JP2010131162A - Game medium-dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium-dispensing machine capable of reducing the power consumption without complicating the operation by customers. <P>SOLUTION: The game medium-dispensing machine (a ball dispenser 2) includes: a device body set adjacent to a game machine 1, an input part set in the device body for the dispensing operation for dispensing game media; and control means 21, 31, 41 and 51 for executing various processings. The control means 21, 31, 41 and 51 change the regular power motion to the low power consumption motion with lower power consumption than the power consumption in the regular power motion when the dispensing operation in the input part is not performed for at least a prescribed period of time in the state of the regular power motion, and change the motion to the regular power motion when the dispensing operation in the input part is performed in the state of the low power consumption motion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming medium lending processor that is installed adjacent to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine installed in a gaming hall and rents gaming media used in the gaming machine.

In the game hall, a plurality of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines are installed side by side on each of a plurality of gaming islands. Each gaming island is provided with a ball lending machine or a medal lending machine that lends pachinko balls or medals as game media corresponding to each gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). That is, normally, a game medium lending processor is disposed adjacent to one side of each gaming machine. This game medium lending processor has an insertion slot and operation buttons into which banknotes, prepaid cards with recorded amount information etc. or membership cards can be inserted, and the player inserts banknotes and cards into the insertion slot. Or a predetermined lending operation such as operating an operation button, the game medium is rented and a game is played on the gaming machine.
JP 2007-37702 A JP 2007-325648 A

  By the way, such a game medium lending processor is provided for each part in the processor so that the game medium lending process can be performed even when the above-described insertion of banknotes, cards, etc. and the operation buttons are not operated. Power is being supplied. As described above, the conventional gaming medium lending processor always consumes power that enables lending processing even when gaming medium lending processing is not being performed, leading to unnecessary power consumption. Yes.

  Therefore, for example, the game medium lending processor can be operated at a normal power operation enabling a lending process, and the power supplied to each part in the processor can be reduced or the power supply can be stopped. It is also conceivable that the low power consumption operation with reduced power consumption can be switched, and the low power consumption operation is performed when the lending operation is not performed.

  However, in this configuration, when a player tries to insert a bill, a card, etc., when the game medium lending processor is performing a low power consumption operation, the power supply to each part in the processor is stopped or lowered. Therefore, it becomes impossible to insert the banknote or card. For this reason, for example, a return switch for returning from low power consumption operation to normal power operation is separately provided, and the player is operated to operate the return switch, and then a bill or a card is inserted. Need arises. However, such a configuration causes inconvenience that the operation is complicated and difficult for the player to understand.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending processor that can reduce power consumption and does not complicate the operation of the player. There is.

  The game medium lending processor is installed adjacent to the game machine so as to constitute a part of the game medium lending system, and the apparatus main body for lending the game medium to the player, and the apparatus main body And an input unit for performing a lending operation for lending the game medium by the player, and control means for executing various processes in the apparatus main body including lending processing of the game medium. .

  The control means is set such that the power consumption of the device main body is lower than that during the normal power operation and the normal power operation in which the device main body is set to perform normal game medium lending processing. It is configured to be able to switch between a low power consumption operation and the control means is further configured to change the normal power operation from the normal power operation when a lending operation to the input unit is not performed for a predetermined time or more in the normal power operation state. In addition to switching to the low power consumption operation, when the lending operation is performed on the input unit in the low power consumption operation state, the low power consumption operation is switched to the normal power operation.

  Here, the lending operation for the input unit specifically includes at least inserting various cards into the card insertion slot, inserting money into the money insertion slot, and operating the operation buttons.

  According to this configuration, by allowing the gaming medium lending processor to be switched between normal power operation and low power consumption operation, power consumption is lower during low power consumption operation than during normal power operation. Power consumption is suppressed.

  In the low power consumption operation, when the lending operation for the input unit is not performed for a predetermined time or more in the normal power operation state, that is, the lending operation by the player is not performed for the predetermined time or more, and the game medium lending processor performs lending processing. Switch when not done for more than a predetermined time. Thereby, useless power consumption is suppressed.

  On the other hand, when a lending operation is performed on the input unit in the low power consumption operation state, the gaming medium lending processor is switched to the normal power operation, and the gaming medium lending process is performed. In other words, even when the game medium lending processor is operating at low power consumption, when the player performs a lending operation on the input unit in order to receive the game medium lending, the game medium lending process is performed and the player Can borrow game media. In this way, the player can perform the operation of the game medium simply by lending the input unit without performing a special operation such as operating a return switch from the low power consumption operation to the normal power operation. You can get a loan.

  In this way, a gaming medium rental processing machine that can reduce power consumption and does not complicate the operation of the player is realized.

  The predetermined time related to the switching of the operation may be configured to be changeable. By doing so, for example, the predetermined time can be appropriately set according to each game hall where the game medium lending processor is installed.

  The predetermined time may be configured to be changed and set by operating a device connected to the device main body and higher than the device main body in the game medium lending system. By doing so, it becomes possible to collectively change and set the predetermined time for a plurality of gaming medium lending processors by operating the host device, and the operation of the gaming medium lending system is facilitated.

  The gaming medium lending processor can change between an energy saving mode for switching between the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation and a normal mode for not switching from the normal power operation to the low power consumption operation. You may comprise. By doing so, for example, the energy saving mode or the normal mode can be selectively set according to the individual game hall where the game medium lending processor is installed.

  The energy saving mode and the normal mode may be changed by operating a device connected to the device main body and higher than the device main body in the game medium lending system. In this way, it becomes possible to change and set the energy saving mode and the normal mode for a plurality of gaming medium lending processors collectively by operating the host device, and the operation of the gaming medium lending system is easy. become.

  The game medium lending processor may be further provided with a display unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and that indicates that the apparatus main body is in the low power consumption operation state. By doing so, for example, an employee of a game hall can recognize at a glance the operating state of the game medium lending processor.

  The game medium lending processor is included in the apparatus main body, and includes a unit including the input unit, a unit control unit connected to the input unit and controlling the input unit, and connected to the unit And a main body control unit that controls the unit, and the control means includes the unit control unit and the main body control unit, and the main body control unit is configured to perform the normal power operation in the normal power operation. While supplying power to the unit control unit, the power supply to the unit control unit is stopped in the low power consumption operation, and the main body control unit is further directly connected to the input unit of the unit In the normal power operation state, the unit control unit monitors the input unit to determine whether or not a lending operation is performed on the input unit. On the other hand, in the state of the low power consumption operation, the main body control unit is configured to determine whether or not a lending operation is performed on the input unit by monitoring the input unit. Also good.

  In this way, in the low power consumption operation, the power supply to the unit control unit of the unit included in the apparatus main body is stopped, so that the power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the normal power operation.

  On the other hand, when the power supply to the unit control unit is stopped in this way, it becomes impossible to monitor whether or not the lending operation has been performed on the input unit of the unit. In the configuration described above, the main body control unit monitors the input unit while power supply to the unit control unit is stopped. As a result, when a lending operation is performed on the input unit, the main body control unit detects that, so that the gaming medium lending processor can be shifted from the low power consumption operation to the normal power operation. Lending processing becomes possible.

  The apparatus body includes a plurality of the units including the input unit and the unit control unit, and in the state of the normal power operation, the unit control unit of each unit monitors the input unit corresponding thereto, It is determined whether or not the lending operation for the input unit is performed, and when the lending operation for the input units of all the units has not been performed for the predetermined time or more, the power supply to the unit control units of all the units is performed. While switching to the low power consumption operation by stopping, in the state of the low power consumption operation, the main body control unit monitors the input unit of each unit, so that the lending operation to each input unit is performed. When a lending operation is performed on the input unit of any one unit, Wherein by resuming the power supply to the unit controller of all units are configured normally to switch the power operation may be.

  In this way, when the lending operation for the input units of all units has not been performed for a predetermined time, the power supply to the unit control units of all units is stopped and the operation shifts to the low power consumption operation. This greatly reduces wasteful power consumption. On the other hand, when a lending operation is performed on the input unit of any one unit during the low power consumption operation, the power supply to the unit control units of all units is resumed, and the normal power operation is performed. As a result, the game medium lending process in the game medium lending processor can be performed smoothly.

  The control means may be configured to output the low power consumption operation to an external device connected to the apparatus main body in the low power consumption operation state. Specific examples of the external device include a gaming machine, a calling lamp (display unit) for the gaming machine, an island controller, and a management computer.

  With this configuration, in the external device, it is possible to appropriately use information that the game medium lending processor is operating with low power consumption.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the lending operation for the input unit has not been performed for a predetermined time or more in the normal power operation state, the power consumption in the game medium lending processor is switched to the low power consumption operation. Consumption can be suppressed. At the same time, when a lending operation is performed on the input unit in the state of low power consumption operation, the game medium lending process is executed by switching to the normal power operation, so that the player does not have to perform a special operation. It is often possible to rent game media without complicating operations.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this gaming system is applied to a gaming hall (in this embodiment, it is described as a pachinko hall, but is not limited to this). is there.

  In the gaming hall, a plurality of gaming machines 1 (in this embodiment, pachinko machines) are arranged side by side on each of a plurality of gaming islands. In each gaming island, ball lending machines 2 (game medium lending processing machines) for lending pachinko balls as gaming media are provided corresponding to the plurality of gaming machines 1, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a vertically long ball lending machine 2 is disposed adjacent to the left side of each gaming machine 1. Each gaming machine 1 and the ball lending machine 2 corresponding to the gaming machine 1 are connected to be communicable with each other (see FIG. 3).

  Returning to FIG. 1, both the gaming machine 1 and the ball lending machine 2 are communicably connected to an island controller 15 provided on the gaming island to which the gaming machine 1 and the ball lending machine 2 belong. One island controller 15 is provided for each game island, and all the island controllers 15 are connected to the management computer 61.

  The management computer 61 is communicably connected to each of the island controllers 15, a card issuing machine 62 for issuing a prepaid card in which money amount information and the like are recorded, a card settlement machine 63 for prepaid card settlement, and the like. The state of all devices including the gaming machine 1 and the ball lending machine 2 in the hall is managed by the management computer 61. The management computer 61 corresponds to a device higher than the ball lending machine 2.

  Although not shown, the management computer 61 is also provided with an input unit such as a keyboard for inputting various information and an output unit including a display for outputting and displaying various information. Various operations in sales management and game hall management can be performed by a predetermined operation of the input unit, and each device in the game hall can be set.

  Thus, in the game hall according to the present embodiment, the management computer 1, the ball lending machine 2, the card issuing machine 62, the card settlement machine 63, and the like are used to lend a pachinko ball to a player. Media lending system) has been established.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ball lending machine 2 inserts money into the upper part of the front of the ball lending machine 2 (in this embodiment, only banknotes can be inserted, but coins may be inserted. ) Is provided with a money insertion slot (sometimes referred to as a money handling unit including the money insertion slot), and the prepaid card (for example, a magnetic card) or a game hall is a member of the lower part of the front of the ball lending machine 2 A card insertion slot (sometimes referred to as a card processing unit including the card insertion slot) 4 is provided for inserting a membership card (for example, an IC card) to be transferred to the card. Further, in the center in the vertical direction on the front of the ball lending machine 2, an operation button 53 (see FIG. 3) that is operated when a player inserts a prepaid card or a member card, and the like are recorded on the prepaid card or the member card. A display panel that displays the remaining amount and the number of stored balls recorded on the member card (the number of balls that can be stored in association with the member card without exchanging the balls from the previous game for prizes) 52 (see FIG. 3) is provided. An operation / display unit (sometimes referred to as an operation / display unit) 5 is provided. Examples of the operation button 53 include a display switching button for switching display contents on the display panel, a replay button for replaying a game using the balls stored during the previous game, a prepaid card inserted from a card insertion slot, or a member A return button for returning the card with the remaining amount stored, a lending button for lending a ball of, for example, 1000 yen by one operation.

  Operation buttons 11 including a similar return button and a lending button are also provided on the gaming machine 1 (see FIG. 2). The operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side is connected to a main body control unit 21 of the ball lending machine 2 described later, and the operation button on the ball lending machine 2 is also operated when the operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side is operated. Similar to when 53 is operated, operations such as card return and ball lending are performed.

  The player inserts money into the money insertion slot 3 of the ball lending machine 2 corresponding to the gaming machine 1 to play a game, or inserts a prepaid card or a membership card into the card insertion slot 4 and the operation button (Lending button etc.) 11, 53, that is, when a lending operation for lending a ball is performed, a lending of a ball is performed to the gaming machine 1, and the player plays a game in this gaming machine 1 Will be able to do. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 1 that has received the signal from the ball lending machine 2 is configured to execute the processing of the lending ball, and the lending ball is configured to be taken out from the inside of the gaming machine 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball lending machine 2 may be configured to issue a loaned ball.

  Note that the member card may be one in which a non-contact IC tag is embedded. In this case, it is not necessary to insert the member card, and the member card is brought into contact with a predetermined portion. The portion where the member card embedded with the non-contact IC tag is brought into contact corresponds to the card insertion slot.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ball lending machine 2 includes a money handling unit 3, a card processing unit 4, an operation / display unit 5, a stand interface unit 22 for communicating with the gaming machine 1, an island controller 15. An external interface unit 23 for communicating with an external device provided on the upper side of the gaming machine 1 and including a display unit 64 (see FIG. 2) used for calling an employee of the gaming hall. By performing control of the state display lamp 25 for indicating the state of the ball lending machine 2 (for example, occurrence of an abnormality) and the units 3, 4, and 5, various processes including a ball lending process are executed. And a power supply unit 24 for supplying power to each part of the ball lending machine 2 including the main body control unit 21.

  The money handling unit 3 includes a money insertion detection sensor 32 for detecting that money (banknote) has been inserted into the money insertion slot, a transport motor 34 for transporting money inside the unit after the insertion, A currency passage detection sensor 33 that detects the passage of the currency being conveyed, a currency reading unit 35 that identifies the currency, and a unit control unit 31 that is connected to and controls these units. It is configured to include.

  The card processing unit 4 is conveyed inside the unit, a card insertion detection sensor 42 for detecting that a card has been inserted into the card insertion slot, a conveyance motor 44 for conveying the card inside the unit after the insertion. A card passage detection sensor 43 that detects the passage of money, a card reading unit 45 that reads information of the prepaid card and the membership card, a unit control unit 41 that is connected to each of these units and controls each of these units, It is comprised including.

  As described above, the operation / display unit 5 is connected to the display panel 52 that performs various displays, the operation buttons 53 that are operated by the player, and the display panel 52 and the operation buttons 53. And a unit control unit 51 that performs control.

  Here, in the ball lending machine 2, each of the money insertion detection sensor 32 in the money processing unit 3, the card insertion detection sensor 42 in the card processing unit 4, and the operation button 53 in the operation / display unit 5 is connected to the main body control unit 21. Is also directly connected. As a result, as will be described in detail later, depending on the operating state of the ball lending machine 2, the main body control unit 21 instead of the unit control units 31, 41, 51 may have the money insertion detection sensor 32, the card insertion detection sensor 42, and the operation buttons. The signal from 53 is directly received.

  Here, the money insertion slot, the card insertion slot, and the operation button 53 are portions related to the lending operation in the ball lending machine 2 (these may be collectively referred to as an input unit), and a money insertion detection sensor. 32, each of the card insertion detection sensor 42 and the operation button 53 is a part for detecting whether or not a lending operation has been performed in the input unit (note that these may be collectively referred to as an input detection unit). By monitoring the input detection units 32, 42, and 53, it can be determined whether or not a lending operation has been performed. In the ball lending machine 2, as shown in FIG. 4, depending on the operation state, the unit control units 31, 41, 51 monitor the input detection units 32, 42, 53, and the lending operation is performed. When the main body control unit 21 monitors the input detection units 32, 42, and 53 to determine whether or not a lending operation has been performed (see the left diagram in FIG. 4). (See the right figure in FIG. 4).

  As a characteristic point of the ball lending machine 2 according to the present embodiment, the ball lending machine 2 has two types of operations, a normal power operation and a low power consumption operation in which the power consumption is lower than the normal power operation. It is configured to be switchable.

  The normal power operation is an operation state in which all processing / functions of the ball lending machine 2 including execution of the ball lending process can be executed by supplying power to the units 3, 4 and 5 as usual. is there. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the low power consumption operation is performed by stopping the power supply to the portions other than the input detection units 32, 42, and 53 in each unit 3, 4, and 5 so as to execute the ball lending process as it is. However, the power consumption is lower than that during normal power operation. In addition, instead of stopping the power supply to the portions other than the input detection units 32, 42, 53 in each unit 3, 4, 5, the amount of power to be supplied may be reduced by reducing the current or voltage.

  Switching from the normal power operation to the low power consumption operation is performed when the detection by the input detection units 32, 42, 53 in each unit 3, 4, 5 has not been performed for a predetermined time, in other words, to the money insertion slot. This is performed when neither the insertion of money, the insertion of a card into the card insertion slot, or the operation of the operation button 53 has been performed for a predetermined time or longer. Moreover, since the operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side has the same function as the operation button 53 of the ball lending machine 2 as described above, the detection by the input detection units 32, 42, 53 is a predetermined time or more. In addition to the condition that it has not been performed, when the operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side is not operated for a predetermined time or more, the normal power operation may be switched to the low power consumption operation.

  On the other hand, switching from the low power consumption operation to the normal power operation is performed when the detection by the input detection units 32, 42, 53 in any of the units 3, 4, 5 is performed, in other words, to the money insertion slot. This is performed when any one of insertion of money, insertion of a card into the card insertion slot, and operation of the operation button 53 is performed. Similarly, when the operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side is operated, the low power consumption operation may be switched to the normal power operation.

  Here, in the ball lending system A, the predetermined time relating to the switching from the normal power operation to the low power consumption operation can be changed and set by the operation of the management computer 61. In this case, the management computer 61 may change and set the predetermined time of all the ball lending machines 2 in the game hall at once, for example, change setting for each island, or each ball lending machine 2 It may be changed and set every time. As described above, the management computer 61 can change and set the predetermined time of all the ball lending machines 2, thereby facilitating the operation of the ball lending system A. Further, each ball lending machine 2 may be configured to change and set the predetermined time.

  Further, the ball lending machine 2 does not perform the energy saving mode for switching between the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation described above and the normal power operation to the low power consumption operation. The normal mode to be performed can be changed, and the change setting of this mode can also be configured by operation of the management computer 61. Also in this case, the management computer 61 may change and set the mode of all the ball lending machines 2 in the game hall at once, for example, change setting for each island, or each ball lending machine 2 It may be changed and set every time. As described above, the management computer 61 can change and set the modes of all the ball lending machines 2, thereby facilitating the operation of the ball lending system A. The ball lending machine 2 may also be configured to be able to set the mode change.

  Next, switching control between the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation in the ball lending machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is control in the ball lending machine 2 when the energy saving mode in which the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation are switched is set.

  In step S1 after the start, initial processing is executed. After the initial process, the ball lending machine 2 operates in a normal power operation. Then, the ball lending operation is awaited in the subsequent step S2. Specifically, in step S3, the input detection units 32, 42, and 53 are monitored. Since the normal power operation is performed here, the unit control units 31, 41, and 51 of the units 3, 4, and 5 are The input detection units (that is, the money insertion detection sensor 32, the card insertion detection sensor 42, and the operation button 53) included in the units 3, 4, and 5 are monitored (see the left diagram in FIG. 4). In this step, it is also monitored whether or not the operation button 11 of the gaming machine 1 is operated. This monitoring is performed by the main body control unit 21.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not there has been a lending operation. If YES in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5 to execute a ball lending process. In this way, balls are lent out to the gaming machine 1. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, if NO in step S4, the operation proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed. If the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to step S2 to continue waiting for a ball lending operation. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has passed without a ball lending operation, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the power supply to each of the units 3, 4, 5 is stopped (except for the input detection units 32, 42, 53) and switched to the low power consumption operation. In step S 7, the low power consumption operation is transmitted to the gaming machine 1 through the table interface unit 22 and transmitted to the external devices 15, 61, 64 through the external interface unit 23. Thereby, in the external devices 15, 61, 64, information that the ball lending machine 2 is in a state of low power consumption operation can be used as appropriate. Further, in step S7, it is indicated that the state display lamp 25 is in a low power consumption operation. For example, the lighting color of the lamp may be changed to a predetermined lighting color, or the lamp may be turned off. By doing so, an employee of the game hall can visually recognize that the ball lending machine 2 is in a state of low power consumption operation.

  In subsequent steps S8 and S9, as in steps S2 and S3, the input detectors 32, 42, and 53 are monitored for the ball lending operation. The monitoring here is performed by the main body control unit 21 as described above (see the right figure in FIG. 4). In this step, it is also monitored whether or not the operation button 11 of the gaming machine 1 is operated. This monitoring is also performed by the main body control unit 21.

  Then, in step S10, it is determined whether or not there has been a lending operation. When NO in the absence of the lending operation, the process returns to step S8 as it is and continues to wait for the lending operation. On the other hand, in any unit 3, 4, 5 or when there is a lending operation on the gaming machine 1 side, the process proceeds to step S11 and power supply to all the units 3, 4, 5 is resumed. Then, the operation returns to the normal power operation, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5, and the ball lending process according to the operation is executed as described above. As a result, balls are lent out to the gaming machine 1.

  As described above, the ball lending machine 2 according to the present embodiment can switch between the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation. Therefore, the power consumption during the low power consumption operation is lower than that during the normal power operation. Power consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, when a lending operation such as insertion of money into the money insertion slot, insertion of a card into the card insertion slot, and operation of the operation button 53 is performed in the normal power operation state (and the gaming machine 1 side) Naturally, the game media lending process is executed while the operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side is operated in the low power consumption operation state. When the ball lending machine 2 is switched to the normal power operation, the gaming medium lending process can be executed. That is, even when the ball lending machine 2 is in a low power consumption operation, when the player inserts money into the money insertion slot, inserts a card into the card insertion slot, or operates the operation buttons 11 and 53, The lending process is executed, and the player can receive the balls. In this way, the player does not have to perform a special operation such as operating a return switch from the low power consumption operation to the normal power operation. Realize.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the detection by the input detection units 32, 42, 53 in each unit 3, 4, 5 is not performed for a predetermined time or more in the normal power operation, all the units 3, 4, 5 are detected. Although the power supply is stopped, for example, the power supply to the unit may be stopped and restarted individually for each unit. In other words, a specific example will be described. When the insertion of money into the money insertion slot has not been performed for a predetermined time, only the power supply to the money processing unit 3 is stopped, and the money insertion into the money insertion slot is stopped. When the insertion is performed, only the power supply to the money handling unit 3 may be resumed. The same applies to the card processing unit 4 and the operation / display unit 5.

  For example, when the ball lending machine 2 is provided with a ball counting machine for counting balls, the ball counting machine may be included in an external device that transmits a low power consumption operation state.

  Further, regarding switching between the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation, whether or not the operation button 11 on the gaming machine 1 side is operated is monitored, but this may be omitted.

  Further, as described above, the gaming machine 1 is not limited to a pachinko machine, and may be, for example, a pachislot machine. In this case, the ball lending machine 2 may be a medal lending machine. That is, the present invention can be applied to a medal lending machine.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a gaming medium lending processor for lending gaming media used in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines installed in gaming halls.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a ball rental system. It is a schematic front view which shows the example of the external appearance of a gaming machine and a ball lending machine. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of a ball lending machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation state at the time of the normal electric power operation | movement in a ball lending machine, and the time of low power consumption operation | movement, respectively. It is a flowchart which concerns on control of switching with normal electric power operation | movement and low power consumption operation | movement in a ball lending machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine (external equipment)
15 Island controller (external equipment)
2 Ball lending machine (device body, game media lending machine)
21 Main body control unit 25 Status display lamp (display unit)
3 Money Processing Unit 31 Unit Control Unit 32 Money Insertion Detection Sensor 4 Card Processing Unit 41 Unit Control Unit 42 Card Insertion Detection Sensor 5 Operation / Display Unit 51 Unit Control Unit 53 Operation Button (Input Unit)
61 Management computer (host device)
64 Display unit (external device)
A ball lending system (game media lending system)

Claims (9)

An apparatus main body that is installed adjacent to the gaming machine so as to constitute a part of the gaming medium lending system, and that lends gaming media to the player;
An input unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and is operated by the player for lending the game medium;
Control means for executing various processes in the apparatus main body, including the gaming medium lending process,
The control means includes a normal power operation that is set so that the device main body performs normal game medium lending processing, and a low power consumption that is set so that power consumption of the device main body is lower than that during the normal power operation. It is configured to be able to switch between power operation and
The control means further switches from the normal power operation to the low power consumption operation when the lending operation to the input unit has not been performed for a predetermined time or more in the normal power operation state, and the low power consumption operation state. When the lending operation to the input unit is performed, the game medium lending processor is configured to switch from the low power consumption operation to the normal power operation. In the game medium rental processing machine according to claim 1,
The game medium lending processor, wherein the predetermined time relating to the switching of the operation is configured to be changeable. In the gaming medium rental processing machine according to claim 2,
The game medium lending process, wherein the predetermined time is configured to be changed and set by operating a higher-level device connected to the device main body in the game medium lending system. Machine. In the game medium rental processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An energy saving mode for switching between the normal power operation and the low power consumption operation and a normal mode for not switching from the normal power operation to the low power consumption operation can be changed. Game media rental processing machine. In the game medium rental processing machine according to claim 4,
The game medium is characterized in that the energy saving mode and the normal mode can be changed by operating a device higher than the device main body connected to the device main body in the game medium lending system. Lending processing machine. In the game medium rental processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A game medium lending processor provided in the apparatus main body, further comprising a display unit indicating that the apparatus main body is in the low power consumption operation state. In the game medium rental processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A unit that is included in the apparatus main body and includes the input unit and a unit control unit that is connected to the input unit and controls the input unit,
A main body control unit that is connected to the unit and controls the unit;
The control means includes the unit control unit and the main body control unit,
The main body control unit is configured to supply power to the unit control unit in the normal power operation, and to stop power supply to the unit control unit in the low power consumption operation.
The main body control unit is further directly connected to the input unit of the unit,
In the normal power operation state, the unit control unit monitors the input unit to determine whether or not a lending operation is performed on the input unit, while in the low power consumption operation state, A game medium lending processor, wherein the main body control unit monitors the input unit to determine whether or not a lending operation is performed on the input unit. The game medium lending processor according to claim 7,
The apparatus main body includes a plurality of the units including the input unit and the unit control unit,
In the state of the normal power operation, the unit control unit of each unit monitors the input unit corresponding thereto to determine whether or not a lending operation is performed on the input unit, and all the units. When the lending operation for the input unit is not performed for the predetermined time or more, while switching to the low power consumption operation by stopping the power supply to the unit control unit of all the units,
In the state of the low power consumption operation, the main body control unit monitors the input unit of each unit to determine whether or not a lending operation is performed on each input unit, and A game medium lending system configured to switch to the normal power operation by resuming the power supply to the unit control units of all the units when a lending operation is performed on the input units of the units. Processing machine. In the game medium rental processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The control means is configured to output the low power consumption operation to an external device connected to the apparatus body in the low power consumption operation state. Medium lending processing machine.

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