JP2002177460A - Island equipment unit for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To differentiate a releasing method in accordance with an abnormal state in the case of detecting the abnormal state in an island equipment unit for a game machine provided with a game medium replenishment mechanism for circulating and using a coin-formed game medium for a pachinko/slot machine in a comparatively small number of pachinko/slot machines. SOLUTION: In the island equipment unit 1 equipped with the pachinko/slot machine 2, notice can not be released unless operating an internal reset switch provided in a controller 4 by opening a top plate 7 when a controller 4 detects the security abnormality of being possible that the game medium can illegality be pulled out from the machine 2. The notice can be released by the operation of an outer reset switch provided at an island equipment unit information noticing device 9 in the cases of the other abnormality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine for providing a game medium to a game and for providing a game medium to a player as a prize of the game result. The present invention relates to an island facility unit for a game machine having a medium supply mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game machine for playing a game using a game medium such as a pachinko ball or a coin has been used in a game store incorporated in a long island facility. In addition, the island facility is provided with a game medium lending device for lending game media used for the game to the player. In this island facility, a conveyor such as a belt conveyor is provided, and game media are supplied to each gaming machine or collected from each game media, and are recycled in the island facility. ing. Such an island facility is provided with a control device that collects various information from a game medium circulation mechanism, each game machine, and the like, and issues a command according to a supply request.

[0003]

However, the above-described control device provided in the conventional island facility mainly controls information collection, supply instructions, and the like, and controls abnormal operations that occur in the island facility. It did not have a function of accurately detecting and notifying. For example, some people perform illegal acts such as stealing the eyes of game clerks and directly extracting game media from gaming machines during business hours of the game store, but abnormalities based on such illegal acts (a kind of security abnormality) If the gaming machine itself could not detect it, the control device of the island facility could not cope with such a security abnormality.

[0004] In addition, when the control device of the island facility is provided with a function for detecting various abnormal states occurring in the island facility so that the abnormal state can be monitored, the control device of the island facility detects the abnormal state. In addition to promptly notifying the game clerks with the detection, it is necessary to take into consideration that the abnormality notification is immediately released as soon as the game clerk can respond. For example, there is a shortage of game media circulating in the island facility, and a request for replenishment of the game medium is notified by the control device of the island facility, but this notification is easily noticed by game clerks traveling around the game shop. Since the notification is performed by a sound output or a blinking operation of a decoration lamp as described above, the notification is visible or audible to a player playing the game,
If the user is distracted by such anomaly notification, it is difficult to concentrate on the game, and the player may feel uncomfortable. It is desirable that the clerk is designed to quickly release the abnormality notification.

However, if the release of the abnormality notification performed by the control device of the island facility is configured to be easily operated by a person other than the game shop clerk, a security abnormality based on an illegal act or the like is reported. Occasionally, there is a danger that the party who has committed the wrongdoing will promptly cancel the notification, and the game store clerk will not notice at all, or the game store will suffer a considerable loss before it becomes aware. Therefore, there is also a problem in that a configuration in which the abnormality notification can be easily operated by a person other than the game store clerk also exists.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a plurality of gaming machines that provide a game medium to a game and provide the game medium to a player as a prize of the game result. An island facility unit for a game machine, which is equipped with a game medium replenishment mechanism for replenishing a game medium to each game machine, and collects and manages various kinds of information in the island facility unit for the game machine. When a control command is issued to the controller and detects various abnormal conditions that are determined in advance to be monitored, a control device that notifies the occurrence of the abnormal condition is provided. If the security abnormality is detected, the abnormality notification can be canceled only by operating the internal reset operation means arranged inside the gaming machine island facility unit, When other abnormalities other than the security abnormalities described above are detected, the notification of the abnormality can be canceled by operating the external reset operation means disposed outside the gaming machine island equipment unit. Features.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine island facility unit according to the first aspect, when the control device detects another abnormality, the abnormality notification is performed by operating an internal reset operation means. Is also releasable.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, the external reset operation means is notified of other abnormal states by a control device. The operation is enabled only when the operation is performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the island facility unit for a gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the island facility unit for the gaming machine has a detachable upper opening. And a cover member on which a game medium storage box for storing the game medium can be placed, and the internal reset operation means at a position operable from the upper opening covered by the cover member. It is characterized by being arranged.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an island facility unit for a game machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of a state in which horizontally long islands are formed by arranging island equipment units 1 for gaming machines side by side. Each of the island equipment units 1 is a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a game medium. In this embodiment, the pachislot machine 2 which is a gaming machine that provides a game with a coin-shaped game medium (hereinafter, referred to as a coin) and provides the player with a coin as a prize of the game result is provided on each island. It is provided to the equipment unit 1. FIG. 2 shows the island facility unit 1 according to the present embodiment as a single unit, which can be equipped with a total of four pachislot machines 2 and 2 in a back-to-back state. . Needless to say, the number of pachislot machines 2 and the state of the pachislot machines 2 are not particularly limited, and any configuration can be used as long as the number of pachislot machines 2 can be provided so that maintenance management is not complicated. In addition, instead of the pachislot machine 2, a pachinko machine using a pachinko ball for a game may be an island facility unit that can be equipped as a game machine.

In this island facility unit 1, a coin lending machine 3 is provided between the two pachislot machines 2, 2, and a management device 4 for collecting and controlling various information in each island facility unit 1 is provided therein. At the same time, an island group information alarm 5 for notifying information on a unit island formed by connecting the island equipment units 1 in a unit group structure is provided at, for example, an end of the island (see FIG. 1).

On the other hand, in the single island facility unit 1, the upper part of each of the pachislot machines 2, 2 is provided by an upper decorative plate 6a.
The lower portion is covered with a lower decorative plate 6b, and the upper opening is detachably shielded by a top plate 7 serving as a lid member to enhance the decorativeness of the appearance. The island facility unit 1 shown in the present embodiment has a plurality of island facility units 1 in order to form a group structure.
Are arranged side by side, but one island facility unit 1 may be used alone. In this case, both sides may be covered with a side decorative plate or the like to improve the appearance.

The upper decorative plate 6a of the island equipment unit 1
, The upper display 8 corresponds to each pachislot machine 2.
Are provided so that information display relating to the game situation of the corresponding pachi-slot machine 2 and decorative display for enhancing the interest in the game can be performed. Further, the upper decorative plate 6a is provided with an island facility unit information indicator 9 separately from the upper display 8 so that various information (for example, remaining coin amount and error information) in the island facility unit 1 is provided. Can be notified visually or audibly.

On the other hand, the lower decorative plate 6b of the island facility unit 1
Is provided with a coin insertion slot 10, and a coin supply mechanism (a mechanism for supplying coins as game media to each pachislot machine 2 ...) as a game medium supply mechanism provided inside the island facility unit 1. ) Allows game clerks to refill coins. The coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 10 may be detected by a coin sensor (not shown), and the number of inserted coins may be accurately determined. The information on the number of inserted coins and the number of coins to be supplied to each of the pachislot machines 2 are sent to the control device 4 to be collected and managed.

The above-described island facility unit 1 has an appearance in which the above-described various decorative plates and the like are mounted on a frame formed by appropriately combining metal mold members in a housing frame shape. It is provided. The coin supply mechanism includes a game medium circulation mechanism for circulating game media (coins and pachinko balls) in a circulation channel formed in the island facility unit 1 and a game medium (coins and pachinko) passing through the circulation channel. And a game medium replenishing mechanism for selectively replenishing any one of the pachislot machines 2 (or pachinko machines).

The details of the coin circulation mechanism and the coin replenishment mechanism using the game medium as a coin are as shown in FIG. 3, and these mechanisms will be described below.
FIG. 3 illustrates the perspective view of the interior of the island facility unit 1 shown in FIG. 2, with the gaming machine mounting surface on which the two pachislot machines 2 and 2 can be arranged side by side with the coin lending machine 3 interposed therebetween. 2 in the direction
It is provided on the surface.

First, the lifting tank 11 serving as one function of the coin circulation mechanism functions as a game medium storing means for storing a game medium, and is inserted into the coin or pachislot machine 2 inserted from the coin insertion 10. The collected coins are temporarily stored. The coins stored in the lifting tank 11 are supplied to a lifting hopper 12.
When the remaining amount of the coins stored in the lifting tank 11 becomes small, this state is determined by the lifting tank sensor 11.
a, and this information is sent to the control device 4.

The hoisting hopper 12, which receives coins from the hoisting tank 11, is a hoisting device capable of adjusting the direction of coins therein and sending out the coins one by one to a coin sending portion 12a which opens upward. Coins delivered from the coin delivery section 12a of the delivery hopper 12 are delivered to the upper portion of the island facility unit 1 via the coin delivery channel member 13, and
Coin outlet 13 formed at the upper end of delivery channel member 13
It is sent to a. That is, by the cooperation of the lifting hopper 12 and the coin lifting channel member 13, the game medium supplied from the game medium storing means is pumped out, and is sent out to the game medium outlet formed in the upper portion. Functions as a medium lifting means.

A polishing unit 14 is disposed at an appropriate position above the coin lifting / flowing channel member 13 to polish the coin to be fed and then feed it to the coin outlet 13a.

A coin that accepts a coin in a state in which the coin stands up from the coin outlet 13a of the coin lifting channel member 13 (a state in which the peripheral surface of the coin is in contact with the bottom and two circular surfaces are vertical). The flow path member 15 is provided with a coin outlet 16b through a receiving port 16a communicating with the coin outlet 13a.
A coin flow path 16 communicating with the inside is formed,
By appropriately adjusting the state in which the coin flow path member 15 is fixed in the island facility unit 1, the internal coin flow path 16 can be adjusted.
Has an appropriate inclination angle (for example, 2 °), and the coin rolled by its own weight is discharged from the receiving port 14a to the discharge port 1 at the lower end of the tilt.
It becomes a ramp that can flow naturally to 4b. That is, the coin flow path member 15 receives the game medium lifted to the game medium outlet by the game medium lifting means from the receiving port, and the game medium rolls by its own weight and naturally reaches the inclined lower end discharge port. It functions as a "game medium flow path member in which a game medium flow path which is a ramp that can flow down" is formed.

The first counting sensor 1 is located at an appropriate position upstream of the coin flow path 16 formed in the coin flow path member 15.
7 is provided, so that one coin sent out from the coin outlet 13a of the coin lifting channel member 13 to the coin channel 16 can be detected. That is, if the number of coins detected by the first counting sensor 17 is counted by the control device 4 or the like, the number of coins discharged by the lifting hopper 12 and sent out to the coin flow path 16 can be accurately grasped. I can do it.

An appropriate number (for example, eight) of coin supply gates 16c are formed at the bottom of the coin flow path 16 downstream of the position where the first counting sensor 17 is provided.
Each of the pachislot machines 2... Is connected by a coin replenishing member 18.
And coin lending machines 3... Can be supplied with coins. It should be noted that each coin replenishment gate 16 is
The communication part (gate entrance) to the coin replenishment gate c is always in a closed state, and when performing coin replenishment, the communication part to the coin replenishment gate 16c to which the coin replenishment target device and the coin replenishment member 18 are connected. , The flow path of coins is selectively switched, and a required number of coins are supplied only to a specific device.

The coin flow path member 15 described above is, for example,
It is fixed at a predetermined position by flow path holding means 20 fixed to long horizontal members 19, 19 which are one of the members constituting the frame of the island facility unit 1.

While passing through the coin flow path 16, the coins that reach the discharge port 16 b at the lower end of the slope without entering any of the coin supply gates 16 c are received from the recovery port 21 a of the overflow flow path member 21. As a result, it falls in the downward overflow channel formed in the overflow channel member 21 and is stored in the replenishment tank 22 from the drop port 21b. This supply tank 22
The coins stored in the coin are sent out one by one to the coin sending section 23a by the supply hopper 23, and are transferred to the above-described lifting tank 11 through the coin transfer passage of the coin transfer passage member 24.

The replenishment tank 22 is also provided with a replenishment tank sensor 22a to detect a state in which the remaining amount of coins has decreased. Similarly to the coin flow path member 15, the coin transfer flow path member 24 has an appropriate inclination angle (for example, 2 °) so that the coin flow path member 24 can flow down to the inclined lower end by its own weight. It is adjusted to be a ramp. Further, a second counting sensor 25 is provided in the coin transfer channel member 24 so that the number of coins transferred to the unloading tank 11 via the coin transfer channel can be counted.

As described above, in this embodiment,
Overflow channel member 21, second coin storage tank 2
2. The cooperation of the replenishing hopper 23, the coin transfer channel member 24 and the like allows the coin collecting means (the game medium discharged from the discharge port through the game medium flow path of the game medium flow path member to be received from the collection port). Thus, it functions as a game medium collecting means for guiding to the game medium storing means. In order to realize the function as the coin collecting means, it is only necessary to supply coins overflowing from the coin flow path 17 and coins collected from the pachislot machine 2 to the coin discharging means again. If one coin storage tank and one coin lifting device are provided so as to guide overflow coins to the lifting tank 11, the cost of the island facility unit 1 can be reduced. In addition, if a configuration is provided with two coin storage tanks and two coin lifting devices as in the present embodiment, the amount of coins stored in the island facility unit can be increased, and the frequency of coin supply can be reduced. There is an advantage.

As described above, the coin circulation mechanism of the coin replenishment mechanism according to the present embodiment includes a coin storage means (lifting tank 11), a coin lifting means (lifting hopper 1).
2, coin carrying channel member 13), coin channel member 15, and coin collecting means (overflow channel member 21, supply tank 22, supply hopper 23, coin transfer channel member 24).

On the other hand, the game medium replenishment mechanism is provided corresponding to each coin replenishment gate 16c of the coin flow path member 15, and the outline thereof will be described with reference to FIG.
The coin outlet 13a for sending out the coins discharged by the coin lifting channel member 13 and the receiving port 16a of the coin channel member 15 are connected by a connecting plate 26. Is sent out, the coin in the coin lifting channel member 13 on the downstream side is also pushed up, so that the coin is located at the uppermost portion of the coin lifting channel member 13 (the portion closest to the coin outlet 13a). The coin to be pushed is pushed out from the lifting channel member 13 and reaches the coin channel 16, where it rolls under its own weight and flows down the ramp. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is no need to separately provide a mechanism for sending the discharged coins to the coin flow path 16 one by one.

The coins received from the coin inlet 16a of the coin flow path 16 reach the coin replenishment gate 16c after being detected by the first counting sensor 17. The coin replenishment gate 16c is connected to a communication hole large enough to drop coins into the bottom of the coin flow path 16. When the communication hole is blocked by the flow path opening / closing member 27, the coin drops to the communication hole. Thus, the coin continues to flow down the coin flow path 16 without reaching the coin supply gate 16c. At this time, if all the communication holes are closed, the coin flows down to the inclined lower end of the coin flow path 16 and overflows from the discharge port 16b. In addition, windows 16d... Are appropriately opened at appropriate positions on the side wall of the coin flow path member 15 so that the presence or absence of a jam in the coin flow path 16 can be confirmed.

When replenishing coins to a specific coin replenishment target device (in this embodiment, either the pachislot machine 2 or the coin lending machine 3), the replenishing member 18 is attached to the coin replenishment target device. The first to N-th passage switching solenoids 28a to 28N (corresponding to the respective passage opening / closing members 27) provided corresponding to the coin supply gates 16c.
Is an electric drive source for performing opening and closing operations of..., And in this embodiment, a total of six coin supply paths of four pachislot machines 2... And two coin lending devices 3 and 3 can be switched. , N = 6, and the first flow path switching solenoid 2
8a to the sixth passage switching solenoid 28f are provided. ), The control device 4 sends an open command. That is, the first opening / closing operation of the flow path opening / closing member 27 that blocks the communication hole to the corresponding coin supply gate 16c is performed.
To the sixth passage opening / closing solenoid 28a to 28f, the passage opening / closing member 2
7 retreats from the coin flow path 16, so that the coin flow path 16
Is dropped from any one of the communication holes, reaches the coin supply gate 16c, and is supplied to a specific coin supply target device through the supply member 18.

As described above, the coin replenishment mechanism of the coin replenishment mechanism according to the present embodiment includes the coin replenishment gate 16 connected to the coin replenishment target device via the replenishment member 18.
c, a channel opening / closing member 27 for opening and closing a communication hole to the coin replenishment gate 16c, a channel opening / closing solenoid 28 for driving the channel opening / closing member 27, a control device 4 for controlling the drive of the channel opening / closing solenoid 28, and the like. It consists of.

In the island facility unit 1 as described above,
The control device 4 may be arranged at an appropriate place in the interior. For example, it is desirable that the top plate 7 is detached and attached to a portion that can be easily operated when a hand is put through the upper opening (see FIG. 5). Further, as shown in FIG.
a, the opening 7b near the connecting portion between the coin carrying channel member 13 and the coin channel member 15 is opened when the opening / closing lid 7a is opened. When checking the location, which is an easy part, the top plate 7
So that it is not necessary to remove the whole. The top plate 7 serving as a lid member is formed with flat plate portions 7c, 7c as spaces in which coin boxes 29 can be stably placed, and a large number of coins are obtained as a prize from the tray of the pachislot machine 2. When overflow occurs, even if the response of the game store clerk is late, it is considered that the player can quickly obtain the coin box 29 by himself. By placing these coin boxes 29 on the top plate 7, a person who is not a game clerk can
Can be prevented from being removed.

Next, the function of the control device 4 will be described in detail. The control device 4 includes a control circuit 4a housed in the case.
Thus, various signals are supplied as input information to the control circuit 4a, and various information and command signals are output from the control circuit 4a. The control circuit 4a is a circuit in which a one-chip microcomputer including a ROM and a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like are organically connected on a circuit board.

In the control circuit 4a, information on the shortage of the coins for the lifting of the lifting hopper 12 from the sensor 12b for the lifting hopper is sent from the sensor 11a for the lifting tank to the lifting tank 11a.
Information on the shortage of stored coins in the sensor
3b, information on the number of coins replenished in the replenishing hopper 23 from the replenishing hopper 23, and information on the number of coins stored in the replenishing tank 23 from the replenishing tank sensor 23a, The information is the information on the number of coins supplied from the second counting sensor 25 to the unloading tank 11 from the supply hopper 23, and the opening / closing information on the coin slot 10 is input from the coin slot opening / closing detection sensor 10a.

Further, from the pachislot machines 2 attached to the island facility unit 1, the pachislot machine external information, which is transmission information defined as information to be transmitted to the outside from various game information in each pachislot machine 2,. The signal, the pachi-slot machine storage section replenishment request signal to be transmitted when the remaining amount of the coin storage section in the pachi-slot machine 2 is insufficient is transmitted to the control circuit 4a.
Is input to The coin lending machine 3 also receives a coin lending machine replenishment request signal that is sent out when the remaining amount in the coin storage unit is insufficient. Further, the case of the control device 4 is provided with a manual operation panel 4b and an internal reset switch 4c serving as an internal reset operation means, for receiving setting information from the manual operation panel 4b and operating the internal reset switch 4c. The notification of the security abnormality (to be described later in detail) for notifying a specific abnormal state is canceled based on the notification.

Based on these input information, the control circuit 4
a sends drive commands to the lifting hopper 12, the replenishing hopper 23, the first to Nth flow path switching solenoids 28a to 28N, and monitors various abnormal conditions to smoothly operate the game medium circulation mechanism. When an abnormal state determined to be notified is detected, an abnormality notification is performed by the island facility unit information alarm 9 and the island group information alarm 5. In addition, the control circuit 4a transmits and receives various information to and from the control circuit 4a of another island facility unit 1 belonging to the same island group.
The control unit 30 receives a control command from the management device 30 installed in the amusement store, and transmits various information in the unit to the management device 30.

The appearance of the island facility unit information notifier 9 is as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a detailed information notifying section 9a for notifying detailed information as character information, and general information by turning on / off / flashing a lamp. Summary information reporting unit 9 to report
b, an external reset switch 9c, which is an external reset operating means operated by inserting a pin, etc., and a reset operation request display section 9d for notifying that the notification release by operating the external reset switch 9c is in a valid state. ,
It is provided with a coin remaining amount indicator 9e for notifying the outline of the coin remaining amount in the island facility.

More specifically, in the island facility unit information notifier 9 in FIG. 9A, information is not notified by the detailed information notifying unit 9a and the general information notifying unit 9b, and the coin remaining amount indicator 9e is used. Since it is displayed that the remaining coin amount is sufficient and the reset operation request display section 9d is not displayed, it is indicated that the external reset switch 9c is not operable. As described above, the state in which the external reset switch 9c can be operated is limited only to the case where the control device 4 has notified the abnormal state, and the limited state is notified by the reset operation request display section 9d. If set, the reset operation request display section 9
Even if a general player who does not know anything during the normal time when d is not displayed operates the external reset switch 9c by mistake, it is possible to prevent the initialization processing in the control device from being performed due to the reset operation.

In FIG. 9B, an error code "E10" is displayed on the detailed information notifying section 9a, the general information notifying section 9b is lit, and the remaining coin indicator 9e indicates that there is no remaining coin. However, since the reset operation request display section 9d is not displayed, it is shown that the external reset switch 9c is not operable. The error code E10 displayed on the detailed information notifying section 9a indicates improper replenishment (described in detail later).
It is impossible to easily release the error notification by operating the internal reset switch 4c, and the error notification state can be released only by operating the internal reset switch 4c.

In FIG. 9 (c), an error code "E20" is displayed on the detailed information notifying section 9a, the general information notifying section 9b is lit, and the remaining coin indicator 9e indicates that there is no remaining coin. Is displayed, but since the reset operation request display section 9d is in the display state, the external reset switch 9c can be operated (the detected error state is resolved, and the abnormality notification is released. Is also good) is shown. The error code E20 displayed on the detailed information notification unit 9a indicates a replenishment abnormality in which coin replenishment to the pachislot machine 2 and / or the coin lending device 3 may not be normally performed. This is an error state in which it is permitted to simply cancel the error notification state by the switch 9c.

The external reset switch 9c as described above
When an error that can be canceled by the notification is detected, the reset operation request display unit 9d is turned on at the same time as the occurrence of the error, so that the operation unit operated when canceling the error notification state is set by the external reset switch 9c. Lighting or blinking control of the reset operation request display section 9d may be performed for the purpose of clearly indicating that there is something. In this way, even if the error notification state is once cleared by operating the external reset switch 9c without eliminating the cause of the error, the same error state is detected again because the cause of the error has not been removed, and the reset is performed. Since the operation request display section 9d also turns on or blinks, for example, even if a general player operates the external reset switch 9c to release the error notification state, as long as the error cause is not eliminated. The notification of the error detection is executed again by the reset request display unit 9d, and it is possible to effectively avoid a situation where a game clerk or the like who should respond to the error overlooks the island facility unit 1 in which the abnormal state is detected.

The following table shows the notification modes of the detailed information notification section 9a and the summary information notification section 9b in the above-mentioned island equipment unit information notification device 9 and the outline of the error contents indicated by the information modes.

[0044]

[Table 1]

When an error of improper replenishment occurs, the general information notifying section 9b blinks at 256 ms and the error code of the detailed information notifying section 9a is "E1X (X = X
0-9) "is displayed, and the island group information alarm 5 is also 256 ms.
Flashing at. This improper replenishment means replenishment factors other than replenishment timing (factors such as illegal removal of coins).
Is an abnormal state that should be especially watched out of the abnormal states that are predetermined to be monitored by the control device 40. In the present embodiment, this is set as a security abnormality.

That is, the control device 40 determines the “number of coins supplied in response to a request from each pachi-slot machine 2...” And the “number of coins inserted (recovered number) by the player in each pachi-slot machine 2.
And “the number of coins paid out to the player as a prize by each pachislot machine 2...” Can be collected and managed. Therefore, the approximate number of coins remaining in the pachislot machine 2 that has requested replenishment is calculated (for example, extremely The calculation is performed in units of about the past 50 games in which matching does not occur.) If the approximate value obtained by this calculation and the replenishment request are extremely different, the remaining coins in the pachislot machine 2 will not be paid out as an appropriate prize. You have to take into account the reduced likelihood (the possibility of being picked up fraudulently).

Therefore, when an error of improper replenishment occurs, it is impossible to easily release the error by operating the external reset switch 9c of the island equipment unit information annunciator 9, but is released only by operating the internal reset switch 4c. Therefore, even if the fraudulent player knows that the external reset switch 9c is to be operated as a method of canceling the abnormality notification, the fraudulent player can easily release the error regarding the improper supply. Since there is no,
The amusement store clerk can surely confirm the pachislot machine 2 in which the supply irregularity is detected and respond.

When the abnormality notification is canceled and returned, the internal reset switch 4c is operated after confirming that the sensor for detecting the remaining amount of coins in the pachi-slot machine 2 is functioning normally. . This is because the storage sensor in the pachi-slot machine 2 may not be able to properly detect the remaining amount of coins, and a request for supply that is originally unnecessary may be made.

Other abnormalities (supply errors, replenishment check A, replenishment check B, recirculation errors, open slot, full, coin replenishment request) listed in Table 1 other than the replenishment irregularities that correspond to the security abnormalities described above are as follows. Since it is caused by a sensor failure in the pachi-slot machine 2 or coin lending device 3 provided in the island facility unit 1 or a sensor failure of a device in the unit, the blinking speed of the general information notification unit 9b and the island group information notification device 5 is determined. 10
The notification is made by delaying the time to 24 ms or by turning on the light without blinking. In addition, since it is desirable that the abnormality notification can be quickly released after the game store clerk appropriately responds to other abnormalities, it can be automatically released when the cause of the error is removed, or can be released by operating the external reset switch 9c. It is. In addition, if the abnormality notification that can be released by the external reset switch 9c can be released by operating the internal reset switch 4c, the workability may be improved.

Note that security abnormalities and other abnormalities
The state is not limited to the above example, and any state may be set as an abnormal state (security abnormality or other abnormality) as long as the control device 4 of the island facility unit 1 can collect and monitor information. In addition, the notification method is not limited to the notification by the island facility unit information alarm 9 and the island group information alarm 5, but the abnormality is notified by using the display of the pachislot machine 2 or the coin lending device 3 having an abnormal factor. You can do it,
The notification may be made to the management device 30. Of course, the notification mode is not limited to a visual notification using a display or a lamp, but may be an auditory notification mode using sound.

Further, in addition to the notification of the error detection state, it may be notified that an operation for releasing an error (operation of the internal reset switch 4c and the external reset switch 9c) has been performed. Further, when an error is detected, various functions (for example, a game medium circulation control function, etc.) in the island facility unit 1 may be forcibly stopped in addition to the notification. In this case, only the function of the island equipment unit 1 in which the abnormality is detected is stopped, and the other island equipment units 1 are not affected at all. Therefore, the number of gaming machines affected by the progress of the game is minimized. After stopping, the abnormality of the island facility unit 1 can be dealt with.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, all the embodiments disclosed in this specification are exemplifications and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should be considered not. That is,
The technical scope of the present invention is not to be construed as being limited based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed in accordance with the description of the claims, and should be interpreted in accordance with the art described in the claims. Equivalent techniques and all modifications within the scope of the claims are included.

[0053]

As described above, according to the gaming machine island equipment unit of the first aspect, when a security abnormality is detected, the abnormality by the control device is only performed by operating the internal reset operation means. Since it is assumed that the notification can be canceled, if an abnormal state that is highly likely to have been committed by the player is set as a security abnormality, the abnormality notification based on the security abnormality can be easily released by the external reset operation means Can no longer do
Since it is difficult for a fraudster to cancel the abnormality notification, it is possible to ensure that the game shop clerk responds to the security abnormality. On the other hand, when any other abnormality is detected, the abnormality notification by the control device can be released by operating the external reset operation means, so that the abnormality notification of the other abnormality can be promptly released. It is possible to effectively prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable because the notification is not easily released.

Further, according to the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to the second aspect, the abnormality notification of the control device due to other abnormalities can be canceled also by the internal reset operation means. In the case of an abnormality accompanied by a confirmation operation in the unit), the notification can be canceled after the operation in the unit, so that the workability can be improved.

According to the island equipment unit for a game machine according to the third aspect, the operation of the external reset operation means is effective only when the control device notifies other abnormal state. Even if a general player who does not know operates the external reset operation means by mistake, it is possible to prevent the initialization process in the control device from being performed due to the reset operation.

According to the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the lid member on which the game medium storage member can be placed must be removed to operate the internal reset operation means. It becomes virtually impossible for a person to operate the external reset operation means without noticing the surroundings, and the detection of a security anomaly caused by fraud can be further ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming island having a group structure in which island facility units equipped with pachislot machines are juxtaposed.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the island facility unit alone.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a game medium circulation mechanism in the island facility unit.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the waist of the coin passage member on the coin receiving side.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing an arrangement state of a control device inside the island facility unit.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a top plate in a state where an opening / closing lid is closed. (B) It is a perspective view of the top plate in the state which opened and closed the lid.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a coin box is placed on a top plate that covers an upper opening of the island facility unit.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram related to input and output in a control circuit having a main function of the control device.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an island facility unit information alarm.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Island equipment unit 2 Pachislot machine 4 Controller 4c Internal reset switch 7 Top plate 9c External reset switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (72) Inventor Hideo Taguchi 7-201 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma F-term in Sofia Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2C088 BC30 BC31 BC71 CA01 CA04 CA28 EA48 EA49

Claims (4)

[Claims] A game machine which supplies a game medium to a game and provides a game medium with a game medium as a prize of the game result, a plurality of game machines can be provided, and a game medium supply mechanism for replenishing the game medium to each game machine is provided. An equipment island equipment unit that collects and manages various types of information on the gaming machine island equipment unit, performs control commands to the game medium supply mechanism, etc., and detects various predetermined abnormal states for monitoring. Then, a control device for notifying the occurrence of the abnormal state is provided, and when a security error that is particularly defined among the abnormal states monitored by the control device is detected, the inside of the island equipment unit for the gaming machine is provided. The abnormality notification can be canceled only by operating the internal reset operation means located in the system, and other abnormalities other than the above security abnormalities, other than abnormalities, are detected. If the the gaming machine island equipment unit, characterized in that allowed the release of the abnormality notification by the operation of the external reset operating means arranged outside the island equipment unit for the game machine. 2. The gaming machine island facility unit according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality notification when the control device detects other abnormality can be canceled by operating an internal reset operation means. 3. The operation of the external reset operation means is enabled only when the state of other abnormalities is notified by the control device.
Or the island equipment unit for gaming machines according to claim 2. 4. An island facility unit for a gaming machine, wherein the upper opening is removably shielded and a lid member capable of mounting a game medium storage box for storing game media is provided. The island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal reset operation means is disposed at a position operable from an upper opening shielded by the member.