medal game machine

Abstract

To provide a token game machine capable of increasing the level of satisfaction of a token game by all players by improving fairness of an opportunity to play the game.SOLUTION: A token game machine 1 includes: a second token game machine to be one example of a shared game part for playing a second token pushing game to be one example of a shared game; and a second control part which controls the second token game machine so as to cause each player to play the second token pushing game on the basis of a play request corresponding to each player. The second control part selects a play request to play next from play requests waiting for turns on the basis of whether or not the second token pushing game is played by each player during a determination period from a prescribed point of time in the past to the present when there is a play request waiting for its turn.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medal game machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, medal game machines that can be used by multiple players are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medal game machine that includes four player stations (satellites) that are used individually by four players, and a lottery device that is used by two players in turn. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-024647 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional lottery device described in Patent Document 1 has a shared game unit that is used sequentially by multiple players, and the order in which each player plays the game using the shared game unit is determined based on the order in which play requests corresponding to each player are received. However, with this method of determining the order in which a game is played, if a specific player makes multiple play requests before other players, the specific player will play consecutively. As a result, other players who make play requests after the specific player cannot play using the shared game unit until the specific player finishes playing, resulting in a long wait time for their turn to play. As a result, due to the uneven distribution of opportunities to play the game, other players may feel that it is unfair and their satisfaction with the medal game may decrease.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a medal game machine that can improve the fairness of game opportunities and increase the satisfaction of all players with medal games. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the medal game machine of the present invention comprises a shared game section for playing a shared game, and a control section for controlling the shared game section so that each player plays the shared game in sequence based on a play request corresponding to each player, and when there are play requests waiting in line, the control section selects the next play request to be played from the waiting play requests based on whether each player has played the shared game during a judgment period from a predetermined point in the past to the present.

[0007] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to improve the fairness of opportunities to play the game and improve the satisfaction level of all players with the medal game. Specifically, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation where a particular player is playing a game too much, causing other players to have to wait their turn for a long time. As a result, it is possible to provide a fairer opportunity to play the game and improve the satisfaction level of all players with the medal game.

[0008] In the medal game machine of the present invention, if the play requests waiting in line include a priority play request, which is a play request corresponding to a player who is not playing the shared game during the judgment period, the control unit may select the priority play request as the play request to be played next.

[0009] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to give priority to players who are not currently playing.

[0010] In the medal game machine of the present invention, the specified point in time may be a point in time when there are no play requests waiting in line, or a point in time when the play requests waiting in line do not include a priority play request.

[0011] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to sequentially provide opportunities to play the game to each player who has made a play request during the determination period.

[0012] In the medal game machine of the present invention, the control unit stores a waiting list that stores play requests corresponding to multiple players in the order in which they are received, and a flag that corresponds to each of the multiple players and indicates whether each player is playing the shared game during a judgment period.If there is a play request in the waiting list corresponding to a player whose flag indicates no play, the control unit may select the play request that was stored earliest in the waiting list among the play requests corresponding to players whose flags indicate no play as the play request to be played next, and, on the condition that the corresponding play is performed, change the flag corresponding to the player who made the selected play request to indicate play, and delete the selected play request from the waiting list.If there are no play requests waiting in the waiting list or if there are no play requests corresponding to players whose flags indicate no play, the control unit may change the flag corresponding to each of the multiple players to indicate no play.

[0013] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which play is biased towards a particular player during each judgment period, resulting in long waiting times for other players, and to give each player a more fair opportunity to play the game.

[0014] In the medal game machine of the present invention, the control unit may have a player identity determination means for determining whether the same player has played, and when the player identity determination means determines that the same player has not played, the control unit may change the flag corresponding to that player to indicate no play.

[0015] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to easily determine whether the players are similar or different.

[0016] The medal game machine of the present invention may further include a plurality of exclusive game units for playing exclusive games, and the control unit may perform control to rotate or move the shared game unit toward each of the plurality of exclusive game units so as to cause the shared game unit to cooperate with each of the plurality of exclusive game units.

[0017] By adopting such a configuration, cooperation between the shared game unit and the exclusive game unit can be realized using a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medal game machine that can improve the fairness of opportunities to play games and improve the satisfaction of all players with medal games. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medal game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining each area of the medal-winning game machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a medal insertion section of a medal game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a medal supply unit of the medal game machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a ball supply unit and a medal supply unit of the medal game machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6A] 1 shows the configuration of a transport unit of a medal-operated game machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6B] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a transport process of the transport unit of the medal game machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6C] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the process of the transport unit of the medal game machine according to the present embodiment leaving the room; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second medal game machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart for explaining control of a medal game by a control unit of the medal game machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart for explaining the details of step S101 in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 9 is a flowchart for explaining the details of step S105 in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the control of a second medal-operated game machine by a control unit of the medal-operated game machine according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right in the drawings are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios. Furthermore, the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to only these embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0021] <Outline of Medal Game Machine 1> First, with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, an outline of the configuration of a token-operated game machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described, followed by a description of a token game played by the token-operated game machine 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the token-operated game machine 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view for explaining each area of the token-operated game machine 1. Note that each area shown in Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional space.

[0022] [Configuration overview] The token-operated game machine 1 according to this embodiment is an example of a game device in which multiple players can simultaneously play their own token games. The token-operated game machine 1 can accommodate four players. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the token-operated game machine 1 has four game areas Fs in which components (such as a first token-operated game machine 10 described later) are arranged for individual use by each player, and one game area Fc in which components (such as a second token-operated game machine 20 described later) are arranged for sequential use by each player together with other players. The game area Fc is formed in the center of the token-operated game machine 1. The four game areas Fs are formed around the game area Fc so as to surround it.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , the token-operated game machine 1 includes a first token-operated game machine 10 provided in each game area Fs and a second token-operated game machine 20 provided in the game area Fc. The first token-operated game machine 10 provided in each game area Fs and the second token-operated game machine 20 provided in the game area Fc are configured to allow each player to play their own token game. Here, the first token-operated game machine 10 is an example of an exclusive game unit used by each player individually. The second token-operated game machine 20 is an example of a shared game unit used by each player in turn. During a game, the game-playing component of the second token-operated game machine 20 (the pusher table main body 24 described below) rotates toward each first token-operated game machine 10, allowing each player to use the second token-operated game machine 20 in turn. Furthermore, when one player is using the second token-operated game machine 20, the rotation of the second token-operated game machine 20 stops, preventing other players from using the second token-operated game machine 20. Hereinafter, the first medal game machine 10 and the second medal game machine 20 used by each player to play their respective medal games may be collectively referred to as the "game machine 5."

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the medal game machine 1 includes a medal supply unit 30 provided in each game area Fs and supplying medals to the corresponding game machine 5, a ball supply unit 40 provided in each game area Fs and supplying balls to the corresponding game machine 5, a control unit 50 provided in each game area Fs and controlling the corresponding game machine 5, medal supply unit 30, and ball supply unit 40, a second control unit 70 provided in the game area Fc and controlling the second medal game machine 20, and a housing 60 that supports and houses the game machine 5, medal supply unit 30, ball supply unit 40, control unit 50, and second control unit 70.

[0025] The medal supply unit 30 has a first medal supply unit 31 that circulates medals between the various components inside the medal game machine 1 and can supply medals used in medal games, and a second medal supply unit 32 that circulates medals between the medal game machine 1 and the player and can supply medals to the player. The first medal supply unit 31 and the second medal supply unit 32 are paths independent of each other. In other words, the medals used by the player and the medals used in medal games are separate entities. In this way, it is possible to suppress the impact on medal games of changes in the condition of medals, such as dirt on the medals.

[0026] 1, the first medal supply unit 31 has two first medal supply paths 301, a second medal supply path 302, and a third medal supply path 303. The two first medal supply paths 301 are configured to supply medals to two medal insertion ports 11 (described later) of the first medal game machine 10. The second medal supply path 302 is configured to supply medals to a medal tower formation section 16 (described later) of the first medal game machine 10. The third medal supply path 303 is configured to supply medals to a center pusher table 22 (described later) of the second medal game machine 20.

[0027] 1, the second medal supply unit 32 has a fourth medal supply path 304. The fourth medal supply path 304 is configured to receive medals inserted by a player, store them inside the medal game machine 1, and then, when the player requests the medals to be paid out, pay out the medals from inside the medal game machine 1 to the outside.

[0028] The ball supply unit 40 has a first ball supply path 401 and a second ball supply path 402 (see FIG. 5). The first ball supply path 401 is configured to supply balls to the upper surface of a placing surface 12 or a pusher table 13 (described later) of the first medal game machine 10. The second ball supply path 402 is configured to supply balls to a rotating base part 21 (described later) of the second medal game machine 20. The first ball supply path 401 and the second ball supply path 402 have some common configurations. In addition, the balls supplied by the first ball supply path 401 and the second ball supply path 402 include a plurality of balls of a plurality of types with different colors and sizes.

[0029] The control unit 50 is an example of a control unit that controls an exclusive game unit. The control unit 50 is connected to a memory that stores data and programs used to play a medal game. During a game, the control unit 50 controls the first medal game machine 10, the second medal game machine 20, the medal supply unit 30, and the ball supply unit 40 based on the data and programs stored in the memory so that each player can play their own medal game.

[0030] The second control unit 70 is an example of a control unit that controls the shared game unit. The second control unit 70 is connected to a second memory that stores data and programs used to determine the order in which each player plays on the second medal game machine 20. The second control unit 70 is also communicatively connected to each control unit 50. During a game, the second control unit 70 controls the second medal game machine 20 so that each player sequentially plays on the second medal game machine 20 based on a play request corresponding to each player transmitted by each control unit 50. The second control unit 70 also has player identity determination means that determines whether the same player has played. The player identity determination means determines whether the same player has played based on, for example, time interval information (hereinafter referred to as "medal insertion time interval information") between the insertion of medals into each medal receiving slot 111 transmitted by each control unit 50. This allows the second control unit 70 to determine whether play requests transmitted by the same control unit 50 are from the same player. Here, the time interval related to the medal insertion time interval information is, for example, 30 seconds or 1 minute.

[0031] Here, the play request corresponding to each player is a play request that each control unit 50 corresponding to each player transmits to the second control unit 70. Explaining in more detail, when each player plays a corresponding game (a ball pusher game of a lottery game to be described later) on the first medal game machine 10 and also gets a chance to play a shared game (a second medal pusher game of a lottery game to be described later) on the second medal game machine 20 by lottery, each control unit 50 automatically transmits the play request corresponding to each player to the second control unit 70 based on the result of the lottery.

[0032] During a game, when the second control unit 70 receives play requests from multiple control units 50, it rotates the second medal game machine 20 toward the first medal game machine 10 used by one player whose turn it is to play, and then stops it, based on the received play requests corresponding to each player and the data and programs stored in the second memory, so that each player can play using the second medal game machine 20 in turn. The second medal game machine 20 can then cooperate with each first medal game machine 10, and the player whose turn it is to play can use the second medal game machine 20 in addition to the first medal game machine 10. On the other hand, if the second control unit 70 has not received play requests corresponding to each player, it continues to rotate the second medal game machine 20.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 60 has a base 61 and a partition 62 provided on the top of the base 61. The base 61 supports each component of the token-operated game machine 1 and protects each component of the token-operated game machine 1 from the external environment (for example, dust, moisture, etc.). The partition 62 separates the space above the housing 60 into an internal area located inside the housing 60 of the token-operated game machine 1 for playing the game, and an external area located outside the housing 60 for the player to perform operations such as inserting and inserting medals. The partition 62 is also made of a transparent material. Therefore, the token game can be played in a state where it can be seen from outside the token-operated game machine 1.

[0034] [Medal Game] In this way, by the player's operation, each component of the token-operated gaming machine 1 operates under the control of the control unit 50 and the second control unit 70, and a token-operated game is played.

[0035] Here, the medal games that each player can play include a medal capture game, a lottery game, and a medal tower building game. The medal capture game includes a first medal pusher game in which medals and medal towers on the placement surface 12 (described later) are pushed to fall into the drop holes 14 (described later), and a medal throwing game in which medals are thrown into a target (for example, a medal tower). The lottery games include a second medal pusher game in which medals are pushed to fall onto the placement surface 12, a ball pusher game in which balls that have fallen onto the placement surface 12 are pushed to fall into the drop holes 14, and a ball lottery game in which a lottery game corresponding to the type of ball that has fallen into the drop holes 14 is played. The medal tower building game includes a game in which a medal tower is built according to the result of the lottery in the ball lottery game, i.e., the number of layers to be formed in the medal tower that has been drawn.

[0036] Among the medal games, the medal acquisition game, the lottery game ball pusher game and ball lottery game, and the medal formation game are examples of exclusive games played by the first medal game machine 10, and the lottery game second medal pusher game is an example of a shared game played by the second medal game machine 20. Furthermore, medals used in the medal acquisition game are provided by two first medal supply paths 301, medals used in the medal tower formation game are provided by a second medal supply path 302, medals and balls used in the second medal pusher game are supplied by a third medal supply path 303 and a second ball supply path 402, some of the balls used in the ball pusher game and ball lottery game are supplied by the first ball supply path 401, and the other part are balls dropped onto the placing surface 12 from the rotation base part 21 of the second medal game machine 20 by the second medal pusher game.

[0037] Furthermore, each medal game is played in an area where it does not affect the other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, each game area Fs includes a first area F1 and a second area F2 and a third area F3 outside the first area F1. The first area F1 is located near the periphery of the medal game machine 1, and the second area F2 and the third area F3 are located away from the periphery of the medal game machine 1 in the depth direction. The first area F1, the second area F2, the third area F3, and the game area Fc are independent areas that do not interfere with each other. Furthermore, the medal acquisition game is played in the first area F1, the medal tower building game is played in the second area F2, the ball lottery game is played in the first area F1 and the third area F3, and the second medal pusher game is played in the game area Fc. Therefore, the medal acquisition game and the medal tower building game can be played simultaneously, and the lottery game and the medal acquisition game can be played simultaneously. Furthermore, the first medal pusher game and the medal insertion game in the medal acquisition game can be played simultaneously.

[0038] <Details of Medal Game Machine 1> Next, the important components of the medal-operated game machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0039] [Configuration of the first medal game machine 10] First, the configuration of the first medal game machine 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6C. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the medal insertion section 11. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the medal supply section 30. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of the medal supply section 30 and the configuration of the ball supply section 40. Figs. 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the transport section 17. The following explanation will focus on the configuration of one first medal game machine 10 located on the right front side of the four first medal game machines 10 shown in Fig. 1. Note that Figs. 5 to 6C omit the display of some of the configuration.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first medal game machine 10 is equipped with two medal insertion sections 11 that accept medals from outside and insert the medals into the first area F1, a placement surface 12 on which medals, medal towers, and balls are placed, a pusher table 13 that moves medals and the like placed on the placement surface 12, a drop hole 14 through which medals and the like placed on the placement surface 12 fall, a payout outlet 15 that pays out medals to the outside, a medal tower forming section 16 that forms a medal tower of one or more levels, a transport section 17 that transports the medal tower, a ball processing section 18 that circulates lottery balls and supplies balls for the medal game, and a display section 19 that displays the contents and information of the lottery game and other information to the player.

[0041] Here, only the medals paid out to the payout outlet 15 are those received by the medal insertion unit 11 from the outside, i.e., the medals inserted by the player, are those supplied by the second medal supply unit 32. On the other hand, the medals inserted into the first area F1 by the medal insertion unit 11 and the medals used by the medal tower formation unit 16, i.e., the medals used in the medal game, are medals stored in advance inside the medal game machine 1. In other words, the medals used in the medal game are those supplied by the first medal supply unit 31. Details of this will be described later.

[0042] (Medal insertion point 11) The medal insertion unit 11 is configured to be used in a medal insertion game and is provided in the first area F1. As shown in FIG. 3, the medal insertion unit 11 has a medal receiving opening 111 that receives medals from a player, two adjustment handles 112 that adjust the insertion direction of medals inserted into the first area F1 through two first medal supply paths 301, an insertion button 113 that controls the insertion of medals stored in a first medal hopper 311 (described later) into the first area F1, a drop guide rail 114 that guides the falling direction of the medals, a medal insertion port 115 that causes medals to fly toward the placement surface 12 or the upper surface of the pusher table 13, an insertion adjustment unit 116 that adjusts the flight state (angle, height, speed, etc.) of the medals, and a payout button 117 that controls the payout of medals to the payout outlet 15. The adjustment handle 112 and the insertion button 113 are examples of an "insertion operation unit."

[0043] The medal receiving opening 111, adjustment handle 112, insertion button 113, and payout button 117 are provided in an external area, while the drop guide rail 114, medal insertion slot 115, and insertion adjustment unit 116 are provided in an internal area. The drop guide rail 114 is provided vertically. The medal insertion slot 115 is provided at the lower end of the drop guide rail 114 so as to face the placement surface 12. The insertion adjustment unit 116 is a plate-shaped member and is provided downstream of the direction in which medals fly out of the medal insertion slot 115 and above the medal insertion slot 115. The attachment position (angle, height, widthwise distance, etc.) of the insertion adjustment unit 116 relative to the medal insertion slot 115 can be changed depending on the usage condition of the medals (e.g., wear, dirt, etc.). This allows the medal flight condition to be maintained constant, improving the stability of medal insertion.

[0044] Furthermore, the medal receiving opening 111 in the external area and the drop guide rail 114 in the internal area are not connected. Specifically, the medal receiving opening 111 is connected to a second main medal hopper 320 (described later) of the fourth medal supply path 304. On the other hand, the drop guide rail 114 is connected to a first medal hopper 311 (described later) of the first medal supply path 301. Furthermore, the medal receiving opening 111 is provided with a medal detection sensor (not shown) that detects when a medal is inserted into the medal receiving opening 111.

[0045] Thus, when a player inserts a medal into medal receiving slot 111 during a game, the medal detection sensor detects medal insertion information and transmits it to control unit 50. Upon receiving the medal insertion information, control unit 50 controls the operation of first medal hopper 311 based on a preset medal insertion method. Here, medal insertion methods include two types: a direct insertion method (i.e., internal circulation insertion method) and a non-direct insertion method. The direct insertion method is a medal insertion method in which, each time the medal detection sensor detects that a medal has been inserted into medal receiving slot 111, first medal hopper 311, under the control of control unit 50, immediately inserts one medal from among the medals stored therein into first area F1.

[0046] On the other hand, the non-direct insertion method is a medal insertion method in which, when the player operates the insertion button 113, the first medal hopper 311 immediately inserts one medal from among the medals stored therein into the first area F1 under the control of the control unit 50. In other words, the non-direct insertion method is a medal insertion method in which the first medal hopper 311 does not immediately insert one medal from among the medals stored therein into the first area F1 every time the medal detection sensor detects that a medal has been inserted into the medal receiving slot 111. Also, in the non-direct insertion method, if the player inserts medals into the medal receiving slot 111 all at once in advance, the control unit 50 stores the number of inserted medals and displays it on the display unit 19, and then, every time the player operates the insertion button 113, the first medal hopper 311 inserts one medal into the first area F1 while subtracting one from the displayed number of medals.

[0047] (Placement surface 12) The placement surface 12 is configured to be used in the medal insertion game and the first medal pusher game. The placement surface 12 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 3, the placement surface 12 is provided in the first area F1 so that its longitudinal direction is along the width direction of the medal game machine 1. Furthermore, the placement surface 12 can be used to place medals inserted by the medal insertion unit 11, medal towers formed by the medal tower forming unit 16, and medals and balls dropped from the second medal game machine 20.

[0048] (Pusher Table 13) The pusher table 13 is configured to be used in the first medal pusher game and the ball pusher game. The pusher table 13 is provided in the first area F1 above the placing surface 12 and at one end side of the placing surface 12 in the longitudinal direction. The pusher table 13 can be horizontally moved back and forth in a first direction D1 shown in FIG. 3 under the control of the control unit 50. The first direction D1 is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the placing surface 12.

[0049] (Fall hole 14) The drop hole 14 is a structure used in a medal capture game. The drop hole 14 is provided on the other end of the longitudinal direction of the placement surface 12 in the first area F1. The medals, medal tower, and balls pushed by the pusher table 13 can fall from the placement surface 12 through the drop hole 14. The drop hole 14 is also provided with a tower chucker 141 that can be pushed by the medal tower as it falls into the drop hole 14, and a ball guide section (not shown) that guides the movement of the ball that has fallen into the drop hole 14.

[0050] The tower chucker 141 is provided above the drop hole 14 on the side wall of the housing 60 facing the placement surface 12. The tower chucker 141 has three touch plates 142 arranged vertically. Each of the three touch plates 142 is provided with a sensor. Thus, when the medal tower falling into the drop hole 14 presses a touch plate 142, the player can obtain a prize corresponding to the touch plate 142 that is highest among the pressed touch plates 142. Here, pressing a touch plate 142 that is higher can obtain a better prize. Therefore, the tower chucker 141 can motivate the player to build a higher medal tower. In addition, information about the prizes obtained by the player is displayed on the display unit 19.

[0051] In this embodiment, the tower chucker 141 has been described as being composed of three touch plates 142, but the configuration of the tower chucker 141 is not limited to this. The tower chucker 141 may be composed of a plurality of height sensors arranged in the vertical direction that can detect the height of the medal tower, or a configuration that includes such sensors.

[0052] The ball guide unit is provided on the side wall of the drop hole 14 facing the placement surface 12. The ball guide unit separates the balls that have fallen into the drop hole 14 from the medals that have fallen into the drop hole 14, and transports them to a ball lift 42 of the ball supply unit 40, which will be described later. The medals that have fallen into the drop hole 14 are collected by the main medal hopper 300. The ball guide unit is also provided with a ball identification sensor (not shown). In this way, the ball guide unit guides the movement of the ball, and also identifies ball information (i.e., the color and size of the ball) via the ball identification sensor and transmits it to the control unit 50. Based on the received ball information, the control unit 50 can determine whether or not to play a lottery game, and if a lottery game is to be played, the type of lottery game.

[0053] (Payment outlet 15) The payout opening 15 is configured to be used in a medal acquisition game. As shown in Fig. 1, the payout opening 15 is provided so as to penetrate the wall of the base 61 of the cabinet 60. In this way, a predetermined number of medals can be paid out from the payout opening 15 to the external area by the second main medal hopper 320 of the second medal supply unit 32, which will be described later.

[0054] (Medal tower forming section 16) The medal tower building unit 16 is a configuration used in a medal tower building game. Here, the medal tower according to this embodiment has one or more layers. Each layer of the medal tower is made up of multiple medals arranged in a predetermined arrangement.

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, the medal tower forming unit 16 has a tower mounting surface 161 on which medal towers being formed and formed are placed, and a transparent protective portion 162 that prevents medals and balls in the first area F1 (specifically, the mounting surface 12 and the upper surface of the pusher table 13) from entering the second area F2 (specifically, the tower mounting surface 161). The tower mounting surface 161 and the protective portion 162 are both provided in the second area F2, but other components of the medal tower forming unit 16 (not shown) may be provided in either or both of the first area F1 and the second area F2.

[0056] The tower mounting surface 161 is configured to determine the formation position of the medal tower, i.e., the predetermined position P2. The tower mounting surface 161 is provided at the same height as the mounting surface 12 in the first area F1. The protective section 162 is provided around the tower mounting surface 161. As shown in FIG. 3, the protective section 162 has a wall section 163 and a door 164 that can be opened and closed relative to the wall section 163. The door 164 is provided so as to always close the opening of the wall section 163 by a spring (not shown) when no other external force is applied. On the other hand, when the door 164 receives a force in direction D21 from the push-out section 171 of the conveying section 17 (described later), it can open and close the opening of the wall section 163 in conjunction with the operation of the push-out section 171.

[0057] Furthermore, the medal tower forming unit 16 is connected to a second medal supply path 302 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the medal tower forming unit 16 is connected to the second medal supply path 302 by connecting to a second medal hopper (not shown), which will be described later, of the second medal supply path 302 via a medal transport passage. In this way, based on the control of the control unit 50, the second medal hopper of the second medal supply path 302 can supply medals to the medal tower forming unit 16 to form a medal tower.

[0058] (Transport unit 17) The transport unit 17 is configured to connect the medal tower formation game and the medal acquisition game by moving the medal tower located at a predetermined position P2 in the second area F2 to the placement position P1 (see Figure 2) on the placement surface 12 in the first area F1.

[0059] 3 and 6, the conveying unit 17 has a pushing unit 171 that comes into contact with the medal tower to push the medal tower from a predetermined position P2 to a placement position P1. The pushing unit 171 moves horizontally back and forth relative to the placement surface 12 in a second direction D2 shown in FIG. 3. The second direction D2 is a direction that intersects (is substantially perpendicular to) the first direction D1, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the placement surface 12.

[0060] The tip of the push-out unit 171 is arranged to contact the door 164 of the protection unit 162. When the push-out unit 171 moves from the predetermined position P2 to the placement position P1, i.e., from the second area F2 to the first area F1, along one direction D21 of the second direction D2, the door 164 is pushed open by the force of the push-out unit 171 in the direction D21. On the other hand, when the push-out unit 171 begins to move from the placement position P1 to the predetermined position P2, i.e., from the first area F1 to the second area F2, along the other direction D22 of the second direction D2, the force acting on the door 164 in the direction D21 from the push-out unit 171 disappears, and the door 164 is closed by the spring force. When the push-out unit 171 is in a standby state where it is not transporting a medal tower, the push-out unit 171 is located on the second area F2 side, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the door 164 is closed.

[0061] (Ball processing unit 18) The ball processing unit 18 is configured to circulate lottery balls and supply balls for medal games. As shown in Fig. 3, the ball processing unit 18 has a lottery operation button 180, a lottery ball circulation unit 181, and a ball discharge unit 182 that forms the outlet end of the first ball supply path 401.

[0062] The lottery operation button 180 is provided in the external area and is a button for starting a roulette lottery in the ball lottery game. Specifically, when a player presses the lottery operation button 180, the control unit 50 accordingly transmits a command to start the roulette lottery to the lottery ball circulation unit 181 and the display unit 19, thereby starting the roulette lottery. Note that the lottery operation button 180 may also be used as a button for ending the roulette lottery.

[0063] 3, the lottery ball circulation unit 181 has a lottery ball inlet 183 for dropping lottery balls, a lottery ball receiving unit 185 provided around the lottery ball inlet 183, a roulette lottery sensor (not shown) provided at the lottery ball inlet 183, and a circulation unit that circulates lottery balls inside and outside the lottery ball circulation unit 181 via the lottery ball inlet 183. Here, the lottery balls are dedicated balls used only in the lottery ball circulation unit 181 and are different from the balls supplied to the ball supply unit 40. In addition, the lottery balls do not enter the first ball supply path 401 or the second ball supply path 402.

[0064] When the player does not operate the lottery operation button 180, the lottery ball is kept waiting at a lottery standby position (not shown) below the lottery ball entrance 183 by the circulation unit. On the other hand, when the ball lottery game starts, a roulette starts to spin on the screen of the display unit 19. Thereafter, when the player operates the lottery operation button 180, the lottery ball is lifted from the lottery standby position to above the lottery ball entrance 183 by a ball transport unit (not shown) and thrown into the lottery ball receiving unit 185. Then, the lottery ball makes a circular motion in the lottery ball receiving unit 185 for about 15 seconds, and then drops into the lottery ball entrance 183. At the moment the lottery ball drops into the lottery ball entrance 183, the rotation of the roulette stops and the result of the lottery is determined. Thereafter, the lottery ball is returned to the lottery standby position by the ball transport unit via the internal transport path of the circulation unit and waits there.

[0065] 3, the ball discharge unit 182 has a ball discharge port 184, a discharge guide unit 186, and a ball transport path and ball storage unit inside the ball discharge unit 182, which are not shown. Here, the balls supplied by the ball discharge unit 182 are balls used in the medal game, and are not lottery balls used in the lottery ball circulation unit 181.

[0066] The ball storage unit is connected to the first ball supply path 401 and the ball discharge port 184 by a ball transport path. During a game, the ball storage unit can store a certain number of balls supplied from the first ball supply path 401 under the control of the control unit 50, and when a lottery on the screen of the display unit 19 is won, the ball storage unit can discharge the stored balls from the ball discharge port 184 to the outside of the ball discharge unit 182. The discharged balls are guided by a discharge guide unit 186 provided below the ball discharge port 184 and move to the upper surface or placement surface 12 of the pusher table 13 in the first area F1.

[0067] (Display section 19) The display unit 19 is configured to display various game contents and game information related to the medal game. The game contents according to this embodiment include the display of a roulette in a ball lottery game, and the game information according to this embodiment includes, for example, the number of medals inserted by a player into the medal receiving slot 111, changes in that number, and prize winning information.

[0068] [Operation of the first medal game machine 10] Next, the operation of each of the movable components of the first medal game machine 10, namely the medal insertion unit 11, pusher table 13, medal tower forming unit 16, and transport unit 17, will be explained. These components of the first medal game machine 10 operate under the control of the control unit 50. In the following explanation, the operation of the medal insertion unit 11 will be mainly explained in terms of the non-direct insertion method.

[0069] (Operation of medal insertion part 11) When a player inserts a medal into the medal receiving opening 111, the medal insertion unit 11 stores the medal in the second main medal hopper 320 (FIG. 4) of the fourth medal supply path 304. When the player then presses the insertion button 113 once, the first medal hopper 311 instantly ejects one medal into the first medal supply path 301. The medal ejected by the first medal hopper 311 falls downward by its own weight along the drop guide rail 114, and immediately after leaving the medal insertion opening 115, strikes the insertion adjustment unit 116, and with its flight state (direction, height, speed, etc.) adjusted, flies toward the placement surface 12 of the first area F1 and the upper surface of the pusher table 13. Thus, the insertion of one medal is completed. In this way, the medal insertion unit 11 repeats the above-described operations to play the medal insertion game.

[0070] (Operation of pusher table 13) The pusher table 13 moves back and forth in the first direction D1 at a constant speed, thereby moving the medals, medal towers, and balls placed on the placement surface 12 and causing them to drop from the placement surface 12 into the drop holes 14. In this way, the pusher table 13 repeats the above-mentioned operations to play the first medal pusher game and the ball pusher game.

[0071] Furthermore, the reciprocating movement of the pusher table 13 and the operation of inserting medals by the medal insertion unit 11 are performed without affecting each other. Therefore, the first medal pusher game and ball pusher game by the pusher table 13 and the medal insertion game by the medal insertion unit 11 can be performed simultaneously.

[0072] (Operation of medal tower forming unit 16 and conveying unit 17) The medal tower forming unit 16 begins to operate based on the lottery result of the ball lottery game, i.e., the number of layers of the medal tower that has been drawn. Specifically, when the second medal hopper of the second medal supply path 302 receives the lottery result from the control unit 50, it supplies the medal tower forming unit 16 with the number of medals required to form a medal tower with the number of layers determined by the lottery result. The medal tower forming unit 16 then forms a medal tower at predetermined position P2 by arranging the medals supplied by the second medal hopper based on a predetermined arrangement method.

[0073] After the medal tower is formed, the control unit 50 sends a medal tower transportation request to the transport unit 17. The pusher unit 171 of the transport unit 17 then contacts the medal tower at the predetermined position P2 and pushes the medal tower toward the placement position P1 along one direction D21 of the second direction D2, thereby achieving the transportation of the medal tower. Before the medal tower is pushed out of the second area F2, the door 164 of the protective unit 162 is opened by the movement of the pusher unit 171 along the direction D21. Therefore, the medal tower can later be moved from the second area F2 to the first area F1 without colliding with the door 164. After the pusher unit 171 transports the medal tower to the placement position P1, the pusher unit 171 exits the first area F1 toward the second area F2 along the other direction D22 of the second direction D2.

[0074] In the following, the process from when the extrusion section 171 contacts the medal tower at the predetermined position P2 and starts moving the medal tower toward the placement position P1 to when the extrusion section 171 finishes moving the medal tower to the placement position P1 will be referred to as the "transport process" of the extrusion section 171, and the process from immediately after the transport process is completed to when the extrusion section 171 exits the first region F1 will be referred to as the "exit process" of the extrusion section 171.

[0075] In this way, the medal tower forming unit 16 and the transport unit 17 perform the medal tower forming game through the above operations. Furthermore, the medal tower forming unit 16 can form a medal tower simultaneously with the insertion of medals by the medal insertion unit 11 and the movement of the pusher table 13. This reduces the waiting time for the medal tower to be formed, relieves the player of stress caused by not being able to play the medal pusher acquisition game during the waiting time, and enables the medal game to be played at a good tempo.

[0076] Meanwhile, during the transport and withdrawal processes of the push-out unit 171, the control unit 50 stops the insertion of medals by the medal insertion unit 11 and the movement of the pusher table 13 in the first direction D1. This prevents the medal tower from collapsing during transport due to the insertion of medals and prevents damage to the push-out unit during withdrawal.

[0077] Furthermore, during the transport and withdrawal processes of the extruding unit 171, the control unit 50 controls the medal insertion unit 11 to accept medals from outside, and the number of medals accepted by the medal insertion unit 11 during the transport process is calculated. Meanwhile, during the transport and withdrawal processes of the extruding unit 171, even if the player operates the insertion button 113, the first medal hopper 311 does not insert medals into the first area F1. Meanwhile, the player can use the time involved in the transport and withdrawal processes of the extruding unit 171 to replenish medals via the medal receiving opening 111.

[0078] [2nd medal game machine 20] Next, the configuration of the second medal game machine 20 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 5 and 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second placement surface 213 of the rotation base portion 21.

[0079] The second medal game machine 20 is configured to be used for a second medal pusher game and is provided in the game area Fc. As shown in Figures 1, 5, and 7, the second medal game machine 20 includes a rotatable rotation base 21 and a center pusher table 22 provided above the rotation base 21 and coaxially with the rotation base 21.

[0080] (Rotating base part 21) The rotating base unit 21 is an annular member that is provided so as to be rotatable in the game area Fc. As shown in Fig. 7, the rotating base unit 21 has a base plate 211, a first placement surface 212 provided in the center of the upper surface of the base plate 211, and a second placement surface 213 provided on the upper surface of the base plate 211 and surrounding the first placement surface 212.

[0081] The first placing surface 212 is configured to place medals supplied through the third medal supply path 303. The first placing surface 212 has a circular ring shape in a plan view. In addition, since the center pusher table 22 moves on the first placing surface 212, the upper surface of the first placing surface 212 is formed flat.

[0082] The second placing surface 213 is configured to place medals and balls on it. The second placing surface 213 has a circular shape in a plan view. The upper surface of the second placing surface 213 is provided with a plurality of ribs 215 and a guide slope 219. The guide slope 219 is provided on the peripheral portion of the upper surface of the second placing surface 213, so that balls and medals on the peripheral portion of the second placing surface 213 can easily fall onto the second placing surface 213.

[0083] The multiple ribs 215 are provided radially. Thus, when one player uses the second medal game machine 20, the medals and balls pushed by the center pusher table 22 can move along the ribs 215. As a result, the movement direction of the medals and balls is restricted, and it is possible to prevent the medals and balls from entering the game area Fs of another player.

[0084] Furthermore, the rib 215 has an end 217 that connects to the first placing surface 212. The height of the rib 215 (excluding the end 217) is uniform along the radial direction of the rib 215, and this height is formed to be slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal, for example. On the other hand, the height of the end 217 gradually decreases toward the first placing surface 212. In this way, when medals placed on the first placing surface 212 are pushed, these medals can easily move to the second placing surface 213.

[0085] (Center pusher table 22) The center pusher table 22 is configured to be used in the second medal pusher game, and is provided above the first placement surface 212. The center pusher table 22 is provided so as to be rotatable together with the rotation base portion .

[0086] 7, the center pusher table 22 has a base portion 23 and a pusher table main body 24. The base portion 23 is fixed to the rotary base portion 21. The pusher table main body 24 is provided so as to be able to move horizontally back and forth relative to the base portion 23 and the rotary base portion 21 in the third direction D3 shown in FIG. The movement width of the pusher table main body 24 can be changed.

[0087] Thus, each component of the second medal game machine 20 operates under the control of the control unit 50 and the second control unit 70. Specifically, the rotation base unit 21 can rotate in the game area Fc under the control of the second control unit 70. As the rotation of the rotation base unit 21 occurs, the base unit 23 and the pusher table main body 24 rotate together with the rotation base unit 21. Furthermore, when the rotation base unit 21 is rotating, the pusher table main body 24 does not move in the third direction D3. On the other hand, when the rotation of the rotation base unit 21 stops and the main medal hopper 300 supplies medals to the upper surface 241 of the pusher table main body 24 of the center pusher table 22 via the third medal supply path 303, the pusher table main body 24 moves back and forth once in the third direction D3 under the control of the control unit 50, drops the supplied medals onto the first placement surface 212, and then moves them to the second placement surface 213.

[0088] Here, the movement of the pusher table main body 24 in the third direction D3 will be described in detail. When a medal is supplied to the upper surface 241 of the pusher table main body 24, the pusher table main body 24 first moves in one direction D32 of the third direction D3. Then, the medal placed on the upper surface 241 moves in direction D32 as the pusher table main body 24 moves in direction D32, and stops moving in direction D32 when it abuts against the plate portion 231 of the base portion 23. Meanwhile, in this case, since the pusher table main body 24 continues to move in direction D32, the medal originally supported on the upper surface 241 is no longer supported by the upper surface 241 and falls onto the first placement surface 212. Thereafter, the pusher table main body 24 moves in direction D31, the other direction of the third direction D3. Then, the pusher surface 242 of the pusher table main body 24 pushes the medals that have fallen onto the first placement surface 212 onto the second placement surface 213. The pushed-out medals continue to move in direction D31, pushing medals and balls in the vicinity of the guide slope 219 on the peripheral side of the second placement surface 213, causing those medals and balls to fall from the second placement surface 213 into the ball guide section 41 of the ball supply section 40, which will be described later.

[0089] In this way, the pusher table main body 24 performs one second medal pusher game through the above-mentioned operation. Furthermore, the above-mentioned operation of the pusher table main body 24 can be performed simultaneously with the medal acquisition game and the medal tower formation game.

[0090] [Medal Supply Unit 30] Next, the configuration of the medal supply unit 30, that is, the configuration of the first medal supply unit 31 and the second medal supply unit 32 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0091] (First Medal Supply Unit 31) The first medal supply unit 31 is connected to the first medal game machine 10 and the second medal game machine 20 so as to supply medals to both machines. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the first medal supply unit 31 includes a main medal hopper 300 provided on the lower side of the medal game machine 1, two first medal hoppers 311 and a third receiving port 313 provided on the upper side of the medal game machine 1, a second medal hopper (not shown) provided inside the medal game machine 1 (specifically, the medal tower forming unit 16), and a third discharge port 323 provided above the center pusher table 22 and communicating with the third receiving port 313. Here, the two first medal hoppers 311 and the second medal hopper are three sub-medal hoppers of the main medal hopper 300. The first medal supply unit 31 also includes a medal transport passage that connects these components to each other.

[0092] The main medal hopper 300 stores medals required for playing a medal game in advance, and during the game, supplies the stored medals to each of three sub-medal hoppers for supplying medals to the first medal game machine 10 and to the center pusher table 22 of the second medal game machine 20, and is configured to collect medals that have fallen from the placement surface 12 into the drop hole 14.

[0093] When the main medal hopper 300 collects medals that have fallen into the drop holes 14, a count hopper 310 provided above the main medal hopper 300 calculates the number of medals that have fallen into the drop holes 14 and increases the credit value displayed on the display unit 19. If there is one or more credits, the player can operate the payout button 117 to pay out medals. Furthermore, the medals paid out to the player are not medals stored in the main medal hopper 300, but medals stored in a second main medal hopper 320 of the second medal supply unit 32, which will be described later.

[0094] The three sub-medal hoppers are smaller in size and cheaper than the main medal hopper 300. By adopting such a combination of the main medal hopper 300 and sub-medal hoppers, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size (particularly the widthwise dimension) of the medal game machine 1 and reduce the manufacturing cost of the medal supply unit 30.

[0095] Furthermore, the three sub-medal hoppers can store medals supplied by the main medal hopper 300 and supply the stored medals to the first medal game machine 10. Explaining in more detail, the main medal hopper 300 and the two first medal hoppers 311 constitute two first medal supply paths 301 that supply medals to the placement surface 12 and the upper surface of the pusher table 13 of the first medal game machine 10. The main medal hopper 300 and the second medal hoppers constitute a second medal supply path 302 that supplies medals to the medal tower forming section 16 of the first medal game machine 10. The main medal hopper 300, the third receiving port 313, and the third discharge port 323 constitute a third medal supply path 303 that supplies medals to the center pusher table 22 of the second medal game machine 20.

[0096] The main medal hopper 300, the two first medal hoppers 311, and the second medal hopper are each provided with a main medal sensor, two first medal sensors, and a second medal sensor (not shown). Each medal sensor monitors the amount of medals stored in the corresponding medal hopper. Specifically, when the first medal sensor and the second medal sensor detect that the number of medals stored in their corresponding sub-medal hoppers has decreased below a predetermined amount, they send a medal replenishment request to the control unit 50. In response to the medal replenishment requests from the medal sensors, the control unit 50 controls the main medal hopper 300 to supply medals to each of the two first medal hoppers 311 and the second medal hoppers. Meanwhile, when a medal replenishment request is received from the second medal game machine 20, the control unit 50 responds by directly supplying medals to the center pusher table 22 of the second medal game machine 20 via the third medal supply path 303.

[0097] Here, when the control unit 50 simultaneously receives a medal replenishment request from the medal sensor and a medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20, it preferentially supplies medals to the center pusher table 22. Furthermore, when the control unit 50 receives a medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 after receiving a medal replenishment request from the medal sensor, it stops supplying medals to the two first medal hoppers 311 and the second medal hopper, and preferentially supplies medals to the center pusher table 22. In this way, by preferentially supplying medals to the center pusher table 22, medals can be quickly supplied to the center pusher table 22 that is used sequentially by four players, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which none of the four players can use the second medal game machine 20 due to a stagnation in the medal supply process to the center pusher table 22.

[0098] (Second medal supply unit 32) As shown in Fig. 1, the second medal supply unit 32 is connected to the medal receiving opening 111 and the payout outlet 15. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the second medal supply unit 32 includes a second main medal hopper 320 provided on the lower side of the medal game machine 1. The second main medal hopper 320 is connected to the medal receiving opening 111 and the payout outlet 15 via a medal transport passage, forming a fourth medal supply path 304.

[0099] The second main medal hopper 320 is a medal hopper independent of the main medal hopper 300. The second main medal hopper 320 is configured to store medals inserted by the player in advance, and to pay out a predetermined number of medals from the stored medals to the payout outlet 15 when the number of credits displayed on the display unit 19 is one or more and the player operates the payout button 117.

[0100] The second main medal hopper 320 is provided with an electronic selector and a second main medal sensor (not shown). The electronic selector is configured to detect the medals inserted by the player and the number of medals inserted as medal insertion number information. The second main medal sensor is configured to count the number of medals paid out to the payout opening 15.

[0101] During a game, when the electronic selector detects inserted medal count information, it transmits the inserted medal count information to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 then determines whether there is a medal tower transport request and whether the extrusion unit 171 has completed its withdrawal process, and then controls the insertion of medals into the first area F1. Specifically, if the control unit 50 determines that there is no medal tower transport request and that the extrusion unit 171 has completed its withdrawal process, it transmits the inserted medal count information from the electronic selector to the first medal sensor of the first medal hopper 311 in one of the first medal supply paths 301 selected by the player immediately after receiving the inserted medal count information, or when the inserted medal count information is received and the player operates the insertion button 113, based on the medal insertion method setting. Then, after the first medal sensor of the first medal hopper 311 counts the number of medals corresponding to the inserted medal count information, the first medal hopper 311 inserts the counted medals into the first area F1 via the first medal supply path 301 selected by the player. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 determines that there is a transport request for the medal tower or that the exit process of the extrusion unit 171 has not been completed, it transmits a signal to the main medal sensor mentioned above after responding to the transport request or after the exit process has been completed.

[0102] Furthermore, when the number of credits displayed on the display unit 19 is 1 or more and the player operates the payout button 117, the second main medal sensor counts the number of medals to be paid out to the payout outlet 15. After the second main medal sensor counts the medals to be paid out, the second main medal hopper 320 pays out the counted medals to the payout outlet 15.

[0103] [Ball supply unit 40] Next, the configuration of the ball supply unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The ball supply unit 40 is provided so as to supply balls to the first medal game machine 10 and the second medal game machine 20. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the ball supply unit 40 includes a ball guide unit 41 provided in the first area F1, and a ball lift 42, a ball transport passage 43, and a ball sorter 44 provided in the third area. The ball sorter 44 connects the ball lift 42 and the ball transport passage 43.

[0104] The ball guide section 41 has a guide passage 410 that guides balls that have fallen from the second loading surface 213, and a ball sensor 411 that detects ball information related to the number of balls on the loading surface 12 and the upper surface of the pusher table 13.

[0105] The ball sensor 411 transmits the detected ball information to the control unit 50. Based on the ball information, the control unit 50 controls the ball drive unit in the ball storage unit of the ball processing unit 18 and / or the ball drive unit in the second transport path 432, so as to replenish balls onto the placement surface 12 or the upper surface of the pusher table 13, and / or the second placement surface 213.

[0106] The ball lift 42 has a worm and is installed so that its axial direction is vertical. Balls can be loaded onto the worm teeth of the ball lift 42. The ball lift 42 also has a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit rotates the ball lift 42 around the axis of the worm, thereby transporting the balls loaded onto the worm teeth to the ball sorting unit 44 located on the upper end side of the ball lift 42.

[0107] The ball sorting unit 44 is connected to each of the first transport path 431 and the second transport path 432. Furthermore, based on the control of the control unit 50, the ball sorting unit 44 can sort the balls transported by the ball lift 42 to either the first transport path 431 or the second transport path 432.

[0108] The ball transport passage 43 has a first transport passage 431 for providing balls to the placing surface 12 and the upper surface of the pusher table 13 of the first medal game machine 10, and a second transport passage 432 for supplying balls to the second placing surface 213 of the second medal game machine 20.

[0109] The first transport path 431 can store the balls sorted by the ball sorter 44 and supply the stored balls to the ball storage section of the ball discharger 182. The second transport path 432 can supply the balls sorted by the ball sorter 44 directly to the second placement surface 213.

[0110] The first transport path 431 also has a first ball driving unit (not shown) that drives the discharge of balls stored in the first transport path 431 to the ball storage unit of the ball discharge unit 182, and a first ball transport path sensor that detects the number of balls stored in the ball storage unit of the ball discharge unit 182. The first ball transport path sensor transmits first ball replenishment information to the control unit 50 when the detected number of balls in the ball storage unit of the ball discharge unit 182 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Upon receiving the first ball replenishment information, the control unit 50 controls the ball sorter 44 based on the first ball replenishment information to supply balls to the first transport path 431. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 does not receive first ball replenishment information, it controls the ball sorter 44 to supply balls to the second transport path 432.

[0111] The first ball driving unit is activated under the control of the control unit 50. Specifically, when the control unit 50 receives ball information from the ball sensor 411, it activates the ball driving unit to discharge the balls stored in the first transport passage 431 to the ball storage unit of the ball discharge unit 182. Furthermore, when the balls stored in the ball storage unit of the ball discharge unit 182 are discharged from the ball discharge port 184, they can be supplied to the placement surface 12 or the upper surface of the pusher table 13 by the discharge guide unit 186.

[0112] Here, the balls dropped from the second placement surface 213 by the second conveying path 432 pass through the upper surface of the pusher table 13 and reach the placement surface 12. Then, the balls dropped from the second placement surface 213, together with the balls originally on the placement surface 12, are dropped into the drop holes 14 by the pusher of the pusher table 13. The balls that have dropped into the drop holes 14 are moved by the ball guide unit to the ball lift 42 and loaded onto the worm teeth of the ball lift 42. Thereafter, the balls are conveyed by the ball lift 42 and the ball sorting unit 44 to the first conveying path 431 or the second conveying path 432 and supplied to the ball storage unit of the ball discharge unit 182 or the second placement surface 213. Of these components, the common component for transporting balls before they are sorted by the ball sorter 44 (hereinafter referred to as the "common ball transport component"), the first transport passage 431, and the ball discharger 182 form the first ball supply path 401. On the other hand, the common ball transport component and the second transport passage 432 form the second ball supply path 402.

[0113] [Control by control unit 50] Next, with reference to Figures 8 to 10, an example of control by the control unit 50, i.e., processing related to a medal game performed by the control unit 50 based on data and programs stored in memory, will be described in detail. Note that the control unit 50 can perform processing related to different medal games depending on the settings. Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining control of a medal game by the control unit 50. Figure 9 is a diagram showing details of step S101, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing details of step S105.

[0114] (Step S101) First, the control unit 50 performs an initial process.

[0115] In step S101, the control unit 50 controls the medal supply unit 30 to ensure that each sub-medal hopper has enough medals to play a medal game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 50 first determines whether or not there is a medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 (step S1011). If there is no medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 (NO in step S1011), the control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a medal replenishment request from the first and / or second medal hopper (step S1012). If there is a medal replenishment request from the first and / or second medal hopper (YES in step S1012), the control unit 50 starts medal replenishment to the first and / or second medal hopper (step S1013). Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 (step S1014). If there is a medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 (YES in step S1014), the control unit 50 stops the supply of medals to the first and / or second medal hoppers (step S1012) and prioritizes the supply of medals to the center pusher table 22 (step S1016). Next, the control unit 50 determines whether there is a medal replenishment request from the first and / or second medal hoppers (step S1017). If there is a medal replenishment request from the first and / or second medal hoppers (YES in step S1017), the control unit 50 starts (resumes) medal replenishment to the first and / or second medal hoppers (step S1018). In this way, the control unit 50 ends the initial processing.

[0116] On the other hand, if there is a medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 in step S1011, the control unit 50 gives priority to supplying medals to the center pusher table 22 (S1016). The subsequent steps are the same as steps S1017 and S1018 described above. Also, if there is no medal replenishment request from the second medal game machine 20 in step S1014, the control unit 50 ends the initial processing. Also, if there is no medal replenishment request from the first and / or second medal hopper in step S1017, the control unit 50 ends the initial processing.

[0117] (Step S102) Next, the control unit 50 starts the first medal pusher game, the ball pusher game, and / or the medal insertion game.

[0118] Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the medal insertion unit 11, the pusher table 13, and the medal supply unit 30 to perform the first medal pusher game, the ball pusher game, and / or the medal insertion game. Note that the details of the operation of the above-mentioned configuration are the same as those explained in the operation explanation of the first medal game machine 10, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0119] (Steps S103 to S105) Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the ball that dropped into the drop hole 14 in the ball pusher game is a big ball or not based on the ball information transmitted by the ball identification sensor of the ball guide unit (step S103). If the big ball has dropped into the drop hole 14 (YES in step S103), the control unit 50 determines whether the player has pressed the lottery operation button 180 (step S104). If the player has pressed the lottery operation button 180 (YES in step S104), the control unit 50 starts the lottery game (step S105).

[0120] On the other hand, if the small ball falls into the drop hole 14 (NO in step S103) or if the player has not pressed the lottery operation button 180 (NO in step S104), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S102.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 50 executes a lottery game corresponding to the color of the dropped big ball based on the ball information transmitted by the ball identification sensor of the ball guide unit. For example, if the dropped big ball is a first color, the control unit 50 starts the first lottery game (step S1051a). Next, the roulette is spun multiple times, and the number of layers of the medal tower to be formed is drawn multiple times. Then, the medal tower forming unit 16 continues to form a medal tower with the number of layers corresponding to each numerical value based on the numerical value of each drawing result (step S1052a). After that, the control unit 50 determines whether the lottery roulette shows "X" (step S1053a). If the lottery roulette shows "X" (YES in step S1053a), the control unit 50 ends the first lottery game.

[0122] On the other hand, if the lottery roulette does not show "X" (NO in step S1053a), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S1052a.

[0123] Furthermore, if the color of the dropped big ball is the second color, the control unit 50 starts a second lottery game (step S1051b). Here, the second lottery game is a game that is played by executing a second medal pusher game via the second medal game machine 20, and the second medal game machine 20 is a game unit that is used in turn by four players. For this reason, in step S1051b, i.e., when one player has an opportunity to play the second medal pusher game using the second medal game machine 20, before the control unit 50 officially starts the second lottery game by that one player, the second control unit 70 performs a preparation process to have that one player play the second medal pusher game.

[0124] During the preparation process, if each control unit 50 receives information from the ball identification sensor indicating that the color of the dropped large ball is the second color, it transmits a play request to the second control unit 70 to play the second medal pusher game corresponding to the lottery result. At the same time, each control unit 50 also transmits medal insertion time interval information corresponding to each corresponding medal insertion slot 115 to the second control unit 70. The player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 then determines whether the play requests transmitted by the same control unit 50 are from the same player based on the medal insertion time interval information, and determines the order in which the single player will play the second medal pusher game. Once the determined order is reached, the second control unit 70 rotates the second medal game machine 20 toward the first medal game machine 10 used by that single player, making the second medal game machine 20 usable, and then transmits preparation process completion information to the corresponding control unit 50. In this way, the preparation process by the second control unit 70 is completed. The process of determining the order in which players will play the second medal pusher game, which is performed by the second control unit 70, will be described later in detail. Upon receiving preparation process completion information from the second control unit 70, the control unit 50 officially starts the second lottery game.

[0125] Then, the roulette turns to "☆" (step S1052b), and the control unit 50 plays the second medal pusher game (step S1053b). Here, each time the second medal pusher game is played, the center pusher table 22 plays one pusher. That is, the center pusher table 22 moves back and forth once in the third direction D3. Next, the control unit 50 confirms with the player via the display unit 19 whether or not to play a continuous pusher lottery (step S1054b). If the player pays the additional game fee and the roulette turns to "◯" (YES in step S1054b), the control unit 50 plays a second second medal pusher game (step S1055b). Thereafter, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the lottery roulette turns to "X" (step S1056b). If the lottery roulette shows "X" (YES in step S1056b), the control unit 50 ends the second lottery game.

[0126] On the other hand, if the player does not pay the additional game fee and the roulette does not show "O" (NO in step S1054b), and if the lottery roulette does not show "X" (NO in step S1056b), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S1055b.

[0127] Furthermore, if the color of the dropped large ball is the third color, the control unit 50 starts a third lottery game (step S1051c). Then, a roulette lottery starts (step S1052c), and the numerical value of the lottery result is displayed (step S1053c). Therefore, based on the numerical value of the lottery result, the control unit 50 forms a medal tower with the number of layers corresponding to that numerical value (S1054c). After the medal tower is completed, the control unit 50 ends the third lottery game.

[0128] (Steps S106 to S108) Next, returning to FIG. 8, the control unit 50 determines whether or not there is a transport request to transport the medal tower (step S106). If there is no transport request (NO in step S106), the control unit 50 determines whether or not the withdrawn state of the push-out unit 171 has ended (step S107). If the withdrawn state of the push-out unit 171 has not ended (NO in step S107), the control unit 50 stops the ongoing game among the first medal pusher game, the ball pusher game, and the medal insertion game (step S108). Thereafter, the control unit 50 again determines whether or not the withdrawn state of the push-out unit 171 has ended (step S109). If the withdrawn state of the push-out unit 171 has ended (YES in step S109), the control unit 50 resumes the stopped first medal pusher game, the ball pusher game, and / or the medal insertion game (step S110).

[0129] On the other hand, if there is a transport request (YES in step S106), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S108, and if the exit state of the push-out unit 171 has not ended (NO in step S109), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S108. Also, if the exit state of the push-out unit 171 has ended (YES in step S107), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S109.

[0130] On the other hand, if the pushing unit 171 is in the transport state (YES in step S107), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S109. If the pushing unit 171 is not in the retracted state (NO in step S108), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S110.

[0131] (Steps S110 and S111) Thereafter, the control unit 50 determines whether the pushing unit 171 is in a standby state (step S110). If the pushing unit 171 is in a standby state (YES in step S107), the control unit 50 resumes the first medal pusher game and / or the medal insertion game (step S111). Then, the control unit 50 ends the lottery game.

[0132] On the other hand, if the pushing unit 171 is not in a standby state (NO in step S107), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S109.

[0133] Thereafter, the control unit 50 returns the process to step S102. In this way, the control unit 50 repeats the above steps to control the medal game.

[0134] [Control by the second control unit 70] Next, an example of control by the second control unit 70, that is, a process related to determining the order in which players will play the second medal pusher game (hereinafter referred to as "play order determination process"), which is performed by the second control unit 70 based on the data and programs stored in the second memory, will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the second medal game machine 20 by the second control unit 70.

[0135] The data stored in the second memory of the second control unit 70 includes a waiting list that stores play requests transmitted to the control unit 50 in the order in which they were received, and a flag corresponding to each of the multiple players and indicating whether or not each player is playing the second medal pusher game during the determination period. The flag indicating whether or not each player is playing the second medal pusher game, i.e., the flag corresponding to each player, corresponds to the control unit 50 of each first medal game machine 10 used by each player. The determination period is the period from a predetermined time in the past to the present. The predetermined time in the past is, for example, a time when there are no play requests in the waiting list, or a time when there are no play requests corresponding to a player whose flag indicates no play. If the waiting play requests include a priority play request corresponding to a player who is not playing the second medal pusher game during the determination period, the second control unit 70 performs a play order determination process by selecting the priority play request as the play request to be played next.

[0136] Specifically, when the play order determination process starts, the second control unit 70 first determines whether or not the second medal pusher game is being played by the second medal game machine 20 (step S201). If the second medal pusher game is being played (YES in step S201), the second control unit 70 returns the process to the standby state after the start of the play order determination process and waits for the completion of the ongoing second medal pusher game. If the second medal pusher game is not being played (NO in step S201), the second control unit 70 determines whether or not there is a play request in the waiting list (step S202). If there is no play request in the waiting list (NO in step S202), the second control unit 70 changes the flag corresponding to each of the multiple players to indicate no play (step S203), and then returns to the standby state of the play order determination process. If there is a play request in the waiting list (YES in step S202), the second control unit 70 determines whether or not there is a player request from a player whose flag indicates no play (step S204).

[0137] Furthermore, in step S204, if multiple play requests transmitted by the same control unit 50 are stored in the waiting list, the player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 determines whether the players corresponding to each play request transmitted by the same control unit 50 are the same player, in order to determine whether there is a player request from a player whose flag indicates no play. Specifically, the player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 determines whether the players corresponding to each of the multiple play requests transmitted by the same control unit 50 in the waiting list are the same player, based on the medal insertion time interval information transmitted by the same control unit 50. If it is determined that they are not the same player, the player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 sets the play requests transmitted by the same control unit 50 to players whose flag indicates no play.

[0138] Then, if there is a player request from a player whose flag indicates no play (YES in step S204), the second control unit 70 selects the play request that was stored earliest in the waiting list among the play requests corresponding to players whose flags indicate no play as the play request to be played next, changes the flag corresponding to the player who made the selected play request to indicate play, deletes the selected play request from the waiting list (step S205), and returns to the standby state for the play order determination process. After that, the second medal pusher game related to the selected play request is played under the control of the control unit 50.

[0139] On the other hand, if there is no player request from a player whose flag indicates no play (NO in step S204), the second control unit 70 changes the flag corresponding to each of the multiple players to indicate no play (step S206). Next, the second control unit 70 selects the play request stored earliest as the play request to be played next, and, on the condition that the corresponding play is performed, changes the flag corresponding to the player who made the selected play request to indicate play, and deletes the selected play request from the waiting list (step S207), and then returns to the standby state for the play order determination process. Here, in step S207, the processing by the second control unit 70 enters the next determination period. Therefore, the play request selected in step S207 corresponds to the play request selected first by the corresponding player in the next determination period.

[0140] In this way, the second control unit 70 repeats the above steps to determine and control the order in which the players will play the second medal pusher game.

[0141] [Variation of the Play Order Determination Process by the Second Control Unit 70] Although an example of the play order determination process by the second control unit 70 has been described above, the play order determination process by the second control unit 70 is not limited to the above embodiment. The second control unit 70 can perform the play order determination process in different ways depending on the settings.

[0142] For example, in the above embodiment, the information used by the second control unit 70 to select the next play request to be made is described as a flag indicating whether or not a play has been made (0 / 1), but it does not have to be whether or not a play has been made. For example, the second control unit 70 may store the number of plays made by each player and determine the play order according to the number of plays. In this case, for example, a play request from a player who has made 0 to 1 play may be selected as a priority play request.

[0143] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the determination period is described as a period from a predetermined time point in the past to the present time, but this is not limited to this. The determination period is a period that can be set according to design. For example, the determination period may be a fixed period (e.g., a period from the present time to the past 30 minutes).

[0144] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the play requests corresponding to each player have been described as play requests that each control unit 50 automatically transmits to the second control unit 70 based on the play results of each player, but this is not limited to this. For example, the play requests corresponding to each player may be play requests that each control unit 50 transmits to the second control unit 70 based on the will of each player. To explain in more detail, the play requests based on the will of each player may be requests for playing the second medal pusher game on the second medal game machine 20 that each control unit 50 transmits to the second control unit 70 in response to operation instructions, etc., for each player to play the second medal pusher game.

[0145] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the control by the second control unit 70 has been described as being used for a medal game, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control by the second control unit 70 can be applied to game machines equipped with various shared game units.

[0146] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 was described as determining whether the same player has played based on the time interval between medals being inserted into one medal slot 111, but this is not limited to this. The player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 may perform player identity determination using another method. For example, the player identity determination means of the second control unit 70 may determine whether a player has left their seat via a human presence sensor (such as an infrared sensor or image recognition using a camera) provided in each of the four game areas Fs, or whether a player has been replaced by another player by recognizing the player's face, and then perform player identity determination based on the determination result.

[0147] The token-operated game machine 1 according to the embodiment described above includes a second token-operated game machine 20, which is an example of a shared game unit for playing a second token pusher game, which is an example of a shared game, and a second control unit 70, which controls the second token-operated game machine 20 so that each player sequentially plays the second token-operated game machine 20 based on a play request corresponding to each player. If there are play requests in a queue, the second control unit 70 selects the next play request to be played from the queued play requests based on whether each player has played the second token pusher game during a determination period from a predetermined time in the past to the present. This improves fairness in game opportunities and improves the satisfaction of all players with the token game. Specifically, this configuration prevents a situation in which a specific player plays the second token pusher game, resulting in a long waiting time for other players to play the second token pusher game. As a result, all players can be given a fairer opportunity to play the second token pusher game, thereby improving the satisfaction of all players with the token game.

[0148] Furthermore, in the token-operated game machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, if the play requests in queue include a priority play request, which is a play request corresponding to a player who is not playing the second medal pusher game during the determination period, the second control unit 70 can select the priority play request as the play request to be played next. As a result, it is possible to give priority to a player who is not playing.

[0149] Furthermore, in the token-operated game machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, the predetermined time point can be the time point when there are no play requests in the queue, or when the play requests in the queue do not include a priority play request. As a result, each player who has made a play request during the determination period can be given an opportunity to play the game in sequence.

[0150] Furthermore, in the token-operated gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, the second control unit 70 stores a waiting list that stores play requests corresponding to multiple players in the order in which they were received, and a flag corresponding to each of the multiple players that indicates whether or not the player is playing the shared game during a determination period. When a play request corresponding to a player whose flag indicates no play is found on the waiting list, the second control unit 70 selects the play request that was stored earliest on the waiting list among the play requests corresponding to players whose flag indicates no play as the next play request to be played, changes the flag corresponding to the player who made the selected play request to indicate a play, and deletes the selected play request from the waiting list, provided that the corresponding play is performed. Also, when there are no play requests waiting on the waiting list or when there are no play requests corresponding to players whose flag indicates no play, the second control unit 70 changes the flag corresponding to each of the multiple players to indicate a no play. As a result, during each determination period, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a particular player is disproportionately playing a game, thereby providing each player with a fair opportunity to play the game.

[0151] Furthermore, in the token-operated game machine 1 according to the embodiment described above, the second control unit 70 has a player identity determination means for determining whether the same player has played a game, and when the player identity determination means determines that the same player has not played a game, the second control unit 70 can change the flag corresponding to that player to indicate no play. As a result, it is easy to determine whether the players are the same or different.

[0152] Furthermore, the token-operated game machine 1 according to the embodiment described above further includes a first token-operated game machine 10, which is an example of a plurality of exclusive game units for playing an exclusive game, and the second control unit 70 can perform control to rotate or move the second token-operated game machine 20 toward each of the plurality of first token-operated game machines 10 so that the second token-operated game machine 20 cooperates with each of the plurality of first token-operated game machines 10. As a result, cooperation between the shared game unit and the exclusive game unit can be achieved using a simple configuration.

[0153] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and any design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to these embodiments as appropriate are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they comprise the features of the present invention. In other words, the elements of the above-described embodiments and their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc. are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they comprise the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1. Medal game machine 10...1st medal game machine 20...Second medal game machine 50...Control unit 70...Second control section

Claims

1. a shared game unit for playing a shared game; a control unit that controls the shared game unit to cause each player to play the shared game in sequence based on a play request corresponding to each player, when there are play requests in queue, the control unit selects a play request to be played next from the play requests in queue based on whether each player has played the shared game during a determination period from a predetermined time point in the past to the present, and when the play requests in queue include a priority play request that is a play request corresponding to a player who has not played the shared game during the determination period, selects the priority play request as the play request to be played next. Medal game machine.

2. 2. The medal game machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is a time when there are no play requests waiting in line, or a time when the priority play request is not included in the play requests waiting in line.

3. A shared game unit for playing a shared game; a control unit that controls the shared game unit to cause each player to play the shared game in sequence based on a play request corresponding to each player, when there are play requests in a queue, the control unit selects a play request to be played next from the play requests in a queue based on whether each player has played the shared game during a determination period from a predetermined time point in the past to the present; the control unit stores a waiting list that stores play requests corresponding to a plurality of players in order of reception, and a flag that corresponds to each of the plurality of players and indicates whether or not each player is playing the shared game during the determination period; The control unit When there is a play request in the waiting list corresponding to a player whose flag indicates no play, selecting the play request that was stored earliest in the waiting list among the play requests corresponding to players whose flag indicates no play as the play request to be played next, changing the flag corresponding to the player who made the selected play request to indicate a play, and deleting the selected play request from the waiting list, on the condition that the corresponding play is performed; changing a flag corresponding to each of the plurality of players to indicate no play when there are no play requests waiting in the waiting list or when there are no play requests corresponding to the players whose flags indicate no play; To do Medal game machine.

4. the control unit has a player identity determination means for determining whether the same player has played the game, 4. The medal game machine according to claim 1, wherein when the player identity determination means determines that the same player is not playing, a flag corresponding to that player is changed to indicate no play.

5. further comprising a plurality of exclusive game units for playing exclusive games; 5. A medal game machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the shared game unit to rotate or move toward each of the plurality of exclusive game units so as to cooperate with each of the plurality of exclusive game units.

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