JP2008259643A - Interposed machine for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interposed machine for a game machine, by which the connection of an external device is made possible so as not to obstruct the game of a player and the operation of a built-in unit achieving a main function (game medium supply operation or the like) is prevented from being affected by the connection of the external device. <P>SOLUTION: The interposed machine 10 for the game machine includes a case body 3A having a front surface facing the side of the player playing at the game machine, and an external power terminal 36 which is provided on the front surface of the case body, is capable of freely detachably connecting the feed terminal of the external device and is for supplying power to the connected external device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine platform machine that is installed in a game hall where, for example, pachinko machines, slot machines, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as “game machines”) are installed, and can be arranged between the game machines.

  In general, in a game hall such as a pachinko hall, for the convenience of the player, pachinko balls or coins (in the area where many gaming machines are installed (also referred to as “islands”) between adjacent gaming machines ( A vertically long interpolated machine (also referred to as a sand device) for lending out game media is installed. This inter-machine is attached to a frame that is fixedly installed between each gaming machine, and by inserting banknotes, coins, prepaid cards, etc. through the corresponding insertion slot, it is possible to actually lend gaming media or play gaming A signal prompting the lending of the medium is transmitted to the gaming machine.

  By the way, in order to make effective use of the space, it is desired to efficiently install a large number of gaming machines, and in connection with this, about the interstitial machines installed between the gaming machines as described above However, it must be efficiently installed in a limited space between gaming machines. For this reason, the inter-table machines are generally arranged in a narrow space having substantially the same height as the gaming machines formed between the gaming machines, such as a card processing unit, a control unit, a coin processing unit, and a banknote processing unit. The configuration is such that the components are stacked one above the other.

  In addition, when the pedestal machine is installed with a height corresponding to the height of the gaming machine as described above, an empty space may be generated in the internal space of the pedestal machine. In addition, such an empty space is generated in the lower part of the intermediary machine having poor operability. In order to improve the appearance of such an empty space, the front side is generally covered with a decorative panel or the like.

However, from the viewpoint of effectively utilizing the space of the game hall, the empty space generated in the inter-machine as described above is a useless space. Therefore, effective use of such an empty space has been conventionally attempted. Has been tried. For example, in Patent Document 1, a mobile phone charging device is installed in the lower part of the pedestal machine for the convenience of the player while making effective use of the empty space in the lower part of the pedestal machine. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-33466

  However, if an external device such as a charging device is installed in the intermediary machine as in Patent Document 1 or the like, the external device may protrude from the front surface of the intermediary machine and interfere with the player's game. Or, it is necessary to devise such as processing the front surface of the interpolator so that the external device does not protrude from the front surface of the intermediary device, which may cause a problem that the cost is excessive.

  In Patent Document 1, a repeater is provided on the back surface of the intermediary machine, and various units of the intermediary machine and a unit incorporating the charging device are electrically connected to the intermediary machine. Signals are transmitted and received between the units via the. Therefore, if a current exceeding the rated value is generated through the charging device and flows into the repeater, the operation of the repeater may cause a malfunction in the intermediary machine itself, or may directly lead to a failure of the intermediary machine itself. There is.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to enable the connection of an external device so as not to hinder the player's game and to provide a main function (game It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine pedestrian that prevents the operation of a built-in unit that performs a medium supply operation or the like from being affected by the connection of an external device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a gaming machine pedestal machine according to claim 1 is provided on a front surface of a housing having a front surface facing a player playing a game machine. The power supply terminal of the external device can be detachably connected, and an external power supply terminal for supplying power to the connected external device is provided.

  The inter-machine machine for gaming machines described in claim 1 has a configuration in which only the external power supply terminal is provided on the front surface of the housing for power supply of the external device. That is, the power supply device (such as a charger) does not protrude from the front surface of the housing. For this reason, it is not necessary to disturb the player's game, and it is not necessary to make a large amount of processing on the casing, and ultimately, the width required by the casing can be reduced (the size of the intermediary machine is small). Is possible).

  In the above configuration, examples of the game medium include a pachinko ball and a coin when the game machine is a pachinko machine or a slot machine. Further, examples of the external device include a device that can be enjoyed in parallel with a game by a gaming machine, such as a mobile phone or an audio device, and various devices that can perform work using the game time.

  The gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 2 is the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 1, wherein the external power supply terminal is provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the housing. It is characterized by.

  According to the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 2, the same operational effects as the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 1 can be obtained. It is possible to effectively use the free space that is likely to occur.

  Further, the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 3 is the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one unit disposed inside the casing. And a power supply unit for supplying power, wherein the power supply unit is electrically connected to the unit and the external power supply terminal for supplying power.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the gaming machine pedestal machine described in the first or second aspect of the present invention, and it is disposed inside the housing. Since the power supply to the unit and the power supply via the external power supply terminal can be performed by a single power supply unit, the operation of the interpolator can be stabilized and the space can be saved.

  Further, the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 4 is the gaming machine pedestal machine described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply unit is connected to the external power supply terminal. It further comprises an electrical connection blocking means for blocking an electrical connection between the power supply unit and the external power supply terminal when the value of the current flowing to the connected external device exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  According to the gaming machine pedestal machine described in claim 4, the same operational effects as the gaming machine pedestal machine described in any one of claims 1 to 3 can be obtained. At the same time, when the value of the current flowing from the power supply unit to the external device connected to the external power supply terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the electrical connection between the power supply unit and the external power supply terminal is cut off by the electric connection cut-off means. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the operation of the built-in unit of the interpolator becomes unstable due to the supply of electric power of a predetermined level or more to the external device. In other words, the control operation that prioritizes the operation of the built-in unit of the intermediary machine over the external device is possible, the operation of the intermediary machine is stabilized, and the most important intermediary machine when the player plays a game The main function (that is, the supply operation of the game medium) is not adversely affected (the operation of the built-in unit can be prevented from being adversely affected by the connection of the external device).

  In the above configuration, the electrical connection disconnecting means may be a single electrical element such as a fuse that is disconnected by disconnecting itself when a current of a predetermined level or more flows, or A complex structure including an electric element that opens and closes a circuit and a control unit that electrically controls the element may be used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to connect an external device so as not to hinder the game of the player, and the operation of the built-in unit that performs the main function (game media supply operation, etc.) It is possible to provide a gaming machine platform machine that is not affected by the connection.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an installation example of a plurality of gaming machines 2 (in the figure, pachinko machines) installed so as to form one island I forming a line in a game hall H such as a pachinko hall. As shown in the figure, between each gaming machine 2, a gaming machine platform machine 10 that enables supply of gaming media necessary for gaming in the gaming machine 2 is installed. Note that the gaming machine is a device that provides a game to a player, and may be, for example, a pachinko machine, a pachislot machine, a slot machine machine, a card game machine, or the like.

  Each inter-machine 10 mainly has a function of lending gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls by inserting cash and cards (such as prepaid cards and IC cards). FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the inter-machine 10 that can be attached to and detached from the frame that is installed and fixed between the gaming machines 2. The inter-machine 10 according to the present embodiment is formed in a vertically long box shape, and is a U-shaped cross-section frame that is installed and fixed between the gaming machines 2 (not normally visible from the player side). For example, a detachable unit portion 3 with respect to 100, and a power supply portion 30 that is disposed on the lower side of the unit portion 3 and is formed in a vertically long box shape having the same width as the unit portion 3. It has.

  The unit 3 accommodates a card processing unit 5, a bill processing unit 7, and a numeric keypad operation unit 19 described below in a vertically long main body (housing) 3A configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The card processing unit 5 includes a card insertion slot 5a formed on the front panel 3B of the main body 3A (facing the player who plays the game machine 2), for example, a card on which monetary information is described. By inserting (prepaid card, IC card, etc.), the reader / writer installed inside is driven, the amount information is read and rewritten, and the card whose amount information is rewritten is returned, issued, or Cards can be collected when the amount reaches 0. The player can play a game by renting out game media such as pachinko balls and medals within the range of the amount information described on the card.

  The banknote processing unit 7 includes a banknote insertion slot 7a formed in the front panel 3B of the main body 3A, and by inserting a banknote, authenticity determination processing is performed by a sensor installed inside the banknote processing unit 7A. As in the case of the above, within the amount of money inserted, it is possible to receive a game by renting out game media such as pachinko balls and medals. In the case where the entire amount is not used in the game, the card processing unit 5 is configured so that the amount information can be written to the card stored in the stock section in advance and can be issued.

  The numeric keypad operation unit 19 includes an image display unit (configured by a liquid crystal display) 11, a numeric keypad 12, an infrared light receiving element 13, and, in some cases, an imaging element 14 for authenticating a human body. In the drawing, the infrared light receiving element 13 and the imaging element 14 are installed at the same position above the image display unit 11.

  The image display unit 11 displays, for example, various information on a game arcade, a two-dimensional bar code, amount information, and the like. The numeric keypad 12 is pressed, for example, when inputting a personal identification number of an IC card owned by a player, scrolling various information displayed on the image display unit 11, or inputting money amount information used in a game. The The infrared light receiving element 13 is used, for example, for operating an attachment / detachment device (removal of the lock mechanism) when a game room manager removes the unit unit 3 by an infrared remote controller, and the imaging element 14 identifies a human body. Information, for example, information on whether or not the player is playing a game in the gaming machine adjacent to the sand apparatus 1 is used.

  The unit section 3 may include components other than the units 5, 7, and 19 described above. For example, a pilot lamp 18 for notifying the player of an abnormality or a predetermined state is installed. ing.

  The operation of each unit 5, 7, 19 is controlled by a CPU unit 20 installed inside the unit section 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU unit 20 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 30 side, and power is supplied from the power supply unit 30 as described later. Various data can be sent to and received from the.

  On the other hand, in the power supply unit 30, a voltage supplied from the external power source 120 to supply power to the card processing unit 5, the banknote processing unit 7, the numeric keypad operation unit 19, etc. accommodated in the unit unit 3. A power supply substrate 31 to be controlled and a communication control unit 32 are installed. The communication control unit 32 has a function of performing communication system conversion control (serial / parallel conversion control) and transmission / reception destination distribution control, and the host computer 130 or external terminal board via the communication connectors 34 and 35, respectively. Various data transmission / reception is executed between the island unit and the island controller and the adjacent gaming machine 2.

  In addition, the power supply board 31 constitutes a power supply unit for supplying power in cooperation with the external power supply 120, and also has a function as a charging unit that enables charging a portable terminal or the like owned by the player. ing. In order to realize this function, the power supply board 31 is electrically connected to a charging jack 36 as an external power supply terminal exposed from the front panel 3B, and a predetermined charging terminal can be inserted into the charging jack 36. It can be done.

  Specifically, the charging jack 36 is provided in the lower part of the front panel 3B (the front surface facing the player handling the gaming machine 2) where the power supply unit 30 is located, and the portable terminal owned by the player, etc. A power supply terminal (for example, a connection terminal of a power supply cable) of the external device can be detachably connected, and power from the external power source 120 can be supplied to the connected external device via the power supply substrate 31. The charging jack 36 has a pin hole shape in the present embodiment, but may be in the form of a USB or a connection pin.

  Further, examples of the external device include a device that can be enjoyed in parallel with a game by a gaming machine, such as a mobile phone or an audio device, and various devices that can perform work using the game time. FIG. 4 shows a mobile phone 200 as an external device. As shown in the figure, a charger 210 is detachably connected to the mobile phone 200, and the mobile phone 200 can be charged from the charging jack 36 via the charger 210. ing.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the charger 210 is provided with a charger main body 210 a, a power supply cable 215 extending from the charger main body 210 a, and an end of the power supply cable 215 and the charging jack 36. And a connection terminal (feeding terminal) 217 that is mechanically detachable and electrically connected. In this case, the connection terminal 217 has, for example, an earphone terminal shape (for example, a diameter of 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm) that is inexpensive to manufacture. By forming such a terminal configuration, the number of signal transmission lines can be reduced as compared with USB, and mass productivity can be further improved.

  In addition, the charger main body 210a of the charger 210 has four mobile phone connection terminals 220, 222, 224, and 226 to which four types of different (for example, different manufacturers) mobile phones can be attached and detached individually. ing. According to such a configuration, since a single charger 210 can handle a plurality of carriers (cell phones), it is possible to use only the minimum necessary components, reduce costs, and improve mass productivity. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-machine 10 is configured such that when the value of the current flowing from the power board 31 to the external device connected to the charging jack 36 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the power board 31 and the charging jack 36 Furthermore, the electric connection interruption | blocking means 39 which interrupts | blocks the electrical connection between these is further provided. The electrical connection blocking means 39 can take any known electrical structure. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the electrical connection blocking means 39 is inserted in an electrical path between the power supply board 31 and the charging jack 36. The fuse is disconnected by disconnecting the electrical connection when a current exceeding a predetermined value flows (for example, in the case of a mobile phone, a current of 0.5 A to 0.8 A flows during charging, so It is configured as a single electric element such as a fuse cut at about 8A to 1A. Alternatively, the electrical connection blocking means 39 can take a composite structure including an electrical element for opening and closing an electrical circuit and a control unit for electrically controlling the electrical element. In that case, the control part which controls opening and closing of the said electric element is provided in the power supply board 31, for example. Alternatively, it may be controlled by the CPU unit 20.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the alerting | reporting means which detects the state in which the external apparatus is connected to the charge jack 36, and alert | reports it to a player may be provided. Such a notification means may be configured such that a state in which an external device is connected to the charging jack 36 is detected by a detection sensor, and the CPU unit 20 turns on the pilot lamp 18 based on the detection signal. Further, as a security measure, the time during which the external device is connected to the charging jack 36 may be measured by, for example, a timer in the CPU unit 20 to give some notification.

  As described above, the gaming machine platform machine 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with only the charging jack 36 as an external power supply terminal on the front surface of the housing for supplying power to an external device such as the mobile phone 200. It has a configuration. That is, the power supply device (such as a charger) does not protrude from the front surface of the housing. Therefore, the player's game is not hindered, and the casing does not have to be processed significantly. Ultimately, it is possible to reduce the width required by the casing (of the intermediary machine 10). Can be miniaturized).

  Further, in the gaming machine platform machine 10 of the present embodiment, the charging jack 36 is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the housing. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use an empty space that is likely to occur particularly in the lower front portion of the housing.

  Further, in the gaming machine pedestal machine 10 of the present embodiment, the power supply of 5, 7, 19 and power supply via the charging jack 36 are performed by the single power supply unit 31 to the units disposed inside the housing. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the operation of the inter-machine 10 and further save space.

  Further, in the gaming machine pedestal machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when the value of the current flowing from the power supply board 31 to the external device connected to the charging jack 36 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the power supply board 31 is provided by the electrical connection blocking means 39. Since the electrical connection between the power supply terminal and the external power supply terminal is interrupted, the operation of the built-in units 5, 7, 19 of the interpolator 10 is unstable due to the supply of electric power exceeding a predetermined value to the external device. Can be avoided. That is, the control operation in which the operations of the built-in units 5, 7, and 19 of the intermediary machine 10 are prioritized over the external device is possible, so that the operation of the intermediary machine 10 is stabilized and the player plays a game. It is not necessary to adversely affect the main function (that is, the game medium supplying operation) of the most important machine 10 (the connection of the external device can prevent the operation of the built-in unit from being adversely affected).

It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning structure of the base machine for game machines of this invention. It is a perspective view of the intermediary machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the internal structure of a machine between machines. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the mobile telephone as an external apparatus to the charger. It is a schematic block diagram of a charger.

Explanation of symbols

3A body (housing)
5, 7, 19 Unit 31 Power supply board (Power supply part)
36 Charging jack (external power supply terminal)
39 Electrical connection blocking means 200 Mobile phone (external device)

Claims (4)

A housing with a front face facing the player playing in the gaming machine;
An external power supply terminal provided on the front surface of the housing, capable of detachably connecting a power supply terminal of the external device, and supplying power to the connected external device;
A pedestrian machine for gaming machines, comprising:   2. The gaming machine platform machine according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply terminal is provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the housing. At least one unit disposed inside the housing;
A power supply for supplying power;
Further comprising
3. The gaming machine platform machine according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is electrically connected to the unit and the external power supply terminal to supply power. .   Electrical connection blocking means for blocking an electrical connection between the power supply unit and the external power supply terminal when a current value flowing from the power supply unit to the external device connected to the external power supply terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold value 4. The gaming machine platform machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

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