JP2001300111A - Device for game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for a game for improving convenience and interest at the time of playing a game by using a recording medium for the game composed of a magnetic card or an IC card or the like. SOLUTION: A card unit 50 is provided with a paper money processor 84 and a coin processor 87 for receiving cash, discriminating the received cash and judging authenticity, a CPU for card unit control for performing a processing for adding and updating the cash discriminated in the paper money processor or the like to degrees specified from the IC card and a display 89 capable of displaying at least characters for displaying guidance regarding the addition and updating of the degrees by the CPU for the card unit control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine installed on a game machine installation island,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game apparatus capable of executing processing of a game recording medium such as a prepaid card formed of a card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A CR pachinko machine of this type, which uses a gaming prepaid card, reads the prepaid card into a card reader, borrows a ball, and enjoys a game, is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-34390 (A63F7 / 02)
Is shown in A card reader is provided corresponding to the CR pachinko machine, and a plurality of sets of the CR pachinko machine and the card reader are juxtaposed on a game machine installation island of a game arcade.

[0003] When playing a game with such a CR pachinko machine, first, cash is put into a prepaid card vending machine installed in a game arcade, and a prepaid card that can be purchased with the cash is selected. As a prepaid card, a magnetic card or the like is used, and in a prepaid card vending machine, information for specifying a selected frequency (information for specifying the size of a game value) is recorded on the prepaid card and provided to a player. Is done.

[0004] A player selects a CR pachinko machine for playing a game and inserts the purchased prepaid card into a card reader corresponding to the selected machine. The card reader reads the information recorded on the inserted prepaid card, and specifies the number of possible games. Then, when the player performs the withdrawal operation, the number of hit balls (game media) is paid out from the CR pachinko machine, and the frequency of the withdrawal is subtracted from the record information of the prepaid card. Met. If the remaining number of prepaid cards becomes zero due to such a game with a prepaid card on a CR pachinko machine, go to the place where the prepaid card vending machine is installed again and purchase a new prepaid card. No. Therefore, the player cannot play the game during that time. Therefore, in recent years, there has been proposed a card unit provided corresponding to a gaming machine, which accepts cash so that a number corresponding to the cash can be added to the remaining number (value for game) of the prepaid card. I have.

[0005]

However, in the conventional card unit, the operation of the additional payment and the guidance display regarding the processing status are not performed, and the function is not fully utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus which improves convenience and operability when playing a game using a game recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card.

[0007]

That is, a gaming machine according to the present invention reads recorded information on a gaming recording medium on which information capable of specifying the size of gaming valuables usable for gaming is recorded. A game recording medium processing means for performing a process for converting a game value of a size specified from the read information into a game medium used for the game is provided, and is provided corresponding to the game machine. A cash identification means for receiving cash, identifying the received cash and determining the authenticity thereof, and a game record indicating the magnitude of the game value corresponding to the cash identified by the cash identification means. A game value adding / updating means for performing a process of adding / updating the value of the game value specified from the medium; and Characterized in that it comprises a display means for performing guidance display about the update.

[0008] A game device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the display means includes a display screen in which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix.

A game device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above inventions, the cash identification means includes a coin identification means and a bill identification means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the cash identifying means or at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means is capable of identifying cash of a plurality of denominations. It is characterized by having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the game value adding / updating means invalidates the process of adding / updating the game value when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It is characterized by the following.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned game value adding / updating means, the magnitude of the game value specified from the game recording medium is set to a predetermined upper limit value. When it exceeds, the process of adding and updating is invalidated.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the game recording medium processing means, when the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium becomes zero, the game Collecting the recording medium for use.

In the game apparatus according to the present invention, the display means according to claim 5, claim 6, or claim 7, wherein the processing for adding and updating the game value by the game value adding / updating means is effective. It is characterized in that a display indicating whether it is present or invalid is performed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned respective inventions, the display means changes display contents according to the processing status of the game value adding / updating means.

A game apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above inventions, the display means performs a predetermined error display relating to a process of adding and updating the game value specified from the game recording medium. I do.

A game device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above inventions, the display means displays information in characters and pictures.

A game apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a storage value use processing means for performing a process for converting the magnitude of the value stored in each of the above inventions into a game medium used in a game. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, information recorded on a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the value of a game value that can be used for a game is recorded, and the size specified from the read information is read. The game device is provided with a game recording medium processing means for performing a process for converting the game value of the game into a game medium used for the game, and accepts and accepts cash in a game device provided corresponding to the game machine. Cash identifying means for identifying the cash and judging the authenticity thereof, and determining the magnitude of the gaming value corresponding to the cash identified by the cash identifying means as the value of the gaming value specified from the game recording medium. A game value adding / updating means for performing a process of adding / updating to the size is provided. By putting cash into a gaming device provided corresponding to the gaming machine, It is possible to add updated gaming valuable resource identified valence value from the game recording medium.

Thus, the player can continue the game by adding the game value while playing the game without purchasing a new game recording medium, and the operating rate of the game machine is improved. At the same time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the interest of the player. In particular, at least a display means capable of displaying characters is provided, and the display means displays a guide regarding addition and updating of the game value, so that the game value specified from the game recording medium by inserting cash is provided. This makes it possible for the player to easily determine the operation and the processing status at the time of adding and updating the value, thereby improving the convenience and the operability and further improving the interest.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the display means has a display screen on which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix, so that more information is displayed on the display means. This makes it possible to perform detailed and easy-to-understand guidance display.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cash identifying means includes the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the game value added from the game recording medium is added. At the time of renewal, both banknotes and coins can be used, which further enhances convenience.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the cash identifying means or at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means can identify cash of a plurality of denominations. Therefore, when adding and updating the game value specified from the game recording medium, it is possible to use not only one denomination but also many denominations of bills and coins. is there.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the above inventions, the game value adding / updating means invalidates the processing of adding / updating the game value when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Therefore, for example, if the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium exceeds a predetermined upper limit value as defined in claim 6, the process of adding and updating is invalidated, so that excessive addition is performed. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of fraud by updating, or to reduce the amount of the damage.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, when the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium becomes zero, the game recording medium processing means: Since the game recording medium is collected, the game recording medium can be reused, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fifth, sixth, or seventh aspect, the display means adds and updates the game value by the game value adding / updating means. A display indicating whether the game is valid or invalid is performed, so that the player can easily understand whether or not the current cash can be inserted, and it is possible to avoid unnecessary insertion operations beforehand. It is.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the display means changes the display content according to the processing status of the game value adding / updating means. The processing status of the value addition updating means can be easily grasped.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the display means performs a predetermined error display relating to a process of adding and updating the game value specified from the game recording medium. In addition to the processing error of the recording medium, an error relating to the inserted cash is displayed, so that the player can be notified and prompt action can be taken while eliminating unnecessary anxiety.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the display means displays information in characters and pictures.
The information can be transmitted to the player in a manner that is easy to understand.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, there is provided a storage value use processing means for performing a process for converting the value of the stored value into a game medium used for a game. So-called prepaid game, in which a game is purchased by purchasing a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the value of the game value that can be used for the game is recorded,
In addition, it is possible to cope with both so-called replays in which a player plays a game using the stored value stored.

[0031]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (CR machine) 1 of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied and a card unit 50 of an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the board 6, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50.
In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example, but the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine. Further, the present invention can be applied to an image-type gaming machine, a sealed ball-type gaming machine, and a slot machine. Furthermore, the concept of the game medium is not limited to the pachinko ball, but also includes a score in a sealed ball game machine, a medal in a slot machine, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 hit ball supply tray 3. A surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing storage balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle 5 for firing a hitting ball are provided below the hitting ball supply tray 3. A game board 6 is detachably mounted behind the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 including a special symbol variable display 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a normal symbol variable display 10 using 7-segment LEDs is provided. I have. In addition, on both sides of the ordinary symbol variable display 10, pass-through storage indicators (ordinary symbol storage indicators) 30 each including four LEDs are provided.
In this embodiment, the special symbol variable display 9 includes:
There are three symbol display areas, "left", "middle", and "right".

On the left side of the variable display device 8, a passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided. Passage gate 1
1 passes through the ball exit 13 and the starting winning port 14
In the direction of In a passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate switch 12 for detecting a hit ball passing through the passage gate 11. The winning ball entering the starting winning port 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the starting port switch 17. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs opening and closing operations is provided below the starting winning port 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by the solenoid 16.

An opening / closing plate 20 opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific game state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball apparatus 15. In this embodiment, the opening and closing plate 20 serves as a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, one of the winning balls (V zone) enters the V count switch 2.
2 is detected. A winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. At the lower part of the variable display device 8, there is provided a starting prize storage display 18 having four display portions for displaying the number of winning balls entering the starting prize port 14. In this embodiment, the starting winning storage display unit 18 increases the number of lit display units by one each time there is a starting winning, with the upper limit being four. Then, each time the variable display of the special symbol variable display 9 is started, the number of the lit display unit is reduced by one.

The game board 6 has a plurality of winning openings 19A, 19
B, 19C, and 19D are provided, and a winning opening 19 of a game ball is provided.
Wins in A, 19B, 19C and 19D are detected by winning opening switches 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D.
At the left and right sides of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 which are displayed blinking during the game, and at the lower part there is an out port 26 for absorbing hit balls which have not won. In addition, two sound emitting sounds are provided on the left and right upper portions of the glass door frame 2 outside the game area 7.
Two speakers 27 are provided. Further, the game area 7
A game effect LED 28A and game effect lamps 28B, 28C are provided on the glass door frame 2 on the outer periphery of the game door.

In this embodiment, one speaker 2
7 is provided with a prize ball lamp 51 which is turned on when a prize ball is paid out, and a glass cutout lamp 52 which is turned on when a supply ball is cut off in the glass door frame 2 near the other speaker 27. Is provided.

A hit ball shot from the hitting ball firing device 34 (FIG. 3) enters the game area 7 through the hitting rail, and then descends from the game area 7. When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the display number of the ordinary symbol variable display 10 is changed continuously. When the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 17, if the change of the symbol can be started, the symbol in the special symbol variable display 9 starts rotating (variable start). If it is not possible to start the change of the symbol, the starting winning memory is increased by one.

The rotation of the image in the special symbol variable display 9 is as follows.
Stops after a certain period of time. If the combination of images at the time of stop is a combination of big hit symbols, the game shifts to a big hit game state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls is won. Then, while the opening / closing plate 20 is open, a hit ball wins a special winning opening, and when detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated, and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. Generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

If the combination of images displayed in the special symbol variable display 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols with probability fluctuation, the probability of the next big hit increases. In other words, a high probability state, which is more advantageous for the player, is obtained. When the stop symbol on the ordinary symbol variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (a hit symbol “7” or the like), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time.
Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol in the ordinary symbol variable display 10 hits the symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened are increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a card unit 50 according to the present invention is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1. At the upper part of the front panel 92 of the card unit 50, an available indicator lamp 81 for indicating whether or not the card is in a usable state is attached. At the lower part of the front panel 92, an IC card as a game recording medium is provided. (Including a contact type and a non-contact type. A magnetic card can also be adopted.) A card insertion slot 83 of a card processing device (card R / W (reader writer)) 82 (game recording medium processing means) for processing a card. It is arranged.

A bill processing device 8 for judging the authenticity of a bill as cash and performing identification processing is provided below the usable indicator lamp 81.
4 (cash discriminating means; bill discriminating means), a bill insertion port 86 is provided on the front panel 92, and a coin processing device 87 (cash Identification means; coin insertion port 8 of coin identification means)
8 are provided. Further, a display 89 as display means is provided between the coin insertion slot 88 and the card insertion slot 83.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 3, a game ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and when the pachinko game machine 1 is installed on the game machine installation island, game balls come from above. Game ball tank 3
8 is supplied. The game balls in the game ball tank 38 reach the ball payout device 46 (FIG. 5) through the guide gutter 39.

On the mechanism plate 36, a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the special symbol variable display 9, a game control board (main board) 31, which is covered with a board case 32 and has a game control microcomputer and the like mounted thereon, A payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of prize balls and the like is mounted. Further, the mechanism plate 3
6, a ball launching device 34 that launches a ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of a motor, and a ball controlling micro that controls the ball launching device 34 based on the operation of the ball operating handle 5. Launch control board 40 on which a computer or the like is mounted, game effect LED 28A, game effect lamp 28
B, 28C, a lamp control board 35 mounted with a microcomputer for controlling the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball cutout lamp 52, and an audio control board mounted with a microcomputer for controlling the sound output from the speaker 27. 70 are installed.

Next, the internal structure of the card unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The bill processing device 84 is detachably screwed and fixed to the uppermost part of the frame 91 in the card unit 50, and the coin processing device 8 is
7 is detachably screwed to the frame 91. The bill insertion slot 86 and coin insertion slot 88 face forward from a rectangular through hole formed in the front panel 92. This bill processing device 84 is capable of identifying and authenticating bills of denominations of 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, and 1,000 yen,
The coin processing device 87 is capable of identifying and authenticating coins of denominations of, for example, 500 yen, 100 yen, and 50 yen (in some cases, 10 yen, 5 yen, and 1 yen may be included). It should be noted that only the banknote processing device 84 may have the function of discriminating a plurality of denominations, and conversely, only the coin processing device 87 may be provided.

A card unit control board 93 is attached to the lowermost part of a frame 91 in the card unit 50. The card processing device 82 is attached to the upper frame 91, and the card insertion slot 83 is connected to the front panel. It faces forward from a through hole formed in 92. A display control board 94 of the display 89 is attached to a frame 91 between the card processing device 82 and the coin processing device 87.

The bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 8
7. Display control board 94 and card processing device 82
Are detachably connected to the card unit control board 93 by connector cables 96A to 96D. In this case, the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87, and their bill insertion port 86 and coin insertion port 88 have substantially the same dimensions. Thereby, it becomes possible to attach another bill processing device at the position of the coin processing device 87,
Conversely, another coin processing device 87 can be attached to the position of the bill processing device 84. Further, in the embodiment, both the banknote handling device 84 and the coin handling device 87 are provided in the card unit 50, but only one of them may be attached. However, in that case, the front panel 92 of the card unit 50 corresponding to the device that cannot be attached
Are concealed by a concealing plate. Further, when the number of the bill processing device 84 and the number of coin processing devices 87 are increased or decreased in this way, the control address of the card unit control board 93 is also changed.

On the other hand, the display 89 has a liquid crystal display screen 97 on which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix.
And a character and a picture can be displayed on the display screen 97 by a control signal from the display control board 94. The display screen 97 is not limited to a liquid crystal, but may be a CRT or a plasma display, or a display using an electroluminescence (EL) element. Further, a touch switch 98 is provided on the surface of the display screen 97, whereby the display screen 9 is displayed.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a touch panel, which is configured such that a predetermined control instruction signal is input to the display control board 94 when the player touches the touch panel.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the main board 3 of the pachinko gaming machine 1.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35,
Sound control board 70, emission control board 40, and display control board 8
0 is also shown. On the main board 31, a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in accordance with a program, a gate switch 12, a starting port switch 17, a V count switch 22, a count switch 23, a full tank switch 48 and a winning port switch 24A described later, 24B, 24C, 2
4D, out-of-ball detection switch 41, out-of-ball switch 42,
A switch circuit 58 for providing a signal from the prize ball counting switch 43 to the basic circuit 53; a solenoid circuit for driving the solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable prize ball device 15 and the solenoid 21 for opening and closing the open / close plate 20 according to instructions from the basic circuit 53; 59, a lamp / LE for turning on and off the start storage display 18 and driving the ordinary symbol variable display 10 and the decorative lamp 25 by a 7-segment LED.
A D circuit 60 is mounted.

Also, according to data given from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning prize balls used for variable start of image display of the special symbol variable display 9, and probability. It includes an information output circuit 64 that outputs probability change information indicating that a change has occurred to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 as an example of a storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing a control operation according to a control program, and an I / O port unit 57. including. In this embodiment, the ROM 54, the RAM
Reference numeral 55 is built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56
Is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to include at least the RAM 55, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 5
7 may be external or built-in. Also, I
The / O port section 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer.

Further, the main board 31 has an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on.
An address decode circuit 67 that decodes an address signal provided from the basic circuit 53 and outputs a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports in the I / O port unit 57 is provided. It should be noted that there is also switch information input to the main board 31 from the ball dispensing device 46, but these are omitted in FIG.

A hit ball firing device 34 for hitting and firing a hit ball
Is driven by a drive motor 47 controlled by a circuit on the emission control board 40. The driving force of the driving motor 47 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the hit ball operation handle 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 40 is controlled so that the ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the hit ball operation handle 5.

In this embodiment, the lamp control board 35
The lamp control means mounted on the game board 6 is provided with a start storage display 18 and a gate passage storage display 3
0 and the decoration lamp 25 are controlled via the lamp / LED circuit 60, and the display control of the game effect lamps / LEDs 28A, 28B, 28C, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball cutout lamp 52 provided on the frame side. Do. here,
The lamp control unit is an example of the illuminant control unit. Also,
The display control of the special symbol variable display 9 for variably displaying the special symbol and the ordinary symbol variable display 10 for variably displaying the ordinary symbol is performed by symbol control means mounted on the display control board 80. The display of the special symbol variable display 9 is controlled by the command of the symbol control means.
9 and the lamp / LED circuit 60 controls the display of the ordinary symbol variable display 10 according to a command from the symbol control means.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as components of the payout control board 37 and the ball payout device 46. As shown in FIG.
8 from the main board 31 via the relay board 71.
Is input to the I / O port 57. Full tank switch 48
Is a switch for detecting whether the surplus ball tray 4 is full.

The detection signals from the cut-out detection switch 41 and the cut-out switch 42 are transmitted to the relay board 72 and the relay board 7.
1 is input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31. The out-of-ball detection switch 41 is a switch that detects the shortage of replenishment balls in the game ball tank 38, and the out-of-ball switch 42 is a switch that detects the presence or absence of a hit ball in the game ball passage.

The CPU 56 of the main board 31 indicates that the detection signal from the burn-out detection switch 41 or the burn-out switch 42 indicates a burn-out state, or that the detection signal from the full-fill switch 48 indicates a full-fill state. If there is, a payout control command instructing ball lending prohibition is transmitted. When receiving the payout control command instructing the ball lending prohibition, the payout control CPU 69 of the payout control board 37 stops the ball lending process.

Further, the detection signals from the prize ball count switch 43 and the ball lending count switch 44 are also transmitted to the relay board 7.
The signal is input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 through the relay board 2 and the relay board 71. The prize ball count switch 43 and the ball lending count switch 44 are provided in the payout mechanism of the ball payout device 46, and detect the actually paid out balls.

When there is a prize, a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls is input to the payout control board 37 from output ports (ports G, H) 77 and 78 of the main board 31. Output port 77 outputs 8-bit data, and output port 78
Outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal). The payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is input to the I / O port 79A via the input buffer circuit 73. The payout control CPU 69 inputs a payout control command via the I / O port 79A, and drives the ball payout device 46 in accordance with the payout control command to perform award ball payout. In this embodiment, the payout control CPU 69 is a one-chip microcomputer, and has at least a built-in RAM.

The payout control CPU 69 has an output port 79
A ball lending number signal indicating the lending ball number is output to the terminal board 49 via G, and the buzzer driving signal is output to the buzzer board 75.
Output to A buzzer is mounted on the buzzer board 75. Further, an error display L through an output port 79E.
An error signal is output to ED76.

Further, the input port 7 of the payout control board 37
The detection signal from the winning ball count switch 43 is input to 9B via the relay board 72. Dispensing control board 37
The drive signal to the payout motor 45 from the output port 79
It is transmitted to the payout motor 45 in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 46 via C and the relay board 72. The main board 31 and the payout control board 37 are provided with a solenoid and a driver circuit for driving a motor and a lamp, but those circuits are omitted in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the card unit 50. The card unit control board 93 is provided with a card unit control CPU 101 composed of a one-chip microcomputer, and the I / O port 1 of the card unit control CPU 101 is provided.
02 is connected to the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87. The card processing device 82 is connected to the I / O port 103 of the card unit control CPU 101, and the availability indicator lamp 8 is connected to the I / O port 104.
1 and a display 89 and a touch switch 98 are also connected to the I / O port 104 via a display control board 94.

A unit number which is the number of the card unit 50 is set in the card unit control board 93, and the set number is transmitted from the I / O port 108 to a host computer such as a hall management computer. Further, the card unit control board 93 has a ball lending amount (unit amount) paid out by one ball lending operation, for example, 5 units.
00 yen (can be set within the range of 100 yen to 500 yen) is input and set in advance, but this unit amount information is also transmitted to the host computer. Also, face value information (card information) of the IC card used in the card unit 50 and code information of an error generated in the card unit 50 are transmitted from the I / O port 108 to the host computer.

A balance display board 74 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 6 is connected with a frequency display LED, a ball lending switch and a return switch provided near the hit ball supply tray 3. From the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50
In response to the player's operation, a ball lending switch signal and a return switch signal are provided via the payout control board 37 and the I / O port 106. Also, the card unit 5
From 0 to the balance display board 74, a card balance display signal indicating a remaining number of IC cards and a ball lending possible display signal are I / O.
It is provided through the port 106 and the payout control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37,
Unit operation signal (BRDY signal), ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), ball lending completion signal (EXS signal) and pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY signal) are I / O port 1
07 and the I / O port 79F.

The operation related to the card unit 50 with the above configuration will be described. When the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 are powered on, the payout control CPU 69 of the payout control board 37 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. The card unit control CPU 101 of the card unit 50 turns on the usable lamp 81. When playing a game with the pachinko gaming machine 1, the player first puts cash into a prepaid card vending machine installed in the game arcade, and selects a card of a number that can be purchased with the cash.
In the prepaid card vending machine, information for specifying the selected card frequency (information for specifying the value of the game value) is written in the memory of the IC card and provided to the player as a prepaid card.

Then, the player selects the pachinko gaming machine 1 for playing the game, and inserts the purchased IC card into the card insertion slot 83 of the card unit 50 corresponding to the selected pachinko gaming machine. The card processing device 82 receives the inserted IC card, reads information recorded on the IC card, specifies data of the number of possible games, and specifies the card unit control CPU 10.
Output to 1. Note that the frequency data in this case is written directly to the IC card, and the IC card has a predetermined ID.
In some cases, only the frequency data is written and the actual frequency data is managed by the host computer of the game arcade.

If the number of playable games remains from the information read from the IC card, the card unit control CPU 101 sends the balance display signal to the balance display board 74 via the payout control board 37 from the I / O port 106. And a ball lending possible display signal is transmitted. The balance display board 74 uses the frequency display LED to display the remaining frequency of the IC card and allowance of balls.

When the player operates the ball lending switch and a ball lending switch signal is input to the card unit 50, the card unit control CPU 101 outputs a BRDY signal to the payout control board 37. When a predetermined delay time has elapsed from this point, the card unit control CPU 50 outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control board 37. The payout control CPU 69 of the payout control board 37
When the EXS signal to the card unit 50 rises and the falling of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50 is detected, the payout motor 45 is driven to pay out a predetermined number of lending balls to the player. When the payout is completed, the payout control CPU 69 sets the card unit 50
The XS signal falls. In addition, the card unit 50
The remaining number of the C card is subtracted by one, and the balance display board 74
, A card balance display signal indicating the remaining number of IC cards is given via the I / O port 106 and the payout control board 37. This is repeated for the unit lending frequency. When the lending for the unit lending frequency is completed, the card unit 50 lowers the BRDY signal. Then, the card unit 5
If the BRDY signal from 0 is not on, the winning ball payout control is executed.

On the other hand, when the player operates the return switch and a return switch signal is input to the card unit 50, the card unit control CPU 101 as described above subtracts the frequency corresponding to the frequency deducted in the ball lending operation. Is written into the IC card by the card processing device 82, and the I
Return the C card.

When the frequency of the IC card becomes zero due to the debit by the ball lending operation as described above, the card processing device 82 collects the accepted IC card. If the inserted IC card is incorrect or the data cannot be read, the card processing device 82 returns the IC card. Then, the error code information is transmitted to the host computer as described above.

As described above, all signals from the card unit 50 are input to the payout control board 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, the card unit 50
No signal is input to the main board 31 from the card unit 50, and there is no room for a signal to be incorrectly input from the card unit 50 side to the basic circuit 53 of the main board 31.

Next, additional payment (additional update) processing in the card unit 50 and display / operation on the display 89 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 15 show display examples of the display screen 97 of the display 89 of the card unit 50. From the standby state, the player inserts the IC card into the card unit 5 as described above.
0, the card processing device 8
No. 2 determines whether the inserted IC card is valid.

If the card is not a regular one, or if the IC card cannot read data, or if data writing fails during the addition / update processing described later, the card unit control CP of the card unit control board 93 is used.
U101 sends a signal to the display control board 94, and displays a character of "Card error occurred" on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture of an alarm buzzer as shown in FIG. Then, the card processing device 82
Returns the inserted IC card.

If the inserted IC card is legitimate, the card processing device 82 accepts the IC card, reads the information recorded on the IC card as described above, and specifies the data of the number of possible games. And outputs the result to the card unit control CPU 101. When the card unit control CPU 101 finds that the proper IC card has been inserted, it sends a signal to the display control board 94 and displays a signal on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture as shown by an attendant as shown in FIG. "" Is displayed.

Here, when playing a game at the frequency specified by the IC card, the frequency corresponding to, for example, 10,000 yen is set as the upper limit. This is to limit the amount of damage in the event of card fraud to a minimum (within 10,000 yen). When the remaining frequency of the frequency specified by the IC card becomes zero, the card processing device 82
Without returning the card, collect it as described above. This is for reusing the relatively expensive IC card.

Under such circumstances, the card unit control CPU 101 determines that the residual count of the IC card specified based on the information read by the card processing device 82 is not zero and has not reached the upper limit residual count. Then, a signal is sent to the display control board 94, and a character display of "can be added" is displayed on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture of the attendant as shown in FIG. 9 (addition update effective display).

Then, the player converts the bill to the bill processing device 84.
When the coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 88 of the coin processing device 87 or the coin processing device 8
4 or the coin processor 87 first sends information to the card unit control CPU 101 that cash has been inserted.
The card unit control CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94, and displays a character "Shoshari" on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture of the attendant as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the bill processing device 84 or the coin processing device 87 identifies the denomination of the inserted bill or coin and judges the authenticity. If the inserted banknotes or coins are counterfeit, they are returned, but if they are genuine cash, frequency information obtained by adding the identified denominations is sent to the card unit control CPU 101.

The CPU 101 for controlling the card unit adds, based on the frequency information sent from the bill processing device 84 or the coin processing device 87, a frequency corresponding to the amount inserted to the frequency specified by the IC card. While updating the data, the updated balance display signal is sent to the balance display board 74 to update the remaining frequency display of the frequency display LED.

During this time, the CPU 10 for controlling the card unit
1 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display an IC such as shown in FIG.
Character display of "I'm just reading now" is displayed with the picture of the card and pen. Then, when the updating of the addition of the remaining number is completed, the CPU 101 for controlling the card unit sends a signal to the display control board 94 and displays the signal on the display screen 97 of the display 89 with a picture of the attendant as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

When the residual number of the IC card does not reach the upper limit residual number even after the addition update, the card unit controlling CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display the display screen 97 of the display 89.
Then, the display returns to the state where the character display of "can be added" is displayed together with the picture of the attendant shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the residual count of the IC card reaches the upper limit residual count as a result of the addition update (the upper limit condition, which is a predetermined condition, is satisfied), the card unit control CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display the display. On the display screen 97 of FIG. 89, a character display of “This cannot be added” is displayed together with a picture of crossed banknotes as shown in FIG. As a result, unnecessary cash input can be prevented.

When the remaining number of IC cards becomes less than the upper limit remaining number by the ball lending operation thereafter, the CPU 101 for controlling the card unit controls the display control board 9.
4 to the display screen 97 of the display 89,
Again, a character display of "can be added" is displayed together with the staff picture shown in FIG.

Here, if the remaining number of the IC card becomes zero due to the ball lending operation (recovery condition which is a predetermined condition is satisfied), the IC card is collected as described above, and no further addition is made. It becomes possible. Therefore, in such a case, the card unit control CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display the display screen 97 of the display 89.
Next, a character display of "Card has been recovered. Cannot be added" is displayed together with the picture of the IC card and the trash box shown in FIG. 14 (additional update is invalid).

As described above, when the bills or coins inserted into the bill processing device 84 or the coin processing device 87 are counterfeit, the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87 return the bills, and Control CP
Notify U101 accordingly. Card unit control CP
U101, upon receiving the notification, sends a signal to the display control board 94 and displays a character indicating "A money error has occurred" on the display screen 97 of the display 89 along with a picture of a crossed banknote as shown in FIG. Perform (error display). This notifies the player that the inserted bills and coins are abnormal.

As described above, according to the present invention, the display content of the display screen 97 of the display 89 is changed in accordance with the processing status of the addition and update of the residual number of the IC card. Will be able to understand.

Here, the card unit 50 of the embodiment is also adapted to replay of the accumulated ball. That is, the card processing device 8
2 can process an IC card as a prepaid card as described above and, in addition, can process an IC card as a so-called membership card.
Cards can also be processed. In that case, the player counts the obtained hit balls (prize balls) with a counter. Then, an IC card, which is a member card, is inserted into a member card processor provided near the counter, and the counted data is linked with the member data, whereby a predetermined number of hit balls (prize balls) are stored as ball storage data. ) At the game hall. In such a case, the savings data (saving value) is stored in the IC card I
Linked to D, transmitted to the host computer as card information and registered.

For replay, when the player returns to the amusement arcade, the IC card, which is a membership card, is inserted into the card processing device 82 of the card unit 50, the temporarily stored coins are withdrawn, and the pachinko game machine 1 replays. In this regard, letting a player temporarily deposit a hit ball into a game arcade is referred to as ball storage, and playing a game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 with the ball storage is referred to as replay.

This IC card as a membership card records predetermined items such as address, name, date of birth, gender, occupation, family composition, hobby, etc. in a membership card application form provided at a predetermined position in the game arcade. When you submit your ID card such as a license and one place to the game arcade, these contents are registered in the host computer, and the member number, store number, etc. exclusively for the member are also registered. Upon completion of the registration process, an IC card (member card) in which the member number is recorded (in this case, the name and address of the member may be described) is issued by requesting a card producing company or the like. Thus, the card unit 50 can support both a so-called prepaid game and a replay in which the player plays a game with the stored coins.

As described above, in the present invention, the pachinko gaming machine 1
And a banknote processing device 84 and a coin processing device 87 for receiving cash, identifying the received cash and determining authenticity, and the banknote processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87. Card unit control CPU 101 that performs a process of adding and updating the bills and coins (cash) identified by the above to the frequency specified from the IC card
Is provided, by putting cash into the card unit 50 provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1,
This cash can be added and updated to the frequency specified from the IC card.

Thus, the player can add the frequency to the IC card and continue the game without having to purchase a new IC card, thereby improving the operation rate of the pachinko game machine. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the interest of the player. In particular, a display 89 capable of displaying characters is provided, and a guidance display relating to the addition and updating of the frequency is performed by the display 89. Therefore, operations and processing for performing the addition and updating of the frequency specified from the IC card by inserting cash are performed. The situation can be easily determined by the player, so that the convenience and the interest can be further improved.

Further, since the display 89 has the display screen 97 in which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix, more information can be displayed on the display 89, and the display 89 can be more detailed. An easy-to-understand guidance display can be performed. Furthermore, since the coin processing device 87 and the bill processing device 84 are provided, when adding and updating the frequency specified from the IC card, both the bill and the coin can be used, which is more convenient. Increase.

The coin processing device 87 and the bill processing device 8
No. 4 is capable of identifying coins and bills of a plurality of denominations, so that when adding and updating the frequency specified from the IC card, not only one denomination but also a large number of denominations are used. Will be able to do it.

Further, since the process of adding and updating when the frequency specified by the IC card reaches the upper limit remaining frequency is invalidated, the occurrence of fraud due to excessive addition and updating is prevented or the amount of the damage is reduced. Can be achieved. Furthermore,
When the value of the frequency specified from the IC card becomes zero, the IC card is collected, and when the IC card is to be collected, the addition update is invalidated. The disadvantage of accepting cash can be avoided.

Then, a display indicating whether the process of adding and updating the frequency of the IC card is valid or invalid is displayed on the display 89, so that the player can easily grasp whether or not cash can be inserted at present. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary input operation.

Further, since the display 89 changes the display content according to the processing status of the addition and update of the frequency of the IC card, the player can easily grasp the processing status of the addition and update.

The display 89 displays an error relating to the process of adding and updating the frequency specified from the IC card. Therefore, in addition to the IC card processing error, an error relating to the inserted cash is also displayed. It will be possible to notify and promptly deal with it while eliminating unnecessary anxiety.

Further, since the display 89 displays information in characters and pictures, the information can be transmitted to the player in a manner that is easy to understand. Since the card processing device 82 can also perform a process for using the size of the stored coins for the game, the card unit 50 performs a so-called prepaid game, and a so-called game in which the stored coins are used. It is possible to cope with both replays.

If a cash card (including a debit card) or a credit card processing device is mounted on the card unit 50 of the embodiment, it is possible to directly add and update the frequency from these cards to the IC card. . In addition, the condition of the addition update invalidation is not limited to the case where the amount reaches the upper limit remaining number and becomes zero as described above. For example, the remaining amount of the IC card is a lending amount paid out by one ball lending operation. The condition may be such that the addition update becomes effective only after reaching 500 yen (unit amount). Furthermore,
In the embodiment, the card unit is described as being arranged side by side with the pachinko gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the card unit is provided above or below the pachinko gaming machine, or the card unit is built in the pachinko gaming machine itself. However, the present invention is effective even if it exists.

[0100]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, information recorded on a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the size of a game value usable for a game is read, and the read information is read. Game device provided with a game recording medium processing means for performing a process for converting a game value of a size specified from the received information into a game medium used for the game, and provided in correspondence with the game machine In, accept cash,
A cash identifying means for identifying the received cash and judging the authenticity thereof, and a gaming valuable value specified from the game recording medium by determining the magnitude of the gaming valuable value corresponding to the cash identified by the cash identifying means. Game value adding / updating means for performing a process of adding / updating to the size of the game, so that by putting cash into a gaming device provided corresponding to the gaming machine, It becomes possible to add and update the value of the game to the value of the game specified from the recording medium for the game.

As a result, the player can continue the game by adding the game value while playing the game without purchasing a new game recording medium, and the operating rate of the game machine is improved. At the same time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the interest of the player. In particular, at least a display means capable of displaying characters is provided, and the display means displays a guide regarding addition and updating of the game value, so that the game value specified from the game recording medium by inserting cash is provided. This makes it possible for the player to easily determine the operation and the processing status at the time of adding and updating the value, thereby improving the convenience and the operability and further improving the interest.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, the display means has a display screen on which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix, so that more information is displayed on the display means. This makes it possible to perform detailed and easy-to-understand guidance display.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cash identifying means includes the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the game value added from the game recording medium is added. At the time of renewal, both banknotes and coins can be used, which further enhances convenience.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the cash identifying means or at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means can identify cash of a plurality of denominations. Therefore, when adding and updating the game value specified from the game recording medium, it is possible to use not only one denomination but also many denominations of bills and coins. is there.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the game value adding / updating means invalidates the process of adding / updating the game value when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Therefore, for example, if the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium exceeds a predetermined upper limit value as defined in claim 6, the process of adding and updating is invalidated, so that excessive addition is performed. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of fraud by updating, or to reduce the amount of the damage.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, when the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium becomes zero, the game recording medium processing means: Since the game recording medium is collected, the game recording medium can be reused, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fifth, sixth or seventh aspect, the display means adds and updates the game value by the game value addition / update means. A display indicating whether the game is valid or invalid is performed, so that the player can easily understand whether or not the current cash can be inserted, and it is possible to avoid unnecessary insertion operations beforehand. It is.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, the display means changes the display content in accordance with the processing status of the game value adding / updating means. The processing status of the value addition updating means can be easily grasped.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the display means performs a predetermined error display relating to a process of adding and updating the game value specified from the game recording medium. In addition to the processing error of the recording medium, an error relating to the inserted cash is displayed, so that the player can be notified and prompt action can be taken while eliminating unnecessary anxiety.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the display means displays information in characters and pictures.
The information can be transmitted to the player in a manner that is easy to understand.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, there is provided a storage value use processing means for performing a process for converting the magnitude of the stored value into a game medium used in a game. So-called prepaid game, in which a game is purchased by purchasing a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the value of the game value that can be used for the game is recorded,
In addition, it is possible to cope with both so-called replays in which a player plays a game using the stored value stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine (C) according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
(R machine) and a front view of the card unit of the embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the card unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a main board of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components related to payout such as components of a payout control board and a ball payout device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a card unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Pachinko gaming machine 50 Card unit (gaming device) 82 Card processing device (gaming recording medium processing means) 84 Banknote processing device (banknote identification means) 87 Coin processing device (coin identification means) 89 Display (display means) 93 Card Unit control board 101 Card unit control CPU (game value addition updating means)

Claims (12)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus that reads information recorded on a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying the value of a game value that can be used for a game is recorded, and that the game information has a size specified from the read information. A game recording medium processing means for performing a process for converting a valuable value into a game medium used for the game is provided, and a game device provided corresponding to the game machine accepts cash, and receives the cash. Cash identification means for performing identification and authenticity determination, and the size of the game value corresponding to the cash identified by the cash identification means to the size of the game value specified from the game recording medium A game value adding / updating unit for performing a process of adding / updating, and a table which is at least capable of displaying characters and provides a guidance display regarding the game value adding / updating by the game value adding / updating unit. A game device, comprising: indicating means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said display means has a display screen on which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said cash identifying means includes a coin identifying means and a bill identifying means. 4. The cash identifying means, or at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means,
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein cash of a plurality of denominations can be identified. 5. The game value adding / updating means invalidates a process of adding / updating a game value when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The gaming device according to claim 3 or claim 4. 6. The game value adding / updating means, when the magnitude of the game value specified from the game recording medium exceeds a predetermined upper limit, performs a process of adding and updating the value. The gaming device according to claim 5, wherein the gaming device is invalidated. 7. The game recording medium processing means, wherein when the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium becomes zero, the game recording medium is collected. A gaming device according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6. 8. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays whether the processing for adding and updating the game value by the game value addition / update unit is valid or invalid. The gaming device according to claim 6 or claim 7. 9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means changes display contents in accordance with a processing status of said game value adding and updating means. The gaming device according to claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, or claim 8. 10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means performs a predetermined error display relating to a process of adding and updating the game value specified from the game recording medium. A gaming device according to claim 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. 11. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays information in characters and pictures. 11. The gaming device according to claim 8, 9 or 10. 12. A storage value use processing means for performing a process for converting the value of the stored value to a game medium used in a game. A gaming machine according to claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, claim 8, claim 9, claim 10, or claim 11.