JP3662538B2 - Medal game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game machine that pushes out medals accumulated on a board surface with a pusher table and pays out medals pushed down from a predetermined drop port to a player.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The medals accumulated on the board are pushed out by a pusher table that reciprocates along the board, and some of the medals are pushed out to the medal drop opening and paid out to the player using the medallion phenomenon of the medals. Medal game machines are known. The board of this game machine has an accumulation area where medals are accumulated and a non-accumulation area that appears when the pusher table moves backward. When a medal is inserted into the non-accumulating area, the medal is pushed into the accumulating area by the pusher table, and a ball hitting phenomenon occurs. As a result, the medal in the accumulation area is pushed down to the drop opening. On the other hand, even if a medal is inserted into the accumulation area, it only overlaps the already placed medal, and the ball-throw phenomenon does not occur. That is, the pushing force by the pusher table does not act on the medals on the board surface. The player puts medals into the non-accumulation area in time with the pusher table retreating. Here, the pusher table of this type of game machine is usually formed by bending a sheet metal, and the surface from which the medals are pushed out is a flat surface.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the pusher table of the above-described medal game machine, even when medals are inserted into the non-accumulation area, the inserted medals may collide with the pusher table and bounce off, and may overlap the medals in the accumulation area. In this case, the pushing force by the pusher table does not act, and the player's willingness to challenge is lost. Some pusher tables are made of wood or resin, but none consider the collision of inserted medals.
[0004]
Therefore, the present invention has an object to provide a medal game machine capable of avoiding a state in which an inserted medal overlaps with a medal already placed on the board and the pushing force by the pusher table does not act. To do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.
[0006]
  The medal game machine (1) of the present invention stores medals inserted from the medal insertion unit (4) on the board surface (15), and pushes the accumulated medals along the board surface by the pusher table (30). Extrude and pay to playerAnd the pusher table has a plate-like extrusion surface for extruding the medal.In the medal game machine, the pusher tableOn the plate-like extrusion surface, a hole with a size that the medal cannot pass is formed over the entire surface.Irregularities (40)ProvidedThis solves the above-described problem.
[0007]
  According to the medal game machine of the present invention, when the inserted medal collides with the pusher table, the impact collided by the uneven portion is alleviated. Therefore, the medal falls down on the board early. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a state in which the inserted medal collides with the pusher table and rebounds and overlaps the medal placed in the accumulation area. Furthermore, since the rebound direction is non-uniform, it is possible to avoid a situation in which inserted medals overlap in the non-accumulating region.In addition, the plate-like push-out surface of the pusher table is formed with a concave and convex portion so that the hole cannot be passed through the entire surface, so that the medal rebounds when a part of the medal enters the hole. As a result, the movement of the medals after rebounding compared to the case where the medals rebound on a simple plane is lost, and the medals fall down early.Note that the pusher table of the present invention may be one that directly processes the surface of the pusher table, or may be one in which another member is attached to the surface of an object that can be used as a pusher table as it is.The holes may be formed by directly processing the surface of the pusher table, or may be formed by covering a conventional pusher table with a punching net or a net. The hole may or may not penetrate the surface to be pushed out. When penetrating, the hole needs to be sized so that the medal cannot pass.
[0008]
  The medal game machine (1) according to the present invention stores medals inserted from the medal insertion unit (4) on the board surface (15), and moves the accumulated medals to the pusher table (30) moving along the board surface. In a medal game machine having a plate-like pushing surface for pushing out and paying out to the player, and the pusher table pushes out the medal, a hole (40a) through which the medal can pass through the plate-like pushing surface of the pusher table A separate member (40) formed so as to extend over the entire surface is attached so that the punched hole is closed on the pusher table side to provide an uneven portion, thereby solving the above-described problem.
[0009]
  According to this medal game machine, another member formed so that a hole through which the medal can pass is formed on the plate-like pushing surface of the pusher table, and the hole is closed on the pusher table side. Since the concave and convex portions were attached in this way, the movement of the medal bounced was restricted by entering a part of the medal into the closed hole, thereby rebounding compared to the case where the medal bounces on a simple plane. Later movements of medals lose momentum, and medals fall quickly. Moreover, it is only necessary to attach another member to the surface of the conventional pusher table, and the medal game machine of the present invention can be easily realized. Another member may be formed with a slit-like long hole having a long diameter in the vertical direction and wider than the thickness of the medal as a punched hole. In this case, since a part of medals thrown into the board surface and rolling on it easily enters the slit-like hole, the effect of providing the hole can be effectively exhibited.
[0010]
In the medal game machine of the present invention, the separate member may be made of an elastic material (40B). In this case, the elastic material efficiently relieves the momentum of the inserted medals and the medals bounce back in a non-uniform direction by the restoring force, so that the state where the medals overlap can be avoided.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing the appearance of a medal pusher game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This medal pusher game machine (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “medal game machine” or “game machine”) 1 is an arcade game machine that is installed in an entertainment facility such as a so-called game store and is operated commercially. It is configured. The game machine 1 includes a base 2, a transparent cover 3 attached thereon, medal insertion units 4 ... 4 for a player to insert medals, and payout units 5 ... 5 for paying out medals to the player. Is provided.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the transparent cover 3 cut along the line III-III in FIG. As shown in the figure, a game field 10 is provided on the upper portion of the base 2 covered with the transparent cover 3 as a place for progressing the game. The game field 10 includes a game management unit 11 and stations 12A to 12E as places where five independent games are progressed. That is, in the game machine 1, five sets of players can play simultaneously. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to specify individual stations, the additional codes A to E may be omitted.
[0017]
The game management unit 11 receives a bonus medal supply device 11a for supplying bonus medals on the game field 10 in association with an event such as a lottery executed during the game, and a bonus medal supplied from the bonus medal supply device 11a. And a bonus medal supply tray 13 for supplying to each station. The medals in the bonus medal supply tray are supplied to each station through the funnels 14... 14 provided on the game management unit 11 side of the station 12C, the boundary between the stations 12A and 12B, and the boundary between the stations 12D and 12E. The
[0018]
The stations 12A and 12B and the stations 12D and 12E are symmetrical with respect to the game management unit 11 and the station 12C. The stations 12A and 12B are provided symmetrically with respect to the front and rear with the funnel 14 interposed therebetween. Similarly, the stations 12E and 12D are provided symmetrically in the front-rear direction with the funnel 14 in between. In the following, there is a case where one of the stations having a symmetrical relationship is described, and the other is indicated by a parenthesis. Each of the stations 12A, 12B, 12D, and 12E is provided with one medal insertion unit 4 and one payout unit 5, respectively, so that one player can play. On the other hand, the station 12C is provided with two medal insertion units 4 and 4 and one payout unit 5 so that two players can play at the same time.
[0019]
Each station has board surfaces 15... 15 on which medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 are placed, and medal drop openings 16. The medals placed on the board surface 15 are pushed out by a pusher table (not shown in FIG. 3) provided below the funnel 14, and from the end portions 17... Fall into the parent's exit. The medal that has fallen to the medal drop opening 16 falls to the medal payout portion 5 through a medal recovery tube (not shown).
[0020]
Each station is provided with stacked medal supply units 18... 18 for stacking medals and supplying the stacked medals on the board. Each station is provided with a display unit 19... 19 for displaying the progress of the event, the result, and the like. Although the display unit 19 corresponding to the station 12C is not shown, this is provided on the station 12C side of the game management unit 11 or the like.
[0021]
4 and 5 show the pusher table and its driving device. FIG. 4 (a) is a top view, FIG. 4 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 5 is a front view showing the internal structure. As shown in these drawings, pusher tables 30... 30 are provided on the boundary between the stations 12A and 12B, the boundary between the stations 12D and 12E, and the back side of the station 12C. The pusher tables 30... 30 are supported on the panel surface 15 by wheels 31... 31 that are rotatably mounted, and are movable in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4A) with respect to the panel surface 15. . The pusher tables 30... 30 are all connected to a shaft-like wing 32. The wing 32 is attached to the base body 2 via guide rails 33 and 33 and can move only in the front-rear direction with respect to the board surface 15. The wing 32 is connected to a motor 35 provided inside the base body 2 via a conversion mechanism 34 that converts rotational motion into reciprocating motion. Therefore, by driving the motor 35, the wing 32 is driven in the front-rear direction, and the pusher tables 30 ... 30 reciprocate along the board surface 15 as the wing 32 reciprocates.
[0022]
Transmission type photosensors 36 and 37 are attached to the upper portion of the substrate 2. The photosensors 36 and 37 have slit-like sensing parts 36s and 37s. On the other hand, detection plates 38 and 39 are attached to the wing 32. The detection plates 38 and 39 can be moved in and out of the sensing units 36s and 37s, respectively. When the wing 32 is at the most rear side position (uppermost position in FIG. 4A), the detection plate 38 is inserted in the sensing unit 36s, and the detection plate 39 is not inserted in the sensing unit 37s. . At this time, the output signal of the photo sensor 36 is on, and the output signal of the photo sensor 37 is off. When the wing 32 starts to move to the front side (downward in FIG. 4A), the detection plate 38 leaves the sensing unit 36s, and the output signals of both the photosensors 36 and 37 are turned off. When the wing 32 comes to the frontmost position, the detection plate 39 is inserted into the sensing unit 37s, and the output signal of the photosensor 37 is turned on. When the wing 32 starts to move to the back side, the detection plate 39 exits from the sensing unit 37s, and the output signals of both the photosensors 36 and 37 are turned off. Therefore, by using the output signals of the photosensors 36 and 37, the state of the wing 32 is the most front side position, the front side to the back side movement state, the most back side position, It can be specified which of the moving states from the back side to the front side.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4B, unevenness is provided on the front surface of the pusher tables 30 and 30 corresponding to the stations 12A and 12B and the stations 12D and 12E. Although not shown, the pusher tables 30 and 30 are also provided with unevenness on the back surface. Here, the detail of the unevenness | corrugation of the pusher table 30 is demonstrated with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6A, the main body 30e of the pusher table 30 is formed by bending a sheet metal. A plate 40 is attached to the medal pushing surface of the main body 30e. As shown in FIG. 6B, the plate 40 is provided with a large number of holes 40a. Irregularities are imparted to the surfaces of the pusher tables 30 and 30 by these holes 40a. The hole 40a is formed in a slit-like long hole shape having a long diameter in the vertical direction. The width of the punch hole 40a is wider than the thickness of one medal, and preferably about 2 to 3 times the thickness of one medal. By attaching the plate 40 to the main body 30e of the pusher table 30, each punching hole 40a is closed on the joint surface side with the main body 30e. The medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 move while standing on the board surface 15 and collide with the plate 40. At this time, since the punch hole 40a has a long hole shape having a long diameter in the vertical direction, a medal can easily enter one of the punch holes 40a. The medal that has entered the punch hole 40a hits the main body 30e and bounces back, but at that time, the bounce operation is restricted by being caught by the wall of the punch hole 40a. As a result, the momentum at which the medals bounce off is cut off, and the medals fall quickly on the board surface 15. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a state in which the medals accumulated on the board surface 15 overlap. Furthermore, since the direction of the reaction force received by the medal that collides with the pusher table 30 changes according to the direction of the unevenness formed by the punch hole 40a, the direction in which the medal rebounds becomes uneven. Thereby, the state where the inserted medals overlap can also be avoided.
[0024]
The plate 40 is not attached to the pusher table 30 of the station 12C. In the station 12C, the medal insertion portions 4 and 4 are attached to the front side in the direction in which the pusher table 30 pushes out the medals on the board surface 15. For this reason, compared to other stations, the inserted medals collide with the surface of the pusher table 30 at a right angle, and the bounced medals rarely ride on other medals.
[0025]
The plate 40 may be a net-like member such as a punching net. The surface of the pusher table can be obtained by attaching a fine member to the surface of the pusher table 30 or making a plurality of holes in the surface of the pusher table 30 instead of attaching a plate having irregularities, as compared to a pusher table such as a washer. Concavities and convexities may be provided by processing the shape. In addition, even if the unevenness is not provided, a similar effect may be obtained by attaching a member, such as a rubber sheet, that is more elastic than the stainless plate or wood constituting the pusher table 30 to the pusher table 30.
[0026]
FIG. 7 is a view of the state in which the pusher table 30 corresponding to the stations 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B reciprocates as viewed from the side of the pusher table 30. The opening 14a at the bottom of the funnel 14 opens above the intermediate position between the station 12A and the station 12B indicated by a line L1, and the pusher table 30 reciprocates below the opening. FIG. 7A corresponds to a state in which the pusher table 30 is at the position closest to the station 12B. The position of the pusher table 30 is shifted from the opening 14b below the funnel 14 toward the station 12B. Therefore, when a bonus medal is supplied to the opening 4 a at the top of the funnel 14 in this state, the bonus medal falls from the pusher table 30 to the station 12 </ b> A side. FIG. 7B corresponds to a state in which the pusher table 30 is moved to the station 12A side from the state of FIG. When a bonus medal is supplied in FIG. 7A, the bonus medal that has dropped onto the board surface 15 near the boundary between the stations 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B is pushed out to the station 12 </ b> A side by the pusher table 30. This figure particularly shows a state at an intermediate position in the range of reciprocating motion, and the position of the pusher table 30 is directly below the funnel 14. FIG. 7C corresponds to a state in which the pusher table 30 is at the position closest to the station 12A. As shown in the figure, the position of the pusher table 30 is shifted to the station 12A side from the opening 14b below the funnel 14. Therefore, in this state, when a bonus medal is supplied to the opening 4a at the top of the funnel 14, the bonus medal can be supplied to the station 12B. The same applies to the stations 12D and 12E that are symmetrical with respect to the game management unit 11.
[0027]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation state of the bonus medal supply tray 13. The bonus medal supply tray 13 is provided with a bottom portion 13a for receiving bonus medals supplied from the bonus medal supply device 11a, an edge portion 13b for preventing spilling of medals placed on the bottom portion 13a, and an edge portion 13b. And an opening 13c that is not formed. The bottom 13a is inclined so that the opening 13c is at a low position. Accordingly, the medal placed on the bottom 13a slides down on the bottom 13a and falls from the opening 13c. The bonus medal supply tray 13 is attached to the base 2 so as to be turnable horizontally, and is driven to turn by a motor (not shown) attached to the inside of the game management unit 11. The motor is controlled by the CPU inside the game management unit 11. As shown in FIGS. 3, 8 (a), and 8 (b), the bonus medal supply tray 13 is controlled to stop at any of the three positions. 3, 8 (a), and 8 (b), the opening 13c is directed to one of the funnels 14 ... 14. Here, the opening 13c is provided above the upper opening of the funnels 14 ... 14. Therefore, the medal can be supplied to the predetermined funnel 14 by supplying the medal on the bottom portion 13a of the bonus medal supply tray 13 with the bonus medal supply tray 13 directed to one of the funnels 14.
[0028]
The supply of medals to the bonus medal supply tray 13 is performed by the bonus medal supply device 11a (see FIG. 3). The bonus medal supply device 11 a can supply medals to the bonus medal supply tray 13 at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU inside the game management unit 11. For example, the bonus medal supply device 11a is provided with an openable / closable opening at the bottom thereof, and the opening / closing thereof is controlled by the CPU inside the game management unit 11. By opening the opening, the bonus medals stocked in the bonus medal supply device 11a are supplied to the bonus medal supply tray 13 at a predetermined timing. On the other hand, the medals supplied to the funnels 14 corresponding to the stations 12A and 12B (12D and 12E) are supplied to the respective stations 12 by using the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 30 as shown in FIG. Is possible. Accordingly, the bonus medal supply tray 13 is directed in a predetermined direction, and the bonus medal can be supplied to the predetermined station 12 by associating the supply timing of the bonus medal supply device 11a with the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 30.
[0029]
For example, if it is desired to supply a bonus medal to the station 12A, the bonus medal supply tray 13 is controlled as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 8B, the opening 13c of the bonus medal supply tray 13 is directed to the funnel 14 provided at the boundary between the stations 12A and 12B. Here, the position of the pusher table 30 is the position most moved to the station 12A side. Even if a medal is supplied to the funnel 14 in this state, it will be paid out to the station 12B. At this time, the bonus medal supply device 11a stands by without supplying the bonus medal. When the pusher table 30 that is reciprocatingly moves to the position moved to the station 12B side as shown in FIG. 9, the bonus medal supply device 11a supplies medals to the bonus medal supply tray 13. At this time, the pusher table 30 is stopped for a certain period of time so that the medals supplied through the bonus medal supply tray 13 and the funnel 14 more reliably fall to the station 12A side of the pusher table 30. Thereafter, when a certain time has passed, the pusher table 30 starts reciprocating again.
[0030]
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the station 12B. In addition, about description of FIGS. 10-12, since it is common to all the stations, additional code AE is abbreviate | omitted. As described above, the board surface 15 is provided with the end portion 17 and the stacked medal supply portion 18. The stacked medal supply unit 18 is provided with a groove 61b on the pusher table 30 side. The stacked medal supply unit 18 is provided substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the board surface 15 (direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pusher table 30). Further, the end portion 17 of the board surface 15 has a first end portion 17a at the center and second end portions 17b and 17b on both sides thereof. Therefore, among the medals pushed out to the pusher table 30, medals that have passed through the position where the stacked medal supply unit 18 is provided fall mainly from the first end 17a to the medal drop opening 16. As will be described later, the stacked medal is supplied to the position of the stacked medal supply unit 18, and the stacked medal also falls from the first end portion 17a. The surfaces of the second ends 17b and 17b are inclined so as to become higher toward the medal drop opening 16 side. The reason for providing such an inclination is to make it difficult for the medal to fall from the end portion 17b, and to make it appear to the player that a large amount of medals that are about to fall are accumulated in the end portion 17b. On the other hand, the surface of the first end portion 17a is flush with the board surface 15 (horizontal). This is because if the first end portion 17a is provided with an inclination, the stacked medal pushed out to the first end portion 17a may be broken. The surface of the first end portion 17a is processed with fine irregularities, and the friction coefficient of the surface with respect to medals is higher than that of the surface of the second end portion 17b. As a result, even at the first end portion 17a, it is difficult to drop medals even if there is no inclination. In particular, since the frictional force is proportional to the vertical drag, the frictional force generated for stacked medals is larger than the frictional force for one medal. Therefore, changing the friction coefficient is effective in enhancing the fall prevention effect of the stacked medals while suppressing the influence on the movement of each medal. Note that a member having a higher coefficient of friction against the token than the board surface 15 or the second end 17b, such as a paper basket, may be attached to the end 17a without processing the surface of the first end 17a.
[0031]
FIG. 11 shows the stacked medal supply unit 18, FIG. 11 (a) is a side view, and FIG. 11 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Xb-Xb in FIG. 11 (a). As shown in this figure, the stacked medal supply unit 18 includes a bracket 50 attached to the back surface of the board surface 15 and a hollow cylindrical storage cylinder 51 as a storage body. The upper opening 51 a of the storage cylinder 51 opens in the panel surface 15, and the lower part is stored in the bracket 50. A cylindrical shaft portion 52 as a moving body is inserted into the storage cylinder 51 so as to be movable up and down. The shaft portion 52 is connected to the linear motor 54 via the connection portion 53. The linear motor 54 is fixed to the bracket 50. The shaft portion 52 is driven up and down by a linear motor 54. When the upper surface 52a of the shaft part 52 is at a position lower than the board surface 15, a medal storage space S is formed inside the storage cylinder 51, and the upper surface 52A of the shaft part 52 constitutes the bottom of the medal storage space S. When the medals accumulated on the board surface 15 are pushed and moved by the pusher table 30, the medals on the board surface 15 fall into the storage space S from the opening 51a. The dropped medals are stacked on the upper surface 52a of the shaft portion 52. As a result, stacked medals are generated in the storage space S. In a state where medals are stacked in the storage space S, the linear motor 54 drives the shaft portion 52 upward until the upper surface 52a of the shaft portion 52 becomes the same height as the panel surface 15, whereby the stacked medals are placed on the board surface 15. Can be supplied.
[0032]
A spring 55 is attached to the upper portion of the connection portion 53 so as to cover the outer periphery of the shaft portion 52. A retaining ring 56 is attached to the top of the spring 55. The retaining ring 56 is pressed against the convex portion 52 b of the shaft portion 52 by a spring 55. When the shaft portion 52 is driven upward by the linear motor 54, the retaining ring 56 contacts the convex portion 51b of the storage tube 51 before the upper surface 52a of the shaft portion 52 becomes the same height as the board surface 15. When the shaft portion 52 is further driven upward from this state, the spring 55 is compressed and the connection portion 53 receives the reaction force of the storage cylinder 51. Due to this reaction force, the speed of the shaft portion 52 gradually decreases, and as a result, the acceleration applied to the shaft portion 52 when the shaft portion 52 is stopped decreases. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the stacked medals from collapsing when the shaft portion 52 is stopped.
[0033]
Transmission type photosensors 57 and 58 are attached to the bracket 50, and a detection plate 59 is attached to the connection portion 53. Each of the photosensors 57 and 58 has a slit-shaped sensing unit (not shown). The detection plate 59 can appear and disappear with respect to the sensing unit. When the shaft portion 52 is at a position (uppermost stage) where the upper surface 52 a is at the same height as the board surface 15, the detection plate 59 is inserted into the sensing portion of the photosensor 57. At this time, the output signal of the photosensor 57 is on, and the output signal of the photosensor 58 is off. When the shaft portion 52 starts to move downward, the detection plate 59 is withdrawn from the sensing portion of the photosensor 57, and the output signals of both the photosensors 57 and 58 are turned off. When the shaft portion 52 moves to a position (lowermost level) where the upper surface 51a is the same height as the lower opening 51c of the storage cylinder 51, the detection plate 59 is inserted into the sensing portion of the photosensor 58, and the output signal of the photosensor 58 Is turned on. Therefore, by using the output signals of the photosensors 57 and 58, whether the shaft 52 is in the uppermost state, the lowering state, the lowermost state, or the rising state. Can be specified.
[0034]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the shape of the storage cylinder 51. The storage cylinder 51 has a cylindrical part 60 and a ring part 61 attached to the upper part thereof. The surface 61a of the ring portion 61 is provided with a groove 61b that gradually becomes deeper from the outer periphery of the ring portion 61 toward the opening 51a. As shown in FIG. 10, the storage cylinder 51 is attached to the panel surface 15 so that the groove 61b faces the pusher table 30 side. Thereby, some medals pushed by the pusher table 30 are guided to the opening 51a along the groove 61b and fall into the storage space S.
[0035]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the game machine 1. The game machine 1 includes a CPU 100 configured with a microprocessor. The CPU 100 includes a ROM 101 in which a program for controlling basic operations such as a start-up process of the game machine 1, a RAM 102 that provides a work area for the CPU 100, and various kinds of games necessary for executing the medal game on the game machine 1. Are connected to a game program storage device 103 in which the programs and data are recorded. The CPU 100 has, as input means, a photo sensor 104 for detecting that a medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 4, photo sensors 36 and 37 for detecting the position of the pusher table, and a bonus medal supply tray 13. The photo sensor 105 for detecting the position and the photo sensors 57 and 58 for detecting the position of the shaft portion 52 of the stacking medal supply unit 18 are connected. The photo sensors 104 are respectively provided in the medal insertion units 4... 4 and output a predetermined detection signal when a medal is inserted. Three photo sensors 105 are provided corresponding to the three positions when the bonus medal supply tray 13 supplies medals to the funnels 14. When the bonus medal supply tray 13 is in one of the three positions, the output signal of the photosensor 105 corresponding to that position is on, and the output signals of the other photosensors 105 and 105 are off. If it is out of any of the three positions, the output signals of the three photosensors 105... 105 are all off. Thus, the CPU 100 can specify the direction of the bonus medal supply tray 13. The CPU 100 includes a motor driving device 106 that drives a motor 35 that is a power source of the pusher table according to an instruction from the CPU 100, and a motor driving device 108 that drives a motor 107 that rotates the bonus medal supply tray 13 according to an instruction from the CPU 100. The motor drive device 109 that drives the motor 54 that is the power source of the shaft portion 52 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 100, and the display processing device 110 that outputs a signal for causing the display unit 19 to display a segment display according to the instruction from the CPU 100. And a sound processing device 112 that performs a sound generation process according to an instruction from the CPU 100 and outputs a sound reproduction signal to the speaker 111.
[0036]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a stacking medal generation process executed by the CPU 100 to generate a stacking medal in the storage space S. This process is executed when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion unit 4. The CPU 100 determines whether or not the medal insertion timing is valid based on the detection signal from the photo sensor 104 of the medal insertion unit 4 (step S1). A method for determining whether or not it is valid will be described later. If it is determined that it is not valid, the process ends. If it is determined to be valid, the number of inserted sheets stored in the RAM 102 is increased (step S2).
[0037]
In step S3, based on the signal from the photo sensor 58 of the medal supply unit 18, it is determined whether the bottom surface of the storage space S (the upper surface 52a of the shaft portion 52) is in the lower position. If it is determined that the position is the lower position, it is determined whether or not the inserted number is the vibration condition number (step S4). When it is determined that the number of vibration conditions is the number of vibration conditions, the motor driving device 109 of the stacked medal supply unit 18 is instructed to drive the motor 54 so as to move the shaft 52 up and down within a predetermined range (step S5). When the shaft portion 52 is moved up and down within a predetermined range, the medals accumulated in the storage space S are vibrated. As a result, the state in which the medals are obliquely stacked in the storage space S is eliminated, and the medals can be stacked more reliably and orderly. The predetermined range may be set as appropriate, but about 10 mm is sufficient. If it is determined in step S4 that the number of vibration conditions is not met, step S5 is skipped.
[0038]
In step S6, it is determined whether or not the number of inserted sheets stored in the RAM 102 has reached the bottom rising number set as a condition for allowing the bottom rising of the storage space S. If it is determined that the bottom elevation number has been reached, a flag that permits bottom elevation is set (step S7), and the process ends. If it is determined that it has not reached, step S7 is skipped.
[0039]
If it is determined in step S3 that the bottom surface is not in the lower position, it is determined whether the bottom surface is in the upper position based on the signal from the photosensor 57 (step S8). If it is determined that the position is not the upper position, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the position is the upper position, it is determined whether or not the inserted number stored in the RAM 102 has reached the number of bottom bottoms set as a condition for allowing the bottom of the storage space S to be lowered (step S9). If it is determined that the number of bottom-lowering sheets has not been reached, the process ends. If it is determined that the number of bottom-bottoms has been reached, the bottom surface is lowered by outputting an instruction signal to the motor drive device 109 (step S10), and the number of sheets stored in the RAM 102 is set to 0 (step S11). A bottom rising number is set (step S12).
[0040]
In the above processing, the bottom rising number is set to the number of insertions expected to be necessary for the storage space S to be filled with medals. This number can be specified in advance by examining the correlation between the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit 4 and the number of medals accumulated in the storage space S. However, every time a stacked medal is supplied to the board surface 15 so that the player cannot identify the number of bottom rising, the bottom rising number varies with respect to a predetermined reference number. As described above, by predicting that the storage space S is full of medals from the inserted number and allowing the bottom surface to rise, a sensor or the like for detecting the number of medals accumulated in the storage space S is not provided. When an appropriate number of medals are stacked, the stacked medals can be supplied to the board surface 15.
[0041]
The number of lowering the bottom surface used in step S <b> 9 is expected to be necessary because the stacked medals pushed up to the board surface 15 by the rising of the bottom surface of the storage space S are separated from the bottom surface by the movement of medals accompanying the movement of the pusher table 30. Is set to the number of sheets to be inserted. This value can also be specified in advance by examining the correlation between the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit 4 and the movement of the stacked medals supplied to the board surface 15. Here, by adjusting the bottom rising number and the bottom falling number so that there is at least one stacked medal on each of the board surfaces 15 of each station 12, it is possible to further enhance the game taste.
[0042]
15 and 16 are diagrams showing a method for determining whether or not the insertion timing is valid (see step S1 in FIG. 14) and a method for counting the number of medals to be added to the inserted number (see step S2 in FIG. 14). is there. FIG. 15 shows a time table. The upper time table 201 shows the operation status of the pusher table 30. The reciprocating motion of the pusher table 30 is in the state A (equivalent to FIG. 16 (a)), the state B being moved to the back, the state C (equivalent to FIG. 16 (b)), and to the front. This can be regarded as a repetition of the moving state D. The middle time table 202 shows the determination method of the input timing in step S1 of FIG. A hatched portion 202a of the time table 202 indicates a time zone in which the insertion timing is considered to be valid (input detection valid period). The insertion detection effective period is from after the predetermined time indicated by the arrow y1 from the state A until the predetermined time indicated by the arrow y2 from the state C. As shown in FIG. 16B, in order to move the medals accumulated on the board surface 15 by the pusher table 30, it is necessary to insert medals into the non-accumulation region R2 of medals that appear when the pusher table 30 moves backward. There is. Even if medals are inserted into the accumulation area R1, the medals only overlap the medals that have already accumulated, and are not involved in the movement of medals by the pusher table 30. Therefore, when the number of medals accumulated in the storage space S is predicted using the number of medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 4 as a clue (see steps S6 and S9 in FIG. 14), the medals expected to be inserted into the accumulation area R1; If the medals inserted into the non-storage area R2 are all counted equally as medals that affect the fall of medals into the storage space S, the prediction of the number of medals accumulated in the medal storage space S becomes inaccurate. . Therefore, an insertion detection effective period is provided by shifting from the state A in which the pusher table 30 is located near the front end of the reciprocating range (in this case, the non-accumulation region R2 is almost hidden). Only medals are treated as valid medals used to add medal insertions. When the period of the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 30 is about 4 seconds, the periods indicated by the arrows y1 and y2 are set to about 1 second, for example.
[0043]
The lower time table 203 shows a counting method of the number of sheets to be added when the number of inserted sheets is increased in step S2 of FIG. A hatched portion 203a of the time table 203 indicates a time zone (effective medal insertion period) in which the number of inserted medals is counted. In other words, only the medal insertion operation within this valid medal insertion period is added as the number of medal insertions.
[0044]
The valid medal insertion period is a range from when the first medal is inserted within the insertion detection effective period until a predetermined time elapses. However, if the insertion detection period ends before the predetermined time elapses, the valid medal insertion period ends at that time. In this way, by counting the number of inserted medals only within the effective medal insertion period, depending on whether the player is inserting multiple medals continuously or intermittently inserting medals one by one Thus, the rate of increase in the number of medals can be changed. If medals are continuously inserted, it can be considered that the player is relatively skilled in the pusher game. When such a player inserts a medal, two or more medal insertions are counted in one effective medal insertion period, and as a result, the rate of increase in the number of medal insertions increases. On the other hand, when medals are inserted intermittently one by one, even if one medal is inserted within the insertion detection valid period, it starts with the previous medal insertion until the next medal is inserted The effective medal insertion period has elapsed, and as a result, the insertion of the second and subsequent medals may not be counted. When such an insertion pattern is repeated, the rate of increase in the number of medal insertions is low. As will be described later, since the medal game machine of the present embodiment controls the supply of stacked medals based on the number of medal insertions, as a result, when a skilled player who continuously inserts medals is playing Stacked medals can be supplied in a relatively short cycle, and the player's interest can be sufficiently attracted to improve the income of the game machine. Note that the length of the valid medal insertion period is set to about 1 second, for example.
[0045]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of event processing executed by the CPU 100 to supply the tokens to the board 15. In step S20, a lottery is performed, the progress of the lottery and the lottery result are displayed on the display unit 19, and a process for paying a special profit to the player (for example, a process for paying a bonus medal) is used as the lottery result. Select accordingly. At this time, if the flag for allowing the bottom of the storage space S to be raised is set (see step S7 in FIG. 14), a process for raising the bottom is included as an option for the process executed as a result of the lottery. deep.
[0046]
In step S21, it is determined whether or not a process for raising the bottom surface is selected as a result of the lottery. When the process for raising the bottom surface is not selected, another process corresponding to the lottery result is executed. If it is determined that the process of raising the bottom surface is selected, the motor drive device 109 of the stacking medal supply unit 18 is instructed to drive the motor 54 to move the shaft unit 52 up and down within a predetermined range (step S22). ). By moving the shaft portion 52 up and down within a predetermined range (for example, 10 mm), the upper tier of stacked medals generated in the storage space S pushes away medals accumulated near the opening 51a of the storage space. Thereby, when the stacked medal is pushed up on the board surface 15, it is possible to prevent the stacked medal from being destroyed by the medal near the opening 51a. Thereafter, the bottom is raised by giving an instruction to the motor drive device 109 (step S23), the bottom elevation permission flag is reset (step S24), and the number of inserted sheets is set to 0 (step S25).
[0047]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of bonus medal payout processing executed by the CPU 100. This process is executed when it is determined that a bonus medal is paid out by lottery in step S20 (FIG. 15). First, the position corresponding to the station 12 to which the bonus medal is to be paid out is specified among the three stop positions related to the bonus medal supply tray 13 (step S31). Next, the motor drive device 108 is instructed to drive the motor 107 so that the bonus medal supply tray 13 rotates to the specified position (step S32). In step S33, the position of the pusher table 30 for paying out bonus medals to the target station is specified. In step S34, based on the signals from the photosensors 36 and 37, it is determined whether or not the pusher table 30 is at the specified position. When it is determined that the position is not the specified position, it waits. When it is determined that the position is the specified position, the motor drive device 106 is instructed to stop the motor 35 that is the drive source of the pusher table 30 (step S35). Next, a motor that opens and closes the opening of the bonus medal supply device 11a is driven to supply bonus medals to the bonus medal supply tray 13 (step S36). Thereafter, the motor driving device 106 is instructed to drive the motor 35 again (step S37).
[0048]
In the above embodiment, the game machine that raises the bottom surface of the storage space S when a predetermined condition based on the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit 4 is satisfied has been illustrated. You may raise the bottom face. For example, the accumulation state of medals in the storage space S may be directly detected by a sensor, and the bottom surface of the storage space S may be raised based on the detection result. Hereinafter, an example will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0049]
FIG. 19 shows the stacked medal supply unit 18, FIG. 19 (a) is a side view, and FIG. 19 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIXb-XIXb in FIG. 19 (a). A transmissive photosensor 301 is provided near the opening 51 a of the storage cylinder 51. The photo sensor 301 has a sensing portion 301 s above the storage space S. When there is an obstacle such as a medal in the sensing unit 301s, the output signal of the photo sensor 301 is turned on, and when there is nothing, the output signal is turned off. Accordingly, when medals are stacked on the upper surface 52a of the shaft portion 52 and reach the height of the sensing portion 301s, the photosensor 301 outputs an ON signal.
[0050]
FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the game machine 1. A photo sensor 301 is connected to the CPU 100 as input means.
[0051]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the rise permission process executed by the CPU 100 when allowing the bottom of the storage space S to be lifted. This process is executed when an ON signal is input from the photosensor 301 for a predetermined time. The reason for continuing for a predetermined time is to distinguish it from an ON signal input from the photosensor 301 when a medal falls into the storage space S. First, based on the signal from the photosensor 58, the CPU 100 determines whether or not the bottom surface of the storage space S is in the lower level (step S41). If it is determined that it is not in the lower row, the process is terminated. When it determines with it being in the lower stage, the flag which permits the raise of a bottom face is set (step S42). After finishing the rise permission process, the bottom face may be raised immediately on condition that the rise permission flag is set, or the bottom face may be raised in the event process as shown in FIG.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the pusher table 30 corresponding to the stations 12A and 12B and 12D and 12E has a relatively narrow width (shape) in the pushing direction, so that the entire pusher table 30 is located outside the lower opening 14b of the funnel 14. Although the game machine in which the movement range is set so as to move is illustrated (see FIG. 7), the pusher table 30 can be wide and the movement range can be narrowed. An example is shown in FIG.
[0053]
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing how the pusher table 30 reciprocates. The pusher table 30 includes a main body portion 30c having inclined surfaces 30a and 30b as upper surfaces, and a partition plate 30d attached to a ridge line constituted by the inclined surfaces 30a and 30b. The partition plate 30d is attached so as to be movable in the funnel 14. FIG. 22A corresponds to a state in which the pusher table 30 is at the position closest to the station 12B. As shown in this figure, even when the pusher table 30 is at the moving end of the reciprocating motion, more than half of the pusher table 30 is below the opening 14b. When a bonus medal is supplied to the funnel 14 in this state, the bonus medal falls from the opening 14b to the inclined surface 30a. At this time, the partition plate 30d prevents the medal that has collided and bounced off the inclined surface 30a from entering the inclined surface 30b. The dropped medal slides down from the inclined surface 30a to the board surface 15 on the station 12A side. FIG. 22B corresponds to a state in which the pusher table 30 is moved to the station 12A side from the state of FIG. When a bonus medal is supplied in FIG. 22A, the bonus medal that slides down the inclined surface 30 a is pushed out to the station 12 </ b> A side by the pusher table 30. FIG. 22C corresponds to a state in which the pusher table 30 is at the position closest to the station 12A. When a bonus medal is supplied to the funnel 14 in this state, the bonus medal can be supplied to the station 12B. In this way, by utilizing the phenomenon in which the bonus medal slides down the inclined surfaces 30a and 30b provided on the pusher table 30, design restrictions regarding the width and movement range of the pusher table 30 in the push-out direction can be relaxed. .
[0054]
In the present embodiment, the game machine in which the plate 40 provided with a large number of holes 40a... 40a is attached to the surface of the pusher table 30 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
[0055]
Even if the plate 40 is not used, a large number of holes 30f... 30f may be provided directly in the main body 30e of the pusher table 30, as shown in FIG. In this case, the hole 30f has a size that prevents medals from passing through. The inserted medal fits into one of the holes 30f when colliding with the main body 30e, and the impact is alleviated. Furthermore, since the direction of the reaction force received by the medal changes depending on the direction of the unevenness that collides, the direction in which the medal bounces is uneven.
[0056]
The pusher table 30 formed by bending a sheet metal may not be used, and a pusher table 30 configured by combining a plurality of members may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the pusher table 30 is configured by combining a sheet metal 30g that forms the upper surface of the pusher table 30 and a sheet metal 30h that forms an extrusion surface of the pusher table and is provided with irregularities. May be.
[0057]
It is not necessary to use the plate 40 provided with the punch holes 40a, and a plate provided with protrusions may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 24A, a plate 40A on which a large number of washers 40b... 40b are attached may be attached to the main body 30e of the pusher table 30. The washers 40b... 40b may be directly attached to the main body 30e without using the plate 40.
[0058]
The plate 40 may be an elastic body. For example, as shown in FIG. 24B, a rubber sheet 40B provided with a large number of convex portions 40c... 40c may be attached to the main body 30e of the pusher table 30. Even without the convex portions 40c... 40c, it is possible to relieve the impact of the collision of medals by the elasticity of the rubber sheet and to repel the medals in a non-uniform direction.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the medal game machine of the present invention, when the inserted medal collides with the pusher table, the impact collided by the uneven portion is reduced. Therefore, the medal falls down on the board early. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a state in which the inserted medal collides with the pusher table and rebounds and overlaps the medal placed in the accumulation area. Furthermore, since the rebound direction is non-uniform, it is possible to avoid a situation in which inserted medals overlap in the non-accumulating region.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a medal game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the medal game machine of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of the medal game machine of FIG.
4 is a view showing an appearance of a pusher table and its driving device of the medal game machine shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a pusher table and its driving device of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
6 is an enlarged view of a main body and a plate of a pusher table of the medal game machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a view of the state in which the pusher table of the medal game machine of FIG. 1 reciprocates as viewed from the side of the pusher table.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation state of a bonus medal supply tray of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation state of a bonus medal supply tray of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a station of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a view showing a stacked medal supply unit of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
12 is a diagram showing an outline of the shape of a storage cylinder in the stacked medal supply unit in FIG. 12;
13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the medal game machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a stacked medal generation process executed by the CPU of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
15 is a diagram showing a method for determining whether or not the insertion timing in the stacked medal generation process of FIG. 14 is valid, and a method for counting the number of medals to be added to the number of inserted medals.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the movement status of the pusher table in relation to the determination method of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of event processing executed by the CPU of the medal game machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of bonus medal payout processing executed by the CPU of the medal game machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a modification of the stacked medal supply unit in FIG. 11;
20 is a diagram showing a modification of the configuration of the control system in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the ascending permission process executed by the CPU in the modification of FIGS. 19 and 20;
FIG. 22 is a view showing a modified example of the pusher table.
FIG. 23 is a view showing a modified example of the pusher table.
FIG. 24 is a view showing a modified example of the pusher table.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Medal pusher game machine
4 medal insertion part
15 board
30 pusher table
40 Plate (Uneven portion)
40a Hole (hole)
40B Rubber sheet (elastic body)

Claims (4)

Reservoir medals inserted from the medal insertion portion on board, the medals that remains its extruded at pusher table which moves along the board and out payment to the player, and a plate shape wherein the pusher table pushes the medals In the medal game machine having the extrusion surface of
A medal game machine, wherein an uneven portion is provided on the push-out surface of the pusher table so that a hole having a size that prevents medal passage is formed over the entire surface . A plate-like extrusion in which medals inserted from the medal insertion unit are accumulated on a board surface, and the accumulated medals are pushed out by a pusher table moving along the board surface to be paid out to the player, and the pusher table pushes out the medals. In a medal game machine having a plane,
Another member is formed on the plate-like extrusion surface of the pusher table so that a punch hole through which a medal can pass extends over the entire surface so that the punch hole is closed on the pusher table side. A medal game machine characterized by providing a section . 3. The medal according to claim 2, wherein a slit-like long hole having a long diameter in the vertical direction and wider than the thickness of the medal is formed in the separate member as the punched hole. game machine. 4. The medal game machine according to claim 2, wherein the separate member is made of an elastic material.

Images