully received when the transmitted number signal (5) matches the number signal (8) received from the pachinko gaming machine 1. In order to notify the card unit 50 that the payout is supported based on the determination result of the determination means, the card unit 50 includes a payout instruction command (10) for instructing the actual game ball payout. And an INT signal (11) for instructing reading of the payout instruction command (10). Also in the INT signal (11), since the payout instruction (10) command can be recognized only at the reception timing of the INT signal (11), malfunction is suppressed by noise. The pachinko gaming machine 1 that has received the payout instruction command (10) starts paying out game balls (12). When a series of payout operations based on the receipt of the payout instruction command (10) is completed (13), the pachinko gaming machine 1 transmits a payout completion command (14) indicating the payout completion to the card unit 50, and An INT signal (15) instructing reading of the payout completion command (14) is transmitted to the card unit 50 at a timing synchronized with the transmission of the payout completion command (14). Also in the INT signal (11), since the payout completion (14) command can be recognized only at the reception timing of the INT signal (11), malfunction is suppressed by noise.

  When the card unit 50 receives the payout completion command (14) indicating the payout completion, the card unit 50 subtracts the valuable value corresponding to the number of game balls lent out from the card and, as shown in FIG. The unit preparation signal is lowered (16). The pachinko gaming machine 1 lowers the gaming machine preparation signal in response to the fall (c) of the card unit preparation signal of the card unit 50 (17) and allows the card unit 50 to accept the next lending request. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the operation invalid signal is lowered (18).

  Also in the present embodiment, the control unit 340 of the card unit 50 determines whether or not the signal that can specify the number of game balls lent out by the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is properly received. This determination means specifies the same number of game balls as a signal that can specify the number of rented game balls transmitted from the payout control board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 by the control unit 340 of the card unit 50. A determination is made based on whether or not a possible signal is received. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of game balls to be lent out from being wrong.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, the reliability of gaming ball lending is improved by improving the reliability of mutual communication between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50.

Hereinafter, modifications and feature points of the present embodiment will be listed.
(1) comprising storage means for storing the quantity of the gaming value;
A gaming machine characterized in that the number of gaming values indicated by the gaming value quantity signal is stored together in the storage means.

(2) A gaming device capable of communicating with a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a gaming value,
When renting the game value in the gaming machine using the valuable value specified by the recording information recorded on the recording medium, the quantity of the gaming value corresponding to the use of the valuable value is indicated. A gaming apparatus characterized by being capable of transmitting a gaming value quantity signal.

  (3) Whether the gaming value quantity signal has been properly received by the gaming machine by determining whether the gaming value quantity signal has been received by the gaming machine within a predetermined period. A game device characterized by determining whether or not.

  (4) An error occurs when it is determined by the determination means after the re-transmission has been performed a predetermined number of times that the transmitted gaming value quantity signal has not been properly received by the gaming machine. A gaming apparatus comprising an error determining means for determining whether or not the game has been performed.

  (5) A gaming device comprising error notification means for notifying that an error has occurred when the error determination means determines that an error has occurred.

  (6) A gaming apparatus, comprising: a lending operation invalidating unit that invalidates a lending operation after the effective lending operation in a predetermined period after the effective lending operation.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 Pachinko machine, 50 card unit, 37 payout control board, 97 ball payout device, 340 control unit.

Claims (2)

A plurality of gaming devices capable of performing control for lending gaming value to a player using a valuable value specified by recorded information recorded on a recording medium, and the plurality of gaming devices A gaming system comprising a management device connected to
At least one gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices is:
A setting means for setting a unit loan amount that is a quantity of game value to be loaned per predetermined unit valuable value based on an artificial operation;
Transmission means for transmitting the unit loan amount set by the setting means to another gaming device,
The one gaming device and the other gaming device are:
A communication means capable of communicating with a gaming machine capable of playing a game using the gaming value;
Information reading means capable of reading the recorded information;
Control means for creating a game value quantity signal indicating the quantity of game value to be lent to a player using the valuable value specified by the recorded information read by the information reading means;
The control means creates the gaming value quantity signal based on the unit loan quantity set by the setting means or the unit loan quantity transmitted by the transmission means,
The communication means transmits the gaming value quantity signal created by the control means to the gaming machine ,
The one gaming device and the other gaming device further include a setting information transmission unit that transmits the unit loan amount set by the setting unit or the unit loan amount transmitted by the transmission unit to the management device. Including
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the management device determines whether or not the unit loan amounts transmitted from the one game device and the other game devices are the same . The control means creates, as the gaming value quantity signal, a signal indicating the number of gaming values to be lent to a player by the number of pulse signals,
The communication means appropriately receives at least one pulse signal of the transmitted gaming value quantity signal by the gaming machine before transmission of all the pulse signals of the gaming value quantity signal is completed. And starting to accept a reply from the gaming machine of a confirmation signal indicating the number of gaming values that is the same as the gaming value quantity indicated by the gaming value quantity signal by the number of pulse signals. ,
The one gaming device and the other gaming device further return from the gaming machine whether or not all the pulse signals of the transmitted gaming value quantity signal have been properly received by the gaming machine. Determining means for determining by the number of pulse signals of the confirmation signal,
The control means determines the quantity indicated by the gaming value quantity signal transmitted after the judgment means determines that the gaming machine has properly received all the pulse signals of the gaming value quantity signal. A command signal for lending the player's gaming value to a player,
The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the command signal to the gaming machine.

Images