JP3292573B2 - Goods collection device with amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article collecting apparatus for collecting used articles such as empty cans, and more particularly, the present invention includes a game machine for executing a game in response to an article being inserted. The present invention also relates to an article collection device with a game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to promote the collection of used articles such as empty cans, there has been proposed an article collecting apparatus with a game machine to which a game machine such as a slot machine is added. The article collecting device with a game machine is provided with a slot for inserting articles, collects the input articles by squeezing or the like, and operates the game machine to execute a game. When the result of the game is “win”, a prize voucher or the like is issued, and the collection of goods is promoted based on the interest of the game and the expectation for the prize.

[0003]

Many of these types of article collecting devices with amusement machines are capable of receiving a plurality of types of articles having different materials and shapes, such as aluminum cans and steel cans, and long cans and regular cans. It is set so that a "hit" occurs with a predetermined probability in a game executed by inserting these articles. However, since the probability of this "hit" is always constant regardless of the type of goods input, certain goods with high recycling value, such as goods with a high collection margin or goods that can receive funding for collection costs from manufacturers. There is a problem that it is difficult to promote the collection of

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem. In an article collecting apparatus equipped with a game machine capable of collecting a plurality of types of articles, a high return rate is set when articles having a high recycling value are input. In this way, it is an object of the present invention to enhance the expectation of the input user and to efficiently collect articles having high recycling value.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a game machine responsive to the input of an article to be collected into a slot, and when a prize is generated as a result of a play operation by the machine , In the article collection device with amusement machine configured to form a predetermined profit state with respect to the product type discriminating means for discriminating the type of the article put into the slot, based on the discrimination result by the product kind discriminating means. Of the amusement machine
A prize probability setting means for setting a prize probability; and a game machine control means for controlling the operation of the game machine and generating a prize according to the prize probability set by the prize probability setting means.

[0006]

[0007]

[0008]

[Operation] When an article is inserted from the insertion port, the product type is determined, and then the winning probability is set according to the determination result.
The game is executed based on the winning probability. Therefore, if you set the probability of the game being "hit" when the input goods are of high recycling value,
The expectation of the input person is increased, and specific articles can be efficiently collected.

[0009]

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an empty can collection device 1 with a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "empty can collection device 1").
Is shown. The empty can collection device 1 in the illustrated example includes:
An empty can input port 2, a reel display section 3, and a ticket issuing section 4 are provided on the front of the airframe. As shown in FIG. 5 and a collecting unit 6 for collecting the processed empty cans squeezed by the squeezing unit 5. Although not shown, a control device for controlling the operations of the reel driving mechanism and the components in addition to the squeezing unit 5 and the collecting unit 6 is incorporated in the body 1.

This empty can processing apparatus is capable of separating and collecting steel cans and aluminum cans,
When a more empty can is inserted, if the inserted empty can is proper, a slot game is executed by the reel display unit 3, and when the game is won, a prize exchange ticket having a predetermined value is issued from the ticket issuing unit 4. It is supposed to be. In addition, a speaker 7 is provided below the empty can input port 2, and various kinds of information on games, commodities, and the like are output as sounds.

Inside the machine body 1, five reels 8a to 8e are positioned and arranged at positions corresponding to the reel display section 3. A large number of symbols are displayed on the peripheral surface of each of the reels 8a to 8e, and three reels of symbols can be seen through the reel display unit 3 when the reels 8a to 8e are rotating and when the reels are stopped. At the center of the reel display section 3, a stop line L is shown. When the combination of symbols of the reels 8a to 8e stopped on the stop line L is a predetermined combination, the game is a win.

A reel drive mechanism 70 (shown in FIG. 5) using a stepping motor as a drive source is connected to each of the reels 8a to 8e, and an appropriate time elapses after all the reels 8a to 8e have started. Each time the reels 8a to 8e automatically stop sequentially.

An open / close door 9 is provided at the empty can inlet 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening / closing door 9 has a front plate 10 having a shape corresponding to the opening surface of the empty can inlet 2, a bottom plate 11 integrally formed on the lower end edge and both side edges of the front plate 10, and A space composed of both side plates 18 and 19 and surrounded by the front plate 10 and both side plates on the bottom plate 11 is referred to as a receiving space 12 for empty cans. In the figure,
Reference numeral 13 denotes a detection piece for detecting that the door 9 has been opened, and reference numeral 14 denotes a handle protruding from the outer surface of the front plate 10.

The opening and closing door 9 has a lower end pivotally supported.
When the opening / closing door 9 is opened outwardly as indicated by a chain line with the shaft support 75 as a fulcrum, the upper part of the receiving space is opened and empty cans can be inserted. When the opening / closing door 9 is closed, the bottom plate 11 is inclined forward and downward as shown in the figure, and the inserted empty can 33 rolls on the bottom plate 11 and comes into contact with the metal shutter 30.

The bottom plate 11 of the door 9 is provided with three detection holes 15, 16 and 17, as shown in FIG.
Metal sensors 20 to 22 are provided at positions below the bottom plate 11 when the door 9 is closed and at positions corresponding to the detection holes 15 to 17.

These metal sensors 20 to 22 are proximity switches that oscillate high frequency in response to only a specific metal. In this embodiment, the metal sensors 20 and 22 at both ends for detecting aluminum are located at the center. (Hereinafter referred to as “aluminum sensors 20 and 22” and the metal sensor 21 as “steel sensor”) are used as metal sensors 21 for detecting steel. Note that this combination may be reversed, and the number of sensors need not be limited to three.

A proximity switch 23 is provided below the bottom plate 11 at a position corresponding to the detection piece 13 when the door 9 is opened. The proximity switch 23 is for detecting the opening and closing of the door 9, and outputs a detection signal in response to the detection piece 13 when the door 9 is opened.

Further, both side plates 18 and 19 of the opening and closing door 9 are located at heights slightly smaller than the diameter of a standard empty can.
Photoelectric sensors 24, 24 are provided. The photoelectric sensors 24, 24 are for detecting the shape and material of the input material, and do not output a detection signal when the input material does not reach the position of the photoelectric sensor 24 or when the input material is a transparent substance. .

The shutter 30 serves as a restricting means for restricting introduction of the empty cans into the squeezing section 5 and, as shown in FIG. 2, its upper end is bent to one side. A bent piece 25 is formed.
5 is attached to a fixing member 27 inside the body by a spring 26.

The shutter 30 is provided with the bent piece 25.
Is pivotally supported by a support shaft 28 at a lower position. The support shaft 28 is connected to a shutter rotation mechanism 29 composed of a rotary solenoid, and the shutter 30 can freely swing by the play angle α of the rotary solenoid. The shutter 3 is located at a position corresponding to the play angle α.
A shutter lock mechanism 35 composed of a solenoid for restricting the swing of zero is provided.

In the shutter lock mechanism 35, when the solenoid is deenergized, the rod projects to restrain the shutter, and when the solenoid is energized, the rod retracts and the shutter 30 is retracted.
To release.

The empty can 33 passing through the shutter 30
Is guided to the squeezing section 5 via the chute section 40. At an appropriate position of the chute section 40, a photoelectric sensor 38 for detecting passage of the empty can 33 is provided.

The squeezing unit 5 has a fixed plate 42, a movable plate 43 and a support plate 44. By moving the movable plate 43 closer to the fixed plate 42, the empty can supported on the support plate 44 is fixed. The squeezing process is performed between 42 and the movable plate 43. The movable plate 43 is connected to a movable plate driving mechanism 46 that uses the gear motor 45 as a drive source. The movable plate 43 makes one reciprocating operation for one rotation of the gear motor 45. In the figure, 41
Is a limit switch for detecting that the movable plate 43 is at the standby position, that is, the most retracted position.

The support plate 44 is moved up and down by a reciprocating drive mechanism 48 using a solenoid as a drive source, with the central portion of the length serving as a fulcrum. For example, when the solenoid is deenergized, the support plate 44 supports an empty can. When the solenoid is energized, the empty can is opened, that is, in a vertical state indicated by a chain line.

The collecting section 6 includes two collecting containers (not shown) for sorting and collecting two types of empty cans. One collecting container has an aluminum can, and the other collecting container has a steel can. The cans are each collected.

In the middle of the passage 49 above the collection unit 6, a distribution unit 52 is arranged. This distribution unit 52
A lower end is composed of a distribution plate 54 supported by the rotation shaft 53 and a distribution plate rotation mechanism 55 composed of a rotary solenoid connected to the rotation shaft 53. By switching the distribution plate 54,
The passage 49 communicates with one of the collection containers of the collection unit 6.

In the above embodiment, the processing is performed by discriminating the material of the empty can, such as steel or aluminum. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same processing may be performed by discriminating the shape of the empty can.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which a sensor for distinguishing between a general long can and a regular can is set near the bottom plate of the opening / closing door 9. The length A of the receiving space 12 of the opening / closing door 9 is set to be slightly longer than the length B1 of the standard long can 33a, and two detection holes 84 are provided near the side plates 18 and 19 of the bottom plate 11. , 85 are the long cans 33a
Shorter than the length B1 and the length B2 of the regular can 33b
It is opened with a longer interval B3. Proximity switches 86 and 87 are provided below the detection holes 84 and 85 when the door 9 is closed. Thus, when a long can is inserted, both proximity switches 86, 87
When a regular can is inserted, only one of the proximity switches is sensitive.
The size of the inserted empty can can be determined based on the presence / absence of the detection signal from 6, 87. In addition, in addition to the above, a dedicated reading mechanism may be provided in the body to perform the sorting process so that empty cans having a predetermined seal, a bar code, or the like can be sorted and collected in advance.

FIG. 5 shows the electrical configuration of the empty can collection device according to the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a control unit, which comprises a CPU 61, a RAM 62, a ROM 63, a random number generator 64, and the like. The CPU 61 is a main body of control / calculation, and controls a series of operations of each input / output unit via the input port 65 and the output ports 66 to 68 while reading and writing data from and to the RAM 62 according to a program stored in the ROM 63.

The random number generator 64 randomly outputs an integer value of "0" to "99" at regular time intervals. The CPU 61 samples the random number value of the random number generator 64, A lottery described later is executed.

In the ROM 63, in addition to a series of control programs, a symbol table 56 (shown in FIG. 7) for storing an array of symbols represented on each reel, and an executed game are won. A prize table 57 (shown in FIG. 6) and the like used for the lottery for deciding whether or not are set.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the winning table 57 in the ROM 63. In the empty can collection device 1, regions M1 and M2 in which the winning probabilities of aluminum cans and steel cans are set in the winning table 57 so that the probability of winning the game changes depending on the material of the empty cans inserted.
Is provided.

In the illustrated example, in each of the areas M1 and M2, "1" or "0" data is set in correspondence with each output value of the random number generator 64. In this case, data “1” stores that a combination of symbols related to winning is established on the stop line L, and data “0” stores that a combination of symbols that does not win on the stop line L is established.
Therefore, based on the illustrated example, the combination of symbols for winning is established with a probability of 60% when an aluminum can is inserted and 40% when a steel can is inserted.

Returning to FIG. 5, the input port 65 includes the proximity switch 23, the aluminum sensors 20, 22, the steel sensor 21, the photoelectric sensors 24, 38, and the limit switch 4.
1 are connected, and these detection signals are supplied to the input port 6
5, sent to the control unit 60 via the bus 69. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, proximity switches 86 and 87 are connected to the input port 65 instead of the aluminum sensors 20 and 22 and the steel sensor 21.

The output port 66 includes the shutter lock mechanism 35, the movable plate drive mechanism 46, and the reciprocating mechanism 4 described above.
8. Distributing plate rotating mechanism 55 and the like are connected.

The output port 67 has a reel drive mechanism 70 for controlling the driving of the reels 8a to 8e, a print drive mechanism 71 for printing a prize exchange ticket, and an exchange ticket transport mechanism 72 for transporting the prize exchange ticket to the ticket issuing port. Are connected. The output port 68 has an audio circuit 7 for converting game information and the like into an audio signal and outputting the audio from the speaker 7.
3 are connected.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit configuration example of the reel drive mechanism 70 and the functions of the CPU 61 and the ROM 63 together. Although FIG. 2 shows only an example of the circuit configuration of the first reel 8a, the same applies to the second to fifth reels 8b to 8e, which are omitted here.

In the figure, a reel drive mechanism 70 receives a clock signal, generates a drive pulse p, and supplies the drive pulse p to a reel motor 76a composed of a stepping motor to drive the reel 8a. A start command and a stop command are given to the reel drive mechanism 70 from a reel control unit 80 of the CPU 61.

When the photoelectric sensor 38 of the chute section 40 detects an empty can, the reel control section 80 issues a start command in accordance with the detection signal to operate the reel drive mechanism 70 and to start the timer 84 in the CPU 61.

Further, the CPU 61 has a lottery section 81 for executing a lottery for determining whether or not the executed game is a "hit". The lottery section 81 receives the detection signal from the photoelectric sensor 38, takes in the random number value output from the random number generator 64, reads out the data of the winning table 57 corresponding to the random number value, and uses the result as a determination signal. Output to the reel control unit 80.

The driving pulse p is applied to a counting section 82 of the CPU 61 and counted. The count value of the counting section 82 is reset by a reference signal given each time the reel 8a makes one rotation. The symbol detector 83 detects which symbol on the reel 8a appears on the stop line L from the count value of the counter 82 with reference to the symbol table 56 in the ROM 63, and outputs the detection result. .

When a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the timer 84, the reel control unit 80 refers to the determination signal from the lottery unit 81 and the detection signal from the symbol detection unit 83 to a predetermined timing. And reel drive mechanism 70
To stop the operation of the reel motor 8a.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the CP of the control unit 60.
The control procedure of the empty can processing by U61 is shown in steps 1 (indicated by ST1 in the figure) to step 23, and the empty can processing operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step 1, the CPU 61 checks on / off of the proximity switch 23. When the door 9 is opened and the proximity switch 23 detects the detection piece 13, step 1 is “YES”, and
In step 2, the photoelectric sensor 24 is checked.

When step 2 is YES, the CPU 6
1 then checks whether the input is made of aluminum or steel. In the empty can collection device 1 of this embodiment, in order to prevent a malfunction due to mutual interference between the aluminum sensors 20, 22 and the steel sensor 21, the type of the metal sensor to be placed in the responsive state is set to be sequentially switched. The CPU 61 supplies power to the steel sensor 21 for a fixed time (t time) and puts the steel sensor 21 in a responsive state (step 3).
~ Step 5). At this time, if the steel sensor 21 outputs a detection signal, the determination in step 4 becomes “YES” and the process proceeds to step 11, where the CPU 30 switches the distribution plate 54 to the side of the aluminum can collection container to switch the passage 49 To the steel can side, and in the next step 12, the supply of power to the steel sensor 21 is stopped.

In the next step 13, the CPU 61 sets a flag F in a predetermined area of the RAM 62. The flag F is for storing that the empty can is a steel can, and the CPU 61 controls the reel stop by referring to the flag F in a game control described later.

When step 4 is "NO" and step 5 is "YES", that is, when the steel can is not detected, the process proceeds to step 6 where the CPU 61 stops the power supply to the steel sensor 21. , Aluminum sensor 2
Power is supplied to 0 and 22 so as to be in a responsive state, and the t time detecting operation is performed similarly (steps 6 to 8). At this time, if either of the aluminum sensors 20 and 22 outputs a detection signal, the determination in step 7 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to step 14, where the CPU 61 switches the distribution plate 54 to the steel can collection container side. The passage 49 is communicated with the aluminum can side.
The supply of power to 22 is stopped.

The steel sensor 21 and the aluminum sensor 2
When neither the detection signal nor the detection signal is output, or when the determination in step 2 is “NO”,
The CPU 61 outputs a message to the effect that the input material is not accepted from the speaker 7 (step 10).

If it is determined that the empty can is acceptable, the process proceeds to step 16, where the CPU 61
Is unlocked, and the input material is guided into the chute section 40.

The photoelectric sensor 38 of the chute section 40
When the passage of the empty can 33 is confirmed, the determination in step 17 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 61 proceeds to step 18.
After the shutter 30 is locked in step 19, the movable plate 43 of the pressing unit 5 is driven in step 19.

After the movable plate 43 moves forward and the limit switch 41 is turned off, when the movable plate 43 returns to a predetermined position and the limit switch 41 is turned on, the CPU 61 drives the reciprocating mechanism 48 to drive the support plate. 44 is opened, and the empty can 33 having been subjected to the squeezing process is guided to the lower collecting section 6 (steps 20 to 22). Further, in the following step 23, the CPU 61 causes the support plate 44 to return to the end, thereby completing the can process.

FIG. 10 shows a procedure for controlling the slot game by the CPU 61. When the can is not inserted, the CPU 61 repeatedly outputs information such as a procedure for playing a game from the speaker 7 via the audio circuit 73 (step 1).

When the photoelectric sensor 38 of the chute unit 40 is turned on by the above-described procedure after the empty can is inserted, the CPU
Numeral 61 gives a start signal to the reel driving mechanism 70 to simultaneously drive the reels 8a to 8e (step 2,
3).

In the next step 4, the CPU 61 samples a random number value from the random number generator 64, and then determines whether or not to make the game result "hit" based on the random number value and the material of the empty can inserted. To decide. That is, in step 5, the CPU 61 sets the flag F
Is read out from the area M1 of the winning table 57 when the determination is "NO", and the data corresponding to the taken random number value is read from the area M2 of the winning table 57 when the determination is "YES". (Step 6,
7).

Next, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the reel, if the data read out in step 6 or 7 is "1", the symbol related to the winning is set, and the data read out is "0". If there is, a stop command is output at the timing when the symbols not involved in the winning stop on the stop line L (step 8).

When all the reels 8a to 8e are sequentially stopped in the above procedure, step 9 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to step 10, where the CPU 61 determines a combination of symbols on the stop line L.

If the combination of symbols for winning is established on the stop line L, step 10 becomes “YES”, and the CPU 61 determines in step 11 that the speaker 7
Step 1
At 2, a prize exchange ticket is issued from the ticketing section 4. If the combination of the symbols is "missing", the process proceeds to step 13, and a message notifying the loss is output.

In the above-described embodiment, the return rate of the prize to the submitter is changed by changing the winning probability depending on the type of the empty can that has been inserted. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The winning probability of the game is fixed, and a prize exchange ticket having a different value can be issued according to the type of the empty can that is inserted.

In this method, the control of the can process is performed according to the method shown in FIGS.
The game is executed in the same procedure as that described above, but the game control procedure is as shown in FIG. First, after the same procedure as steps 1 to 3 in FIG. 10 is executed in steps 1 to 3,
The CPU 61 stops the reels 8a to 8e at a predetermined timing (step 4). This stop control may be a method of simply stopping each reel sequentially after a predetermined time has elapsed. However, a winning table for obtaining a constant winning probability is set in the ROM 63 regardless of the material of the empty can. Similarly to the above, a random number may be sampled, a winning table may be referred to, and a predetermined symbol based on the obtained data may be stopped.

When all the reels 8a to 8e have stopped, step 5 becomes "YES", and it is determined in next step 6 whether or not a win has occurred. If the determination is "YES", the CPU 61 outputs a message indicating a hit from the speaker 7 in the next step 7, and then checks the flag F in the RAM 62 in a step 8.

When the flag F is set, that is, when the put empty can is a steel can, a prize exchange ticket A is issued. When the flag F is not set, that is, when the put empty can is made of aluminum can. If it is a can, a prize exchange ticket B is issued (steps 9 and 10).
The contents of each prize exchange ticket A and B are described in the RO
It is stored in advance in M63.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a prize exchange ticket is issued in accordance with a game prize, but a coupon having a predetermined value may be issued instead. . Each reel 8a ~
A variety of applications are possible, such as providing a stop switch for manually stopping the 8e to enhance the game characteristics, and setting so that a predetermined number of games can be executed when the game is won.

Proximity switches 86 and 87 for detecting the size of the empty cans to be charged.
And aluminum sensors 20 and 22 for detecting the material of the can
In addition, all the steel sensors 21 may be installed to separate the input materials into small pieces, and the winning probability of the game or the value of the prize exchange ticket to be paid out may be changed for each type.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the slot game is played by inserting empty cans. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various game machines can be incorporated. In addition, it goes without saying that any of the embodiments can be applied not only to the empty can collection machine, but also to a collection machine for all recoverable articles.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the article collecting apparatus equipped with a game machine having a game machine responsive to the article to be collected being put into the slot, the type of the inputted article is determined. The winning probability of the amusement machine based on the discrimination result
Is set to control the operation of the amusement machine to generate a prize in accordance with the set prize probability. The feeling can be enhanced and specific articles can be efficiently collected.

[0067]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an empty can collection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal structure of the empty can collection device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of an opening / closing door.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an opening / closing door showing an example of mounting a proximity switch.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the empty can collection device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting data of a winning table.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a reel drive unit and a control unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an empty can process by the control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of empty can processing by the control unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a game procedure by a control unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a game procedure by a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Empty can collection device 3 Reel display part 4 Ticket issuing part 20 22 Aluminum sensor 23 Steel sensor 61 CPU 63 ROM 64 Random number generator 86, 87 Proximity switch

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Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An amusement machine responsive to the entry of an article to be collected into an insertion slot, wherein when a prize is generated as a result of a play operation by the amusement machine, a predetermined profit state is provided to the thrower. In the article collecting device with a game machine, the product type discriminating means for discriminating the type of the article put into the input port, and the winning probability of the game machine based on the discrimination result by the product kind discriminating means. An article collection device with a game machine, comprising: a winning probability setting means to be set; and a game machine control means for controlling the operation of the game machine and generating a prize according to the winning probability set by the winning probability setting means. .