JP2596864Y2 - Fraud counting detector in prize ball counter - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention is used in a prize ball counter for counting prize balls used in pachinko parlors and the like.
The present invention relates to an illegal counting detection device in a prize ball counter for detecting mischief caused by electromagnetic waves of a radio device or the like due to high frequency and reducing damage to a store due to malfunction of the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, prize ball counters for counting prize balls such as pachinko balls at a prize exchange or the like are installed in pachinko parlors, sparrow ball stores, and the like. The counter detects and counts the number of prize balls thrown in by a customer from a hopper (a prize ball receiving portion) by a sensor (a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or the like). By the way, recent advances in wireless devices have made it possible to produce small, high-output transmitters. Therefore, a malicious player hides the transmitter in his jacket, allows the wireless antenna to be taken out from both sleeves, and uses the counter while counting his prize balls. A high frequency current is generated in the frame of the counter, and as a result, the high frequency is superimposed on the counting section of the counter, and the prize is deceived by making the counting number much larger than the actual counting number. For such mischief, the frame is strengthened by adding an iron plate, etc., and the circuit of the prize ball detection unit is changed. On the other hand, a malicious customer needs to prepare a transmitter with a higher output. And
The situation is only getting worse.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to eliminate the above-mentioned situation, rather than completing a counter that withstands a strong electric field, it is more difficult to detect malicious acts such as detecting the mischief quickly and sounding an alarm. It has come to be considered more effective to devise a means of repelling a customer. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize capable of reliably and inexpensively detecting counting irregularity of a prize ball counter caused by a wireless device, etc. and preventing customer misconduct. An object of the present invention is to provide an illegal counting detection device in a ball counter.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an illegal count in a prize ball counter, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hopper for receiving a large number of prize balls and discharging the hopper to the outside. First prize ball detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a prize ball and generating a pulse, and a second prize provided at a position where the prize ball does not pass and having the same configuration as the first prize ball detection means Ball detection means, counting means for counting the number of pulses generated from the first and second prize ball detection means to count the number of prize balls thrown into the hopper, and the first counting means The display means displays the count value of the prize balls counted by the means, and displays the content when an abnormality is detected in the device, and the counting means counts that the second detection means has generated a pulse. Incorrect counts It is determined that is accomplished by well as displayed on the display means that an abnormality has occurred in the apparatus, and control means for interrupting the counting operation by the counting means.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a pulse is generated by detecting the presence or absence of a prize ball, and the number of the prize balls put into the hopper is counted by counting the number of pulses to detect an abnormal waveform of the pulse. In such a case, it is determined that the counting is being performed incorrectly, the staff is notified of the abnormality by displaying, etc., and the counting operation is interrupted. Can be reliably detected, and by making the counted number far greater than the actual counted number, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as deceiving a prize. In addition, a detecting means having the same configuration as the prize ball detecting means is provided outside the path of the prize ball, and when a pulse is generated by this detecting means, it is determined that an incorrect count is being performed. Can detect counting errors.

[0006]

2A and 2B are perspective views showing the external structure of a prize ball counter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure (A)
Is a view from the customer's operation side, in the center is a hopper section 11 that receives a large amount of prize balls, and at the top is provided a display section 31 for displaying necessary data, guidance, etc. In addition, a return issue switch 32, a receipt issue switch 33, and a printer display unit 34 are provided. Then, when the prize balls are inserted into the hopper section 11, the number of the prize balls is counted, the counted value is displayed on the display section 31, and when the receipt issuing switch 33 is pressed, the date and the total number of the prize balls are displayed. The entered receipt is issued from the receipt issuing port 35, and the receipt content is displayed on the printer display unit 34. In addition, a prize ball return port 36 is provided on the front surface. The return issuance switch 32 is a switch used when receiving receipts for the number of prize balls for a desired prize and using surplus prize balls. The extra prize balls are returned from the prize ball return port 36.

FIG. 1B is a view as viewed from the operation side of a clerk (clerk). A display section 41 for the clerk and an operation section 42 are provided on a panel surface provided on the back surface of the display section 31 on the customer side. Is provided, the display section 41 for the clerk displays the display content of the display section 31 on the customer side, an error code indicating a piece of paper out of the receipt or an abnormal portion of each device in the prize ball counter, and the like. A warning sound is output in connection with the display. The operation unit 42 is provided with a previous display switch 42a for displaying the contents of the previous transaction, a receipt issue switch 42b, a return issue switch 42c, and a clear switch 42d for canceling the error state. When an abnormality or the like occurs, it can be dealt with.

In such a configuration, an example of the operation of the illegal counting detecting device in the winning ball counter of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. First prize ball detecting means 12
Detects the presence or absence of a prize ball discharged from the hopper 11 to the outside through a plurality of passages for each passage, and a pulse corresponding to the passage is detected.
It generates SPL1 and sends out these pulses SPL1 to the counting means 14. It is provided at a position where the prize ball does not pass,
The second prize ball detection means 13 having the same configuration as the prize ball detection means of
Similarly, the presence / absence of a prize ball (actually, no prize ball exists) is detected, a pulse SPL 2 is generated, and sent to the counting means 14. The counting means 14 counts the number of prize balls put in the hopper by counting the number of pulses SPL1 and counts the counted value.
SVL1 is sent to the display means 15. The count value SVL1 is displayed on display means 15.
Are displayed on the display unit 31 on the customer side and the display unit 41 on the store side. Also, the pulse SPL2 is output from the second prize ball detecting means 13.
In response to this, the counting means 14 counts the number of pulses SPL2 and sends out a count value SVL2 to the control means 16.

The control means 16 having received the count value SVL2 determines that an incorrect count has been performed, and determines the corresponding error code SE.
C is displayed by the display means 15, the counting operation by the counting means 14 is interrupted, and an alarm (buzzer or the like) is sounded. The cancellation of the error processing is performed by inputting the reset means 17 (in the example of FIG. 2,
The clear switch 42d is pressed). Upon receiving the reset signal SRS from the reset means 17 by the input operation, the control means 16 performs error cancellation processing such as stopping of the alarm, restarting the interrupted counting operation, and canceling the counting processing in accordance with the input operation.

Next, a specific example of a process for detecting fraudulent use of a radio device or the like using a high frequency will be described with reference to a circuit diagram. FIG.
(A) shows an example of the external configuration of the prize ball counting unit, and FIG. (B) shows a partial cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow Y-a ′ of FIG. First for each passage 52 separated by
An optical detection sensor 50 as a prize ball detecting means is provided in parallel. Furthermore, in a position where the prize ball does not pass,
One optical detection sensor 50 as second prize ball detecting means is provided. The passage 52 is provided at an angle. When the prize ball 1 rolls along the passage 52 and flows to exit the prize ball exit 53, the optical detection sensor 50 including the infrared LED 50a and the light receiving transistor 50b is used. Is to be detected. The optical detection sensor 50 is attached so that the optical axis is located at a slightly deviated point because the optical axis cannot be recognized when the optical axis passes above and below the center of the prize ball 1 when the prize balls 1 are connected in a cascade. Have been.

The light emitting circuit of the optical detection sensor 50 has a structure as shown in FIG.
...) Are attached to one location where a prize ball flows (the example in the figure is an example of 16 passages), and one is attached to a location where a prize ball does not flow (not shown). ). The light receiving circuit of the optical detection sensor 50 is configured as shown in FIG. 5, and detection signals (S1, S2,...) From the phototransistors (PH1, PH2,...) Are sent to the comparator IC1. On / off is switched by the voltage input to the comparator IC1, and the digital signal of “0-1” (DS1, DS2,
...) Are input to a counting circuit (,,..., Not shown). In the figure, the threshold level of the comparator IC1 is determined by the voltage division ratio of the resistor R1 and the resistor R2. The sensitivity of the optical detection sensor can be adjusted by adjusting the volume of the input unit.

In such a configuration, as soon as the prize ball 1 is put into the hopper 11, the prize ball 1 rolls on the rail portion of the prize ball counting section due to its own weight, starts passing through the optical detection sensor 50, and starts counting. . Optical detection sensor 50 obtained at this time
Is output as shown in FIG. 6 and has a waveform shown in the left part of FIG. 6 in a normal state. Then, if there is mischief due to radio waves, the output waveform of the optical detection sensor 50 becomes a waveform as shown in the right side of FIG. That is, when a radio device or the like is used to generate a high-frequency magnetic field and cause the counter to malfunction, an optical detection sensor provided at a position where a prize ball does not pass unlike a normal flow of a prize ball 50 (sensor n + 1 in the figure)
Also generate pulses. Therefore, by checking the abnormal waveform of the sensor n + 1, it is possible to detect a fraudulent activity using a wireless device or the like.

Next, an example of the operation of the prize ball counter will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The counting machine starts a prize ball counting process when the prize ball put in the hopper starts rolling under its own weight and passes the sensor of the rail section (step S1). It should be noted that if the prize ball has not been counted for 2 seconds or more after the counting process is started, it is considered that the counting has been completed. During counting, error condition check such as malfunction of the counter is performed (step S3). If the error condition is satisfied,
The normal process is performed and the counting process ends (step S
4).

If the error condition is not satisfied, that is, if the sensor provided at the position where the winning ball does not pass during the counting generates a pulse, it is determined that the counter has an abnormality. Judge and stop counting operation,
An error code is displayed (step S5), and a buzzer, for example, sounds as an alarm. At the same time, a patrol lamp (monitoring lamp) connected to the outside is turned on to notify the staff (step S6). Until the error state is released, the operation of the counter is suspended. However, the counting process is continued until the prize ball is completely dropped because the prize ball is rolled by its own weight and dropped from the prize ball exit (step S7).

The release of the error state is performed by the following operation. The alarm stops when the clear switch provided on the operation unit is first pressed. The attendant knows the cause and location from the displayed error code and takes action. An error code indicating an invalid count is displayed on the display of the counter,
If there is a customer until this time, an action is performed to check the video taken by the surveillance camera or to raise doubts such as a physical examination of the customer. When it is determined that the customer has not cheated, the display of the error code is canceled by pressing the clear switch for the second time, and the display is switched to the count value display.
If the customer's fraud cannot be confirmed, the receipt is issued by pressing the receipt issuing switch. Thereafter, the count value is automatically cleared. If there is a customer fraud, the count can be canceled by pressing the clear switch again. After that, it returns to the neutral state, waits for the next prize ball to be inserted, and ends all operations (step S
8).

[0016]

According to the present invention, a sensor and an amplifier circuit provided in a place where a prize ball does not normally pass are affected by high frequency by utilizing the property that high frequency noise is common to all sensors. In such a case, it is determined that mischief is being performed by a malicious customer, an error is displayed, and at the same time, a siren or a patrol lamp is turned on. It is possible to detect mischief at low cost, and furthermore, it is possible to generate an abnormal counting pulse by using a strong high frequency, to greatly increase the count value, and to repel a customer who tries to gain profit illegally.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a winning ball counting unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a connection diagram showing an example of a light emitting circuit of a sensor for detecting a prize ball in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram showing an example of a light receiving circuit of the prize ball detection sensor in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an output waveform of a sensor for detecting a prize ball in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the award ball counting machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Hopper 12 1st prize ball detection means 13 2nd prize ball detection means 14 Counting means 15 Display means 16 Control means 17 Reset means

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A hopper for receiving a large amount of prize balls,
First prize ball detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a prize ball discharged to the outside from the hopper and generating a pulse, and provided at a position where the prize ball does not pass, the first prize ball detection means Second prize ball detecting means having the same configuration as the above, and counting for counting the number of prize balls thrown into the hopper by counting the number of pulses generated from the first and second prize ball detecting means. Means for displaying a count value of the prize balls counted by the first counting means, and display means for displaying the content when an abnormality is detected in the device, and a pulse generated by the second detection means. When the counting means counts the number, it is determined that an incorrect count is being performed, and the fact that an abnormality has occurred in the apparatus is displayed on the display means, and the counting operation by the counting means is interrupted. And means Unauthorized counting detector in prize ball counting machine to butterflies.