JP2002186707A - Island facility unit for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release an error with an island facility unit itself when refilling to a pachinko slot machine or a coin dispenser is not adequately performed, in the island facility unit for a game machine having a game medium refilling mechanism for circulating and using coin-shaped game media for the pachinko slot machine in a relatively small number of pachinko slot machines. SOLUTION: When a coin refilling operation is not normally finished in a process before a restart of the island facility unit 1 and therefore a coin may be jammed in a coin refilling gate 16c for opening or closing a refilling passage from a coin flow passage 16 to the pachinko slot machine 2 or the coin dispenser 3, a control device turns on each flow passage opening or closing solenoid sequentially by 10 seconds and performs a coin jam releasing process for releasing the jammed coin.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention can provide a plurality of gaming machines for providing a game medium having a coin shape to a game and providing the game medium to a player as a prize of the game result. The present invention relates to an island equipment unit for a game machine having a game medium supply mechanism for supplying a game medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pachislot machine, which is a game machine for playing a game using a coin-shaped game medium (hereinafter, simply referred to as a coin), has been used by being incorporated into a long island facility at a game store. I have. A large-sized transport device such as a belt conveyor is provided in the island facility, so that coins can be selectively supplied to a pachislot machine that has been requested to supply coins. Also, coins collected from each pachislot machine are collected at one end of the island facility, cleaned and polished, then sent upward, and supplied to the transport device. Such an island facility for pachislot machines has a long configuration in which a number of pachislot machines are juxtaposed, so the replenishment mechanism and recovery mechanism must have long supply paths and long recovery paths corresponding to them. The cost of the equipment was high and the maintenance was complicated.

Accordingly, the present inventors have proposed an island facility unit which can be mounted with a relatively small number of pachislot machines as constituent units (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-228668). According to such an island facility unit, since an island is composed of a relatively small number of pachislot machines (for example, 2, 4, 6, and 8), coin replenishment facilities for each pachislot machine and each pachislot machine are provided. There is no need to increase the size of the coin collection facility from the machine, it is possible to use relatively low-performance and inexpensive equipment, and the coin supply path and coin collection path can be shortened, making maintenance easier. There is. In addition, when replenishing coins to each pachislot machine, a coin flow path member with an inclination is provided at the top of the island facility unit, and the coin flow path in which the coins in the upright state roll and flow down are provided. It is formed inside and sends out the required number of coins to this coin flow path, and by switching the coin supply path so as to guide the rolling coin to the pachislot machine that requested replenishment,
A system that can supply the required number of coins to a specific pachislot machine has been adopted. The coin supply path is formed so as to communicate with the floor of the coin flow path, and the coin supply path is normally closed by the flow path opening / closing member (the coin flow path does not drop to the coin supply path. The flow path opening / closing member retreats from the coin supply path only when the flow path opening / closing solenoid is energized at the time of coin supply, and communicates the coin flow path with the coin supply path. The communication passage is opened, and the coins flowing down the coin flow passage fall from the communication passage and are guided to a specific coin supply passage.

[0004]

However, when a coin replenishment system using a coin flow path member and a flow path opening / closing member driven by a solenoid as in the above-mentioned island facility unit is adopted, the flow path opening / closing solenoid is not used. If the state suddenly changes to the OFF state at an unintended timing such as a power failure, the flow path opening / closing member also returns to the closed state. At this time, if the coin happens to be flowing down the communication path (or just before falling into the communication path). However, there is a possibility that the force of the flow path opening / closing solenoid in the opening direction is lost and the flow path opening / closing member moving in the closing direction may cause coin bite. If a new replenishment process or the like is performed while such a coin bite is occurring, a coin jam occurs due to obstruction of the flow of the coin downstream from the coin bite position, and Since the replenishment process is not completed, the control device of the island facility unit reports the state as occurrence of a replenishment error. Therefore, despite the fact that the coin biting, which is the cause of the replenishment error, can be relatively easily eliminated, it may be troublesome for a game shop clerk or the like to confirm work or interrupt the game of the player. I have to do it. That is, the coin replenishment mechanism of the type in which the lower opening of the coin flow path is opened and closed by the flow path opening / closing member driven by the flow path opening / closing solenoid as described above can reduce the cost with a simple structure, but unexpected power failure. However, when the power supply is cut off due to the above-mentioned situation, there is a disadvantage that the possibility of coin biting must be considered.

In addition, when a coin jam occurs, the control device that has detected the condition cannot know which part of the circulation path the coin jam occurs, and thus simply reports that a replenishment error has occurred. The clerk of the amusement store alone must find the coin biting point by checking the circulation route and the like one by one, and the work load of the amusement store clerk is not light. In addition, if the coin replenishment mechanism is forcibly stopped due to the occurrence of an error in the island equipment unit, the state where the coin cannot be supplied to the pachislot machine that requires coin replenishment will continue for a while,
This will inconvenience the player.

[0006] The above-described drawback is a means for detecting whether or not a coin bite has occurred in or near the communication path to the coin replenishment path when the power is turned on (for example, when a coin is inserted in the coin flow path). Power supply by providing a sensor for detecting whether an obstacle such as an obstacle exists, a sensor for detecting whether the flow path opening / closing member has returned to a normal flow path blocking state without being obstructed by a coin, or the like. Since it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of a coin bite at the time, etc., it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a replenishment error as described above and prevent it from becoming important. Is not a viable solution.

In view of the above, instead of determining whether or not a coin has been bitten, as a normal process to be performed when there is a possibility that the coin has been bitten, a coin bite release process (such as a process of automatically canceling a bite-in state of the coin) is performed. A method of performing the operation of causing the flow path opening / closing member to perform the operation may be considered. In that case,
Since sudden power-off is likely to cause a coin bite, adopting the power-on timing as the timing for performing the coin bite release processing has the advantage that a failure due to the occurrence of a coin bite can be prevented beforehand. On the other hand, if all the island equipment units in the store are turned on at the same time with the opening of the game store, the coin bite release processing will be executed simultaneously in all the island equipment units, and the drive source of the flow path opening / closing member Because of the use of solenoids, the power consumption of the game store temporarily increases. In other words, starting the coin bite release process at such a timing imposes a large load on the power supply equipment of the game store, and the operation of the electric equipment in the game store becomes unstable due to the voltage drop, or the power supply capacity is reduced. Because of the danger of the breaker dropping due to overrun, the game store must secure a much larger power supply capacity than is necessary in normal use. Considering the burden, simply executing the coin bite release processing unconditionally when the power is turned on is not a desirable solution at all.

Further, in order to avoid an increase in power consumption at the time of the coin bite releasing process, a coin bite releasing process in which the channel opening / closing members are operated one by one is adopted. Depending on the scale, a considerable processing time is required until the coin biting release operation in all the flow path opening / closing members is completed. Therefore, if the coin bite release process is performed every time the power is turned on, the start-up time is always long, and if the power is turned on before the amusement store opens, the island equipment unit must be restarted by a failure check etc. during business hours. If this is the case, the player will have to wait a long time until the activation of the island facility unit is completed, and this may significantly impair the mood of the player.

On the other hand, if the coin bite release processing is performed only when a replenishment error due to a jammed coin is performed instead of the coin bite release processing in advance, a temporary increase in power consumption can be suppressed. Thus, it is possible to avoid a prolonged startup time. However, since the cause of the coin jam is not always due to the coin bite, if the setting is made to execute the coin bite release process at all replenishment errors, the coin bite release process for a long time is completed. After that, it may become clear that the coin clogging has not been solved yet, and it takes a long time to uselessly process, and in the end, it will bother the game shop staff and the like, and the island equipment unit The player's dissatisfaction that the game in the gaming machine is interrupted due to the interruption of the processing is also large.

[0010]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine for providing a coin-shaped game medium to a game and providing the game medium to a player as a prize of the game result. A game machine replenishment mechanism for replenishing game media to each game medium replenishment target device, and a control device for controlling the operation of the game medium replenishment mechanism; A game medium replenishment mechanism for circulating the game medium in a circulation channel formed in the island equipment unit for the game machine;
A game medium supply mechanism for selectively replenishing the game medium passing through the circulation flow path to any of the game medium supply target devices,
The game medium circulation mechanism unit includes a game medium storage means for storing game media, and a game medium supplied from the game medium storage means, and is fed out to a game medium outlet formed at an upper portion thereof. The game medium lifting means, and the game medium lifted to the game medium outlet by the game medium lifting means is received from the receiving port, and the game medium rolls by its own weight and can naturally flow down to the discharge port at the lower end of the slope. A game medium flow path member in which a game medium flow path that is a ramp is formed, and a game medium discharged from a discharge port through a game medium flow path of the game medium flow path member and received from a collection port to receive the game medium Game medium collecting means for guiding to the storage means, wherein the game medium replenishing mechanism is opened at the floor of the game medium flow path and communicates with a game medium replenishing path for guiding game media to the game medium replenishing target device. Multiple gaming media A supply gate, a flow path opening / closing member provided to correspond to the game medium supply gate, and a flow path opening / closing member for opening / closing a floor opening of the game medium flow path; And a flow path opening / closing solenoid for opening / closing the flow path opening / closing member based on the command. The control device receives a replenishment request from the game medium replenishment target device and supplies the game medium to the game medium replenishment target device. Game medium replenishment control means for causing the game medium replenishment mechanism to execute a replenishment operation, and circulation abnormality detection for detecting a circulation abnormal state in which an abnormality related to the game medium circulation operation has occurred based on detection information from the game medium replenishment mechanism. Means, an error control means for executing a predetermined error control in the gaming machine island equipment unit in accordance with the circulation abnormality detecting means detecting a circulation abnormal state, and a gaming machine island setting After the unit is restarted, when the game medium supply control means first performs the game medium supply control to the game medium supply target device, the error control is performed based on the fact that the circulation abnormality detection means detects a circulation abnormality state. Error canceling auxiliary operation control means for causing the game medium replenishment mechanism to execute a predetermined error canceling auxiliary operation that may possibly return the circulation operation of the game medium to normal without causing the means to perform error control. It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to the first aspect, the error-releasing auxiliary operation control means is provided in the game medium replenishing mechanism as an error-releasing auxiliary operation. All the flow path opening / closing solenoids are operated to cause all the flow path opening / closing members to perform the opening / closing operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to the first aspect, the error canceling auxiliary operation control means uses the game used for replenishing game media as an error canceling auxiliary operation. Only the passage opening / closing solenoid of the game medium supply gate located upstream of the medium supply gate in the game medium flow path is operated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the error-releasing auxiliary operation control means includes a passage opening / closing solenoid. Are performed in a predetermined order for one device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the error-releasing auxiliary operation control means is provided for the gaming machine. After restarting the island equipment unit, before the game medium replenishment control means first performs the game medium replenishment control to the game medium replenishment target device, the error release assist is also provided if the circulation abnormality detection means detects a circulation abnormal state. The operation is executed, and when the circulation abnormality detecting means detects a circulation abnormality state thereafter, the error control is performed by the error control means without performing the error release assisting operation.

[0015]

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 island equipment units 1 for gaming machines are arranged side by side to form a horizontally long island. Each of the island equipment units 1 is a gaming machine capable of playing games using a game medium In the present 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 awards a coin to the player as a prize of the game result is provided on each island. It is provided in 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 two pachislot machines 2, 2, and a control device 4 for collecting and controlling various information in each of the island facility units 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 equipment unit 1, the upper part of each of the pachislot machines 2, 2 is provided by the 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-mentioned 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. 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 game media, 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 lifting hopper 12, which receives the supply of coins from the lifting tank 11, is a lifting device capable of adjusting the direction of coins inside and feeding the coins one by one to a coin feeding 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 channel member 13 so as to polish the coin to be fed and then feed the coin toward the coin outlet 13a.

A coin which accepts a coin in a state where the coin stands up from the coin outlet 13a of the coin lifting / flowing 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 on the upstream side 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.

In the coin flow path 16, a suitable number (for example, eight) of coin supply gates 16c are formed at the bottom of the passage downstream of the position where the first counting sensor 17 is provided as a game medium supply gate. , These coin supply gates 1
Coin supply members 18 connected so as to communicate with 6c ...
The coins can be supplied to each of the pachislot machines 2 and the coin lending machines 3. The coin flow path 16
The communication portion (gate entrance) from the to the coin supply gate 16c is always closed, and when performing coin supply, the coin supply target device and the coin supply member 18
By opening a communication portion to the coin supply gate 16c to which the coin is connected, the coin flow path is selectively switched,
It supplies the required number of coins only to specific devices.

The above-described coin flow path member 15 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 coin that has reached the discharge port 16 b at the lower end of the slope without entering any of the coin supply gates 16 c is 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, which can detect a state where 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 the present 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 in the present embodiment includes a coin storage means (lifting tank 11) and 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 in correspondence with 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 are detected by the first counting sensor 17 and then reach the coin supply gate 16c. The coin supply gate 16c is an introduction path that opens to the floor 16d of the coin flow path 16 and continues to the coin supply member 18, and the coin path of the coin supply gate 16c is shielded by the flow path opening / closing member 27 (non-supply). In the (state), the coin does not fall to the coin replenishment gate 16c and continues to flow down the coin flow path 16 as it is. At this time, if all the coin replenishment gates 16c are in a non-supply state, the coins flow down to the lower end of the coin flow path 16, and the outlet 16
It overflows from b. In addition, windows 16e... Are appropriately opened at appropriate positions on the side wall of the coin flow path member 15,
The presence or absence of coin clogging or the like 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 opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N (corresponding to the passage opening / closing members 27)
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 passage opening / closing solenoid 2
8a to the sixth passage opening / closing 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
Since the coin 7 is retracted from the coin flow path 16 and the coins can pass through the gate (supply state), the coins rolling on the coin flow path 16 may be in any one of the coin supply gates 1.
6c (the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 2 in the open state)
The coin is supplied to the supply member 18 through the coin supply gates 16c) corresponding to the coins 8a to 28N, and supplied to a specific coin supply target device.

The details of the coin supply gate 16c are as follows.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plate-like channel opening / closing member 2
7 is slid along the guide member 29, so that the flow path opening / closing member 27 penetrates the coin flow path member 15 (non-supply state) and the flow path opening / closing member 27 (Supply state). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28
Since N is in the non-excited state, each coin supply gate 1
6c is the floor opening 16e of the coin flow path 16.
Are closed, so that the coin guided to the coin flow path 16 flows downstream through the floor 16e and the upper surface of each flow path opening / closing member 27. 7
(B), as shown in FIG.
When any one of 8a to 28N is in the excited state, only the flow path opening / closing member 27 of the coin replenishment gate 16c corresponding thereto retreats from the coin flow path member, so that the coin flowing down the coin flow path 16 is replenished. Is guided to the coin supply member 18 through the coin supply gate 16c in the state,
It is supplied to the coin supply target device.

As described above, the coin replenishment mechanism of the coin replenishment mechanism in the present embodiment is the
A plurality of coin supply gates 1 opening to 6d and communicating with a coin supply member 18 for guiding coins to each coin supply target device
6c, channel opening / closing members 27 provided corresponding to the respective coin replenishment gates 16c to open and close the opening of the floor portion 16d of the coin channel 16;
The control device 4 controls the introduction of coins into the coin flow path 16 and the excitation control of the first to Nth flow path opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N. It is possible to selectively supply coins to the coin supply target device for which supply has been requested.

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 11
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.

Also, 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 a drive command to the lifting hopper 12, the supply hopper 23, the first to Nth flow path opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N, and monitors various abnormal states in order to smoothly operate the game medium supply mechanism. When an abnormal state determined to be notified (for example, a circulating abnormal state in which an abnormality relating to the circulating operation of the game medium has occurred) is detected, the island facility unit information alarm 9 and the island group information alarm 5 are used. Performs abnormality notification. 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, receives a control command from the management device 30 installed in the amusement store, and the like. , And various information in the unit is transmitted to the management device 30.

As described above, the control device 4 including the control circuit 4a "executes a game medium supply operation to the game medium replenishment target apparatus in response to the supply request from the game medium replenishment target apparatus. Game medium replenishment control means "
And a function as "circulation abnormality detecting means for detecting a circulation abnormality state in which an abnormality related to the circulation operation of the game medium has occurred based on the detection information from the game medium supply mechanism", and a function as "circulation abnormality detecting means. As a result of detecting the abnormal circulation state, the function as "error control means for executing predetermined error control in the island equipment unit for gaming machine" can be realized.

When the game medium replenishment control means first executes the game medium replenishment control to the game medium replenishment target device after the restart of the island equipment unit for the game machine, Based on the detection of the circulating abnormality by the circulating abnormality detecting means, without causing the error controlling means to perform the error control, a predetermined error release which may possibly return the circulating operation of the game medium to a normal state preferentially. It also includes a function as an "error canceling auxiliary operation control means for causing the game medium supply mechanism to execute the auxiliary operation", and this function will be described below.

The error release assisting operation is an error control by the error control means (control for notifying the occurrence of an error and forcibly stopping various functions of the island facility unit 1 with the error control). Previously, the operation for error cancellation is supplementarily performed only in a case where error cancellation can be relatively easily performed.

The case where the error can be relatively easily removed is a state where proper coin replenishment is not performed in the first replenishment process after the restart of the island facility unit 1 (circulation abnormal state). Is detected, and
After restarting when the control device 4 does not store the previous control state, such as starting at power-on on the next business day of the game store or starting after reset due to external forced intervention, the coin is first The fact that the abnormal circulation state is detected when the replenishment control is performed means that the abnormal circulation state caused by the coin bite that has already occurred before the restart is detected for the first time in the replenishment process after the restart. Such a coin biting may be caused by a power failure during coin replenishment or a forced external reset, causing the first to Nth flow path opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28
When the flow of electricity to N is cut off and the flow path opening / closing member 27 returns to the non-supply state, it is likely to occur when a coin has passed through the coin supply gate 16c.

Therefore, before the island equipment unit 1 is restarted, if the improper interruption of the coin supply as described above occurs and the coin bites, the channel opening / closing member 27 biting the coin is once turned off. Set coin supply channel 16
From the coin supply gate 16c, the coin replenishment member 18 is released.
Since it flows down, the jam on the upstream side is also eliminated. That is, the error cancellation is realized by a relatively simple control operation of opening the flow path opening / closing member 27. The replenishment process including this series of operations will be described in detail below based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when the conduction sensor provided in the storage section of the pachi-slot machine 2 does not come into contact with the coin, a request signal (pachi-slot machine storage section replenishment request signal) is input to the control circuit 4a. If it is determined that the replenishment request has been determined, and if the replenishment signal has not been input or if the replenishment signal has not been input before the elapse of 5 seconds, the replenishment process is terminated (step S1). Note that, even when the coin lending machine 3 runs out of coins and a request signal (coin lending machine replenishment request signal) is input to the control circuit 4a, the input of the request signal is determined based on the input continuation time.

When the replenishment request is determined in step S1, security monitoring processing is performed (step S2). The security monitoring process is a process executed when the replenishment process is performed. The security monitoring process includes “the number of coins inserted” and “the number of coins paid out” to each pachislot machine 2 and the “number of coins supplied” to the pachislot machine 2. , Pachislot machine 2
Is counted and stored every time one game is played, and replenishment due to fraudulent acts is performed based on the result of calculating the stored value (because a fraudulent act of extracting coins from the pachislot machine 2 in any way was performed, the pachislot machine 2 Is a replenishment request made due to a shortage of coins stored in this case). This arithmetic expression is ““ number of coins inserted ”+“ number of coins supplied ”−“ number of coins paid out ”. If the result is“ less than 0 ”, it is determined that the request is a normal replenishment request. Supply is continued, and if it is "0 or more", it is determined that an abnormal state has occurred, and "supply incorrect error processing" is performed, and control is interrupted.
In addition, the improper replenishment error processing is to stop all the controls relating to replenishment and circulation and perform error notification, and it does not return unless the gaming store clerk operates the internal reset switch 4c after confirming the state.

In the security monitoring process of step S2, when it is determined that the replenishment request is proper, it is determined whether or not a coin bite release process start condition is satisfied (step S3). The coin bite release process start conditions are as follows: "when the first replenishment process after turning on the power";"when the first replenishment process after the manual operation"; and "when the first replenishment process after the occurrence of improper replenishment". If any one of the conditions corresponds to the coin bit release processing start condition, a coin bit release processing executable flag is set (step S4). If not, the coin bit release processing is executed. The possible flag is cleared (step S5).

After the above processing is performed, for example, after a lapse of 10 seconds, the coin replenishment gate 1 to which the coin replenishment member 18 communicating with the coin replenishment target device which has requested replenishment is connected.
The first to Nth passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N provided corresponding to 6c are turned ON (step S6), and after a lapse of 2 seconds, the lifting hopper 12 is operated (step S7). Then, the initial number of coins to be replenished in the replenishment process is set (step S8). As an indication of the initial number of coins to be fed by the operation of the lifting hopper 12, the pachislot machine 2 has, for example, 300 coins.
In the coin lending machine 3, for example, 500 coins are set, and the standard for setting the initial number of coins to be ejected may be set so that the storage unit becomes full after the conduction sensor detects the no-coin state.

Then, it is determined whether or not the supply of the set number of coins has been completed (step S9). If the supply of the set number of coins has been completed, the process is completed without any problem. It is determined whether or not there is a replenishment request from the coin replenishment target device (step S10). If the continuity sensor of the device that has supplied the coin has detected the coin, the replenishment request signal is already in the non-input state. It can be used as a condition.

In step S10, when the replenishment request from the corresponding coin replenishment target device has been completed, the lifting hopper 12 is stopped (step S11), and after a lapse of 10 seconds, the SOL of the supply port (SOL) is stopped. One of the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N is turned off (step S12). As described above, immediately after stopping the unloading hopper 12, the first to N-th channel opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28
The reason why 28N is not closed is to secure enough time for the last coin sent out to the coin flow path 6 to reach the coin supply gate 16c on the most downstream side.

When the lifting hopper 12 is stopped,
There is a case where the coin stops at the coin outlet 13a of the coin lifting channel member 13 or reaches the reception opening 16a of the coin channel 16, or the coin is at a delicate position. In such a case,
Even in the standby time of the step S12, there may be a case where the coin is insufficient to flow down. In consideration of this, the coin biting prevention process is performed (step S13). The coin biting prevention process is a process of operating the first to Nth flow path opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N once turned off again (for example, repeating 1 second on and 1 second off twice). If the coin has been bitten by the flow path opening / closing member 27 when returning to the non-supply state, the bitten coin can be released and allowed to flow down to the coin replenishing member 18.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a supply request signal has been input from another pachislot machine 2 or coin lending machine 3 (step S14). If there is a supply request, the supply request is confirmed (step S14). The supply process is repeated from step S1). On the other hand, if there is no replenishment request from another device, a polishing process is executed (step S15), and then the replenishment process ends. This polishing treatment means the island equipment unit 1
This is a process of polishing and cleaning the coin surface by passing the coin through the polishing unit 14 provided in the internal circulation flow path. During the polishing process, the lifting hopper 12
The operation is performed three times with one minute on and one minute off as one set. However, if a new replenishment request is generated during polishing, the process is terminated, and a process based on the replenishment request is executed. By executing the polishing process at the end of the replenishment process in this manner, the coins stored in the island facility unit 1 can be kept clean. If the coins are not polished, the dirt sticks, and once the coins stick, the dirt becomes difficult to remove.

In step S10, if the replenishment request from the replenishment target device has not been completed even after the operation of transporting the initially set number of sheets has been completed, the conduction sensor of the coin replenishment target device cannot detect the coin yet. Since the number of coins is likely to be short, it is assumed that the maximum number of coins to be transported is set again (for example, 1200 for the pachislot machine 2). Perform (step S16). During the supplementary coin replenishment, the continuity sensor of the coin replenishment target device detects a coin and determines whether or not the replenishment request signal has been input (step S17). When the operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S11, and the transport hopper 12 is stopped.

On the other hand, if the replenishment request from the corresponding coin replenishment target device does not end, it is determined whether or not the undetected state of the coin by the first counting sensor 17 has continued for 10 seconds or more (step S18). If the detection of the coin flowing down by the first counting sensor 17 continues for 10 seconds, the coin may be jammed in the middle of the freight. The SOL corresponding to one of the road opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N is turned off, the replenishment check A error process is set, and the replenishment process is terminated (step S19). The replenishment check A error process includes a process of notifying the occurrence of an error condition and a process of setting the external reset switch 9c and the internal reset switch 40 to an effective state. The operation is restored by operating the reset switch 9c or the internal reset switch 40.

In step S18, the first counting sensor 12
If the MAX number has not been detected for 10 seconds, it is determined whether or not the MAX number has been pumped (step S20). Also, the coin replenishment gate located on the upstream side has been opened and spilled from there, or the coin is replenished to the coin replenishment target device because the solenoid of the corresponding coin replenishment gate 16c is not operated. Since it is considered that there is a replenishment abnormality such as flowing down as it is and being collected from the overflow channel member 21, the unloading hopper 12 is turned off,
After 10 seconds, the first to Nth flow path opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28
N, the corresponding SOL is turned off, the replenishment abnormality error process is set, and the replenishment process ends (step S2).
1).

On the other hand, if the lifting operation for the initial number of sheets transported in step S9 is not completed, the first counting sensor 1
It is determined whether or not No. 2 has not been detected for 10 seconds (step S22). If the undetected state of the first counting sensor 12 does not continue for 10 seconds, it is determined whether or not coins of the initial expected number of sheets have been discharged again. Is returned to the determination of, but the undetected state of the first counting sensor 12 is 1
If 0 seconds have elapsed, it is determined whether or not the coin bite release processing execution flag is set (step S2).
3). If the coin bite release processing flag has not been set, the unloading hopper 12 is turned off,
After 10 seconds, the first to Nth flow path opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28
Turn off the SOL corresponding to any of N
The error processing is set and the supply processing ends (step S
24).

When it is determined in step S23 that the coin bite release processing execution flag is set, the coin bite release processing is executed (step S23).
25). This coin bite release process is performed when there is a possibility that a coin bite has occurred at any of the coin supply gates 16c, but it is not possible to detect at which coin supply gate the coin bite has occurred. Therefore, all coin supply gates 1 provided in the coin flow path member 15
6c... First to N-th channel opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N
For example, the first upstream channel opening / closing solenoid 28a on the most upstream side is turned on after being turned on for 10 seconds, and the second channel opening / closing solenoid 28N is turned off after being turned on for 10 seconds. The N-th channel opening / closing solenoid 28N on the downstream side is turned on after being turned on for 10 seconds. In this way, even if coin biting has occurred at any of the coin supply gates 16c, this can be automatically eliminated.

After the coin bite release processing is completed, the flow returns to step S1 to determine whether the supply request has been finalized. At this time, a resupply request must have been made from a resupply target device that has not yet received an appropriate replenishment for the replenishment request, and the coin replenishment process for the coin replenishment target device will be continued. If the circulation abnormality caused by the coin bite is eliminated by the above-mentioned coin bite release process, the appropriate coin replenishment process is completed, so that the automatic return can be performed without bothering a game clerk or the like.

However, if the coin detection by the first counting sensor 17 is not performed even by the above-described coin biting release processing, another cause is considered as a coin jam. In such a case, the process proceeds to step S24 based on the fact that the coin bite release process execution flag has already been released in step S23, so that the error release operation is entrusted to a game store clerk or the like by the replenishment check A error process. It will be. That is, the coin bite release process is an error release assisting operation performed before requesting normal error release (notifying of error detection).

In the coin biting release processing, the duration of turning on one of the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N corresponding to the respective coin supply gates 16c is the same as that of the coin passage 16. Upstream (inlet 16
If the distance from a) to the most downstream part (discharge port 16b) is set to a time necessary and sufficient for the coin to flow down, the position of the coin replenishment gate 16c where the coin bite occurs may be determined. In addition, it is possible to prevent the gate from closing during the flow of the opened coins and to prevent a secondary coin bite. That is, the ON times of the first to N-th channel opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N may be appropriately set according to the length of the coin channel 16. The operation order of the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N is as follows.
For example, when the priority order of coin supply is set according to the characteristics of the coin supply target device, the flow path opening / closing solenoid may be sequentially operated according to the priority order of supply, or the coin flow path may be operated. 16 may be operated sequentially from the upstream side.

In the coin bite release processing performed as an error release assisting operation based on the above-described conditions, an abnormal circulation state is detected due to a coin bite that has already occurred before the island facility unit 1 is restarted. In this case, the coin bite release process is performed first as a control operation (error release assisting operation) that can cancel the bite that has occurred before the restart and can return to normal. In some cases, coin jams (circulation abnormalities) caused by coin bites occurring at the coin replenishment gate 16c can be automatically removed, and thus there is an advantage that the work load on game clerks and the like can be reduced.

In addition, since the replenishment process executed in response to a replenishment request from the coin replenishment target device occurs randomly, all the island equipment units 1 in the amusement store due to a power failure are provided.
Is turned off, and unfortunately, even if many island equipment units 1... Have coin bites caused by the flow path opening / closing members 27, a coin bite release process is executed in each of the island equipment units 1. The timing at which the coins are released is also random, so that the coin bite release processing is performed simultaneously in many island facility units 1 in the game arcade, thereby effectively controlling a large number of channel opening / closing solenoids 28 at the same time. , And there is almost no possibility that a secondary failure occurs due to an increase in the amount of power supplied to the flow path opening / closing solenoids 28 due to the simultaneous execution of the coin bite release processing.

As the coin biting release processing, control may be adopted such that all of the first to Nth passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N in each island facility unit 1 are simultaneously turned on. Inevitably, the power consumption accompanying the processing is increased. If the coin bite release processing is executed simultaneously in a plurality of island facility units 1, there is a concern that a secondary failure due to the increase in power consumption may occur. is there.
Therefore, the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N
Are turned on in a predetermined order, one by one, a large number of flow passage opening / closing solenoids 28 are simultaneously operated during the coin bite canceling process, thereby temporarily increasing power consumption in the game store. It is possible to avoid this and to stabilize the power supply system as a whole game store.

Further, in the coin biting release processing, it is not necessary to operate all of the first to N-th passage opening / closing solenoids 28a to 28N, and the coin supply gate 16c upstream of the coin supply gate 16c used for coin supply. Only the flow passage opening / closing solenoid 28 of the coin supply gate 16c located on the side may be operated. Thus, the coin replenishment gate 16c with a high probability of occurrence of coin biting is provided.
(Because the coin is jammed before the coin is properly supplied to the coin replenishment target device receiving the replenishment request, all coins located on the upstream side of the coin flow path 16 with respect to the coin replenishment gate 16c used for coin replenishment are removed. Coin supply gate 16
c)) only needs to be turned on,
In some cases, the time required for coin bite release processing can be significantly reduced, and the automatic return of the island facility unit 1 can be expedited.

In the present embodiment, the coin bite release process is executed along with the execution of the first replenishment process after the restart. However, the replenishment from the coin replenishment target device after the island facility unit 1 is restarted. If the circulation abnormality detection means detects a circulation abnormality state before performing the coin supply control based on the request, the error release auxiliary operation control means executes an error release auxiliary operation (coin bite release processing) at that time, Thereafter, when a circulation abnormality is detected, the error canceling auxiliary operation control means may cause the error control means to perform error control without performing the error canceling auxiliary operation by itself. In this case, in a case where a coin is jammed on the upstream side due to a coin bite occurring in any one of the coin replenishment gates 16c before the restart, the coin replenishment process based on the coin request is performed earlier. Even if an abnormal circulation state is detected at the stage where the coin is circulated, it is possible to execute the coin bite release process at that point, so that the automatic error release by the coin bite release process according to the actual situation can be performed. It becomes possible. Moreover, if the automatic release is performed by performing the coin bite release process before performing the first coin replenishment operation, even if the coin replenishment operation is performed thereafter and the abnormal circulation state is detected, Since the abnormal circulation state is likely to be a different factor from the coin bite that occurred at the coin replenishment gate before restarting, the replenishment error error processing will be performed instead of performing the coin bite release process again. By doing so, it is also useful in that it is possible to prevent a delay in the response of a game clerk or the like due to unnecessary coin bite release processing being executed.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are all examples, and the present invention is 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.

[0070]

As described above, according to the gaming machine island facility unit according to the first aspect, the game store is started by turning on the power on the next business day or started after reset by forced intervention from the outside. When the game medium replenishment control means first performs the game medium replenishment control to the game medium replenishment target device after the restart in which the previous control state is not stored and held by the control device, a circulation abnormality is detected. Based on the detection of the abnormal circulation state by the means, the error canceling auxiliary operation control means executes the error canceling auxiliary operation.
When the circulation abnormality detecting means detects a circulation abnormality state due to a game medium circulation abnormality that has already occurred before the restart, the game medium circulation abnormality that occurred before the restart is resolved and the game medium circulation abnormality is corrected. It is possible to cause the error-releasing auxiliary operation control unit to perform a predetermined error-releasing auxiliary operation that is predetermined as a control operation that can be returned, giving priority to error control by the error control unit. Accordingly, there is a case where the cause of the abnormal circulation state can be automatically removed by the error clearing assisting operation executed by the game medium replenishment mechanism, and thus there is an advantage that the work load on the game store staff can be reduced.

According to the island equipment unit for a game machine according to the second aspect, the actuation of the flow passage opening / closing solenoid to cause the flow passage opening / closing member to perform the opening / closing operation is the error-releasing auxiliary operation. Due to the interruption of the replenishment operation due to an unexpected power failure or the like during the replenishment process for replenishing the game medium to the device, the bite of the game medium by the channel opening / closing member has already been started before the restart. In the case where the error has occurred, the execution of the error release assisting operation opens the game medium caught in the flow path opening / closing member, thereby removing an obstacle in the game medium flow path. Circulatory abnormalities caused by the intrusion can be eliminated by itself. Moreover, since the replenishment process executed by the replenishment request from the game medium replenishment target device occurs randomly,
Even if the power of all the game machine island equipment units in the game store was cut off due to the power outage, and even if unfortunately many game machine island equipment units were jammed with the flow path opening / closing member by each game machine, The timing at which the error release assisting operation based on the detection of the circulation abnormality is executed in the island facility unit is also random. Therefore, the error canceling assist operation can be effectively avoided in many game machine island equipment units in the game store, and a situation in which a large number of flow path opening / closing solenoids are simultaneously controlled can be effectively avoided. There is almost no possibility that a secondary fault will occur due to an increase in the amount of power supplied to the solenoid due to the simultaneous execution of.

Further, according to the island equipment unit for a game machine according to the third aspect, the opening / closing of the flow path of the game medium supply gate located on the upstream side of the game medium flow path from the game medium supply gate used for the game medium supply. Since the actuation of only the solenoid is set as the error release assisting operation, a game medium replenishment gate with a high probability that the game medium is bitten (the game medium is properly supplied to the game medium replenishment target device that has received the replenishment request). Since the game medium is jammed before the game medium is filled, only the flow path opening / closing member of the game medium supply gate located upstream of the game medium flow path from the game medium supply gate used for the game medium supply is released. The flow path of the game medium supply gate, which can be limited to the control target of the error release assisting operation by the assisting operation control means and is hard to understand the cause of the circulation abnormality detected by the circulation abnormality detecting means There is an advantage that Habukeru waste to be operated to the closed solenoid.

Further, according to the island equipment unit for a game machine according to the fourth aspect, the actuation of the flow passage opening / closing solenoid is performed in a predetermined order to one of the solenoids as the error canceling assisting operation.
A large number of flow passage opening / closing solenoids are simultaneously operated during the error cancellation assisting operation, so that it is possible to avoid a temporary increase in power consumption in the gaming machine island facility unit. In addition, a recirculation abnormality has occurred in many gaming machine island equipment units when returning from a power failure, etc., and a replenishment request was made within a relatively short time from many replenishment target devices. Even if many game machine island equipment units perform an error clearing auxiliary operation, the number of simultaneous actuations of the flow passage opening / closing solenoid can be reduced to a small number, thus stabilizing the power supply system for the entire game store. Anticipate.

According to the island equipment unit for a game machine according to the fifth aspect, after restarting the island equipment unit for the game machine, before performing the game medium supply control based on the supply request from the game medium supply target device, When the circulation abnormality detecting means detects the circulation abnormality state, the error canceling auxiliary operation control means executes the error canceling auxiliary operation at that time, and thereafter, when the circulation abnormality is detected, the error canceling auxiliary operation control Since the means controls the error control means to perform the error control without performing the error release assisting operation by itself, a circulation abnormality (for example, when a certain game medium supply gate In the case where the game medium is jammed on the upstream side due to the biting of the generated game medium, circulate the game medium by a polishing operation of the game medium or the like. Is detected before the execution of the game medium supply operation, the error release assisting operation can be executed, and the error canceling auxiliary operation according to the actual situation can be performed. The error can be automatically canceled. Moreover, if the error cancellation assisting operation is performed before the first game medium replenishment operation is performed and the automatic cancellation is performed, even if the game medium replenishment operation is performed thereafter and the abnormal circulation state is detected. Since it is highly likely that this is another factor than the jam of the game medium generated in the game medium supply gate before the restart, the error canceling auxiliary operation control means does not perform the error canceling auxiliary operation by itself, and Since the control means performs the error control, it is possible to prevent delay in the response of the game store staff or the like while the error-releasing auxiliary operation is being performed uselessly.

[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 supply 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 of the vicinity of a coin supply gate in the coin flow path member.

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view along a coin flow path near a coin supply gate in the coin flow path member.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a coin flow path in which a coin supply gate is in a non-supply state. (B) It is a schematic diagram of a coin flow path in which one of the coin supply gates is in a supply state.

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 flowchart illustrating a first stage of a supply process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a middle stage of a supply process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a latter stage of the supply process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 island facility unit 2 pachislot machine 4 control device 11 first coin storage tank 12 first coin lifting device 13 coin lifting channel member 13a coin outlet 15 coin channel member 16 coin channel 16a receiving port 16b discharging port 16c Coin supply gate 18 Coin supply member 19 Long horizontal member 20a First flow path holding means 20b Second flow path holding means 21 Overflow flow path member 22 Second coin storage tank 23 Second coin lifting device 24 Coin transfer flow path member 27 flow path opening / closing member 28a first flow path opening / closing solenoid 28N Nth flow path opening / closing solenoid

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideo Taguchi 7-201 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Pref.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A game for providing a game medium in which a coin-shaped game medium is provided for a game and a game medium is provided to a player as a prize of the game result, and the game medium is supplied to each game medium supply target device. An island equipment unit for a game machine, comprising a medium supply mechanism and a control device for controlling the operation of the game medium supply mechanism, wherein the game medium supply mechanism is formed in the island equipment unit for the game machine. A game medium circulation mechanism for circulating the game medium in the circulation channel, and a game medium supply mechanism for selectively replenishing the game medium passing through the circulation channel to any of the game medium supply target devices, The game medium circulation mechanism section includes: a game medium storage means for storing the game medium; and a game medium for discharging the game medium supplied from the game medium storage means and sending out the game medium to a game medium outlet formed at an upper portion thereof. Feeding means, the game medium lifted to the game medium outlet by the game medium lifting means is received from the receiving port, and the game medium rolls by its own weight and can naturally flow down to the discharge port at the lower end of the slope. A game medium flow path member having a certain game medium flow path formed therein, and a game medium discharged from a discharge port through a game medium flow path of the game medium flow path member is received from a recovery port to the game medium storage means. A game medium replenishment mechanism, wherein the game medium replenishment mechanism is opened at the floor of the game medium flow path, and a plurality of games each communicating with a game medium replenishment path for guiding game media to a game medium replenishment target device. A medium supply gate, a flow path opening / closing member that is provided corresponding to the game medium supply gate, and opens and closes a floor opening of the game medium flow path; To command from equipment And a flow path opening / closing solenoid for opening and closing the flow path opening / closing member. The control device receives a supply request from the game medium supply target apparatus and performs a game medium supply operation to the game medium supply target apparatus. A game medium supply control unit to be executed by the medium supply mechanism; a circulation abnormality detection unit for detecting a circulation abnormality state in which an abnormality related to the game medium circulation operation has occurred based on the detection information from the game medium supply mechanism; Error control means for executing a predetermined error control in the gaming machine island equipment unit with the circulation abnormality detecting means detecting the circulation abnormality state, and after the game machine island equipment unit is restarted, When the game medium replenishment control means controls the game medium replenishment to the game medium replenishment target device, an error is generated based on the fact that the circulation abnormality detection means detects a circulation abnormal state. Without causing the control means to perform error control, preferentially, an error canceling auxiliary operation control means for causing the game medium replenishment mechanism to execute a predetermined error canceling auxiliary operation that has a possibility of returning the game medium circulation operation to normal, An island equipment unit for a game machine, comprising: 2. The error canceling assisting operation control means operates, as an error canceling assisting operation, all of the flow passage opening / closing solenoids provided in the game medium replenishing mechanism to cause all the flow passage opening / closing members to perform the opening / closing operation. 2. The island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The error-releasing auxiliary operation control means, as an error-releasing auxiliary operation, opens and closes a flow path of a game medium supply gate located upstream of a game medium flow path from a game medium supply gate used for game medium supply. The island equipment unit for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein only the solenoid is operated. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error-releasing auxiliary operation control means performs the operation of the flow path opening / closing solenoid in a predetermined order. An island facility unit for a gaming machine as described. 5. The error cancellation assisting operation control means, after the game machine island equipment unit is restarted, before the game medium supply control means first performs the game medium supply control to the game medium supply target device, If the circulating abnormality detecting means detects a circulating abnormal state, the error canceling auxiliary operation is executed.If the circulating abnormality detecting means detects the circulating abnormal state, the error control is performed without performing the error canceling auxiliary operation. The island equipment unit for a gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein error control is performed by means.