JP4117692B2 - Supply management device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention allows a game ball stored in a storage area provided in each of a plurality of game machine installation islands installed in a game hall to be transmitted and received via a game ball transmission / reception device provided between the game machine installation islands. The present invention relates to a replenishment management device that performs control for adjusting the amount of game balls stored on a gaming machine installation island.

  Conventionally, this type of replenishment management device generally monitors the amount of game balls stored in a storage area provided in each of a plurality of game machine installation islands installed in a game arcade, and a plurality of game machines In order to keep the storage amount balance between the installed islands, control is performed to adjust the storage amount by sending and receiving game balls via the game ball sending and receiving devices provided between adjacent game machine installation islands.

  For example, the game balls are sent and received between the game machine installation islands via such a game ball transmission / reception device.For example, a transport chain that is oriented horizontally between the game machine installation islands adjacent to each other is constructed, By rotating the transport chain forward and backward, game balls are transported from a gaming machine installation island with a large ball storage amount to a gaming machine installation island with a small ball storage amount among mutually adjacent gaming machine installation islands. By supplying, there is one that averages the ball storage amount of a plurality of gaming machine installation islands installed in the pachinko parlor (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-317118 A (page 3-4, Fig. 1-2)

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, the ball storage amount of all game machine installation islands installed in the game store is averaged by sending and receiving game balls between mutually adjacent game machine installation islands. In order to achieve this, the process of adjusting the amount of storage between mutually adjacent game machine installation islands must be repeated between all other game machine installation islands. For example, one of the game machines installed in a game store Installation of a gaming machine with a counting device installed when the amount of storage on that gaming machine installation island is drastically reduced due to simultaneous occurrence of big hits on a plurality of gaming machines on the installation island, or when the business closes When the amount of storage on some of the gaming machines, especially the number of gaming machines installed on the edge of a plurality of gaming machines is significantly reduced or increased, such as when the amount of storage on the island increases rapidly smell Not only does it take time to average the difference in the amount of ball storage between adjacent game machine installation islands, but also after the amount of ball storage between the game machine installation islands is averaged. In addition, there is a difference with the amount of ball storage on other game machine installed islands, and it is necessary to adjust and average this, so the amount of storage between all game machine installed islands must be adjusted and averaged. Has a problem of requiring a lot of time.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and provides a replenishment management device capable of performing control for quickly adjusting the storage amount of game balls between a plurality of gaming machine installation islands. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above problem, a supply management device according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
A replenishment management device that performs control to adjust the amount of game balls stored in a storage area provided in each of a plurality of gaming machine installation islands installed in a game hall,
A group island group setting means for setting each of the plurality of gaming machine installation islands as a gaming machine installation island belonging to any one of the plurality of group island groups;
A storage amount specifying means for specifying a storage amount of game balls stored in each storage region of the gaming machine installation island;
Based on the specified result of the storage amount specifying means, the storage amount of the game balls of each adjacent gaming machine installation island in each group island group set by the group island group setting means was compared and compared. Inter-island determination means for determining whether or not the difference in storage amount has reached a predetermined inter-island determination value;
Based on the specified result of the storage amount specifying means, total storage amount specifying means for specifying the total storage amount of game balls in the group island group set by the group island group setting means,
Based on the specified result of the total storage amount specifying means, the total storage amount of the game balls of the mutually adjacent group island groups is compared, and the difference between the compared total storage amounts is a predetermined inter-island group determination value. An island group determination means for determining whether or not
When the inter-island determination means determines that the inter-island determination value has been reached, the storage amount is large among the adjacent gaming machine installed islands until the difference in the storage amount is less than the predetermined inter-island determination value. Inter-island supply control for supplying gaming balls to the gaming machine-installed island with a small amount of storage from the gaming machine-installed island through the inter-island game ball sending and receiving device, and the inter-island group determination means determined to have reached the inter-island group determination value Until the difference of the total storage amount becomes less than the predetermined determination value between the island groups, the gaming machine installed islands belonging to the group island group having a large total storage amount among the mutually adjacent group island groups Supply control means for performing inter-island group supply control for supplying game balls to the islands with game machines belonging to the group island group having a small total storage amount through the inter-island group game ball sending and receiving device;
With
The ball supply control means is capable of executing the island supply control and the island group supply control simultaneously.
According to this feature, not only game balls are sent and received due to a difference in storage amount between game machine installation islands that send and receive game balls, but also a plurality of group islands consisting of a plurality of game machine installation islands. By sending and receiving game balls due to the difference in the total storage amount of the group, it is possible to adjust the storage amount between each gaming machine installation island while adjusting the total storage amount in the group island group, It is possible to quickly adjust the storage amount of all the gaming machine installation islands installed in the game hall.

A supply management device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the supply management device according to claim 1,
When the island group between determining means determines that reaches ago Symbol island group determination value, before the transmission and reception of game balls in a group Island group mutual ends, game balls of a group island groups of the mutually the virtual total storage amount calculation means for calculating a virtual total storage amount at the time when transmission and reception of the game ball supply to Heidelberg loop island group has been completed,
The virtual total storage amount calculated by the virtual total storage amount calculation means, and the total storage amount of the other group island group adjacent to the group island group calculated the virtual total storage amount, as well as compare, the comparison Virtual determination means for determining whether or not the difference between the virtual total storage amount and the total storage amount has reached the predetermined inter-island group determination value;
With
Supply control between island groups in the ball supply control means,
When said virtual determination means determines that the difference between the previous SL virtual storage amount and the total storage amount of the other group island group has reached the decision value between the predetermined island group, calculates the virtual total accumulated amount advance the difference between the virtual total accumulated amount and the total accumulated amount the total storage amount is large group island group or al the total accumulated amount is small group island group of the group island group and the other groups island group wherein The game balls are supplied through the inter-island group game ball transmitting / receiving device until the inter-island group determination value is less than a predetermined value .
According to this feature, the group island group to which the supply gaming machine installation island in the mutual group island group belongs and another group island group without waiting for the end of transmission / reception of game balls in the mutual group island group. Game balls can be sent to and received from. That is, since the total storage amount of the three or more group island groups can be adjusted at the same time, the storage amount of all the gaming machine installation islands installed in the game hall can be quickly adjusted.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a gaming machine installation island 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. A gaming machine installation island in which a pachinko machine 2 that is a gaming machine and a ball lending processor (not shown) that lends a pachinko ball to be used for gaming in the pachinko machine 2 are arranged side by side on the front and rear surfaces thereof. It is.

  An upper tank 3 in which a pachinko ball, which is a game ball, is stored is provided at a substantially upper center in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine installation island 1. The pachinko ball stored in the upper tank 3 is stored in the upper tank 3. To the left and right supply rods 4L, 4R arranged to be inclined downward toward both longitudinal ends in the gaming machine installation island 1.

  In these supply rods 4L and 4R, tributary rods 5 for supplying the pachinko balls flowing down to the respective pachinko machines 2 are provided on the side plates on the front and rear sides of the supply rods 4L and 4R at predetermined intervals in the flow-down direction. A plurality of pachinko balls supplied to these tributaries 5 are supplied to a ball tank 6 provided on the back of each pachinko machine 2.

  At the downstream end of the supply rods 4L, 4R, for example, a ball punching tube 7 is provided that allows pachinko balls in the supply rods 4L, 4R to flow into lower rods 10L, 10R described later during maintenance. Note that pachinko balls do not flow down into the ball removal tube 7 when ball removal in the supply rods 4L, 4R is unnecessary.

  In the lower part of the gaming machine installation island 1, an out ball tank 8 that temporarily stores the out ball discharged from the pachinko machine 2 corresponds to each pachinko machine 2 on the upper surface of the repair plate 13 on which the pachinko machine 2 is placed. A plurality are provided.

  Further, the gaming machine installation island 1 is connected continuously from the lower part of the overflow cylinder 57 provided in the upper tank 3 in the up-down direction, and the pachinko ball flowing from the upper end opening of the overflow cylinder 57 is used as the gaming machine installation island 1. An overflow rod 12 and an overflow pipe 18 that lead to lower tanks 9L and 9R provided in the lower part of the tank are disposed. The upper end opening of the overflow cylinder 57 is provided at a predetermined height position in the upper tank 3, and surplus spheres supplied after the storage level of the upper tank 3 reaches the highest level flow out of the upper tank 3. Thus, the excess sphere is prevented from overflowing from the upper tank 3.

  Below the patch plate 13 on which the pachinko machine 2 is placed, lower tanks 9L and 9R for storing pachinko balls are respectively provided. In the lower tanks 9L and 9R, lower baskets 10L and 10R into which pachinko balls discharged from the overflow pipe 18 flow are arranged so as to incline downward toward the center in the longitudinal direction on the gaming machine installation island 1, respectively. ing. The pachinko balls that flow down in the lower rods 10L and 10R have openings 11 formed in the left and right side plates in the flow direction, and openings (not shown) formed at predetermined positions on the downstream end of the bottom plate. Thus, the pachinko balls are dropped so as to be stored substantially evenly in the longitudinal direction in the lower tanks 9L, 9R.

  A counting device 15 for counting the pachinko balls acquired by the player is disposed at the island edge of the gaming machine installation island 1 on the left side in FIG. 1, and the pachinko thrown into the counting device 15 is disposed. The sphere flows into the lower basket 10L through the discharge passage 16 provided continuously from the sphere insertion port 15a provided in the counting device 15, and is discharged and stored in the lower tank 9L.

  Further, on the left and right sides of the lower rods 10L and 10R in the flow direction, side rods 17L and 17R separate from the lower rods 10L and 10R for collecting the pachinko balls discharged from the respective out ball tanks 8 are arranged in parallel. Has been. The downstream side ends of these side rods 17L, 17R are extended into the storage tanks 200L, 200R disposed between the lower tanks 9L, 9R and the lifting device 325, and the side rods 17L The pachinko balls recovered in the 17R are directly stored in the storage tanks 200L and 200R without being stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R. When the pachinko balls overflow from the side rods 17L, 17R, they are stored in the lower tanks 9L, 9R via the lower rods 10L, 10R.

  Mini lifts 210L and 210R for lifting pachinko balls stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R to the storage tanks 200L and 200R are respectively provided on the lifting device 325 side of the lower tanks 9L and 9R. Further, on the side of the lifting device 325 of 210L and 210R, there are provided lifting tanks 200aL and 200aR that can store pachinko balls that have been lifted and discharged by the mini-lifts 210L and 210R, respectively.

  By driving the mini-lifts 210L and 210R, the storage balls stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R are transferred to the mini-lifts via the storage ball outlet 9a (see FIG. 1) formed in the lower tanks 9L and 9R. 210L, 210R flows into the interior of the mini lifts 210L, 210R, and is discharged into the transport tanks 200aL, 200aR through the storage tanks 200L, 200R. Yes. Therefore, when the mini-lifts 210L and 210R are not driven, the pachinko balls in the lower tanks 9L and 9R are not lifted and discharged to the storage tanks 200L and 200R. Therefore, the mini-lifts 210L and 200R are removed from the lower tanks 9L and 9R. Plays a role in regulating the outflow of pachinko balls. The pachinko balls that have flowed into the storage tanks 200L and 200R are guided to the cleaning device 50 via the guide rods 24L and 24R, and are cleaned by the cleaning device 50.

  After being cleaned by the cleaning device 50, the pachinko balls that have flowed out through the outflow trough 26 are lifted by the lifting device 325 disposed in the center in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine installation island 1, and the upper tank 3 It is supposed to be discharged. The lifting device 325 includes an endless timing belt in which a plurality of buckets capable of accommodating pachinko balls are attached at predetermined intervals in a box body facing the vertical direction constituting the outer shape of the lifting device. It is spanned between a drive gear and a driven rotor provided at the upper and lower portions, and is configured so that the bucket circulates in the vertical direction by rotating the drive gear and rotating the timing belt. A conventionally known bucket-type lifting device is applied.

  As the timing belt circulates and rotates in this way, after being cleaned by the cleaning device 50, the pachinko ball flows in from the storage ball inlet 327 provided on the ascending path of the bucket at the lower part of the lifting device 325, and rises. It is accommodated in a bucket to be transported and is transported and discharged into the upper tank 3 from a transporting ball discharge port 328 provided at the top of the box. The mini-lifts 210R and 210L provided on the lower ends of the lower tanks 9L and 9R are configured in substantially the same manner as the above-described lifting device 325, although the scales such as length and width are different. Such explanation is omitted.

  Thus, supply rods 4L, 4R, branch rods 5, lower rods 10L, 10R, overflow rod 12, overflow pipe 18, side rods 17L, 17R, guide rods 24L, which are arranged in the gaming machine installation island 1, 24R, spillage 26, upper tank 3, lower tanks 9L, 9R, storage tanks 200L, 200R, lifting tanks 200aL, 200aR, pachinko machine 2, cleaning device 50, lifting device 235, minilifts 210L, 210R, etc. Constitutes a circulation path for circulating pachinko balls to be supplied to the pachinko machine 2 in the gaming machine installation island 1.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a state in which the inside of a game shop in which a plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 configured as described above are installed is viewed from above. The plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game store in this way are adjacent to each other via various transmission / reception rods (400a, 400b, 401, 402a, 402b) installed between the gaming machine installation islands 1. By sending and receiving pachinko balls between the gaming machine installation islands 1, the pachinko ball storage amount (storage level) on each gaming machine installation island 1 can be adjusted. The adjustment of the storage amount performed through the basket is controlled by a management computer 430 described later.

  Here, the installation situation of each gaming machine installation island 1 in this embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 are installed in the game store, and each of these gaming machine installations is installed. Between the islands 1, any of three types of transmission / reception devices (400a, 400b, 401, 402a, 402b) are provided. In the following description, Nos. 01 to 20 attached in the rectangular frame of each gaming machine installation island 1 are used. Each gaming machine installation island 1 having a different installation position is identified and referred to by using.

  In this example, No. Among the game machine installation island 1 of 01-20, No. 01-05, no. 06-10, no. 11-15, no. 16 to 20 game machine installation islands 1 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals so that they are parallel to each other, and each of these game machine installation islands 1 is displayed on a group island group setting screen described later. It is set to belong to only one group island group among the four group island groups. Specifically, no. 01-05 gaming machine installation island 1 is group island group A, No.1. The game machine installation island 1 of 06 to 10 is group island group B, No. 11 to 15 gaming machine installation island 1 is group island group C, No. 1; 16 to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 are gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to the group island group D.

  Each gaming machine installation island 1 of each of these group island groups A to D is disposed to face each gaming machine installation island 1 of another group island group so as to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. That is, the gaming machine installation islands 1 facing each other in each group island group are arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine installation islands 1.

  In addition, these No. Among the game machine installation island 1 of 01-20, No. The counting device 15 {abbreviated as JC (jet counter)} described above is disposed at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine installation island 1 of 02, 04, 17, and 19.

  No. Three types of transmission / reception devices of types A to C having different structures are applied between 01 to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1. Specifically, no. 01-02 / 02-03 / 03-04-04 / 04-05 / 06-06-07-07-08 / 08-09 / 09-10 / 11-12 / 12-13 / 13-14 / 14-15 / 16- A type A transmission / reception device (also referred to as a shutter type) described later is applied between the gaming machine installation islands 1 of 17 / 17-18 / 18-19. A B-type transmission / reception device (also referred to as a conveyor type) is applied between the gaming machine installation islands 1 to 19-20. A C-type (also referred to as a mini-lift type) transmission / reception device is applied between the gaming machine installation islands 1 of 01-06 / 10-15 / 11-16.

  No. In the 20 gaming machine installation islands 1, depending on the installation situation in the gaming store, the width dimension in the longitudinal direction, that is, the overall length is shorter than the other gaming machine installation islands 1, and one lower tank The longitudinal dimension of 9R is shorter than the lower tank 9R of the other gaming machine installation island 1. Therefore, as will be described later, the number of detection sensors for detecting the storage amount in the lower tank 9R of the other gaming machine installation island 1 is six, whereas The number of detection sensors for detecting the amount of storage in the lower tank 9R of the 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 is three.

  Here, no. The structure of each of the three types (A to C type) of conventionally known transmission / reception devices applied between 01 to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  First, no. A type of transmission / reception device that is a basic type of transmission / reception device provided between 01 to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 is connected to one of the adjacent gaming machine installation islands 1. Inclined sending / receiving rods 400a, 400b constructed to incline downward toward the lower side, and a regulation position for regulating the supply of pachinko balls to the gaming machine installation island 1 on the lower side of the inclined sending / receiving rods 400a, 400b and the regulation Is mainly composed of a ball receiving shutter (not shown) that can be raised and lowered between the release position and the electromagnetic solenoid 403 (see FIG. 2) that raises and lowers (drives) the ball receiving shutter. Yes.

  Inclined sending / receiving rods 400a and 400b are connected at one end to an outlet (not shown) formed at a predetermined upper portion of the side plate of upper tank 3 on one gaming machine installation island 1, and at the other end to the other gaming machine. Connected to an inflow port (not shown) formed at a lower portion of the side plate of the upper tank 3 on the installation island 1 and inclined downward from the outlet port of one upper tank 3 toward the inlet port of the other upper tank 3 It is constructed to do. Then, the electromagnetic solenoid 403 is driven to open the inlet with the ball receiving shutter provided at the inlet as the release position, so that the pachinko balls that have flowed out from the outlet of one upper tank flow into the other upper tank 3. It flows down naturally toward the inlet and flows into the upper tank 3. Each outlet is not provided with a shutter, and when the amount of storage in the upper tank 3 reaches the upper outlet, pachinko balls naturally flow out from the outlet.

  Further, the pachinko balls that have flowed into the upper tank 3 from the inflow port are not stored in the upper tank 3, but merge into the overflow basket 12, and the lower tank passes through the overflow basket 12 and the overflow pipe 18. It is stored in 9L and 9R.

  The overflow basket 12 is not particularly shown in detail, but pachinko balls that have flowed into the overflow basket 12 preferentially flow out to the side opposite to the arrangement side of the counting device 15 across the lifting device 325. It is configured.

  As described above, in the A type transmission / reception device, the electromagnetic solenoid 403 as a driving device for driving the ball receiving shutter is provided on each of the mutual game machine installation islands 1 for transmitting / receiving pachinko balls. When performing the operation, it is necessary to drive the electromagnetic solenoid 403 of the gaming machine installation island 1 on the side receiving the pachinko ball from the other gaming machine installation island 1.

  Next, no. A B-type transmission / reception device provided between 19-20 gaming machine installation islands 1 includes a cylindrical transmission / reception rod 401 constructed between adjacent gaming machine installation islands 1 and pachinko balls in the transmission / reception cage 401. Is mainly composed of a conveyor 450 for transferring the conveyor and a conveyor motor 451 for driving the conveyor 450.

  Conveyor 450 is No. 19 driven pulleys (not shown) provided in the upper tank 3 of the gaming machine installation island 1; 20 game machine installation island 1 is composed of a drive pulley provided in the upper tank 3 of the island 1 and a conveyor belt (not shown) spanned in the horizontal direction, and rotates by driving the conveyor motor 451. The conveyor belt is rotated through the drive pulley.

  No. On the side plates of the upper tank 3 of each of the gaming machine installation islands 1, 19 and 20, an outlet (not shown) for allowing the stored balls stored in the upper tank 3 to flow out to the conveyor 450 is formed, The pachinko balls that have flowed out from the outlet are dropped near the longitudinal end of the conveyor 450 and are transferred by the conveyor 450. The pachinko balls that are transferred by the conveyor 450 and fall from the end of the conveyor 450 Is stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R via the overflow basket 12 and the overflow pipe 18 without being stored in the upper tank 3.

  The conveyor 450 configured in this manner is driven in the forward and reverse directions by rotating the conveyor motor 451 to rotate the conveyor belt (not shown) in the forward and reverse directions. From No. 19 gaming island 1 No. 20 game machine installation island 1 or No. From No. 20 game machine installation island 1 No. Each pachinko ball can be transported to 19 gaming machine installation islands 1. That is, the B-type transmission / reception device can transfer the pachinko balls toward the respective game machine installation islands 1 by one conveyor 450.

  In this way, in the B type transmission / reception device, since the conveyor motor 451 for driving the conveyor 450 is disposed on any one of the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 for transmitting and receiving pachinko balls, When performing the above, it is necessary to drive the conveyor motor 451 disposed on any one of the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 in the normal rotation direction or in the reverse direction depending on the direction in which the pachinko balls are transferred.

  Next, no. The C-type transmission / reception device provided between the 01-06 / 10-15 / 11-16 gaming machine installation islands 1 is arranged at the upper part on the opposite end side of the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 arranged opposite to each other. A relay lift 460 that lifts pachinko balls that have flowed out of the upper tank 3, and a slanting receptacle that is tilted downward toward one of the gaming machine installation islands 1 between the relay lifts 460. 402a and 402b, and a lift motor 472 that drives a lift (not shown) of the relay lift 460.

  The inclined feed rods 402a and 402b are connected at one end to an outlet (not shown) formed at a predetermined upper portion of the side plate of one relay lift 460 and at the other end a predetermined lower portion of the side plate of the other relay lift 460. One relay lift is connected to an inlet (not shown) formed at a location and inclined downward from the outlet of one relay lift 460 toward the inlet of the other relay lift 460. The pachinko balls that have flowed out from the outlet 460 naturally flow down toward the inlet of the other relay lift 460 and flow into the relay lift 460.

  In each relay lift 460, an inlet for receiving pachinko balls that have flowed out from an outlet (not shown) formed at a predetermined position on the side plate upper portion of the upper tank 3 in the relay lift 460 is provided at the lower portion of the side plate facing the upper tank 3. (Not shown) are formed, and the outlet and the inlet are connected via a relay inclined rod 467. When the storage amount in the upper tank 3 reaches a predetermined level or more, the pachinko from the outlet is formed. The ball naturally flows out, and the pachinko ball flowing out from the outlet of the upper tank 3 flows into the inlet of the relay lift 460 by natural flow.

  The relay lift 460 is not specifically shown in detail, but a conventionally known bucket-type lifting device having the same structure as the lifting device 325 and the mini-lifts 210L and 210R arranged on the gaming machine installation island 1 is applied. Therefore, a detailed description of the structure here will be omitted, but unless the lift motor 472 is driven, the pachinko balls of the relay inclined rod 467 are lifted and flown into the inclined receiving rods 402a and 402b. Therefore, it can be said that this relay lift 460 has a function of restricting the outflow of pachinko balls into the inclined sending / receiving rods 402a and 402b and a function of releasing the restriction.

  On the other hand, the pachinko balls that have flowed into the slanting baskets 402a and 402b by the relay lift 460 flow down in the cage and flow into the other relay lift 460, and then are arranged on the other gaming machine installation island 1 It is stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R through the overflow tank 12 and the overflow pipe 18 thus formed.

  As described above, in the present type C transmission / reception device, the lift motor 472 as a driving device for driving the lift (not shown) of the relay lift 460 is provided in each of the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 for transmitting and receiving pachinko balls. Therefore, when sending and receiving balls, it is necessary to drive the lift motor 472 of the gaming machine installation island 1 on the side that supplies the pachinko balls toward the other gaming machine installation island 1.

  Thus, the above-mentioned No. Between the game machines installation islands 01 to 20, any type of transmission / reception devices of the above A to C are provided, and the mutual game machine installation islands 1 connected via the transmission / reception devices are provided. Pachinko balls can be sent and received between them.

  Further, as will be described later, an upper limit storage amount detection sensor 204 and a lower limit storage amount detection sensor 205 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided in the upper tank 3 of each gaming machine installation island 1. When the pachinko ball storage level at 1 is lower than the arrangement position of the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 205, that is, when the lower limit storage amount level is reached, the mini-lifts 210L and 210R are driven and the pachinko balls from the lower tanks 9L and 9R are driven. The pachinko balls stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R are circulated and used, and the stored amount of pachinko balls is stored up to the position where the upper limit storage amount detection sensor 204 is arranged, that is, the upper limit storage amount level is reached. When reaching, the lifting of the mini-lifts 210L and 210R is stopped.

  Although not specifically shown in detail, the cleaning device 50 is provided with an oscillating motor, which is provided in the horizontal direction on the upper part of the apparatus main body configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and on which the cleaning sheet is laid in a replaceable manner. 58 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the sludge adhering to the surface of the pachinko ball by sliding the pachinko ball placed on the clean sheet and the clean sheet by swinging in the horizontal direction (eccentric rotation). However, not only a device that cleans pachinko balls by such horizontal swinging of the swing plate, but also a cleaning device that slides on the cleaning sheet when the pachinko balls are lifted, for example. It may be applied and can be arbitrarily changed.

  Next, based on FIG.3 and FIG.4, the structure of the gaming machine installation island 1 in a present Example is demonstrated. In the following, no. No. 01-20. No. 02 to 05, 07 to 09, 12 to 14, 17 to 18 will be mainly described. No. 01, 06, 10, 11, 15, 16, 19, 20 Only the parts different in configuration from the gaming machine installation island 1 of 02 to 05, 07 to 09, 12 to 14, and 17 to 18 will be described.

  In the gaming machine installation island 1, various devices (lifting device 325, cleaning device 50, etc.) arranged inside, and various storage devices (lower tanks 9L, 9R, upper tank 3, etc.) are arranged. Sensors are connected, and the pachinko balls are circulated in the gaming machine installation island 1 by performing drive control of various devices according to the storage state of the pachinko balls in each storage area.

  Specifically, it is connected via a communication cable K to a management computer 430 as a replenishment management device that manages the operating status of various devices on all gaming machine installation islands and the storage status in each storage tank as will be described later. An island controller 421 is arranged on each gaming machine installation island 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the management computer 430 is connected to the island controller 421 in the gaming machine installation island 1, and includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 432 that controls the island controller 421, a control program in the management computer 430, and the like. It is mainly composed of a control unit 431 provided with a stored storage unit 433, a display unit 434 (output device), and an input unit 435 (input device).

  The island controller 421 includes a pachinko machine 2 disposed on the gaming machine installation island 1, an upper limit storage amount detection sensor 204 for detecting an upper limit storage amount in the upper tank 3, and a lower limit storage amount in the upper tank 3. The lower limit storage amount detection sensor 205 for detecting the amount of storage, the plurality of storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f for detecting the storage amount in the lower tank 9L, and the plurality of storage amounts for detecting the storage amount in the lower tank 9R Storage amount detection sensors 411a to 411f, a rotation detection sensor 412L for detecting the rotation status of the mini-lift 210L, an upper limit storage amount detection sensor 202L for detecting an upper limit storage amount in the lifting tank 200aL, and a lower limit storage amount are detected. Mini-lift controller 413L to which the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203L is connected and the rotation of the mini-lift 210R A mini-lift controller to which a rotation detection sensor 412R for detecting a situation, an upper limit storage amount detection sensor 202R for detecting an upper limit storage amount in the lift tank 200aR, and a lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203R for detecting a lower limit storage amount are connected 413R, a ball sending / receiving controller 414 for controlling the opening / closing of the ball receiving shutter (electromagnetic solenoid 403), a lift controller 415 for controlling the driving of the lifting device 325, the driving status of various devices in the gaming machine installation island 1, and Display device 417 for confirming the storage status of each storage area, inflow ball detection sensor 120 provided in guide rod 24L, inflow ball detection sensor 121 provided in guide rod 24R, and outflow ball detection provided in outflow rod 26 A cleaning controller 418 to which the sensor 122 and the swing motor 58 are respectively connected; It has been continued. The clean controller 418 is connected to the island controller 421 via the lift controller 415.

  The lift controller 415 is provided at the lifting ball discharge port 328 of the lifting device 325, and detects whether or not the upper tank 3 is full and a ball is clogged at the lifting ball discharge port 328. A ball clogging sensor 416 is connected.

  No. Regarding the game machine installation island 1 of 01, 06, 10, 11, 15 and 16, in addition to the electromagnetic solenoid 403 of the ball receiving shutter, a lift motor 472 of a relay lift 460 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure is used for ball sending and receiving. Connected to controller 414.

  No. With respect to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1, instead of the electromagnetic solenoid 403 of the ball receiving shutter, a conveyor motor 451 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing for driving the conveyor 450 is connected to the ball sending / receiving controller 414.

  In addition, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 installs each gaming machine based on detection signals from the storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411f transmitted via the island controller 421 of each gaming machine installation island 1. While specifying the storage amount (storage amount level) of pachinko balls in the lower tanks 9L and 9R of the island 1, calculation (comparison) of the respective storage amount level differences is performed. That is, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 in the present embodiment, based on the detection results of the storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411f transmitted via the island controller 421, the lower tank of each gaming machine installation island 1 The storage amount specifying means for specifying the storage amount levels of 9L and 9R is configured.

  Next, the outline of the control contents of various devices by the management computer 430 and the island controller 421 and the circulation state of the pachinko balls in the gaming machine installation island 1 of the present embodiment configured as above will be briefly described. In the following, no. The situation on the gaming machine installation island 1 of 03 will be described as an example.

  The island controller 421 constantly drives the lifting device 325 via the lift controller 415. In addition, the lift controller 415 drives the swing motor 58 to clean when the detection signal input from one of the inflow ball detection sensors 120 and 121 provided in the guide rods 24L and 24R continues for a predetermined time. When the cleaning by the device 50 is started and a predetermined time elapses or when the detection signal input from the outflow ball detection sensor 122 continues for a predetermined time, that is, when a ball clogging occurs in the outflow rod 26, the swing motor 58 Stop driving.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the pachinko balls collected in the side rods 17L and 17R flow into the cleaning device 50 in preference to the pachinko balls stored in the lower tanks 9L and 9R and are cleaned. Since the pachinko ball used in the game in the pachinko machine 2 is preferentially cleaned and cleaned, the lifter 325 is used to lift the pachinko ball. It is transported and stored in the upper tank 3 and supplied again to the ball tank 6 of each pachinko machine 2 through the supply rod 4 and the branch rod 5.

  For example, when input of detection signals from the upper limit storage amount detection sensor 204 and the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 205 of the upper tank 3 is interrupted, that is, when the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 becomes the lower limit storage amount level. The island controller 421 first determines whether or not there is a storage ball in the one lower tank 9L. Specifically, it is determined whether there is an input of a detection signal from at least the storage amount detection sensor 410a arranged at the lowest position based on the detection status by the storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f, and the storage amount detection is performed. When it is determined that there is an input of a detection signal from the sensor 410a, the mini lift controller 413L serving as a supply unit is requested to supply a pachinko ball, and the mini lift controller 413L receives the supply request, The mini-lift 210L is driven according to the output status from the detection sensor 202L and the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203L. As a result, the pachinko balls stored in the lower tank 9L are preferentially lifted over the lower tank 9R and supplied to the cleaning device 50, and are pumped up to the upper tank 3 by the lifting device 325. Pachinko balls will be replenished.

  The mini-lift controller 413L repeats driving and stopping of the mini-lift 210L in accordance with the output status from the upper limit storage amount detection sensor 202L and the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203L while the lifting and replenishment request is made from the island controller 421. . Specifically, the drive is stopped when a detection signal is input from the upper limit storage amount detection sensor 202L and the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203L, and the drive is performed when a detection signal is input only from the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203L. Let

  In this state or when it is determined that there is no input of detection signals from all the storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f, for example, when the transfer request is made from the island controller 421, the island controller 421 It is determined whether or not there is a storage ball in the lower tank 9R. Specifically, it is determined whether there is an input of a detection signal from at least the storage amount detection sensor 411a arranged at the lowest position based on the detection status by the storage amount detection sensors 411a to 411f, and the storage amount detection is performed. When it is determined that there is an input of a detection signal from the sensor 411a, the opposite side according to the output status from the upper limit storage amount detection sensor 202R and the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 203R via a mini lift controller 413R as a supply means The mini lift 210R is driven. As a result, the pachinko balls stored in the lower tank 9R are lifted and supplied to the cleaning device 50, lifted to the upper tank 3 by the lifting device 325, and the upper tank 3 is replenished with the pachinko balls. Become.

  In addition, the lifting process performed based on such a lifting replenishment request by the island controller 421 has detection signals input from both the upper limit storage amount detection sensor 204 and the lower limit storage amount detection sensor 205 of the upper tank 3. Until now.

  As described above, when the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 exceeds the lower limit storage amount level, only the pachinko balls discharged from the pachinko machine 2 by appropriately driving the lifting device 325 and the cleaning device 50 are present. For example, when a large hit or the like occurs in a plurality of pachinko machines 2, and there is a possibility that replenishment to the pachinko machine 2 may not be in time with only the stored balls stored in the upper tank 3, That is, when the storage amount level of the upper tank 3 becomes the lower limit storage amount level, etc., the storage ball of the lower tank 9L is used preferentially than the storage ball of the lower tank 9R, and is still not in time. In this case, the storage ball of the lower tank 9R is circulated and used.

  Further, in this embodiment, the management computer 430 transmits the lower tank transmitted through the island controller 421 of each gaming machine installation island 1 while performing the lifting process in each gaming machine installation island 1 as described above. Based on detection signals from the various detection sensors 9L and 9R, the entire storage amount level of each gaming machine installation island 1 is specified, and the storage amount levels of the adjacent gaming machine installation islands 1 are compared.

  When it is determined that the difference in the storage amount level between any one of the gaming machine installation islands 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level difference, the gaming machine having a low storage amount level among the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 The game machine installation island 1 in which the drive device of the transmission / reception device that needs to be driven to supply the pachinko ball toward the installation island 1 is specified, and the island of the specified game machine installation island 1 is specified. A supply signal for performing a ball transmission / reception process is output to the controller 421, and control for adjusting the storage level of the mutual gaming machine installation island 1 is performed.

  Further, such control for adjusting the storage amount level is not only performed when the difference between the storage amount levels between the gaming machine installation islands 1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined level difference as described above, but will be described later. In addition, it is also performed when a predetermined level equal to or lower than the reference storage amount level determined for each gaming machine installation island 1 is reached. The detailed adjustment control content of the storage amount level performed by the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 will be described later.

  In the storage unit 433 in the management computer 430 in the present embodiment, the detection patterns of the storage amount detection sensors (410a to 410f, 411a to 411f) used by being disposed in the lower tanks 9L and 9R in each gaming machine installation island 1 are used. The storage amount table that defines the storage amount (storage amount level, number of stored spheres) corresponding to is registered for each number of storage amount detection sensors (in this embodiment, 6 to 12 sensors individually).

  9A, when the number of storage amount detection sensors in the storage amount table is set to 12 on the sensor amount setting screen (see FIG. 6) described later (No. 01 in this embodiment). To 19 game machine installation islands 1) are shown, and FIG. 9B shows a case where the number of storage quantity detection sensors is set to 9 (No. in this embodiment). A storage amount table applied to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1) is shown.

  In these storage amount tables, among the storage amount detection sensors arranged in the left and right lower tanks 9L and 9R of each gaming machine installation island 1, the storage amounts corresponding to the total number of sensors to which detection signals are output, respectively. The storage amount level and the number of stored spheres are determined in accordance with the level and the number of stored spheres, that is, the detection amount of the storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411f. In addition, the storage amount level in a present Example is represented by six steps of 1-6.

  Specifically, for example, no. As an example, a case where six (a total of twelve) storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411f are arranged and set in the lower tanks 9L and 9R of the 01 gaming machine installation island 1 will be described. 9 (a), the total storage amount obtained by summing the storage amounts of the lower tanks 9L and 9R when only the detection signal from any one storage amount detection sensor is output to the island controller 421 is When the storage amount level is level 1, the number of storage balls is 20,000, and when the number of storage amount detection sensors is 2, the number of storage balls is 40,000 and the number of storage amount detection sensors is three. In the case of the storage amount level 2, when the number of storage balls is 60,000, and when the number of the storage amount detection sensors is 4, the storage amount level 2 is the number of storage balls 80,000, and the number of the storage amount detection sensors is 5. Is stored at level 3 When the number of balls is 100,000 and the number of storage amount detection sensors is 6, the number of stored balls is at storage amount level 3 and when the number of storage amount detection sensors is 7 When the number of 140,000 balls and the number of storage detection sensors is 8, the number of storage balls is 160,000 at the storage level 4, and when the number of storage detection sensors is 9, the number of storage balls is 180,000 at the storage level 5. When the number of spheres and the storage amount detection sensor is 10, the storage amount level is 200,000, and when the number of storage amount detection sensors is 11, the storage amount is 6 and the storage amount is 220,000. When the number of the storage amount detection sensors is 12, the storage amount level is 6 and the number of stored balls is 240,000.

  Also, for example, No. When six storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411c are arranged and set in the lower tank 9L of the 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 and three (a total of 12) in the lower tank 9R, FIG. As shown in b), the total storage amount obtained by summing the storage amounts of the lower tanks 9L and 9R when only the detection signal from any one storage amount detection sensor is output to the island controller 421 is stored. When the quantity level is level 1, the number of stored balls is 10,000, and when the quantity of the storage quantity detection sensor is 2, the quantity of the storage quantity is 20000, the quantity of the storage quantity detection sensor is 3 Is stored at level 3, the number of stored balls is 60,000, and when the number of stored amount detection sensors is 4, the stored amount is at level 3, stored at 80,000 balls, and when the number of stored amount detection sensors is 5, Volume level 4 with 100,000 stored balls, When the number of retention detection sensors is 6, the number of stored balls is 120,000 at storage level 4, and when the number of storage detection sensors is 7, the number of storage balls is 140,000 at storage level 5. When the number of detection sensors is 8, the number of stored balls is 160,000 at the storage amount level 5, and when the number of storage amount detection sensors is 9, the storage amount is 6 and the number of stored balls is 180,000.

  Needless to say, the storage amount detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411f of the lower tanks 9L and 9R are used to store the storage amount level and the number of stored balls registered in advance in each of these storage amount tables and the actual pachinko balls. The lower tanks 9 </ b> L and 9 </ b> R are arranged at a plurality of different positions in the longitudinal direction or at different height positions so that the storage amount at the time of detection corresponds.

  The control unit 431 of the management computer 430 is, for example, No. In the lower tanks 9L and 9R of the 01 gaming machine installation island 1, each of the six storage volume detection sensors 410a to 410f and 411a to 411f in total is set to be used for use by six islands. No. 01 of the gaming machine installation island 1 The storage status detection sensors 410a to 410f and 410a to 410f of the respective lower tanks 9L and 9R output via the island controller 421 are registered in the storage amount table. By comparing the detected patterns, the total storage amount (the total storage amount level and the total number of stored balls) obtained by summing the storage amounts of the pachinko spheres of the lower tanks 9L and 9R is specified. The total storage amount of 9R is set as the total storage amount in the gaming machine installation island 1.

  In this embodiment, the total storage amount of the lower tanks 9L and 9R in each gaming machine installation island 1 is defined as the total storage amount in the gaming machine installation island 1, and this is used as another game. The storage amount is compared with the machine-installed island 1, but the total storage amount of the lower tanks 9L and 9R and the storage amount of the pachinko balls in the upper tank 3 are summed. The total storage amount in the machine installation island 1 may be used.

  Then, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 displays the difference in the storage amount level between any one of the gaming machine installation islands 1 capable of performing ball sending / receiving through the transmission / reception device on a storage amount level setting screen described later. When the level difference (determination value) is set, the supply signal for supplying the pachinko ball to the gaming machine installation island 1 having a low storage amount level between the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 is transmitted. The game machine installation island 1 is specified, and the supply signal is transmitted to the island controller 421 of the specified game machine installation island 1 to send and receive the balls, and the storage level between the game machine installation islands 1 is adjusted. Control.

  Further, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 not only performs control for adjusting the storage amount level between the gaming machine installation islands 1 as described above, but also specifies the storage amount level of each gaming machine installation island 1. Based on the identification result, the total storage amount level of each of the group island groups A to D (the total storage amount level obtained by adding up the total storage amount of all the gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to each group island group) is specified. Based on the identification result, the total storage amount levels of the group island groups AB, BC, and CD are compared.

  And when the total storage amount level difference of any mutual group island group turns into the level difference (judgment value) set on the storage amount level setting screen mentioned later, total storage of this mutual group island group A gaming machine installation island 1 that transmits a supply signal for supplying a pachinko ball toward a group island group having a low quantity level is specified, and the supply signal is transmitted to the island controller 421 of the specified gaming machine installation island 1 The ball is sent and received via the C-type sending and receiving device, and control is performed to adjust the total storage amount level of the group island groups.

  Furthermore, when it is determined that the total storage level difference between any of the group island groups has reached the level difference (determination value), before the transmission / reception of the balls in the group island group is completed, Calculating the virtual total storage level when the ball transmission and reception of the group island group to which the supply gaming machine installation island 1 on the side supplying the pachinko balls of the group island group belongs is completed, and the calculated virtual total storage amount, Separately from the mutual group island group, the total storage amount level of the other group island group that sends and receives balls to and from the group island group to which the supply gaming machine installation island belongs is compared. When it is determined that the level difference between the compared virtual total storage amount level and total storage amount level has reached the level (determination value), the group island group to which the supply gaming machine installation island belongs and the other group Pachinko via the C-type transmission / reception device from the gaming machine installed island 1 belonging to the group island group having a high total storage level to the gaming machine installed island 1 belonging to the group island group having a low total storage level among the island group By supplying the spheres, control is performed to adjust the total storage level in the group islands of each other. The adjustment control contents of the total storage amount level of each group island group will be described later.

  Next, various settings by the management computer 430 will be described below.

  In the present embodiment, management is performed according to the type (type) of the transmission / reception device provided between each gaming machine installation island 1 installed in the game store, the size of the lower tanks 9L and 9R, the arrangement status of the counting device 15, and the like. These various settings can be performed by the management computer 430 so that the contents of the control performed by the computer 430 may change even if the control contents are changed.

  The management computer 430 can display a menu screen (not shown) in which various setting contents are displayed in a list, and each setting screen is displayed by selecting one of the setting contents from the menu screen. Has been configured.

  Here, first of all, the setting state of the transmission / reception device provided between the gaming machine installation islands 1 will be briefly described. By selecting the transmission / reception device type setting on the menu screen, the transmission / reception device type setting screen (not shown) Is displayed. In the transmission / reception device type setting screen, when the type of transmission / reception device provided between each gaming machine installation island 1 and the B type transmission / reception device are set in the displayed input field (not shown), the driving device ( Game machine installation island No. 1 where the conveyor motor 451) is arranged. The input content is set by selecting a setting button (not shown) displayed on the transmission / reception device type setting screen. The setting status of the transmission / reception device type in the present embodiment is as shown on the setting status confirmation screen of FIG.

  Next, the setting of the group island group will be described. FIG. 5 shows a group island group setting screen displayed by selecting the group island group setting on the menu screen. On the group island group setting screen, each of the plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game shop is set as a gaming machine installation island belonging to any one of the plurality of group island groups A to D. Can be done.

  Specifically, the type field 500 for inputting the type of the group island group, and the island number of the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to the type field 500. Enter the island No. A plurality of input fields consisting of a field 501 are displayed in the vertical direction, a setting button 504 for setting a numerical value input to each of these fields 500 501, a menu button 505 for returning to the menu screen, Is displayed, and the set numerical value is displayed at the bottom of the screen so that the setting status can be confirmed. A new input field is displayed by scrolling the scroll bar at the right end.

  In addition, the island No. The island No. input in the field 501 Although no detailed explanation is given, an individual island No. is assigned to each of the plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game shop. Island no. Settings can be made on a setting screen (not shown).

  Each field 500, 501 is a control box, and by selecting the arrow on the right side of each field, a list of numerical values that can be entered is displayed in a pull-down list. Etc. can be selected by using an input device 435 (input device), or can be input by directly typing alphabets or numerical values into the field.

  If these input contents are correct, clicking the setting button 504 in that state will set the input contents and return to the list display screen of various settings. When it is desired to change the input content, the input content of each field can be changed any number of times until the setting button 504 on the right side of the screen is clicked.

  In this embodiment, as described above, No. 01-05 gaming machine installation island 1 is group island group A, No.1. The game machine installation island 1 of 06 to 10 is group island group B, No. 11 to 15 gaming machine installation island 1 is group island group C, No. 1; 16 to 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 are set as gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to the group island group D, respectively.

  Next, setting of the sensor quantity will be described. FIG. 6 shows a sensor quantity setting screen displayed by selecting sensor quantity setting on the menu screen. In the sensor quantity setting screen, the quantity of the storage quantity detection sensors 410 and 411 used by being arranged in the lower tanks 9L and 9R of each gaming machine installation island 1 installed in the game store is used as the lower tanks 9L and 9R to be used. It can be set according to the size of the. In this figure, the island No. 1 has a shorter width (total length) in the longitudinal direction than the other gaming machine installation islands 1. A state in which the quantity of the storage amount detection sensor 410 disposed in the lower tank 9R (tank No. 20R) in the 20 gaming machine installation islands 1 (see FIG. 2) is set is shown.

  Specifically, the island No. for which the sensor quantity is set is set. Enter the island No. Field 506 and lower tank no. Enter the tank No. A field 507, a sensor quantity field 508 for inputting a sensor quantity, a setting button 504 for setting a numerical value input in these fields 506 to 508, and a menu button 505 for returning to a list display screen of various settings. The set numerical value is displayed at the bottom of the screen so that the setting status can be confirmed.

  Tank No. The lower tank number entered in the field 507 (01L-20L) corresponds to the lower tank 9L on each gaming machine installation island 1 (island No. 01-20). (01R-10R) corresponds to the lower tank 9R in each gaming machine installation island 1 (island No. 01-20).

  Each field 506 to 508 is a control box, and by selecting the arrow on the right side of each field, a list of numerical values that can be entered is displayed in a pull-down list, and any of the values displayed in the pull-down display is displayed as appropriate. Or the like can be selected by using an input device 435 (input device) or directly input.

  If these input contents are correct, clicking the setting button 504 in that state will set the input contents and return to the list display screen of various settings. When it is desired to change the input content, the input content of each field can be changed any number of times until the setting button 504 on the right side of the screen is clicked.

  In this embodiment, as described above, No. The number of storage ball detection sensors corresponding to each of the lower tanks 9L and 9R of the game machine installation islands 1 to 19 is set as six. The number of storage ball detection sensors corresponding to the 20 lower tanks 9L is set to 6, and the number of storage ball detection sensors corresponding to the lower tank 9R is set to 3.

  Next, the setting of the counting device will be described. FIG. 7 shows a counting device setting screen displayed by selecting the setting of the counting device on the menu screen. On the counting device setting screen, whether or not the counting device 15 (JC) is installed on the plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game store, in other words, the gaming machine installation island on which the counting device 15 is installed. 1 (JC Island) Can be set.

  Specifically, the island No. where the counting device 15 is installed is shown. Enter the island No. A plurality of fields 509 are displayed in the vertical direction, and the input numerical value is displayed at the bottom of the screen so that the input status can be confirmed. A new input field is displayed by scrolling the scroll bar at the right end.

  Each field 509 is a control box, and by selecting the arrow on the right side of each field, a list of numerical values that can be entered is displayed in a pull-down list. Selection can be made by using the input device 435 (input device) or by direct input.

  If these input contents are correct, the input contents are set by clicking the setting button 504 in that state, and the screen returns to a list display screen of various settings. When it is desired to change the input content, the input content of each field can be changed any number of times until the setting button 504 on the right side of the screen is clicked. In this embodiment, as described above, No. A counting device 15 (JC) is set in each of the game machine installation islands 1 of 02, 04, 17 and 19.

  Next, the setting of the storage amount level will be described. FIG. 8 shows a storage amount level setting screen displayed by selecting a storage amount level setting on the menu screen. In the storage amount level setting screen, a reference storage amount level serving as a reference for each of the plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game shop, and storage between each gaming machine installation island 1 and between each group island group A to D It is possible to set a storage amount level difference that is a determination value as to whether or not to adjust the amount level.

  Specifically, first, a reference storage amount level setting block for setting a reference storage amount level in each gaming machine installation island 1 is displayed on the upper left of the screen, and a counting device 15 is installed in the block. A reference level field 510 for inputting the reference storage amount level of the non-game machine installation island 1 and a reference level field 511 for inputting the reference storage amount level of the gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting device 15 is installed are displayed. ing.

  In the upper right of the screen, a storage amount level difference setting block for setting a storage amount level difference that is a determination value of whether or not to adjust the storage amount level between the gaming machine installation islands 1 is displayed. Are a storage amount level difference field 512 for inputting a storage amount level difference to be applied between the gaming machine installation islands 1 where the counting device 15 is not installed, and a gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting device 15 is not installed. And a storage amount level difference field 513 for inputting a storage amount level difference to be applied to the gaming machine installation island 1 in which the counting device 15 is installed.

  In the center of the screen, a total storage volume level difference setting block for setting a total storage volume level difference that is a determination value of whether or not to adjust the total storage volume level in each group island group is displayed. Includes two type fields 514 for inputting the types (A to D) of mutual group island groups that perform ball transmission and reception, and the storage level difference applied to the mutual group island groups input in these type fields 514 Are stored in parallel so as to correspond to the type field 514 on the left side. A new input field is displayed by scrolling the scroll bar at the right end.

  Each field 510 to 515 is a control box, and by selecting an arrow on the right side of each field, a list of numerical values that can be entered is displayed in a pull-down list. Or a numerical value or the like can be selected by using an input device 435 (input device), or an alphabet or a numerical value can be directly input into a field.

  If these input contents are correct, the input contents are set by clicking the setting button 504 in that state, and the screen returns to a list display screen of various settings. When it is desired to change the input content, the input content of each field can be changed any number of times until the setting button 504 on the right side of the screen is clicked.

  In this embodiment, the reference storage amount level of the normal gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting device 15 (JC) is not set is set to level 3 and the counting device 15 (JC) is set on the counting device setting screen. The reference storage amount level of the existing gaming machine installation island 1 (JC island) is set as level 2. In addition, the difference in the storage amount level that is the determination value of the ball transmission / reception in the normal gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting device 15 (JC) is not set on the counting device setting screen is the level difference 2, and the counting device 15 (JC ) Is the level difference between the storage amount level that is the judgment value for ball sending and receiving between the normal gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting machine 15 (JC) is set and the gaming machine installation island 1 (JC island) where the counting device 15 (JC) is set. It is set as 3. In addition, a total value that is a determination value of ball transmission / reception in the mutual group island group (group island group BC) to which the normal gaming machine installation island 1 in which the counting apparatus 15 (JC) is not set on the counting apparatus setting screen belongs. The difference between the storage amount level is level 2, the group island group to which the normal gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting device 15 (JC) is not set and the gaming machine installation island 1 (JC) where the counting device 15 (JC) is set A total storage amount level difference serving as a determination value for ball sending / receiving between the group island groups (group island groups AB, CD) to which the islands belong is set as a level difference 3.

  Note that the reference storage level of the gaming machine installation island 1 where the counting device 15 is installed is set lower than the reference storage amount level of the gaming machine installation island 1 where no counting device 15 is installed. In such a case, a large number of balls may be counted and discharged into the lower tank 9L. When such a situation occurs, the lower tank 9L will not be filled immediately and counting by the counting device 15 will not be disabled. This is because it is necessary to keep the storage amount level in the lower tank 9L at a low level so that as many balls as possible from the counting device 15 can be received.

  Therefore, with respect to the difference between the storage volume level that is the determination value for whether or not to adjust the storage volume level and the total storage volume level difference that is the determination value for whether or not to adjust the total storage volume level, The level difference 3 (second determination value) having a level difference higher than the level difference 2 (first determination value) applied in the case of the gaming machine installation island 1 is applied. That is, the storage amount level of the gaming machine installation island 1 (JC island) where the counting device 15 is set and the total storage amount of the group island group to which the gaming machine installation island 1 (JC island) where the counting device 15 is set belongs. This is to prevent adjustment of the storage amount level and the total storage amount level as much as possible in order to keep the level at a low level.

  And the control part 431 of the management computer 430 in a present Example WHEREIN: When the storage amount level of any game machine installation island 1 becomes level 1 lower than a reference | standard storage amount level, storage of this game machine installation island 1 is carried out. Pachinko balls are supplied from other game machine installation islands 1 until the quantity level reaches at least level 2, and especially for game machine installation island 1 (JC island) where the counting device 15 is installed, at the reference storage amount level. When it becomes level 3 or higher exceeding a certain level 2, control is performed to supply pachinko balls to other gaming machine installation islands 1.

  In FIG. 8, the field for setting the storage amount level difference applied to the mutual gaming machine installation island 1 (JC island) where the counting device 15 is set is not necessary and is omitted, but the counting device 15 is omitted. The field is displayed according to the installation status.

  By performing the various settings described above on the management computer 430, the management computer 430 can set the ball on each gaming machine installation island 1 and the group island groups A to D based on the settings entered and set on the various setting screens. Control is performed to keep the storage level of each gaming machine installation island 1 and the group island groups A to D in an optimal state by performing transmission and reception.

  Next, in FIG. 10, the island No. set in the above various setting screens is displayed. A setting registration table in which the setting contents for each is registered is shown. In each column of the setting registration table, the number of sensors in the lower tanks 9L and 9R for each gaming machine installation island 1, the installation status of the counting device 15 (the installed island is ◯), the reference storage amount level, the reference storage While the number of balls is registered, the total reference storage amount level and the total reference storage ball number for each group island group A to D are registered.

  Further, depending on the installation status of the counting device 15 and the setting status of the size of the lower tanks 9L and 9R, the total reference storage amount level difference between the group island groups A and B is the level difference 2 and the total reference storage ball number difference is About 80,000 balls, the difference in total reference storage volume level and total reference storage ball number between group island groups BC is 0, and the total reference storage volume level difference between group island groups CD is level difference 3 and total reference The difference in the number of stored balls is about 120,000, and a difference of a predetermined amount is generated in advance in the total reference storage amount level and the total reference storage ball number of each group island group. Therefore, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 in the present embodiment considers the total reference storage amount level difference between these group island groups in advance and sets this as the reference level difference, and the mutual group with respect to the reference level difference. When an error of 5 to 10% or more (level difference 2 or level difference 3) occurs in the total storage amount level difference of the island group, that is, for example, the total storage amount level difference between the group island groups CD is 0 level difference. When the level difference is 6 or less (level difference ± 3 or more with respect to the reference level difference 3), control for adjusting the total storage amount level in the mutual group island group is executed.

  Hereinafter, the transmission / reception state of the ball by the adjustment control of the storage amount level performed by the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 will be described based on schematic diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13.

  First, the adjustment control content of the storage amount level between each gaming machine installation island 1 is shown in No. 1 shown in FIG. The adjustment control of the storage amount level performed between the gaming machine installation islands 1 of 07, 08, and 09 will be described as an example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. From the situation where the storage level of each of the gaming machine installation islands 1 of 07, 08 and 09 is level 3, which is the reference storage level, for example, as shown in FIG. In the plurality of pachinko machines 2 on the gaming machine installation island No. 08, a big hit or the like occurs at the same time, and the storage amount level decreases from the reference storage amount level 3 to the level 1. When the storage amount level of the gaming machine installation island 1 of 07 and 09 increases to level 4, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 determines that No. No. 08 gaming machine installation island 1 and No. 1 adjacent to the gaming machine installation island 1. It is determined that the difference in the storage amount level between the game machine installation islands 1 and 03 is equal to or greater than the level difference 2 set on the level setting screen. No. 07 and 09 from each of the game machine installation island 1 Control is performed to supply pachinko balls to the gaming machine installation island 1 of 08.

  Specifically, no. No. 08 on the gaming machine installation island 1 of 08. The electromagnetic solenoid 403 provided at the inlet (not shown) facing each of the game machine installation islands 1 of 07 and 09 is driven to move the ball receiving shutter (not shown) to simultaneously open the inlet. The ball sending / receiving process is started. And No. When the storage amount level of the gaming machine installation island 1 of 07, 08, 09 becomes level 3, that is, when the difference in storage amount level between the adjacent gaming machine installation islands 1 becomes the level difference 1 or less. The inlet is closed by a ball receiving shutter, and the ball sending / receiving process is terminated.

  As described above, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 determines that the storage level difference is set on the level setting screen between the adjacent gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to each of the group island groups A to D. When it is determined that the difference (here, the level difference 2) is greater than or equal to, the ball sending / receiving process is started, and the level difference is less than the level difference set in the level setting screen (here, the level difference 1 or less). The ball sending / receiving process ends. In addition, although not specifically illustrated, in the case of the gaming machine installation island 1 in which the counting device 15 is installed in any one of the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 for comparing the storage amount level difference, The ball sending / receiving process is started when it is determined that the level difference is 3 or more, and the ball sending / receiving process is terminated when the level difference is less than 3 (level difference 2 or less).

  Next, the adjustment control content of the total storage amount level between the group island groups A to D will be described as an example of the adjustment control of the total storage amount level performed in the group island group BC shown in FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, from the situation where the total storage amount level of each of the group island groups B and C is level 15, which is the total reference storage amount level, for example, as shown in FIG. 12B. As shown in FIG. When it is specified that a big hit or the like occurs simultaneously in the plurality of pachinko machines 2 on the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06 and 07, and the total storage amount level is reduced by the level 3 to become the total storage amount level 12, the control of the management computer 430 First, as described above, the part 431 is No. No. 06 adjacent to No. 06 as the storage amount level of gaming machine installation island 1 is level 1. In order to supply pachinko balls from the gaming machine installation island 1 of No. 07, no. The electromagnetic solenoid 403 of 06 is driven to open the inlet. At this time, no. Since the storage level of the gaming machine installation island 1 of No. 07 is level 2, When the pachinko balls corresponding to the storage amount level 1 are supplied to the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06 and its own storage amount level becomes level 1, No. 1 adjacent to each other. Comparison of the storage amount levels of the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06, 08, No. with a high storage amount level. Pachinko balls are supplied from the gaming machine installation island 1 of 08.

  Further, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 starts the ball sending / receiving process in each gaming machine installation island 1 in the group island group B, and at the same time, the total storage amount level of the adjacent group island groups BC. It is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the level difference 2 set on the level setting screen, and as shown in FIG. 12 (c), among the gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to the group island group BC, the C type No. provided with a transmission / reception device of No. No. 10-15 belonging to group island group C having a high total storage level among the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1-15. No. 15 belonging to group island group B having a low total storage level from 15 gaming machine installation islands 1. Control for supplying pachinko balls to 10 gaming machine installation islands 1 is started.

  Specifically, no. The relay lift 460 provided in the 15 gaming machine installation islands 1 is driven to start the ball sending / receiving process in the mutual group island group BC. And No. From No. 15 game machine installation island 1 No. When ten pachinko balls corresponding to the storage amount level 1 are supplied to the ten game machine installation islands 1 and the total storage amount levels of the group island groups B and C become levels 13 and 14, respectively, When the total storage amount level difference between the adjacent group island groups BC becomes equal to or less than level difference 1, the driving of the relay lift 460 is stopped and the ball sending / receiving process of the group island groups BC is ended.

  As described above, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 sets the total storage amount level difference between the mutual group island groups in the mutually adjacent group island groups (BC) on the level setting screen. When it is determined that the level difference is 2 or more, the ball sending / receiving process is started. When the level difference is less than the level difference 2 set on the level setting screen (level difference 1 or less), the ball sending / receiving process is started. finish. In addition, when the gaming machine installation island 1 in which the counting device 15 is installed belongs to any one of the group island groups of which the total storage amount level difference is compared, the total storage amount level difference is the level difference. The ball sending / receiving process is started when it is determined that the number is 3 or more, and the ball sending / receiving process is terminated when the level difference is less than 3 (level difference 2 or less).

  Thus, not only is the pachinko ball sent / received due to the difference in the storage level between the gaming machine installation islands 1 that send and receive pachinko balls, but also a plurality of group islands made up of multiple gaming machine installation islands 1 The amount of storage between each game machine installation island 1 while adjusting the total storage amount level in the group island groups A to D by sending and receiving pachinko balls also due to the difference in the total storage amount level of the groups A to D Since the level can be adjusted, it is possible to quickly adjust the storage amount level of all the gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game store.

  Next, another example of the adjustment control content of the total storage amount level between the group island groups A to D is an example of the adjustment control of the total storage amount level performed between the group island groups A to C shown in FIG. Will be described.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, from the situation where the total storage amount level of each of the group island groups A to C is levels 13, 15, and 15 that are the total reference storage amount levels, for example, FIG. ) As shown in FIG. When it is determined that a big hit or the like occurs simultaneously in the plurality of pachinko machines 2 on the game machine installation islands 01 to 03 and the total storage amount level is reduced by the level 5 to become the total storage amount level 8, the control of the management computer 430 First, as described above, the part 431 has the No. 2 that is continuous with each other. Assuming that the storage level of the game machine installation island 1 of 01, 02, 03 becomes level 1, the electromagnetic solenoid 403 is driven to supply the pachinko balls from the adjacent game machine installation island 1 to the inflow port. Is opened, and No. No. 04 game machine installation island 1 to No. 4 No. 03 by supplying pachinko balls to game machine installation island 1 No. 04 when the storage level of the gaming machine installation island 1 becomes level 1. From No. 05 game machine installation island 1 No. The pachinko balls will be supplied to the gaming machine installation island 1 of 04.

  Further, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 starts the ball sending / receiving process in each gaming machine installation island 1 in the group island group A, and at the same time, the total storage amount level of the adjacent group island groups AB. It is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the level difference 3 set on the level setting screen. Among the gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to the group island groups A and B, the No. equipped with the C type transmission / reception device is provided. Of the gaming machine installation island 1 of 01-06, No. 1 belonging to the group island group B having a high total storage amount level. No. 6 belonging to group island group A with a small total storage level from the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06. Control for supplying pachinko balls to the gaming machine installation island 1 is started. Specifically, no. The relay lift 460 provided in the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06 is driven to start the ball sending / receiving process in the mutual group island group AB.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13C, the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 performs the stage before the ball sending / receiving process in the group island group AB is completed, that is, the total storage amount of the group island group AB. The virtual total storage of the group island group B when it is assumed that the ball sending / receiving process in the group island group AB is completed before the level difference becomes less than the level difference 3 set on the level setting screen. Calculate the quantity level. Here, since the number of pachinko balls corresponding to level 3 is supplied from group island group B to group island group A, the virtual total storage level of group island group B is from level 15 to level. Level 12 is obtained by subtracting 3.

  Next, No. which supplies pachinko balls to group island group A The virtual total storage amount level (virtual storage amount level 12) of the group island group B to which the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06 belongs, and the group island group A to the group island group B via a C-type transmission / reception device Compared with the current total storage level (total storage level 15) in the group island group C that can send and receive pachinko balls separately, the difference in the storage level between these group island groups BC When it is determined that the level difference set on the level setting screen is 3 or more, No. The relay lift 460 provided on the 15 gaming machine installation islands 1 is driven to start the ball sending / receiving process between the group island groups BC.

  In addition, during the ball sending / receiving process in the group island group AB, No. From No. 06 gaming machine installation island 1 No. Since pachinko balls are supplied to the gaming machine installation island 1 of No. 01, no. No. 01 when the storage level of gaming machine installation island 1 becomes level 2 or higher. While supplying pachinko balls to the game machine installation island 1 of No. 02, No. 06 when the storage amount level of the gaming machine installed island 1 becomes level 1 or lower. No. 07 from the game machine installation island 1 of No. 07. A pachinko ball is supplied to the gaming machine installation island 1 of No. 06. No. 07 when the storage level of the gaming machine installed island 1 becomes level 1 or lower. No. 8 from the game machine installation island 1 of 08. Pachinko balls will be supplied to the gaming machine installation island 1 of 07.

  And while adjusting the storage amount level in the gaming machine installation island 1 of each group island group A to C in this way, the adjustment of the total storage amount level in the mutual group island groups (AB, BC) is performed. Finally, when the difference in the storage amount between the group island groups A and B becomes less than 3 (level difference 2 or less), no. When the driving of the relay lift 460 of the gaming machine installation island 1 of 06 is stopped and the ball sending and receiving process is finished, the difference in the storage amount level between the group island groups BC is less than 2 (level difference 1 or less). No. The driving of the relay lift 460 of the 15 gaming machine installation islands 1 is stopped and the ball sending / receiving process is ended (see FIG. 13D).

  As described above, when the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 determines that the total storage amount level difference between the group island groups (AB) is equal to or greater than the level difference set on the level setting screen, The stage before starting the sending / receiving process and before the end of the started ball sending / receiving process, that is, the predetermined level difference that is less than the level difference (level difference 3) set on the level setting screen. The virtual storage amount level of the group island group (B) to which the gaming machine installation island 1 supplying the pachinko ball belongs to the mutual group island group (AB) is calculated and calculated. The virtual storage amount level is compared with the total storage amount level of the other group island group (C) adjacent to the group island group (B) to which the gaming machine installation island 1 supplying the pachinko ball belongs, and these group islands are compared. Group (BC The total storage amount level difference starts sphere handset process when it is determined that a said level setting set level difference on the screen (level difference 2) or more. Then, the ball sending / receiving process ends when the total storage level difference in the group island group (BC) that has started the ball sending / receiving process becomes a predetermined level difference less than the level difference set on the level setting screen. Will do.

  In this way, the group island group (B) to which the supply game machine installation island in the mutual group island group (AB) belongs without waiting for the end of the ball sending / receiving in the mutual group island group (AB). And another group island group (C) can be sent and received. That is, since it is possible to simultaneously adjust the total storage amount level in three or more group island groups (AB, BC), the storage amount level of all the gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the amusement store Can be adjusted quickly.

  Next, the control content of the ball sending / receiving process between the group islands performed by the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 described above will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 431 performs a ball transmission / reception start process (Sa1) for starting a ball transmission / reception process, and a ball transmission / reception end process (Sa2) for ending the ball transmission / reception process started in Sa1. Repeatedly, control is performed to adjust the storage level between group islands.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the control contents of the ball sending / receiving start process in the step Sa1 in FIG. 14, and the process contents will be described below.

    The control unit 431 first identifies the storage level of each gaming machine installation island 1 based on the input of the detection signal of the storage quantity detection sensor output from the island controller 421 of each gaming machine installation island 1, and the identification result The total storage amount level of each group island group is specified based on the above, and among the mutual group island groups (group island groups AB, BC, CD), the total storage amount level difference is the level setting. Level difference as a predetermined determination value set on the screen {If the counting device 15 is installed in the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to any group island group among the mutual group island groups, the level difference 3 (second judgment value), if the counting device 15 is not installed on the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to each of the group island groups, there is a mutual group island group of level difference (first judgment value)} or more Whether or not ( b1). If it is determined in step Sb1 that there is a mutual group island group having a storage level difference greater than or equal to the level difference set on the level setting screen, the total storage level is high among the group island groups. The island of the gaming machine installation island 1 provided with a C-type transmission / reception device that identifies a group island group and among the gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to the identified group island group, performs ball transmission / reception in the mutual group island group. A supply signal indicating that the pachinko ball is supplied, specifically, a drive signal for driving the lift motor 472 of the relay device 460 is transmitted to the controller 421 (Sb2). Accordingly, the island controller 421 of the gaming machine installed island 1 that has received this supply signal drives the relay lift 460, and therefore the group island having a lower total storage level from the gaming machine installed island 1 of the group island group having a higher total storage level. The supply of pachinko balls to the game machine installation island 1 of the group will be started.

  Next, whether or not the group island group that has transmitted the supply signal in step Sb2 is the group island group B or the group island group C, that is, other group island groups adjacent to the group island group having a high total storage amount level. Only when it is determined whether or not there is another group island group and it is determined that there is another group island group, the ball transmission / reception started by the group island group having a high total storage amount level that transmitted the supply signal based on the supply signal is performed. The virtual total storage amount level at the end is calculated at a stage before the ball sending / receiving ends (Sb4).

  Then, the virtual total storage amount level in the group island group having a high total storage amount level is compared with the current total storage amount level in another group island group adjacent to the group island group having the high total storage amount level. The total storage amount level difference between the virtual total storage amount level and the total storage amount level is a level difference as a predetermined determination value set on the level setting screen {any one of the mutual group island groups. When the counting device 15 is installed on the gaming machine installed island 1 belonging to the group island group, the level difference 3 (second determination value), the counting device 15 is installed on the gaming machine installed island 1 belonging to each of the group island groups. If it is not installed, it is determined whether or not the level difference (first determination value) is greater than or equal to (Sb5), and the group island group having a high total storage volume level among the group island groups among them is identified, specific Among the game machine installation islands 1 belonging to the group island group, the pachinko balls are directed toward the island controller 421 of the game machine installation island 1 equipped with a C-type transmission / reception device for sending and receiving balls in the mutual group island group. A supply signal indicating supply is transmitted, specifically, a drive signal for driving the lift motor 472 of the relay device 460 (Sb6), and the process returns to the ball sending / receiving process. Accordingly, the island controller 421 of the gaming machine installed island 1 that has received this supply signal drives the relay lift 460, and therefore the group island having a lower total storage level from the gaming machine installed island 1 of the group island group having a higher total storage level. The supply of pachinko balls to the game machine installation island 1 of the group will be started.

  Next, FIG. 16 shows a flowchart showing details of the control contents of the ball sending / receiving end process in the step Sa2 in FIG. 14, and the process contents will be described below.

  The control unit 431 determines whether there is a group island group that is performing the ball sending / receiving process in step Sa1 (Sc1), and determines that there is a mutual group island group that is performing the ball sending / receiving process. In this case, the mutual group island group is identified (Sc2), and the total storage level difference in the mutual group island group identified in the step of Sc2 is the level difference {mutual group island set on the level setting screen. When the counting device 15 is installed on the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to any group island group in the group, the level difference 3 (second judgment value), the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to each of the mutual group island groups If the counting device 15 is not installed, the level difference (first determination value)} is smaller, that is, the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to any one of the group island groups is counted. If 15 is installed, the level difference is 2 or less, and if the counting device 15 is not installed on the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to each group island group, it is determined whether the level difference is 1 or less ( Sc3) When it is determined that the value is less than the determination value, among the group island groups identified in the step of Sc2, toward the gaming machine installation island 1 of the group island group that has transmitted the supply signal in the ball sending / receiving start process Then, a supply end signal indicating that the ball sending / receiving process is ended is transmitted (Sc4), and the process returns to the ball sending / receiving process.

  As described above, in the management computer 430 as an embodiment of the present invention, the storage amount level of the game balls between the plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game store is displayed on the sensor quantity setting screen. Based on the detection signals from the storage amount detection sensors 401a to 410f and 411a to 411f of the quantity set in the above, the storage amount levels of the adjacent game machine installation islands 1 are compared based on the specification results. And determining whether or not the compared storage amount level difference between the gaming machine installation islands 1 has reached a predetermined determination value (level difference set on the level setting screen). When it is determined that the difference in the storage amount level between the gaming machine installation islands 1 has reached the determination value, the gaming machine configuration having a higher storage level among the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 based on the specified result of the storage amount level. Performs control to supply the pachinko ball in a lower game machine installed islands 1 is accumulated amount level from the island 1, performs control to adjust the storage levels in between the respective gaming machines installed island 1.

  In addition, while performing control to adjust the storage amount level between these game machine installation islands 1, numerical values are input to the fields 500 and 501 displayed on the group island group setting screen with the input device 435 (input device). Then, the total storage amount level in each group island group set by the setting (change) operation for selecting the setting button 504, that is, the total sum of the total storage amount levels of all the gaming machine installation islands 1 belonging to the group island group The storage amount level is specified, and the total storage amount level in the mutually adjacent group island groups that can perform ball sending / receiving through the C-type transmission / reception device is compared, and between the compared group island groups It is determined whether or not the total storage amount level difference has reached a predetermined determination value (level difference set on the level setting screen), and the mutual group island When it is determined that the difference between the total storage volume levels has reached the determination value, the total storage volume level from the group island group having a higher total storage volume level among the group island groups based on the specified result of the total storage volume level. Control is performed to supply pachinko balls to group islands with a low level, and control is performed to adjust the total storage level between group islands.

  Accordingly, not only is the pachinko ball sent and received due to the difference in the storage level between the gaming machine installation islands 1 that send and receive pachinko balls, but also a plurality of group island groups consisting of a plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 As a result of the difference between the total storage amount levels of pachinko balls, the pachinko balls are also sent and received, so that the storage amount level is adjusted between each gaming machine installation island 1 while adjusting the total storage amount level between the group island groups. Therefore, it is possible to quickly adjust the storage level of all the gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game store.

  Further, in the management computer 430, when it is determined that the difference in the total storage amount level between any of the group island groups has reached the determination value, the transmission / reception of the pachinko balls in the group island group is completed. The virtual when the sending and receiving of the pachinko balls of the group island group belonging to the supply gaming machine installation island 1 (the gaming machine installation island 1 having a high storage amount level) that supplies the pachinko balls among the group island groups of each other is completed before A total storage amount level is calculated, and pachinko balls are sent and received between the calculated virtual total storage level and the group island group to which the supply gaming machine installation island 1 belongs separately from the mutual group island group. And comparing the virtual total storage amount level of other group island groups that perform the above, when it is determined that the difference of the compared virtual total storage amount has reached the determination value, the supply gaming machine installation island From the group island group to which the total storage amount level of the group island group to which the group belongs and the gaming machine installation island 1 belonging to the group island group having the low total storage level from the gaming island installation island 1 belonging to the group island group having a high total storage level, Since the control for supplying pachinko spheres via the transmission / reception device is performed at least until the difference between the virtual total storage amount and the total storage amount becomes less than the determination value, the pachinko ball transmission / reception in the mutual group island group is terminated. Without waiting, pachinko balls can be sent and received between the group island group to which the supply gaming machine installed islands of the mutual group island groups belong and another group island group. That is, since it is possible to simultaneously adjust the total storage amount level in three or more group island groups, it is possible to quickly adjust the storage amount level of all the gaming machine installation islands 1 installed in the game store. .

  In the management computer 430, a setting (change) is performed by simply inputting a numerical value to each field 514, 515 displayed on the storage level setting screen with the input device 435 (input device) and selecting the setting button 504. ) Since the determination value can be set for each group island group (group island group AB, BC, CD) for sending and receiving pachinko balls by simply performing work, each group island Even when the appropriate total storage level in the group is different, the total storage level of each group island group can be adjusted accurately.

  In the management computer 430, setting (changing) is performed by simply inputting a numerical value with the input device 435 (input device) in each field 506 to 508 displayed on the sensor quantity setting screen and selecting the setting button 504. By simply performing the work, a storage ball detection sensor having the optimum quantity for the dimensions of the lower tanks 9L and 9R provided on each gaming machine installation island 1 is arranged, and the storage amount (based on the detection result of the storage ball detection sensor) The storage level can be specified, so that there are cases where the game machine installation island 1 having a different total length is delivered to each game shop, or the total length of some game machine installation islands 1 changes depending on the installation situation in the game shop. Even so, it is possible to accurately send and receive pachinko balls by accurately determining the total storage level difference of each group island group.

  In the management computer 430, a setting (changing) operation is performed in which a numerical value is input to each field 509 displayed on the counting device setting screen by the input device 435 (input device) and the setting button 504 is selected. In order to receive the pachinko balls from the number counting device 15 (JC), the gaming machine installation island 1 (No. 02, 09) and the number counting device 15 that do not store the pachinko balls as much as possible in the lower tank 9L are installed. A judgment value (level difference) in which the value differs between the comparison of the storage amount level with the gaming machine installation island 1 that is not and the comparison of the storage amount between the mutual gaming machine installation islands 1 where the counting device 15 is not installed. 2 or level difference 5), even if the counting device 15 is installed on any one of the gaming machine installation islands 1, it is possible to accurately compare the total storage amount levels of the group island groups. it can.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the storage amount of each gaming machine installation island 1 and the total storage amount of each group island group are shown in six stages of storage amount levels and total storage amount levels, respectively, and the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 Whether the difference between the storage amount level of each gaming machine installation island 1 and the total storage amount level of each group island group has reached a predetermined determination value by comparing the storage amount level and the total storage amount level However, it is also possible to determine whether or not the determination value has been reached by comparing the storage amounts of each of these gaming machine installed islands 1 and each group island group with the actual number of stored balls. Good.

  Moreover, in the said Example, as shown in FIG. 13, although the condition at the time of adjusting the total storage amount level of three group island groups was shown, for example, the virtual total storage of group island group C is further shown. You may make it adjust simultaneously the total storage amount level of four group island groups compared with the total storage amount level of the 4th group island group which adjoins by calculating a quantity level. That is, the adjustment of the total storage amount level based on the calculation of the virtual total storage amount level may be performed in a group of three or more group islands.

  Further, in the above embodiment, five game machine installation islands 1 arranged in parallel with each other are set as one group island group, but a plurality of game machine installation islands 1 arranged in parallel with each other in this way are set. In addition to setting as one group island group, a plurality of group island groups may be set among a plurality of gaming machine installation islands 1 arranged side by side. Specifically, for example, no. Of the game machine installation islands 1 to 05, No. 1 01 and 02 are set as one group island group. You may make it set 03-05 as another group island group.

  Further, in the above embodiment, each group island group adjacent to each other can send and receive a ball with the transmission / reception device provided between any one pair of gaming machine installation islands 1. The device may be adapted to send and receive balls.

  In the above embodiment, the A to C type transmission / reception apparatus is applied. However, in the present invention, the type of the transmission / reception apparatus is not limited to the transmission / reception apparatus described in the above embodiment, and can be variously modified. It is.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the management computer 430 was applied as the storage amount identification means which specifies the storage amount level of the lower tanks 9L and 9R of each gaming machine installation island 1, for example, the island controller 421 has various storage amounts. The storage amount level is identified based on the input state of the detection signal from the detection sensor, the identification result is transmitted to the management computer 430, and the storage amount level is compared based on the identification result received by the management computer 430. You may comprise so that the island controller 421 of a game machine installation island may adjust a storage amount level.

  Further, in the management computer 430 in the above-described embodiment, a numerical value or the like is input to the fields displayed on the various setting screens with the input unit 435, and the setting button 504 is selected to set the group island group and each game. The type of transmission / reception device provided between the machine installation islands 1 and the arrangement position of the drive device can be set. For example, the setting can be changed by an operation switch such as a dip switch provided in the management computer 430 or an operation button. You may be able to.

  Moreover, in the said Example, the island controller 421 which controls various apparatuses, such as the raising apparatus 325 in the gaming machine installation island 1, the cleaning apparatus 50, and the drive apparatus of a transmission / reception apparatus, is provided for each gaming machine installation island 1. However, instead of providing the island controller 421, the management computer 430 may control all the various devices on all the gaming machine installation islands 1.

  Each element in the embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows.

Claim 1 of the present invention provides
Reservation amount (storage amount level) of game balls (pachinko balls) stored in storage areas (lower tanks 9L, 9R) provided in each of a plurality of gaming machine installation islands (1) installed in a game hall (game store) ) Is a replenishment management device (management computer 430) that performs control to adjust
Group island group setting means for setting each of the plurality of gaming machine installation islands as a gaming machine installation island belonging to any one of the plurality of group island groups {control unit 431 of the management computer 430 (group island Group setting screen)},
A storage amount specifying means {a control unit 431 of the management computer 430 (Sb1 in the ball sending / receiving start process)} for specifying the storage amount of the game ball stored in each storage area of the gaming machine installation island;
Based on the specified result of the storage amount specifying means, the storage amount of the game balls of each adjacent gaming machine installation island in each group island group set by the group island group setting means was compared and compared. Inter-island determination means {control unit 431 of the management computer 430} for determining whether or not the difference in storage amount (storage amount level difference) has reached a predetermined inter-island determination value (storage amount level difference 2 or level difference 3) When,
Based on the specified result of the storage amount specifying means, the total storage amount specifying means for specifying the total storage amount of game balls in the group island group set by the group island group setting means {the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 (ball sending / receiving Sb1)} in the start process,
Based on the identification result of the total storage amount specifying means, the total storage amount of the game balls of the mutually adjacent group island groups is compared, and the difference of the compared total storage amount (total storage amount level difference) is determined in advance. Island group determination means {control unit 431 of the management computer 430 (Sb1 in the ball sending / receiving start process)} for determining whether or not the determined value between the island groups (reserved amount level difference 2 or level difference 3) has been reached; ,
When the inter-island determination means determines that the inter-island determination value has been reached, there is a large storage amount among the adjacent gaming machine installation islands until the difference in the storage amount becomes less than the predetermined inter-island determination value. Inter-island supply control for supplying gaming balls to the gaming machine-installed island with a small amount of storage from the gaming machine-installed island through the inter-island game ball sending and receiving device Until the difference of the total storage amount becomes less than the predetermined determination value between the island groups, the gaming machine installed islands belonging to the group island group having a large total storage amount among the mutually adjacent group island groups Sphere supply control means {control of the management computer 430; and supply control between island groups to supply game balls to the islands with game machines belonging to the group island group with a small total storage amount through the inter-island game ball sending / receiving device Part 431 (ball sending and receiving opening And Sb2, Sb6)} in the process,
With
The ball supply control means can execute the inter-island supply control and the inter-island group supply control simultaneously.

Claim 2 of the present invention, {controller 431 of the management computer 430 (spherical transmitting and receiving start process in Sb1)} between the island group determination means before Symbol island group between the determination value (the storage amount level difference 2 or level differences 3) when it is judged to have reached the, mutual group island group before the transmission and reception of game balls in (group Island group a-B) is completed, Heidelberg loop island to supply game ball of a group island groups of the mutually Virtual total storage amount calculation means for calculating the virtual total storage amount (virtual total storage amount level) when the transmission / reception of the game balls (pachinko balls) of the group (B) is completed {the control unit 431 of the management computer 430 (ball transmission / reception) Sb4)} in the start process,
The virtual total storage amount calculated by the virtual total storage amount calculation means, the total storage amount of the virtual total storage amount other groups island group adjacent to the calculated group island groups (group Island group C) (total reservoir And a virtual level for determining whether or not the difference between the compared virtual total storage amount and the total storage amount has reached the predetermined inter-island group determination value (level difference 2). Determination means {control unit 431 of management computer 430 (Sb5 in ball sending / receiving start processing)};
With
The supply control between island groups in the ball supply control means is {control unit 431 of the management computer 430 (Sb6 in the ball sending / receiving start process)},
When said virtual determination means determines that reached before Symbol virtual storage amount and the other group island group difference said predetermined island group between the determination value of the total storage amount (level difference 2), the virtual the total storage amount group island group were calculated, and the total accumulated amount is larger group island group of the other group island groups (group Island group C) or al the total accumulated amount is small group island groups (group Island group B) Until the difference between the virtual total storage amount and the total storage amount is less than the predetermined inter-island group determination value, the game balls are supplied via the inter-island group game ball transmitting / receiving device.

It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the game machine installation island in the Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a plurality of gaming machine installation islands of FIG. 1 are installed in a gaming store. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the gaming machine installation island of FIG. It is a block diagram which similarly shows the structure of the gaming machine installation island of FIG. It is a figure which shows a group island group setting screen. It is a figure which shows a sensor quantity setting screen. It is a figure which shows a counting device setting screen. It is a figure which shows the storage amount level setting screen. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the storage amount table. It is a figure which shows the setting registration table according to gaming machine installation island. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the adjustment condition of the storage amount level in each game machine installation island 1. FIG. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the adjustment condition of the total storage amount level in each group island group. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows another example of the adjustment condition of the total storage amount level in each group island group. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the ball sending / receiving process in the group island group which the control part of a management computer performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the ball | bowl transmission / reception start process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the ball | bowl transmission / reception end process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 (No. 01-20) Game machine installation island 2 Pachinko machine 9L, 9R Lower tank 421 Island controller 430 Management computer 431 Control unit 460 Relay lift

Claims (2)

A replenishment management device that performs control to adjust the amount of game balls stored in a storage area provided in each of a plurality of gaming machine installation islands installed in a game hall,
A group island group setting means for setting each of the plurality of gaming machine installation islands as a gaming machine installation island belonging to any one of the plurality of group island groups;
A storage amount specifying means for specifying a storage amount of game balls stored in each storage region of the gaming machine installation island;
Based on the specified result of the storage amount specifying means, the storage amount of the game balls of each adjacent gaming machine installation island in each group island group set by the group island group setting means was compared and compared. Inter-island determination means for determining whether or not the difference in storage amount has reached a predetermined inter-island determination value;
Based on the specified result of the storage amount specifying means, total storage amount specifying means for specifying the total storage amount of game balls in the group island group set by the group island group setting means,
Based on the specified result of the total storage amount specifying means, the total storage amount of the game balls of the mutually adjacent group island groups is compared, and the difference between the compared total storage amounts is a predetermined inter-island group determination value. An island group determination means for determining whether or not
When the inter-island determination means determines that the inter-island determination value has been reached, the storage amount is large among the adjacent gaming machine installed islands until the difference in the storage amount is less than the predetermined inter-island determination value. Inter-island supply control for supplying gaming balls to the gaming machine-installed island with a small amount of storage from the gaming machine-installed island through the inter-island game ball sending and receiving device, and the inter-island group determination means determined to have reached the inter-island group determination value Until the difference of the total storage amount becomes less than the predetermined determination value between the island groups, the gaming machine installed islands belonging to the group island group having a large total storage amount among the mutually adjacent group island groups Supply control means for performing inter-island group supply control for supplying game balls to the islands with game machines belonging to the group island group having a small total storage amount through the inter-island group game ball sending and receiving device;
With
The replenishment management device, wherein the ball supply control means can execute the inter-island supply control and the inter-island group supply control simultaneously. When the inter-island group determination means determines that the inter-island group determination value has been reached, the game balls are supplied from the mutual group island groups before the game ball transmission / reception of the mutual group island groups is completed. A virtual total storage amount calculating means for calculating a virtual total storage amount when transmission / reception of the game balls of the group island group is completed;
The virtual total storage amount calculated by the virtual total storage amount calculation means and the total storage amount of other group island groups adjacent to the group island group that calculated the virtual total storage amount were compared and compared. Virtual determination means for determining whether the difference between the virtual total storage amount and the total storage amount has reached the predetermined inter-island group determination value;
With
Supply control between island groups in the ball supply control means,
When the virtual determination means determines that the difference between the virtual storage amount and the total storage amount of the other group island group has reached the predetermined inter-island group determination value, the virtual total storage amount is calculated. Among the group island group and the other group island group, the difference between the virtual total storage amount and the total storage amount is determined in advance from the group island group having the large total storage amount to the group island group having the small total storage amount. The supply management device according to claim 1, wherein game balls are supplied through the inter-island group game ball transmitting / receiving device until the value is less than the determination value between the island groups.

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