JP3927039B2 - Stand machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pedestrian machine that is installed and used on the side of a gaming machine that uses medals as game media in a game hall, and that pays out a predetermined number of medals in response to insertion of a value-added medium. The present invention relates to a table machine including a bowl-shaped nozzle that guides medals paid out from the main body of the table machine to a predetermined medal storage part of the gaming machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the amusement hall, a so-called pedestrian machine that lends medals, which are gaming media of the slot machine, is installed on the side of the gaming machine called a slot machine when a value-added medium is inserted. The value-added medium is a bill, a coin, a prepaid card, an IC card, a credit card or the like, and is a value medium necessary for a player to purchase a medal or borrow a medal. A bill is generally used as a value-added medium used in a current game hall, and in the following description, a bill is used as an example of a value-added medium.
[0003]
When a player inserts a predetermined amount of banknotes into a banknote insertion slot of a pedestal machine installed on the side of the slot machine, a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the medal payout opening of the pedestal machine accordingly. By installing the pedestal machine on the side of the slot machine, players can play with the slot machine using medals paid out from the pedestal machine without standing up. , The time for the player to interrupt the game can be shortened. In other words, by installing a pedestal machine on the side of the slot machine, the player will not lose interest to borrow medals. In addition, for the game hall operator, the increase in the number of games per hour of the player by installing the intermediary machine on the side of the slot machine leads to an increase in profits.
[0004]
In many cases, the medal payout port of the conventional inter-machine is provided with a tray for receiving the paid-out medals, and the paid-out medals are stored in the tray. In this case, the player has to take out the medals stored in the tray by hand and move them to a part for storing the medals provided in the slot machine where the player plays. In view of this, a table-type machine has been devised and used in which a bowl-shaped nozzle is provided at the medal payout port of the table machine to guide the medals paid out from the main body of the table machine to the medal storage part of the slot machine. .
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a pedestal machine equipped with a bowl-shaped nozzle that guides the paid-out medals to the medal storage part of the slot machine, the amount of medals stored in the medal storage part is conventionally The medal was paid out regardless. That is, depending on the carelessness of the player, medals are paid out exceeding the amount of medals that can be stored in the medal storage unit, and medals that are paid out and guided to the medal storage unit overflow from the medal storage unit. There was a drawback.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, detects the amount of medals stored in a predetermined medal storage unit of the slot machine, and the detected medal amount is the medal storage unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a table machine in which medals are not paid out when the amount of medals set so as not to overflow is exceeded.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the intermediary machine of the present invention is installed and used on the side of a gaming machine that uses medals as game media, and pays a predetermined number of medals in response to insertion of a value-added medium. A main body having a medal payout mechanism for feeding out, and a bowl-shaped nozzle for guiding medals paid out from the main body to a predetermined medal storage section of the gaming machine, and stored in the medal storage section Detecting means for detecting the amount of medals, and control means for controlling whether or not to perform a medal payout operation according to the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit detected by the detecting means; It is characterized by comprising.
[0008]
Further, it is preferable that the detection means is provided at a tip portion of the nozzle or is provided in the medal storage portion.
[0009]
In addition, when the detection unit detects that the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit exceeds the upper limit value during the medal payout operation, It is preferable that the payout of medals is stopped even if the number of medals paid out does not reach a predetermined number according to the added value medium.
[0010]
In addition, when the payout of medals is stopped while the control means is in the middle of paying out a predetermined number of medals according to the added value-added medium, the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit However, when the detection means detects that the amount is less than the amount set as the lower limit value, it is preferable to automatically restart the payout of medals.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show the external appearance of a pedestal machine using the present invention. A rotation hole 4 projects from the front surface of the main body 3 of the inter-machine 2, and a bowl-shaped nozzle 5 is supported inside the rotation hole 4 so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction. The nozzle 5 protrudes downward from the main body with a sufficient inclination so that the medal slides down inside the bag. As shown in FIG. 1, the interstage machine 2 is provided at the side of the slot machine 6 in the game hall. The medal paid out from the inter-machine 2 slides down inside the nozzle 5 and falls into the medal storage part 7 of the slot machine 6 through a hole 26 (shown in FIG. 3) provided at the bottom of the tip of the nozzle 5. . 1 and 2, the position where the nozzle 5 is supported by the main body 3 matches the position of the medal storage section 7 of the slot machine 6, and is not necessarily limited to this position. For example, when the position of the medal storage part is lower than in FIG. 1, the position where the nozzle is supported by the main body is also lower than in FIG. 1 so that the medal can be guided to the medal storage part. . Furthermore, the position of a banknote slot, which will be described later, may be appropriately determined according to the position of the nozzle.
[0012]
In FIG. 2, the outline of the external appearance and internal structure of the main body 3 of the inter-machine 2 is shown. An opening / closing door 12 having a bill insertion slot 11 into which a predetermined bill, for example, a thousand-yen bill is inserted, is provided at the lower front portion of the main body 3. The opening / closing door 12 is locked by a lock 13 so that it cannot be easily opened and closed. A bill recognition device 14 having a space for storing bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 11 is disposed inside the main body 3 and behind the bill insertion slot 11. The banknote recognition device 14 determines the authenticity of the inserted banknote and the type of the denomination. When an effective banknote is identified, the banknote is taken into the inside and the control section 21 indicates that the banknote has been inserted. Communicate as an electrical signal. When an invalid banknote is identified, the banknote is returned from the banknote slot 11. The banknotes stored in the banknote identification device 14 can be taken out by opening the door 12. When an automatic bill collection device is connected from the outside, the bill taken into the bill recognition device 14 is carried outside and stored outside, so that it is not necessary to open the door 12 and take out the bill. good.
[0013]
A medal payout device 16 integrated with the medal storage unit 15 is disposed inside the main body 3 and at the rear of the rotation hole 4. When the medal payout device 16 is instructed to pay out medals by an electrical signal from the control unit 21, the medal payout device 16 pays out medals to the upper end portion of the nozzle 5. The control unit 21 issues a medal payout instruction to the medal payout device 16 so that a predetermined number of medals according to the banknotes inserted into the banknote slot 11 are paid out. The correspondence between the inserted banknotes and the number of payouts may be determined as appropriate, such as paying out 50 medals according to the insertion of one thousand yen bill. The medal supply to the medal storage unit 15 is performed by opening the medal supply door 18 with the lock 17. Further, the panel door 20 with the lock 19 on which the rotation hole 4 is projected is detachable from the main body 3, and the lock 19 is unlocked when the medal payout device 16 is maintained. Thus, the panel door 20 together with the nozzle 5 can be removed from the main body. If an automatic replenishing device that replenishes medals is connected to the medal storage unit 15 from the outside, the medal replenishment door 18 need not be opened to replenish medals.
[0014]
In addition, when using what is not a banknote as an added value medium, what is necessary is just to provide suitably the identification apparatus according to the value medium instead of the banknote identification apparatus 14. FIG. For example, when an IC card is used, a device for identifying whether or not the IC card is valid and appropriately rewriting recorded information in the IC card may be provided in the main body of the intermediary machine.
[0015]
The control unit 21 is disposed inside the main body 3. The control unit 21 is connected to other devices such as the banknote recognition device 14, the medal payout device 16, and a medal sensor 25 (shown in FIG. 3) to be described later, and controls a series of medal payout operations. Has a function of controlling display operations such as whether or not to lend medals and the number of medals paid out.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, at the tip of the nozzle 5, a medal sensor 25 for detecting the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 and a hole 26 for dropping the medals guided by the nozzle 5. Is provided. In FIG. 3, all hatched items indicate medals. The medal sensor 25 measures the distance from the medal sensor 25 itself to the medal directly stored in the medal storage unit 7, and information on the measured distance is input to the control unit 21 as an electrical signal. The control unit 21 estimates the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 7 based on the input distance information. That is, the medal sensor 25 serves as a detection unit that detects the amount of medals stored in the storage unit 7. The medal sensor 25 only needs to be able to measure the distance from the medal sensor 25 itself to the medal directly stored in the medal storage unit 7, and appropriately uses a sensor using magnetism or a sensor using ultrasonic waves. It ’s fine.
[0017]
FIG. 4 shows a control block diagram of the inter-vehicle machine 2. The control unit 21 includes a CPU 30, a ROM 31, and a RAM 32. The CPU 30 controls each device in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 31, and the RAM 32 is used for control such as the number of medals to be paid out according to the inserted bill. Stores various setting values and data required for operation. The control unit 21 receives input of valid banknotes from the banknote identification device 14 and information on the denominations of banknotes, and the medal sensor 25 itself receives the medal storage unit 7 from the medal sensor 25 itself. Information on the distance to the medal immediately below is stored. Based on the input information, the CPU 30 refers to the data stored in the RAM 32 and outputs a signal for paying out medals to the medal payout device 16. The CPU 30 also controls display operations on the display unit 22.
[0018]
The flow of control performed by the control unit 21 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When a valid banknote is inserted into the banknote identification device 14, it is first determined whether or not a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the inserted banknote have been paid out. If the number of medals that have been paid out has not reached the predetermined number, such as immediately after a bill is inserted, then the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 is set to a preset upper limit value. It is confirmed based on the information from the medal sensor 25 whether or not it exceeds. When the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 does not exceed a preset upper limit value, one medal is paid out from the medal payout device 16. When the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 exceeds a preset upper limit value, the medal payout operation is stopped. While the medal payout operation is stopped, when the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 decreases and falls below a preset lower limit value, the control unit 21 uses the information from the medal sensor 25 as a basis. Then, it is detected that the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 has fallen below the lower limit, and the medal payout operation is resumed.
[0019]
The number of medals to be paid out according to the inserted bill and the upper limit value and lower limit value of the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 may be set as appropriate. For example, the number of medals to be paid out is 50 medals per one thousand yen bill, the maximum value of the amount of medals that can be stored in the medal storage unit 7 is 100, and the upper limit value for stopping the payout of medals is 80. Assuming that the lower limit for resuming the payout of medals is 30 sheets, and one thousand-yen bill is inserted when 50 medals are stored in the medal storage section 7 under this setting, the medal payout When 30 medals are paid out from the device 16, the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 becomes the upper limit value, so that the medal payout operation is stopped leaving 20 medals to be paid out. When a slot machine game is performed or the like, the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit 7 decreases, and when the number of medals reaches 30, the medal payout operation is resumed. The payout operation ends.
[0020]
In the above embodiment, the medal sensor, which is a detecting means for detecting the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit, is provided at the tip of the nozzle, but the medal sensor may be provided in the medal storage unit. Similar effects can be obtained. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram when the medal sensor is provided in the medal storage unit. In FIG. 6, all hatched items indicate medals. The medal storage unit 7 is provided with an upper limit detection medal sensor 35 for stopping the medal payout operation and a lower limit detection medal sensor 36 for restarting the medal payout operation. The upper limit detection medal sensor 35 and the lower limit detection medal sensor 36 only need to be able to detect that the height at which the medals are stacked is the position of the sensor. Those using the above may be used as appropriate. The electrical signals from the upper limit detection medal sensor 35 and the lower limit detection medal sensor 36 are input to the control unit 21 of the intermediary machine 2 in the same manner as the medal sensor 25. The control unit 21 receives the medal based on the input electrical signal. The payout control is performed. In addition, the upper limit detection medal sensor 35 and the lower limit detection medal sensor 36 and the control unit 21 can be connected not only directly by a signal cable but also by communication connection using radio waves.
[0021]
In addition, when the slot machine has a function of measuring the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit, the slot machine function is used as a detection means by communicating with the slot machine. Also good.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the intermediary machine of the present invention, the amount of medals stored in a predetermined medal storage unit of the slot machine is detected, and when it can be predicted that medals overflow from the medal storage unit, medals are paid out. Since it was made not to exist, it is possible to prevent the medals paid out from the machine between the medals from overflowing from the medal storage unit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slab machine using the present invention installed on the side of a slot machine.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a table machine using the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect of a medal sensor.
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a table machine using the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a medal payout operation.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect of a medal sensor according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Inter-machine 3 Main body 5 Nozzle 6 Slot machine 7 Medal storage unit 11 Bill insertion slot 14 Bill identification device 16 Medal dispensing device 21 Control unit 25 Medal sensor 30 CPU
35 Medal sensor for upper limit detection 36 Medal sensor for lower limit detection

Claims (5)

A main body having a medal payout mechanism for paying out a predetermined number of medals in response to the addition of a value-added medium when used on a side of a gaming machine having medals as game media, and paid out from the main body In a pedestrian machine provided with a bowl-shaped nozzle for guiding medals to a predetermined medal storage part of the gaming machine,
Detection means for detecting the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit;
And a control unit for controlling whether or not to perform a medal payout operation according to the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit detected by the detection unit. . The inter-machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided at a tip portion of the nozzle. The interstage machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided in the medal storage unit. The control means paid out when the detection means detects that the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit exceeds the amount determined as the upper limit value during the medal payout operation. 4. A machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the medal payout is stopped even if the number of medals does not reach a predetermined number corresponding to the added value medium. When the payout of medals is stopped while the control means is in the middle of paying out a predetermined number of medals according to the added value-added medium, the amount of medals stored in the medal storage unit is 5. The inter-machine according to claim 4, wherein when the detecting means detects that the amount is below the amount set as the lower limit value, the payout of medals is automatically resumed.

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