JP2595892B2 - Pachinko ball storage amount averaging device for Yugijima - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming island in which a plurality of pachinko machines are arranged, and a so-called combined island in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are used together.
The present invention relates to a pachinko ball storage amount averaging device for a gaming island configured by arranging a plurality of gaming machines, and more particularly to a so-called independent island pachinko ball storage amount averaging device. In the detailed description including the claims and the following embodiments, the term “prize ball”, “out ball”, and “lending ball” all refer to pachinko balls. It is what you call.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a pachinko hall, a large number of pachinko gaming islands (hereinafter referred to as gaming islands) in which a plurality of pachinko machines are arranged are provided, and when a game is won, each pachinko machine pays out as a prize ball. A system is known in which pachinko balls to be paid out as lending balls from ball lending machines to customers are stored in storage tanks of each game island. Then, the pachinko balls returned to the prize ball counter after the game are returned to the game islands again so that the storage amount of the pachinko balls on each game island does not become insufficient. As the pachinko ball collection and replenishment mechanism, an all-store system, an island return system, and an independent island system are known.

[0003] In the whole store method, a prize ball counter is installed at a prize exchange counter, the returned prize balls are counted, and the prize balls and the outgoing balls from a collection gutter buried underground are lifted. The pachinko balls of each game island are supplied from the upper part of the game island by the supply gutter arranged on the ceiling and lifted by the transmitter, but the equipment becomes complicated and the labor of construction etc. There were various problems.

[0004] The island return system is a one-floor type facility that does not use a ceiling or basement. A return machine and a storage tank are installed on each game island, and the required amount of pachinko balls is stored for each game island. Is configured to reduce,
For example, there is JP-B-48-37416. But,
A game island such as a supply gutter that returns prize balls from the prize exchange area to each game island or a supply gutter erected in an X shape in the upper storage tank of each game island to average the amount of pachinko balls stored on each game island The structure of the upper part is similar to that of the whole- store system, and the above-mentioned problems have not been solved much.

In the independent island method, the above-mentioned gutter is omitted altogether, a prize ball counter is installed on each game island, and pachinko balls are returned from each prize ball counter only to the respective game islands where they are installed. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-24
There was 110. In this system, in particular, an upper limit detection sensor and a lower limit detection sensor are installed in a pachinko ball storage tank, and when the amount of stored pachinko balls reaches a predetermined upper limit, a signal is generated by the upper limit sensor, and a prize is given by this signal. The use of ball counters is prohibited and the return of pachinko balls to gaming arcades is prohibited, and when the amount of stored pachinko balls reaches a predetermined lower limit, a signal is generated by a lower limit detection sensor. The prohibition state was lifted and the pachinko balls were returned to the gaming island, and the above configuration was used to average the amount of pachinko balls stored. According to this method, there is an advantage that the equipment is simplified and the labor for construction is reduced.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-24110, if the return of pachinko balls is prohibited, the return prohibition state is not released until the amount of stored pachinko balls reaches the lower limit. However, there is a problem that the prize ball counter on the island cannot be used for a long time, and the player is inconvenienced.

In addition, since the return prohibition state is released after the lower limit sensor detects that the lower limit has been cut, the return of the pachinko balls may be excessively reduced due to a delay in resumption of return. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accurately average the amount of pachinko balls stored in a gaming island while preventing a state in which a prize ball counter cannot be used for a long time, and in particular, resumption of return is appropriately performed. The purpose is to be.

[0008]

Means and action for attaining the object A pachinko ball storage amount averaging device for a gaming island for achieving this object is provided with a gaming island constituted by arranging a plurality of gaming machines, and provided on the gaming island. Pachinko ball storage means for storing pachinko balls to be paid out as prize balls at the time of winning in each of the gaming machines in the gaming island, and provided in the gaming island, receives and counts the pachinko balls, and outputs the counting result, Pachinko ball returning means for returning the received pachinko balls to the storage means, reference amount detecting means for detecting whether the amount of pachinko balls stored in the pachinko ball storage means has reached a predetermined reference amount, and detecting the reference amount. Prohibiting means for prohibiting the return of pachinko balls by the pachinko ball returning means when it is detected by the means that the stored amount of pachinko balls reaches a predetermined reference amount; Storage amount measuring means for measuring the amount of pachinko balls stored a predetermined time after the return of pachinko balls is prohibited, and cancellation for judging whether it is possible to cancel the return prohibition based on the measurement result of the storage amount measurement means Permission determining means, and release control means for releasing the pachinko ball return prohibition when the release permission determining means determines that the pachinko ball is returnable, and extending the pachinko ball return prohibition period when it is determined not. Prepare.

According to this pachinko ball storage amount averaging device, when the amount of stored pachinko balls on the game island reaches a predetermined reference amount, the return of the pachinko balls is prohibited by the prohibition means. For this reason, a player who wants to count the pachinko balls (prize balls) is required to return the pachinko balls (prize balls) through the pachinko ball return means of a game island (a game island with a small amount of stored pachinko balls) for which return is not prohibited. ) Is counted, and the pachinko balls are returned to the gaming island where the pachinko ball return means is installed. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed since the return of the pachinko ball was prohibited,
It is determined from the measurement result of the storage amount measuring means how the storage amount of pachinko balls has changed after the return prohibition.

Then, based on the result of this determination, the return prohibition of the pachinko ball is released in one case, and the return prohibition is extended in another case. For example, when the amount of pachinko balls stored gradually increases due to the inflow of outgoing balls even after the return prohibition, or the amount of pachinko balls is decreasing but it is slow, so it could not be reduced so much during the return prohibition period , Extend the prohibition period of return. Thus, the pachinko ball storage amount averaging device of the present invention can release the return prohibition after confirming the effect of the return prohibition, and can prevent a situation in which the return is prohibited immediately after the release is prohibited. Therefore, the operation state of the pachinko ball returning means is stabilized, and the inconvenience such as "the player is searched for the pachinko ball returning means that can be counted" is not given.

Further, since the return prohibition may be canceled after a predetermined time elapses, the return of the return prohibition is performed at an earlier timing, unlike waiting for the lower limit as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-24110. The ban can be lifted. Specifically, the release control means determines a change state of the pachinko ball storage amount after the return is prohibited based on the pachinko ball storage amount after the predetermined time, and determines whether the return prohibition is released based on the determination result. May be determined. According to this configuration, the return prohibition period can be extended if it is determined that the amount of stored pachinko balls has not easily decreased after the return prohibition, and the return prohibition can be canceled if it can be determined that the pachinko ball storage amount has decreased smoothly. As a result, an optimal prohibition period can be set according to the degree of decrease in the amount of stored pachinko balls, and the prohibition period can be minimized. Therefore, the inconvenience of the player is further eliminated.

[0012] In these cases, after the return prohibition period is extended by the release control means, the storage amount is re-measured by the storage amount measurement means, and the release permission / inhibition determination means is performed based on the result of the re-measurement. It is more preferable that the cancellation control means cancels or prolongs the return prohibition based on the result of the re-judgment. According to such a configuration, the necessity of cancellation is determined many times, so that the first return prohibition period and the subsequent extension period can be set as short periods. Therefore, the prohibition period can be further minimized.

The prohibition of pachinko ball return may be implemented by various concrete configurations such as a configuration in which the pachinko ball return means itself does not operate and a configuration in which the pachinko ball return means is currently prohibited from being used. obtain. It is certain that the pachinko ball return means will not operate,
In consideration of the convenience of the player, it is preferable that the pachinko ball returning means be kept operable and only display the prohibition of its use. This is because if a pachinko ball (prize ball) is inserted into the pachinko ball return means without the player noticing, counting cannot be performed.

Further, in the pachinko ball storage amount averaging device, the detection unit of the reference amount detection means is configured to be movable so that it is possible to determine whether the pachinko ball storage amount has reached a predetermined reference amount or not. It is preferable that the amount of stored balls is configured to be measurable so as to serve also as the stored amount measuring means. That is, when the return is permitted, the detection unit is moved to the position as the reference amount detection means, and when the return is prohibited, the storage level of the pachinko balls can be measured. Switch and use as you like.
The detection of whether or not the reference amount has been reached and the measurement of the storage amount are items to be performed under completely different circumstances, so that they can be used together.

Further, in this pachinko ball storage amount averaging device of the game island, the pachinko ball storage means temporarily stores the pachinko balls received from the pachinko ball return means and discharges the pachinko balls in a proper amount, and a sub-tank. A transfer unit for transferring the pachinko balls to be discharged, and a main tank for storing the pachinko balls transferred by the transfer unit, wherein the reference amount detecting means is provided in the transfer unit, and the detecting unit is connected to the main tank. To detect whether the reference amount has been reached or not, and to move the detection unit to the sub-tank side to measure the storage amount of the sub-tank.

According to the pachinko ball storage amount averaging apparatus employing this configuration, the return is prohibited according to the storage state of the main tank, and the return prohibition is canceled according to the storage state of the sub tank. Here, the sub-tank is a place where the amount of stored pachinko balls fluctuates whenever the pachinko ball returning means is operating, so it is not appropriate to detect whether or not the sub-tank has reached the reference amount. On the other hand, since the storage capacity of the main tank is to be designed to be large, the fluctuation of the storage amount is not so large even immediately after the pachinko balls are paid out from the gaming machine by the pachinko ball returning means. Therefore, the main tank detects whether or not the stored amount of pachinko balls has reached the reference amount, thereby stabilizing the detection of the return prohibition start condition and preventing the return prohibition from being erroneously prevented. .

On the other hand, when the return of the pachinko balls is prohibited, the sub-tank decreases in accordance with the decrease in the storage amount of the main tank, and the total storage amount is small. . However, in the main tank, since the total storage amount is large, the reduction situation does not appear remarkably. From the above relationship, if you measure the amount of storage in the sub-tank to determine whether it is worth reducing the return prohibition, it is difficult to overlook that the return prohibition can be lifted I can say.

In this pachinko ball storage amount averaging device, it is determined whether or not the return is prohibited according to the situation of the main tank so that the return prohibition is not unnecessarily executed, and the return of the sub tank is prevented. By judging whether the return prohibition can be canceled depending on the situation, it is possible to prevent the return prohibition state from continuing unnecessarily long, stabilize the operation state of the pachinko ball return means, and extend the operation period as long as possible. In addition, the amount of pachinko balls stored in the game island can be averaged while accurately preventing the player from searching for the operating pachinko ball returning means.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a pachinko hall to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the pachinko hall of this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming islands 5, 5,... In which a number of pachinko machines 1, 1,. Each game island 5, 5, ...
, A bill changer 7 is arranged at one end, and a prize ball counter 10 is arranged at the other end. The player
Each of the gaming islands 5, 5,... Is configured to be able to exchange bills and count pachinko balls. As is well known, the prize ball counter 10 includes a ball insertion port 11, a count value display window 13, a count result print button 15, a count result print device 17, and a return port 19 for returning a fractional remainder ball. It is provided with.

As shown in FIG. 2, each game island 5 is paid out as a prize ball from each of the pachinko machines 1, 1,... At the time of a prize, or as a loaned ball from each of the ball rental machines 3, 3,. A large main tank 20 for storing pachinko balls is provided. The main tank 20 is, for example, 30
It is a large one that can store more than ten thousand pachinko balls, and is configured in a box shape with an open top and a bottom plate 21 that is lower left in the figure. And the doffing machine 2 at the left end in the figure
A delivery port 25 is provided so that the pachinko balls can be gradually and gradually fed to the tray 3.

The doffing and feeding machine 23 is for holding the pachinko balls between the leather belt and the cloth belt, lifting the pachinko balls upward, and distributing the pachinko balls to the distribution gutter 27 above the game island. The ball lifting machine 23 also performs polishing while lifting the pachinko balls between the leather belt and the cloth belt and lifting them up.

The distribution gutter 27 is disposed at the lower right of the figure, and is always filled with pachinko balls, and is required for each of the pachinko machines 1, 1,... And each of the ball lending machines 3, 3,. It is configured so that a number of pachinko balls can be distributed at any time. In order to maintain this state, the doffing and frying machine 23 always pumps up balls (in some cases, it is stopped by a timer). Therefore, the return gutter 2 for returning the pachinko balls overflowing from the distribution gutter 27 to the main tank 20 again.
9 is also provided.

Behind the prize ball counter 10, a sub-tank 3 for temporarily storing the counted pachinko balls is provided.
0 is set. The sub-tank 30 is not so large, but can store, for example, about 20,000 to 30,000 pachinko balls. The sub-tank 30 is also formed in a box shape having an open top and a bottom plate 31 that is lower left in the figure. An opening 33 is provided at the bottom at the left end in the figure, and a transfer gutter 35 descending to the left is arranged so as to connect with the main tank 20. Sub tank 3
The pachinko balls in 0 are gradually discharged into the transfer gutter 35 little by little through the opening 33 and are sent to the main tank 20.

On the other hand, the out balls from each of the pachinko machines 1, 1,... Are dropped into the sub tank 30 and the transfer gutter 35 through the out ball discharge ports 37, 37, and finally. Are stored in the main tank 20. Further, the main tank 20 is provided with a storage amount sensor 40 for detecting whether the storage amount of pachinko balls has reached a predetermined reference amount. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage amount sensor 40 has a level gauge shape, and can set the height at which the detection unit 43 can be raised while watching the scale 41. The detection unit 43 is configured as a proximity switch, and is configured to be vertically movable by a stepping motor 45 as shown in FIG. Since the upper limit on the ascending side is set as described above, if the stepping motor 45 is driven to the ascending side and step-out is detected and stopped, the detecting section 43 can be set to the detection position of the reference amount level. it can.

The signal from the stored amount sensor 40 is input to a control circuit 50 as shown in the figure.
The control circuit 50 is also configured to output a drive signal to the stepping motor 45 and to input the number of operation steps from the stepping motor 45.
The control circuit 50 further includes No. 1 timer 51 and No. 1 Two timers 53 are connected. No. The No. 1 timer 51 outputs a time-up signal when it has counted 15 minutes. The 2 timer 53 is set so as to output a time-up signal when 5 minutes have elapsed.
The control circuit 50 is further connected to a message display 55 provided near the prize ball counter 10. Then, the control circuit 50 averages the amount of pachinko balls stored in each game island by executing the following control processing.

In this control process, the stepping motor 45 is driven upward as shown in FIG.
The detection unit 43 of 0 is raised to set the reference level to a detectable state (S105). Then, it waits until a reference amount reaching signal indicating that the stored amount of pachinko balls has reached the reference amount is input from the storage amount sensor 40 (S11).
0), when the reference amount reaching signal is input, the processing is specifically started.

When the reference amount reaching signal is input, the prize ball counter 10 is disabled (S120). Specifically, a message “Adjusting the amount of balls. Please use a prize ball counter of another game island.” Is blinking displayed on the message display 55, and balls are inserted into the prize ball counter 10. The shutter from the mouth 11 to the internal counting section is closed to prevent the balls from flowing into the counting section, and the inserted pachinko balls are changed to a return prohibited state in which the inserted pachinko balls are processed as surplus balls as they are.

Next, No. 1 Starts the timer 51 (S130) and waits until the time is up (S14).
0). When the time is up, a release permission / inhibition determination process is performed as to whether the use prohibition can be released (S300). FIG. 6 shows the contents of the release possibility determination processing. First, the stepping motor 45 is driven in the descending direction to lower the detector 43 (S310). When a detection signal is input (S320), the amount of lowering of the detector 43 during this period is calculated (S330). The descending amount can be easily calculated by integrating the number of operation steps from the stepping motor 45. Then, the detecting unit lowering amount is compared with a predetermined value (S340), and if it has reached the predetermined value, it can be said that the stored ball amount is steadily decreasing. To cancel the use prohibition.

On the other hand, if it does not reach the predetermined value, it can be said that the stored amount of pachinko balls has not decreased so much, and it is determined whether or not to release the pachinko balls (S360). 2 Start the timer 53 and wait until the time is up (S37)
0, S380). And when the time is up, S3 again
Return to 10.

The processing in S370 and S380 is performed in S35.
It is repeated until it is determined that the release is possible at 0. If it is determined in S350 that the cancellation is possible, the use prohibited state of the premium ball counter 10 is canceled (S180). Specifically, the message on the message display 55 is erased, and the prize ball counter 10 returns to a state where counting is possible.

As described above, the scheduled value is set as a criterion for judging whether or not the decrease in the amount of stored pachinko balls is smooth. With the above configuration, according to the present embodiment, when the storage amount of the main tank 20 is less than the reference level (FIG. 7), the prize ball counter 10 can receive the prize ball, and Pachinko balls flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 35 in the drawing, and are accumulated in the main tank 20. On the other hand, when the storage amount of the main tank 20 reaches the reference level and pachinko balls cannot flow into the main tank 20 from the transfer gutter 35 (FIG. 8), the prize ball counter 10 is used. Banned, at least 15
For a minute, pachinko balls will not come in except for the out balls. This prevents the amount of stored pachinko balls in the gaming island from exceeding the reference level and becoming excessive. Then, after 15 minutes, if the state of decrease in the amount of stored pachinko balls during this period is good, the prize ball counter 10 returns to the usable state, and the prize ball counting becomes possible again.

During this prohibition period, a player who wants to count prize balls goes to an adjacent gaming island or the like to count prize balls. As a result, the pachinko balls do not concentrate on one game island but return to another game island. As a result, the amount of stored balls between the game islands 5, 5,... Is averaged.

In addition, since the prohibition of use of the prize ball counter 10 is released in a minimum of 15 minutes, there is no possibility that the player cannot use the nearby prize ball counter forever. On the other hand, if the decrease in the amount of stored pachinko balls is not smooth 15 minutes after the ban on use, it is further extended by 5 minutes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the stored amount of pachinko balls rapidly decreases from the reference level, the use prohibited state of the premium ball counter 10 is released in 15 minutes.
If the amount of stored pachinko balls does not readily decrease, as in (B), it takes 20 minutes, 25 minutes, until the amount of stored pachinko balls decreases sufficiently.
The use prohibition period of the premium ball counter 10 is extended every 5 minutes, such as 30 minutes. If the prohibition is released in 15 minutes in FIG. 9B, the use is prohibited again after a while (dotted line in the figure), and the use prohibition period becomes long in total. In this embodiment, the total use prohibition period can be shortened by extending the period every 5 minutes.

When a large amount of pachinko balls are thrown into the prize ball counter 10 when the amount of stored balls in the main tank 20 is close to the reference level, the sub tank 30 functions as a buffer for the main tank 20 and a large amount of balls. Pachinko balls can also be accepted. Then, the pachinko balls received in this state pass through the opening 33 and are gradually transferred to the main tank 20 by an appropriate amount, just like sand falling with an hourglass. This eliminates a situation in which use is prohibited during counting.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. Second
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A different type from that of the above-described embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a first embodiment) is adopted, and its mounting position is also at the center of the transfer gutter 35.

In the storage amount sensor 60 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the detection unit 61 is rotatable. This storage amount sensor 60 employs an optical sensor unlike the first embodiment. The transfer gutter 35 is made of a material whose upper surface hardly reflects light. Therefore, only when the pachinko balls are on the transfer gutter 35, the storage amount sensor 60 detects strong reflected light.

Here, as shown by the solid line in the figure, the detecting unit 6
If the pachinko ball 1 is turned so as to face just before the main tank 20, it is possible to detect whether or not the pachinko balls are full in the main tank 20 and no longer flow from the transfer gutter 35. Further, as shown by a dashed line in the drawing, the detecting unit 6
By rotating the sub-tank 1 so as to face the opening 33 of the sub-tank 30, it is possible to detect whether or not pachinko balls are also stored in the sub-tank 30.

As shown in FIG. 12, the storage amount sensor 60 includes a rotation motor 63, and the amount of rotation is controlled by the control circuit 50. The light detected by the detection unit 61 is converted into a weak electric signal and input to the control circuit 50. As in the first embodiment, the control circuit 50 has a 15-minute clock No. No. 1 timer 51, 5 minutes 2 timer 53 and message display 5
5 is also connected. Then, the control circuit 50 averages the amount of stored pachinko balls in each game island by executing the following control processing.

In this control process, as shown in FIG.
First, the rotation motor 63 is rotated so that the detection unit 61 is pointed immediately before the main tank 20 (S113), and the reference level at which the main tank 20 is full is set to be detectable. Then, it is determined whether or not the intensity of the light detection signal has been maintained at a predetermined intensity over a certain period of time (S115, S117). Specifically, the processing is started. The reason for determining whether or not the strength has continued over a certain period of time is to distinguish whether the pachinko ball is flowing or staying. When a pachinko ball is flowing, the light detection signal becomes stronger or weaker,
It can be distinguished by determining whether the strength is the same over a certain period of time.

The following S120 to S140 are processes having the same contents as in the first embodiment. And No. 1 timer 51
(140; YE)
S), the content release permission / inhibition determination processing as shown in FIG. 14 is executed (S400). In this release possibility determination process, first, the rotation motor 63 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the detection unit 61 is rotated until it faces the opening 33 of the sub tank 30 (S410 to S410).
430). During this time, it is determined whether the light detection signal has a predetermined strength (S420). If NO has been determined all the time (S420 = NO, S430 = YES),
Since it can be said that the ball storage amount is steadily decreasing, it is determined that cancellation is possible (S440), and the process proceeds to S180. On the other hand, if "YES" is determined somewhere, it can be said that the accumulated amount of balls is not readily reduced, so that it is determined that cancellation is not to be performed (S450), and the rotation motor 63 is rotated forward to detect the detection unit 6
1 returns to the initial state facing the main tank 20 side (S4
60) Then, after waiting for another 5 minutes, the processing of S410 and thereafter is repeated (S470, S480). Note that the processing in S180 is exactly the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In the second embodiment,
The ball storage status not only in the main tank 20 but also in the sub tank 30 can be detected. Then, the detection unit is rotated along the transfer gutter 35 to detect the state of storage of pachinko balls before facing the outlet (opening 33) of the sub-tank 30 and determine the reduction state of pachinko balls after use is prohibited. Therefore, the accuracy of discriminating the decrease situation is high. This is because the sub-tank 30 starts reducing the storage amount first, and since the capacity is small, if the number of pachinko balls decreases smoothly, the storage amount is rapidly reduced. This is because it is possible to catch the decrease situation more sensitively.

In the first embodiment, the use of the prize ball counter 10 is prohibited when the storage amount of the main tank 20 reaches the reference level even if there is still enough room in consideration of the transfer gutter 35 and the sub tank 30. , The timing to start the use prohibition is advanced. In comparison with this, in the second embodiment, since the pachinko balls overflow to the transfer gutter 35 and the use is prohibited, the timing of starting the use prohibition can be delayed and the frequency of use prohibition can be reduced. There is also an effect.

The main tank 20 is turned toward the detection of the use prohibition start condition for the following reason. That is, when the use prohibition start condition is detected by turning the sub tank 30 side, when a large amount of pachinko balls are returned to the sub tank 30 at a stretch, the timing of prohibiting use is delayed, and the ball is ejected from the sub tank 30. Although there is a possibility of overflow, such a delay is eliminated by detecting whether or not the use prohibition start condition is satisfied on the main tank 20 side.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified into various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the frequency of prohibition of use of the prize ball counter 10 matches the expected value (S210).
The set time of the first timer 51 is changed to the extension side by a predetermined time (S220, S230).
It is more effective to change the set time of one timer 51 to a shorter side by a predetermined time (S220, S240) and set the use prohibition period to an optimum value by learning control.

In addition, in the embodiment, when the prize ball counter 10 is set to the use prohibition state, a message is displayed on the message display 55 and the shutter of the prize ball counter 10 is closed. As
The prize ball counter 10 may be in a state where counting is possible as it is.

Further, the storage amount sensor is not limited to the vertical movement and the rotation, but may be configured to move in the horizontal direction, a reference amount sensor for detecting a reference level as a start condition of use prohibition, and The storage amount sensor for determining whether to extend the use prohibition period may be provided separately from the storage amount sensor.

In addition, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The detection unit 43 is lowered to the lower limit level of the ball storage amount (S5).
10), it may be determined whether or not the amount of stored balls in the main tank 20 has fallen below the lower limit level (S520). When it is determined that the lower limit level has been cut (S52).
0; YES), forcibly disable the prize ball counter 10 on the adjacent gaming island (S530), and prompt the pachinko balls of the player on the adjacent island to be returned to this gaming island. It may be.

Further, in an emergency, a member such as a shutter capable of controlling the opening / closing of the ball insertion port 11 of the prize ball counter 10 may be manually operated, or may be made remotely operable from a hall management room or the like.

[0049]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In the game island pachinko ball storage averaging system using the independent island method, the pachinko ball storage amount on the game island is to be averaged while preventing the prize ball counter as pachinko ball return means from being used for too long. be able to. Therefore, the inconvenience of the player can be minimized, and the player can enjoy the game comfortably.

Further, since the return prohibition is released based on the elapsed time after the return prohibition, the storage amount of pachinko balls on the gaming island is prevented from being excessively reduced as compared with the conventional system in which the return prohibition is released after the lower limit is reached. The effect is excellent. In addition, since the return prohibition period is extended based on the judgment of the release permission judgment means, the return prohibition was released, but it immediately became a return prohibition state, and when viewed from the player, `` Return is always prohibited. It doesn't give the impression of being. In addition, it is possible to prevent the prohibition and release from being repeated frequently, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which a player searches around for a prize ball counter. Furthermore, since the return prohibition period can be extended, the initial prohibition period can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to extend the ban period,
On the contrary, it is possible to further shorten the minimum prohibition period. As a result, the effect of shortening the return prohibition period becomes more remarkable. In addition, since the release permission / non-permission determining means determines whether or not the release is permitted, the return prohibition is released without checking the lower limit side, but the pachinko ball storage amount is highly effective in averaging.

Then, the release permission / non-permission determining means determines whether or not pachinko balls are reduced during the prohibition period based on the storage amount after the lapse of the predetermined prohibition period, and determines whether or not the pachinko balls can be released. This is effective in shortening the total use prohibition period.

Further, according to the apparatus of the fourth aspect, each of the above effects is exhibited without increasing the number of parts, and there is no waste. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the use prohibition can be carried out without too early, and the use prohibition can be canceled quickly and at an appropriate timing by quickly catching the decreasing state of the stored amount. And the accuracy of the determination as to whether or not the use must be prohibited is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a pachinko hall as an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the pachinko gaming island of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a storage amount sensor used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a pachinko ball storage amount averaging process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a release permission / non-permission determination process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of storage of pachinko balls on the pachinko gaming island of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of pachinko balls in a pachinko gaming island of an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a pachinko gaming island of a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a stored amount sensor used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a pachinko ball storage amount averaging process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a release permission / non-permission determination process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a prohibited period learning process according to a modification.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a pachinko ball storage amount averaging process of a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine, 3 ... Ball rental machine, 5 ... Game island, 7 ... Banknote changer, 10 ... Premium ball counter, 2
0: Main tank, 23: Drifting machine, 27 ...
・ Distribution gutter, 29 ・ ・ ・ return gutter, 30 ・ ・ ・ sub tank,
35 ・ ・ ・ Transfer gutter, 37 ・ ・ ・ Out ball discharge port, 40 ・
..Storage amount sensor, 43 ... detector, 45 ... stepping motor, 50 ... control circuit, 51 ... N
o. 1 timer, 53... 2 timer, 55 ...
Message display, 60 ... storage amount sensor, 6
1 ... Detector, 63 ... Rotating motor.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A gaming island comprising a plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side, and a pachinko ball storing means provided on the gaming island for storing pachinko balls to be paid out as prize balls when a prize is won at each gaming machine in the gaming island. A pachinko ball return means provided on the game island, receiving and counting the pachinko balls, outputting the counting result, and returning the received pachinko balls to the storage means; and a pachinko ball in the pachinko ball storage means. Reference amount detecting means for detecting whether or not the stored amount has reached a predetermined reference amount; and returning the pachinko ball when the stored amount of pachinko balls has been detected to have reached a predetermined reference amount by the reference amount detecting means. Means for prohibiting the return of pachinko balls by the means, and a storage meter for measuring the amount of pachinko balls stored a predetermined time after the prohibition of the return of pachinko balls by the prohibition means Means for canceling the prohibition of return based on the measurement result of the storage amount measuring means. A pachinko ball storage amount averaging device comprising: a pachinko ball storage amount averaging device comprising: release control means for extending the pachinko ball return prohibition period when it is determined that the pachinko ball has not been returned. 2. The pachinko ball storage amount averaging device according to claim 1, wherein the release permission / non-permission determination unit determines the pachinko ball storage amount after the return is prohibited based on the pachinko ball storage amount after the predetermined time. A pachinko ball storage amount averaging device for a game island, wherein a change situation is determined and whether return prohibition is canceled is determined based on the determination result. 3. The pachinko ball storage amount averaging device according to claim 1, wherein the storage amount measurement unit re-measures the storage amount after the return prohibition period is extended by the release control unit. A game wherein the release permission / inhibition determination means re-determines release permission based on the result of the re-measurement, and the release control means releases or extends return prohibition based on the result of the re-determination. Pachinko ball storage averaging device for the island. 4. The pachinko ball storage amount averaging device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit of the reference amount detection means is movable, and the pachinko ball storage amount is predetermined. The pachinko ball storage of a gaming island, characterized in that the storage amount measuring means is constituted by being able to measure not only whether or not the reference amount has been reached, but also how much pachinko balls are stored. Quantity averaging device. 5. The pachinko ball storage amount averaging device according to claim 4, wherein the pachinko ball storage means temporarily stores the pachinko balls received from the pachinko ball return means and discharges the pachinko balls in an appropriate amount. A transfer unit for transferring pachinko balls discharged from the sub-tank, and a main tank for storing pachinko balls transferred by the transfer unit, wherein the reference amount detection means is provided in the transfer unit, and a detection unit is provided. A game island which is configured to detect whether or not the reference amount has been reached by moving the detection unit to the main tank side, and to move the detection unit to the sub tank side to measure the storage amount of the sub tank. Pachinko ball storage amount averaging device.