JP2009022312A - Game medium replenishing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a replenishing system capable of swiftly satisfying the request for replenishment of game media. <P>SOLUTION: The game medium replenishing system includes a replenishment setting means S1 and a replenishment stop setting means S2 set in an external device; a detection means comprising detection parts S3-S5 and S8 for detecting the quantity of stored game media at a plurality of locations in the vertical direction in a storage tank, and an outside output part 7 for transmitting detection signals of the detection parts to the outside; and replenishment control means comprising a replenishment setting confirming means S6 connected to the respective detection parts and a replenishment stop confirming means S7 connected to the respective detection parts. The replenishment setting confirming means S6 and the replenishment setting means S1 are connected to each other, and the replenishment stopping means S1 is selectively connected to one of the detection parts connected to the replenishment setting confirming means S7, so that the quantity of game media stored in the storage tank when the replenishment stop setting means S2 is operated is equal to or more than the quantity of game media stored in the storage tank when the replenishment setting means S1 is operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plurality of gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines, and gaming media rental machines such as gaming media use machines such as medal rental machines and ball lending machines, and game media such as medals (coins) and pachinko balls. The present invention relates to a game medium supply system for supplying a game.

  Conventionally, a game medium replenishment system for automatically replenishing game media when the game media stored in a game machine or game media rental machine decreases, for example, in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent No. 2516492 In the disclosed game medium supply device, a coin shortage detector is provided at a predetermined position of a coin tank disposed in a slot machine which is a gaming machine, and the coin shortage detector stores coins stored in the coin tank. When it is detected that the amount has decreased, a coin shortage signal is sent from the coin shortage detector to the supply determining means. At this time, if replenishment is possible, a replenishment signal is sent from the replenishment determination means to the replenishment control means, and the replenishment control means generates a coin shortage signal by operating the coin carrier device filled with coins. A coin is supplied to the slot machine provided with the coin shortage detector.

  Moreover, the coin shortage detector is provided at a relatively lower portion of the coin tank, and the coin shortage signal is displayed when the upper surface of each coin in the coin tank is below the coin shortage detector installation position. Is to send. Therefore, when the upper surface of each coin in the coin tank is slightly above the position where the coin shortage detector is installed, the coin shortage occurs despite the relatively small amount of coins stored in the coin tank. No signal is sent. Also, in general, in order to avoid unnecessary troubles according to the business policy of the amusement store, a sufficient amount of coins should be supplied to the coin tank of each slot machine before the start of business, There is a desire to avoid being in a state of coin shortage. However, with the above technology, this request cannot be answered, and the clerk has to manually supply coins while checking the coin storage state of the coin tank of each slot machine, resulting in poor work efficiency. There was a point.

  In order to solve these problems, in a game medium using machine as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-284859, replenishment such that the game medium storage amount stored in them is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. There has been proposed a game medium supply device that allows game media to be forcibly and automatically supplied even when the conditions are not satisfied, thereby improving the efficiency of the game medium supply operation.

  However, the game medium replenishment device described above operates the operation unit (52) of the medal replenishment device (2a, 2b) to transmit a forced replenishment instruction and forcibly and automatically supply a predetermined amount of game media. Supplying. For this reason, it is necessary to confirm the amount of medals in the medal tank disposed in the game medium using machine (slot machine), and the setting of the forced replenishment instruction is troublesome because the forced replenishment instruction is set according to the confirmation result. In addition, even if a predetermined amount of game media is replenished, depending on the amount stored in the medal tank before replenishment, the amount of medal stored in each medal tank after replenishment may differ, and it may be difficult to properly replenish Conceivable.

Prior art documents related to the invention of this application include the following.
Specification and drawing of Japanese Patent No. 2516492 JP 2003-284859 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to quickly respond to a game medium replenishment request from a game medium using machine and to be stored in a storage tank before replenishment. Regardless of the amount of game media stored, it is possible not only to supply a predetermined amount of game media to each game media use machine, but also to closely respond to the game store's business policy, as well as to supply The amount of storage (remaining amount in the storage tank) can be determined, and the storage amount of game media (remaining amount in the storage tank) can be arbitrarily set within a certain range for each game medium using machine A game medium supply system that can be set is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, a game medium supply system according to the present invention includes a plurality of game medium use machines disposed on a gaming machine island, a storage tank for storing game media provided in the game medium use machine, A game medium payout device for paying out the game medium stored in the storage tank, a supply means for supplying the storage medium to the storage tank, and a control means for controlling the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank And a game medium replenishment system comprising a display unit for displaying the result of the control means, wherein the control means comprises a plurality of replenishment setting means and replenishment stop setting means set in an external device, and a plurality of up and down directions of the storage tank. Detection means comprising a detection unit for detecting the storage amount of game media at a location and an external output unit for transmitting a detection signal of the detection unit to the outside, and a replenishment setting connected to each detection unit A replenishment control unit having a recognizing unit and a replenishment stop confirmation unit connected to at least one detection unit of the detection unit, and connects the replenishment setting confirmation unit and the replenishment setting unit, and the replenishment setting confirmation unit With respect to the amount of game media stored in the storage tank when the supply stop unit is selectively connected to one of the detection units connected to the unit and the supply setting unit is operated. The storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank when the supply stop setting means is operated is controlled so as to be the same or more.

  As a result, the amount of game media stored inside the game medium using machine can be easily grasped from the outside, and it can be determined whether the supply to the game medium using machine is urgent or not. it can. In addition, the storage amount inside the game media using machine is stored in the storage tank at the time when the supply setting means is operated by predicting the circumstances of the game store, for example, the convenience of the next event, the restriction on payout, etc. By controlling the storage amount of the game medium in the storage tank at the time when the supply stop setting means is operated to the storage amount of the game medium, the supply loss is reduced. This will not only reduce the amount of storage, improve the supply efficiency, and also reduce the operating rate of the gaming machine, but can quickly replenish the game media until it reaches the minimum required when the minimum storage amount is cut, If the amount of game media that is expected to increase due to the circumstances of the amusement store is replenished in advance with an amount close to the upper limit of the initial storage amount, the inside of the game media storage device will be stored again on the day of the event. There is no need to set.

  In the next invention, the replenishing means automatically replenishes a storage tank disposed in the game medium using machine with a signal from the replenishment setting means, and a signal from the replenishment stop setting means. This is a game medium automatic supply device for stopping supply.

  As a result, the game medium can be automatically supplied to an arbitrary area of the storage tank, and the supply can be stopped in the arbitrary area.

  Further, according to the next invention, the game medium use machine has an emergency tank defined by at least two detection units provided in the vertical direction in the storage tank, with the storage tank and the game medium dispensing device disposed therein. A replenishment request area is provided, and an emergency replenishment command is transmitted from the lower detection unit when the storage amount of the game medium decreases from the lower detection unit of the detection unit.

  As a result, after the game medium is automatically supplied to any area of the storage tank, if the emergency supply request area is displayed for some reason, the display is recognized as the transmission of the emergency supply command, and the game It is possible to take measures such as changing the replenishment order (priority) of the automatic medium replenishing device, speeding up, and manual replenishment.

  Further, in the next invention, the replenishment stop confirmation means is connected to a detection unit provided above the emergency replenishment request area.

  As a result, since the supply is completed when the display is switched to the display in the emergency supply request area, that is, when the game medium storage amount is increased, there is less possibility that the emergency supply command is continuously generated.

  Furthermore, in the next invention, of the two detection units that define the emergency supply request area, one detection unit is a count signal based on the number of payouts detected by the counter sensor of the game medium payout device. is there.

  Thus, by detecting the game medium storage state in the emergency display area with a different type of detection method, it is possible to reliably replenish the game medium even when the display becomes impossible due to a failure of one detection unit. Risks such as insufficient supply can be eliminated.

  Further, in the next invention, the detection means sends a signal to the replenishment setting means after confirming that there is no replenishment setting in a detection section other than the pertinent detection section in a state where the corresponding detection section is in a replenishment condition. is there.

  Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a malfunction or failure of the game medium automatic supply device is caused by simultaneously issuing signals to the supply setting means from a plurality of detection units.

  Further, in the next invention, the detection means sends a signal to the replenishment stop confirmation means after confirming that the detection section other than the detection section is not in a replenishment setting state when the corresponding detection section is not in a replenishment condition. It is.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a malfunction or failure of the game medium automatic replenishing device is generated by issuing a signal to the replenishment stopping means simultaneously from a plurality of detection units.

  Further, the next invention is the supply stop confirmation means after clearing the setting of the number of payouts set in the counter in a state where the detection unit provided on the upper side defining the emergency supply request area is not in the supply conditions. A detection unit other than the corresponding detection unit checks whether there is no replenishment setting and issues a signal to the replenishment stop means.

  As a result, when the upper detection unit that defines the emergency supply request area is not in the supply condition, the counter is always cleared, so the upper detection unit that defines the emergency supply request area is in the supply condition. When the state is switched to a certain state, the previous count data remains in the counter, so that there is no problem that accurate payout number cannot be counted.

  Further, in the next invention, the plurality of detection units provided in the detection means display different display forms on the display units according to the detection results of the respective detection units.

  As a result, the level of medal storage amount in the storage tank is visually observed, and the urgency of replenishment can be grasped.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a gaming medium supply system includes a plurality of gaming medium use machines disposed on a gaming machine island, and a storage tank that stores gaming media provided in the gaming medium use machine. , A game medium payout device for paying out the game medium stored in the storage tank, supply means for supplying the storage medium to the storage tank, and control for controlling the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank And a game medium replenishment system comprising a display unit for displaying a result of the control means, wherein the control means includes a replenishment setting means and a replenishment stop setting means set in an external device, and a vertical direction of the storage tank. Detection means comprising a detection unit for detecting the storage amount of game media at a plurality of locations, and an external output unit for transmitting the detection signal of the detection unit to the outside, and a replenishment setting confirmation connected to each detection unit And a replenishment control means having a replenishment stop confirmation means connected to at least one detection section of the detection section, connecting the replenishment setting confirmation means and the replenishment setting means, and the replenishment setting confirmation means With respect to the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank when the replenishment stop means is selectively connected to any one of the detection parts connected with By controlling the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank when the supply stop setting means is operated to be the same amount or more, it is stored inside the game medium using machine. The amount of stored game media can be easily ascertained from the outside, and it can be determined where the supply to the game media use machine is urgent. In addition, the storage amount inside the game media using machine is stored in the storage tank at the time when the supply setting means is operated by predicting the circumstances of the game store, for example, the convenience of the next event, the restriction on payout, etc. By controlling the storage amount of the game medium in the storage tank at the time when the supply stop setting means is operated to the storage amount of the game medium, the supply loss is reduced. This will not only reduce the amount of storage, improve the supply efficiency, and also reduce the operating rate of the gaming machine, but can quickly replenish the game media until it reaches the minimum required when the minimum storage amount is cut, If the amount of game media that is expected to increase due to game store circumstances is pre-filled with an amount close to the upper limit of the initial storage amount, the amount of storage inside the game media device will be renewed on the day of the event. There is no need to set.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as a gaming medium using machine, a slot machine is used as a gaming machine, a medal lending machine is used as a gaming medium lending machine, and a medal replenishment system on a slot island using a medal as a gaming medium. As will be described, it can be applied as a pachinko ball supply system such as pachinko island instead of slot island. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a slot island provided with a medal replenishment system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a medal lending machine of the medal replenishment system of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the medal lending machine used in the medal replenishing system of the present invention with the back cover removed, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the detection means of another embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the medal lending machine of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the medal supply system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The medal replenishment system of the present invention is provided on the slot island 100 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a slot machine 1, a medal lending machine 2, an automatic medal replenishment device 3 as a replenishing means, a medal collection transport path 4, and a medal collection system. It is comprised by the control means which controls the amount of storage, and the display part 35 (refer FIG. 2) which displays the result of this control means.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 is formed in a vertically long box shape, and the front surface is covered with a door. Although not shown, a main board is attached to the upper part of the interior, and a reel attaching part is provided at the center. In the lower space, a medal payout device for the slot machine 1, a storage hopper, a power supply base, and the like are disposed.

  As shown in the front view of FIG. 2, the medal lending machine 2 is adjacent to the slot machine 1 and forms a box shape in a long rectangular shape as a whole. A key 21 for opening and closing the storage section of the device 5 is provided. Hereinafter, the bill insertion slot 51 of the bill identification device 5 in the lower direction, the display unit 35 indicating the amount of stored medal, the insertion denomination display panel 22, the card insertion slot 23, the balance display panel 24, the medal lending button 25 and the balance return button. 26, and at the lower part of the front face, a payout nozzle 27 for paying out medals directly to a tray (not shown) of the slot machine 1 is provided.

  In the medal lending machine 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the banknote recognition device 5 with the banknote insertion slot 51 desired on the front surface and the card for reading and writing the card from the card insertion slot 23 are read. -The reader / writer 6 and the external output unit 7, the medal storage tank 8 and the medal payout device 9 arranged below the medal payout device 9, and the power source B are stored at the bottom.

  The automatic medal replenishing device 3 is configured by a known replenishment conveyor or the like that is installed substantially horizontally above the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. The medal supplied from the replenishing tank 31 is used as the slot machine 1 or the medal lending machine 2. To replenish selectively. In the present embodiment, an example in which only the medal lending machine 2 is replenished is shown.

  Control means for controlling the amount of stored medal is a central computer (not shown) on the store side or an external device D (replenishment setting means D1 and replenishment stop setting means D2) disposed on the island edge as shown in FIG. And a detection means (sensor S3 which is a first detection unit, sensor S4 which is a second detection unit, and counter sensor S5 which is a third detection unit). And an external output unit 7 and a replenishment control unit (a replenishment setting confirmation unit S6 and a replenishment start command unit S1, and a replenishment stop confirmation unit S7 and a replenishment stop command unit S2).

  The external device D described above is composed of dip switches and the like, and the dip switch is operated to arbitrarily set a replenishment start position and a replenishment stop position in advance for each island or medal lending machine 2 units. Yes. This set position is transmitted to the external output unit 7 disposed inside the medal lending machine 2, and bidirectionally communicated with the detection result of the above-described detecting means, thereby controlling the replenishment of medals and the replenishment stop.

  Further, the detection means described above is disposed in the storage tank 8. That is, from the medal supply port to the payout port 91 of the medal payout device 9 (generally, the counter sensor S5 is provided in the vicinity of the payout port 91), the sensor S3 as the first detection unit and the second detection are detected. The sensor S4 as a part and the counter sensor S5 as a third detection part are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The sensor S3, the sensor S4, and the counter sensor S5 define the inside of the storage tank 8 in four areas of areas A1 to A3 and an area A4 that is a virtual area in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the area A1 to the area A4 are equally divided by a substantial capacity ratio, but it is not particularly necessary to limit so. The sensors S3 and S4 used here are of a type generally referred to as a continuity sensor, and the medals are in a conductive state (Y in the flowchart) between both electrodes via a stored medal. When the distance between the two electrodes decreases and the electrodes become non-conductive (N in the flowchart), the display unit 35 is changed to the lighting color of each region or switched to the blinking state. (For the sake of convenience, the lighting color of the display unit 35 is set to 35a when the medals are stored up to the area A1, and is lit in yellow when the medals are stored up to the area A2. 35b, 35c when medals are stored up to area A3, 35c when lit red, and 35d when blinking red when it is assumed that medals are stored at A4. ) For example, in a state where medals are stored up to the area A1, the display unit 35 is lit in green, and when the medals decrease and the upper surface of the medals shifts from the area A1 to the area A2, the sensor S3 Becomes a non-conduction state (a state in which a replenishment condition is satisfied), and the lighting color of the display unit 35 changes from green to yellow. Similarly, when shifting from area A2 to area A3, the color changes from yellow to red.

  In this embodiment, area 3 is particularly positioned as an emergency supply request area. That is, when the area A2 is shifted to the area A3, the color of the display unit 35 changes from yellow to red, and the counter sensor S5 attached in the vicinity of the payout port 91 provided in the medal payout device 9 indicates the number of payouts. Start counting. When the number exceeds a certain number (in the embodiment, it is set to 300), the red color of the display unit 35 blinks. (In this embodiment, this blinking area is referred to as a virtual area A4.) This blinking is an emergency message that the amount of medals stored in the storage tank 8 is decreasing. Is displayed. By this display, the automatic medal replenishing device 3 is automatically operated to replenish medals, or a clerk manually replenishes the medal.

  The external output unit 7 is disposed in the medal lending machine 2 described above, and the setting position of the external device D (replenishment setting means D1 and replenishment stop setting means D2) and detection means provided in the medal lending machine 2 are provided. The detection result is displayed and displayed on the display unit 35, various determinations and controls by the control means, for example, confirmation of the replenishment setting means D1 and replenishment stop setting means D2, lighting or blinking of the display lamp 35, replenishment means Control such as sending a replenishment request to the automatic medal replenishment device 3 is performed.

  The replenishment control means includes a replenishment control system composed of a replenishment setting confirmation means S6 and a replenishment start command unit S1, and a replenishment stop system composed of a replenishment stop confirmation unit S7 and a replenishment stop command unit S2. That is, when the setting of the replenishment setting means D1 is confirmed by the replenishment setting confirmation means S6, the result is transmitted from the replenishment start command section S1 to the replenishment setting means D1, and the medal automatic replenishment device 3 is operated. When the setting of the supply stop setting unit D2 is confirmed by the supply stop confirmation unit S7, the result is transmitted from the supply stop command unit S2 to the supply stop setting unit D2, and the medal automatic supply unit 3 is stopped.

  The display unit 35 is formed by a single display lamp provided on the front surface of the medal lending machine 2. This display lamp is displayed in the form of different emission colors and blinking depending on the detection results of the sensors S3 and S4 and the counter sensor S5. It should be noted that the display lamp of the display unit 35 may be constituted by three display lamps so as to be displayed for each detection result of the sensors S3, S4 and counter sensor S5. Moreover, you may identify with a sound etc. instead of a display lamp. Thus, the amount of medals stored in the storage tank 8 can be grasped by changing the display form according to each detection unit.

  Hereinafter, based on the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control process of a present Example is demonstrated. For the sake of explanation, the detection means (sensor S3 as a first detection unit, sensor S4 as a second detection unit, and counter sensor S5 as a third detection unit) is divided into first to third control blocks. In addition, a supply start command unit S1 for transmitting a signal to the supply setting unit D1 is provided in the third control block C13, and a supply stop command unit S2 for transmitting a signal to the supply stop setting unit D2 is provided in the second control block C12. This will be explained with an example.

  The first control block C11 includes a sensor S3 that is a first detection unit disposed in the upper part of the storage tank 8, a display unit 35 (display lamp 35a, display lamp 35b), and a replenishment setting confirmation unit that is a replenishment control unit. It is composed of a combination of S6 and replenishment stop confirmation means S7.

  The second control block C12 includes a sensor S4 that is a second detection unit disposed in an intermediate portion of the storage tank 8, a display unit 35 (display lamp 35c), a replenishment setting confirmation unit S6 that is a replenishment control unit, and replenishment. The stop confirmation unit S7 is combined with a supply stop command unit S2 that transmits a signal to a supply stop setting unit D2 provided in the external device D via the external output unit 7.

  The third control block C13 includes a counter sensor S5 that is a third detection unit disposed in the lower portion of the storage tank 8, a display unit 35 (display lamp 35d), a supply setting confirmation unit S6 that is a supply control unit, It is configured by a combination with a replenishment start command unit S1 that transmits a signal to the replenishment setting means D1 provided in the external device D via the external output unit 7.

First, the first control block C11 first determines whether or not a replenishment condition is satisfied by the sensor S3 (Step 101). Here, if the replenishment condition is satisfied, it is determined (N), the process proceeds to Step 102, and the display lamp 35b is lit yellow. (The supply condition here is satisfied when the amount of stored medal is less than the detection position of the sensor S3 and the sensor S3 becomes non-conductive. Conversely, when the sensor S3 becomes conductive. Hereinafter, the description of the second control block C12 and the third control block C13 is the same.)
In the same manner as the lighting of the display lamp 35b, the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 determines in which block of the first control block C11, the second control block C12 or the third control block C33 the replenishment setting means D1 is set. Confirmation is determined (Step 103). In this embodiment, the replenishment setting means D1 is set in the third control block C13. Accordingly, the determination at Step 103 is (N) when the external device D does not have the replenishment setting means D1 set, and the process proceeds to Step 106. If it is determined in step 101 that the replenishment condition is not satisfied (Y), the process proceeds to step 104, and the display lamp 35a is lit in green.
Similarly to the lighting of the display lamp 35a, the replenishment stop confirmation unit S7 confirms whether the replenishment stop setting unit D2 is set in either the first control block C1 or the second control block C2. (Step 105). In this embodiment, since the supply stop setting means D2 is set in the second control block C12, the determination in Step 105 is (N) if there is no setting of the supply stop setting means D2, and the process proceeds to Step 106. .

Whether the replenishment condition is satisfied by the sensor S4 based on the signal that the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 is not set in the first control block C11 at Step 103 of the first control block C11. It is determined whether or not (Step 106). Here, when the replenishment condition is satisfied and it is determined (N), the process proceeds to Step 107, and the display lamp 35c is lit in red.
Similar to the lighting of the display lamp 35c, the replenishment setting confirmation unit S6 confirms and determines in which block of the first control block C1 and the second control block C2 the replenishment setting unit D1 is set (Step 108). As described above, in this embodiment, since the replenishment setting means D1 is set in the third control block C13, the determination in Step 108 is (N), assuming that the replenishment setting means D1 is not set. The process proceeds to Step 112.
If it is determined in step 106 that the replenishment condition is not satisfied (Y), the process proceeds to step 109, the payout CNT (count) of the counter sensor S5 is cleared, and the process proceeds to replenishment stop confirmation means S7 in step 110.
In this supply stop confirmation means S7, it is determined whether or not the supply stop setting means D2 is set in either the first control block C11 or the second control block C12 (Step 110). In this embodiment, since the supply stop setting means D2 is set in the second control block C12, the determination at Step 110 is the determination that the supply stop setting means D2 is set (Y). Proceeding to the replenishment stop command unit S2, a resupply stop command is transmitted, the operation of the automatic medal replenishment device 3 is stopped, the replenishment of medals is stopped, and the flow is terminated.

In the third control block C13, the counter sensor S5 counts the payout medal based on the signal that the setting of the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 is not set in the second control block C12 in Step 108 of the second control block C12. To start. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of payout medals has reached an initial set value (Step 112). In this embodiment, the initial set value of the number of payout medals is set to 300. (The set value of the number of payout medals can be set to an arbitrary number.)
Here, if it is determined that the number of payout medals reaches the initial setting value (Y), the process proceeds to Step 113, where the red display lamp 35c is switched to the display lamp 35d and starts blinking. This switched state means a warning that the amount of medal stored in the storage tank 8 is small, and allows the store clerk to recognize the situation. In this embodiment, the area A3 is referred to as an emergency replenishment request area. When the medal is reduced to the area A3 and the sensor S4 is turned off, the payout medal is counted by the count sensor S5 and 300 sheets are paid out. It is estimated that the medal storage amount has reached the virtual area A4, and the display lamp 35d blinks.
Similar to the blinking of the display lamp 35d, which of the first control block C11, the second control block C12, and the third control block C13 is set with the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 as the target. Is confirmed (Step 114).
As described above, in this embodiment, since the setting of the replenishment setting means D1 is made in the third control block C13, the determination at Step 114 is that the replenishment setting means D1 is set (Y ), The process proceeds to the replenishment start command unit S1 of Step 115, the medal automatic replenishment device 3 is operated to start the replenishment of medals, and the flow ends. This medal replenishment is continued until Step 111 in which the replenishment stop command unit S2 is set operates and the automatic medal replenishment device 3 stops. That is, the process is continued until the sensor S4 becomes conductive (the medal reaches the area A2).
If it is determined at Step 114 that the replenishment setting means D1 is not set (N), the flow ends.

  As described above, the number of medals initially supplied to the storage tank 8 decreases for a while as the game progresses and the sensor S4 is not in a conductive state. When counted, the count signal is transmitted from the replenishment start command section S1 to the replenishment setting means D1, and the automatic medal replenishing device 3 is operated to replenish medals into the storage tank 8. When the medals are stored up to the area A2 and the replenishment is continued until the sensor S4 is conducted through the medals, the automatic medal replenishing device 3 stops. Thus, with respect to the medal storage amount when the replenishment setting unit D1 operates (the storage amount remaining in the virtual area A4), the medal storage amount when the replenishment stop setting unit D2 stops operating (area A2) is stored. By increasing the amount of stored medals), the situation where the replenishment setting means D1 must be actuated again immediately after replenishment to start replenishment is eliminated.

  6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the configuration related to the third control block C13 of the first embodiment is different. That is, instead of the counter sensor S5, a sensor S8 is provided as a third detection unit, and the inside of the storage tank 8 defines areas B1, B2, B3, and B4 (corresponding to the virtual area A4 of the first embodiment). The first control blocks C21 to C23 are configured.

  Hereinafter, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in detail. In this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a sensor S8 is provided as a third detection unit at the bottom of the replenishing tank 8, and areas B3 and B4 are defined. The position of the sensor S8 is provided so that it substantially coincides with the position where the counter sensor S5 of the first embodiment finishes counting 300 medals, that is, the position where 300 medals are reduced from the level of the sensor S4. Yes.

As in the first embodiment, the first control block C21 first determines whether or not the replenishment condition is satisfied by the sensor S3 (Step 201). Here, if the replenishment condition is satisfied, it is determined (N), the process proceeds to Step 202, and the display lamp 35b is lit yellow.
In the same manner as the lighting of the display lamp 35b, the supply setting confirmation means S6 determines which of the first control block C21, the second control block C22 or the third control block C23 has the supply setting means D1 set. Confirmation is determined (Step 203). In the determination of Step 203, it is determined that the external device D does not have the replenishment setting unit D1 set (N), and the process proceeds to Step 206. If it is determined in step 201 that the replenishment condition is not satisfied (Y), the process proceeds to step 204, and the display lamp 35a is lit in green.
Similarly to the lighting of the display lamp 35a, the replenishment stop confirmation unit S7 confirms whether or not the replenishment stop setting unit D2 is set in either the first control block C21 or the second control block C22. (Step 205). The determination at Step 205 is (N) because there is no setting of the supply stop setting means D2, and the process proceeds to Step 206.

Whether the replenishment condition is satisfied in the sensor S4 based on a signal that the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 is not set in the first control block C21 in Step 103 of the first control block C21. It is determined whether or not (Step 206). If it is determined that the replenishment condition is satisfied (N), the process proceeds to Step 207, and the display lamp 35c is lit in red.
Similar to the lighting of the display lamp 35c, the replenishment setting confirmation unit S6 confirms and determines in which block of the first control block C21 and the second control block C22 the replenishment setting unit D1 is set (Step 208). The determination at Step 208 is determined as (N) because the replenishment setting means D1 is not set, and the process proceeds to Step 211.
If it is determined in step 206 that the replenishment condition is not satisfied (Y), the process proceeds to replenishment stop confirmation means S7 in step 209.
In the supply stop confirmation means S7, it is confirmed whether or not the supply stop setting means D2 is set in either the first control block C21 or the second control block C22 (Step 209). In this embodiment, since the supply stop setting means D2 is set in the second control block C22, the determination of Step 209 is determined as (Y) assuming that the supply stop setting means D2 is set. Proceeding to the replenishment stop command unit S2 of Step 210, a replenishment stop command is transmitted, the operation of the automatic medal replenishment device 3 is stopped, the replenishment of medals is stopped, and the flow ends.

Further, in the third control block C23, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, a signal that the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 is not set in the second control block C22 at Step 208 of the second control block C22 is sent. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the replenishment condition is satisfied by the sensor S8 which is the third detection unit (Step 211). If it is determined that the replenishment condition is satisfied (N), the process proceeds to Step 212, and the red display lamp 35c is blinked as the display lamp 35d.
Similar to the blinking of the display lamp 35d, the replenishment setting confirmation means S6 confirms in which of the first control block C21, the second control block C22 and the third control block C23 the replenishment setting means D1 is set. Determine (Step 213). Since the replenishment setting means D1 is set in the third control block C23 as in the first embodiment, the determination in Step 213 assumes that the replenishment setting means D1 is set as (Y) It progresses to Step 214, the medal automatic replenishing device 3 is operated, the replenishment of medals is started, and the flow is terminated. This replenishment of medals is continued until the area B3 of the replenishment tank 8 of the second control block C22 in which the replenishment stop confirmation means S7 is set is full.

  In the first embodiment, the replenishment start command unit S1 for transmitting a replenishment start command to the replenishment setting means D1 is set in the third control block C13. The replenishment start command unit S1 is used as the first control block C11. Alternatively, it is set in the second control block C12, or the replenishment stop command unit S2 for transmitting a replenishment stop command to the replenishment stop setting means D2 set in the second control block C12 is set in the first control block C11. You can also. Similarly, a replenishment start command unit S1 for transmitting a replenishment start command to the replenishment setting means D1 set in the third control block C23 of the second embodiment is set in the first control block C21 or the second control block C22. Or the supply stop command section S2 for transmitting a supply stop command to the supply stop setting means D2 set in the second control block C22 can be set in the first control block C21 or the third control block C23. . (All are indicated by (Step) and a two-dot chain line in the flow charts of FIGS. 5 and 7. The combination of the supply start command unit S1 and the supply stop command unit S2 is determined by the supply start command unit S1. Although it is desirable to set the replenishment stop command unit S2 to the control block located at the upper level in the control block located at the lower level, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the medal lending machine 2 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the external output unit 7 includes, as input information, information such as the denomination, amount, and authenticity of banknotes inserted into the banknote identification device 5 disposed in the medal lending machine 2, a card reader / writer. 6, the medal lending request information by the operation of the player's medal lending button 25, similarly the balance return information by the operation of the balance return button, the detection information by the detecting means, and the payout count information of the medal paying device 9 Etc. are entered. On the other hand, the information input to the external output unit 7 is subjected to various processes such as storage, calculation, and determination inside the external output unit 7 and is output. The output information includes input amount display, balance display, medal lending, balance return, display lamp lighting and flashing on the display section, etc. There are replenishment setting based on the result, transmission of signal to stop supply, and so on. Input and output of these information and other information can be arbitrarily set by adding, selecting, or selecting according to the needs of a store or a medal lending machine sales company.

  Further, as shown in the second embodiment, when the sensor 8 is provided instead of the counter sensor S5 which is the third detection unit of the first embodiment, the count data of the number of payouts of the medal payout device 9 is output from the external output. After being input to the unit 7, it is transmitted to the store management system and managed. (Indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6) Of course, even when the counter sensor S5 is used as a control as the third detection unit as in the first embodiment, the count data is transmitted to the store management system. Managed.

It is a schematic block diagram of the slot island which provided the medal supply system of this invention. It is the front view which showed the medal rental machine of the medal supply system of this invention. It is a rear view in the state where the back cover of the medal lending machine of the medal supply system of the present invention was removed. It is explanatory drawing which showed the detection means of the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure of the 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the detection means in another Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure of a 2nd Example. It is a block diagram of the medal rental machine of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 Slot Island (Amusement Machine Island)
1 slot machine (game media use machine)
2 Medal rental machine (game media use machine)
21 Key 22 Insertion type display panel 23 Card insertion slot 24 Balance display panel 25 Medal lending button 26 Balance return button 27 Dispensing nozzle 3 Automatic medal replenishing device (replenishing means)
31 Replenishment tank 4 Medal collection conveyance path 5 Banknote recognition device 51 Banknote insertion slot 6 Card reader / writer 7 External output unit 8 Storage tank 9 Medal dispensing device (game medium dispensing device)
91 Discharge port B Power supply (control means)
D External device D1 Supply setting means D2 Supply stop setting means (detection means)
S3 First detector (sensor)
S4 Second detector (sensor)
S5 Third detection unit (counter sensor)
S8 Third detection unit (sensor) of the second embodiment
(Supply control means)
S1 Replenishment start command unit S2 Replenishment stop command unit S6 Replenishment setting confirmation unit S7 Replenishment stop confirmation unit 35 Display unit 35a (green lighting) display lamp 35b (yellow lighting) display lamp 35c (red lighting) display lamp 35d ( Display lamps A1 to A4 (flashing red) (definition of storage tank of the first embodiment) Areas B1 to B4 (definition of storage tank of the second embodiment) Areas C11 to C13 (first embodiment) To third control blocks C21 to C23 (first to third embodiments) first to third control blocks

Claims (9)

A plurality of game medium use machines arranged on a gaming machine island, a storage tank for storing game media provided in the game medium use machine, and a game medium payout for paying out game media stored in the storage tank A game comprising a device, supply means for supplying game media to the storage tank, control means for controlling the amount of game media stored in the storage tank, and a display unit for displaying the results of the control means In the media supply system,
The control means includes
Supply setting means and supply stop setting means set in the external device;
A detection means comprising: a detection unit that detects a storage amount of the game medium at a plurality of locations in the vertical direction of the storage tank; and an external output unit that transmits a detection signal of the detection unit to the outside;
A replenishment control unit having a replenishment setting confirmation unit connected to each detection unit, and a replenishment stop confirmation unit connected to at least one detection unit of the detection unit,
The replenishment setting confirmation means and the replenishment setting means are connected, and the replenishment stop means is selectively connected to any one of the detection parts connected to the replenishment setting confirmation means to activate the replenishment setting means. The storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank when the supply stop setting means is operated is equal to or more than the storage amount of the game medium stored in the storage tank at that time. Controlled to be a quantity,
A game media supply system characterized by that. The replenishing means automatically replenishes a storage tank disposed in the game medium using machine with a game medium according to a signal from the replenishment setting means and stops replenishment with a signal from the replenishment stop setting means. 2. The game medium supply system according to claim 1, wherein the game medium supply system is an automatic medium supply device. The game medium using machine has a storage tank and a game medium payout device disposed therein, and an emergency supply request area defined by at least two detection units provided in the vertical direction in the storage tank. 3. The emergency replenishment command is transmitted from the lower detection unit when a medium storage amount decreases from the lower detection unit among the detection units. The game medium supply system described.   4. The game medium supply system according to claim 1, wherein the supply stop confirmation unit is connected to a detection unit provided above the emergency supply request area. The two detection units that define the emergency replenishment request area, wherein one detection unit is a count signal based on the number of payouts detected by the counter sensor of the game medium payout device. 5. The game medium supply system according to any one of items 4. The detection means confirms a state where there is no replenishment setting in a detection section other than the detection section in a state where the corresponding detection section is in a replenishment condition, and issues a signal to the replenishment setting section. 6. The game medium supply system according to claim 5. 2. The detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is in a state where the corresponding detection unit is not in a replenishment condition, and a detection unit other than the detection unit detects that there is no replenishment setting and issues a signal to the replenishment stop confirmation unit. 7. The game medium supply system according to any one of items 6 to 6. A detection unit other than the corresponding detection unit in the supply stop confirmation unit after clearing the setting of the number of payouts set in the counter in a state where the detection unit provided on the upper side that defines the emergency supply request area is not in a supply condition 6. The game medium supply system according to claim 5, wherein a signal is sent to the supply stop means after confirming whether or not there is a supply setting. The game according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of detection units provided in the detection unit display different display forms on the display unit according to the detection results of the respective detection units. Medium supply system.

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