JP4318786B2 - Game media lending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game media lending machine for lending game media such as pachinko balls and medals used in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines that use pachinko balls and medals as gaming media, after a player borrows gaming media from a gaming media rental machine installed adjacent to the gaming machine, A game is started with the game medium, and the game medium is paid back to the player according to the result of the game. On the other hand, a gaming medium lending machine adjacent to a gaming machine lends (dispenses) gaming media to a player on condition that money is inserted into the gaming medium lending machine. Therefore, in order to realize continuous operation over a long period of time, replenishment of game media is indispensable for both gaming machines and game media lending machines.
[0003]
The supply of game media is usually performed by both the game machine and the game media lending machine individually communicating with the game media circulation mechanism. In other words, both the gaming machine and the gaming media lending machine are independently receiving automatic replenishment from the outside.
However, in this case, since both the gaming machine and the gaming medium lending machine must communicate with the gaming medium circulation mechanism independently, there is a possibility that the cost may be difficult. In addition, since the gaming machine is affected by the player's preference and fashion, its life cycle is shorter than that of the gaming medium lending machine. Therefore, even if the gaming machine and the gaming medium renting machine are installed adjacent to each other, the gaming machine is likely to be frequently exchanged (changed). In such a case, since the gaming machines of different models generally have different external shapes and shapes, the interface with the game medium circulation mechanism (such as handling the communication path) must be changed each time. As a result, the workload becomes large.
[0004]
Considering these points, in the conventional gaming system consisting of gaming machines and gaming medium lending machines, only gaming medium lending machines with high gaming medium replenishment frequency support automatic replenishment from the outside. Some machines are constructed so that game media can be replenished manually by a game shop clerk or the like.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a game system in which only the game medium lending machine supports automatic replenishment, the following problems may occur when the game medium is replenished to the game machine.
In general, game media to be replenished to a gaming machine are collectively stored at a predetermined location in the game hall where the gaming machine is installed and away from the gaming machine. Therefore, in order to supply gaming machines to gaming machines, the game shop clerk, etc. must move from the storage location to the gaming machines with the gaming media to be supplied, which is very cumbersome. End up. Furthermore, a quick replenishment operation cannot be performed for the movement, and as a result, the player is made to wait or the operating rate of the gaming machine is lowered.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention provides a gaming medium lending machine that enables quick replenishment of gaming media to gaming machines even when only gaming medium lending machines are used in gaming systems that support automatic replenishment. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a game medium lending machine devised to achieve the above object, and is installed adjacent to a game machine, and a medium payout outlet for paying out a game medium used for the game in the game machine, in those comprising a medium storing means for previously storing the game media for paying the medium payout opening, and the medium supply port for receiving a supply of game media for storing the medal circulation mechanism to said medium storage means, a game media A replenishing device for storing the game medium received at the medium replenishment port separately from the medium storage means in a state of being mounted in the lending machine body, and the replenishing device has a handle attached to the replenishing device. Withdrawing from the game medium lending machine main body and moving the game medium stored in the supply device into the game medium storage part of the game machine, the game medium is supplied to the game machine. That are configured are those characterized.
[0008]
According to the gaming medium lending machine having the above-described configuration, the replenishing device attached to the gaming medium lending machine main body is separated from the gaming medium in the medium storing means, that is, the gaming medium for paying out from the medium payout outlet. The game medium received at the medium supply port is stored. Moreover, the replenishing device is detachably attached to the game medium lending machine body. Therefore, for example, if a store clerk at a game hall removes the supply equipment from the game medium lending machine main body and moves the game medium stored in the supply equipment to the adjacent game machine, the game machine automatically supplies the game media. Even if the game machine is not compatible with the game machine, the game medium can be quickly supplied to the game machine.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a gaming medium rental machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a medal lending machine that lends medals to be used for a slot machine as a game medium will be described as an example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a medal lending machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of a medal lending machine according to the present invention.
[0010]
The medal lending machine in the present embodiment is used in a state of being attached to a side portion of a slot machine (not shown).
Here, prior to the description of the medal lending machine, an outline of the slot machine adjacent to the medal lending machine will be briefly described.
[0011]
The slot machine has a game operation unit and a medal insertion slot on the front surface thereof. When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot, the slot machine has a predetermined number according to the number of medals and the operation of the game operation unit by the player. Is to play the game. A lower plate for paying out medals in accordance with the game result is provided below the game operation unit.
[0012]
In such a slot machine, a medal inserted into a medal slot is sent to a medal circulation mechanism (not shown), and is used as a medal for replenishment to the medal lending machine by conveyance by the medal circulation mechanism.
However, the slot machine itself does not communicate with the medal circulation mechanism and does not support automatic medal replenishment. For this purpose, the slot machine has a slot machine front portion (a side provided with a game operation portion, a medal slot, etc.) that can be opened and closed in order to manually supply medals by a game shop clerk or the like. . Note that the replenishment of medals into the slot machine is performed on a medal storage unit such as a medal hopper that stores medals for paying back to the lower plate.
[0013]
On the other hand, the medal lending machine attached to the side of the slot machine lends medals that can be inserted into the medal slot of the slot machine on condition that the money is inserted into the medal lending machine. .
[0014]
For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the medal lending machine has a money insertion slot 1 into which money such as banknotes is inserted and a player's amount of money inserted and the number of medals paid out. A display panel 2 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for notifying various kinds of information, and a medal payout port 3 through which medals are paid out are provided. That is, in this medal lending machine, when money is inserted into the money insertion slot 1, the number of medals corresponding to the amount inserted is paid out from the medal payout opening 3. The medal payout opening 3 is provided with a nozzle chute 3a for guiding the payout medal to the lower plate of the slot machine.
[0015]
However, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the medal payout opening 3 is configured so that the player receives the payout medal once by hand without the nozzle chute 3a. Moreover, what is called a helmet type may be used.
[0016]
In order to pay out medals from the medal payout exit 3, the medal lending machine has an inside of the medal payout exit 3 on the back side as shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 2 (b). A medal payout unit 4 is provided.
The medal payout unit 4 receives a medal payout hopper 4a for storing medals for paying out from the medal payout outlet 3, and a medal stored in the medal payout hopper 4a from the medal payout hopper 4a. A medal payout mechanism 4b for paying out to the side. The medal payout hopper 4a is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting whether or not a predetermined number of medals are stored in the medal payout hopper 4a. This sensor may be constituted by, for example, a contact type switch that conducts when a medal contacts, a non-contact type proximity switch using magnetism, or a photoelectric photo sensor.
[0017]
Above the medal payout hopper 4a, a medal replenishment port 5a and a medal replenishment path 5b are provided, and a communication path 5c with a medal circulation mechanism is connected to the medal replenishment port 5a. Thereby, the medal replenishment port 5a and the medal replenishment path 5b can receive the medal replenishment from the outside.
[0018]
Further, in the medal lending machine, a bill validator 6 is provided on the back side of the money insertion slot 1, and a controller 7 is provided between the bill validator 6 and the medal payout hopper 4a.
The bill validator 6 is for recognizing the amount of money inserted into the money insertion slot 1 and notifying the controller 7 of the money, and for storing the inserted money.
The control unit 7 controls the operation of the entire medal lending machine, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a predetermined program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the predetermined program, and the like.
[0019]
By the way, in this medal lending machine, as a characteristic configuration, in addition to the above-described configuration, a slot supply device 8 and a nozzle / slot switching unit (hereinafter simply referred to as “switching unit”) 9 are provided. Yes.
[0020]
The slot supply device 8 is disposed below the medal payout unit 4 and stores medals in the medal lending machine separately from the medal payout hopper 4a. For this purpose, the slot supply device 8 is formed of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped uncovered bottomed container. The medals stored in the slot replenishing device 8 are replenished from the outside through the medal replenishment port 5a and the medal replenishment path 5b, as will be described later.
[0021]
The slot supply device 8 is detachably attached to the medal lending machine body. Specifically, the front surface is exposed on the front surface of the medal lending machine, and is formed in a so-called drawer shape that can be extracted from the exposed portion to the outside of the medal lending machine. For this purpose, a guide rail (not shown) is provided on the medal lending machine main body side for guiding by sliding the bottom and side portions of the slot supply device 8. Accordingly, a handle 8a for facilitating insertion / removal of the slot supply device 8 is attached to the front surface of the slot supply device 8 and prevents withdrawal by a person other than a store clerk at the game hall. A key lock mechanism 8b is provided. The slot supply device 8 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped drawer shape as long as it is a detachable, uncovered bottomed container, and may have another shape (mortar shape, cylindrical shape, etc.).
[0022]
Further, the slot replenishing device 8 is provided with a detection sensor 8c for electrically detecting whether or not a predetermined number (for example, 200) of medals are stored in the slot replenishing device 8. The detection sensor 8c is similar to the sensor provided in the medal payout hopper 4a, for example, a contact type switch that conducts when a medal contacts, a non-contact type proximity switch using magnetism, or a photoelectric photo sensor. What is necessary is just to comprise. The detection result by the detection sensor 8c is notified to the control unit 7.
[0023]
The switching unit 9 is disposed between the medal payout mechanism 4b and the medal payout outlet 3, and selectively receives a medal received from the medal payout mechanism 4b as either the medal payout outlet 3 or the slot supply device 8. To be discharged. For this purpose, a slot communication passage 9 a that communicates between the switching unit 9 and the slot supply device 8 is attached to the medal outlet on the slot supply device 8 side in the switching unit 9. That is, the switching unit 9 has one medal delivery port communicated with the medal payout port 3 and the other medal delivery port communicated with the non-cover portion of the slot supply device 8 via the slot communication path 9a. The medals from 4b are switched to be paid out to the outside from the medal payout opening 3 or stored in the slot supply device 8. The switching unit 9 performs this switching in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 7. Specifically, it has a driving means composed of an electromagnetic solenoid or the like, and the driving means is driven in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 7 to move the position of the guide path for guiding the medal, thereby passing the medal passage route. Is to be switched.
[0024]
Next, a processing operation by the medal lending machine configured as described above, particularly a medal replenishment operation will be described.
In the medal lending machine, when money is inserted into the money insertion slot 1, the medal payout unit 4 responds to the amount inserted into the money insertion slot 1 while following the instruction from the control unit 7 that has been notified to that effect. The number of medals is paid out from the medal payout exit 3. However, if the payout from the medal payout opening 3 is repeated, the number of medals stored in the medal payout hopper 4a decreases. Therefore, in the medal lending machine, it is necessary to supply medals to the medal payout hopper 4a as necessary.
[0025]
Such replenishment of medals is performed as follows in the medal lending machine. Since the medal payout hopper 4a is provided with a sensor for detecting the medal storage amount, when it is detected by the sensor that the medal storage amount is smaller than the predetermined amount, the medal payout unit 4 informs the fact. The control unit 7 that has been notified requests the medal circulation mechanism to supply medals. When a medal is sent from the medal circulation mechanism in response to this request, the medal lending machine receives the medal through the communication path 5c, the medal replenishment port 5a, and the medal replenishment path 5b and stores them in the medal payout hopper 4a. To do. And when the storage amount becomes larger than the predetermined amount, the control unit 7 requests to stop the replenishment of medals. By replenishing medals in this way, a substantially constant amount of medals is always stored in the medal payout hopper 4a.
[0026]
Further, in this medal lending machine, in addition to the medal payout hopper 4a, medals are stored by the slot supply device 8. The storage (replenishment) of medals in the slot replenishing device 8 is performed as follows. Since the slot supply device 8 is provided with a detection sensor 8c for detecting the medal storage amount, when the detection sensor 8c detects that the medal storage amount is smaller than a predetermined amount, the medal payout unit The control unit 7 notified to that effect from 4 instructs the medal payout mechanism 4b and the switching unit 9 to supply the medal into the slot supply device 8.
[0027]
When there is a medal supply instruction from the control unit 7, the medal payout mechanism 4b discharges the medals stored in the medal payout hopper 4a to the switching unit 9 side. At the same time, the switching unit 9 switches the medal passage route so that the medal received from the medal payout mechanism 4b is discharged to the slot communication path 9a. Thereby, the medals discharged by the medal payout mechanism 4 b are stored in the slot supply device 8 through the switching unit 9, the slot communication path 9 a, and the non-cover portion of the slot supply device 8. When the storage amount in the slot replenishing device 8 exceeds a predetermined amount, the control unit 7 that has received the notification from the detection sensor 8c that has detected that amount replenishes the medal payout mechanism 4b and the switching unit 9 with a medal replenishment. Instruct to stop. By storing (replenishing) medals in this way, a substantially constant amount of medals is always stored in the slot replenishing device 8.
[0028]
By the way, it is not only the medal lending machine that needs to be replenished with medals, but also the slot machine adjacent thereto. However, the slot machine does not communicate with the medal circulation mechanism and does not support automatic medal replenishment. Therefore, supply of medals to the slot machine is performed as follows by a store clerk at the game hall.
[0029]
When there is a need to replenish medals in a slot machine, a game store clerk or the like who receives a notification from a player who uses the slot machine or a host computer that manages the slot machine, etc. To the place of installation of medals and replenish medals into the slot machine.
At this time, in the medal lending machine adjacent to the slot machine, the slot supply device 8 always stores a substantially constant amount of medals. Therefore, a game shop clerk or the like can use the medals in the slot supply device 8 of the adjacent medal lending machine when supplying the medals into the slot machine. That is, a game shop clerk opens the front part of the slot machine to which medals are to be replenished, releases the key lock by the key lock mechanism 8b of the slot replenishment device 8, and uses the slot replenishment device 8 as the main body of the medal lending machine. The medals in the slot machine are replenished by manually moving the medals in the slot replenishing device 8 into the medal storage part of the slot machine.
[0030]
As a result, even if the slot machine does not support automatic replenishment of medals, it is necessary for the clerk of the game hall to move with a medal to be replenished from the medal storage location in the amusement hall to the gaming machine as in the past. As a result, there is no need to feel bothersome as in the past when replenishing medals to the slot machine. Along with this, it becomes possible to perform a quick replenishment operation, and it will not cause the player to wait or cause the operating rate of the gaming machine to decrease.
[0031]
As described above, according to the medal lending machine of the present embodiment, as in the invention described in claim 1, the slot replenishing device 8 for storing medals is provided separately from the medal payout hopper 4a, and the slot Since the replenishing device 8 is detachably attached to the main body of the medal lending machine, when a medal is replenished to the slot machine, a store clerk or the like of the game hall removes the slot replenishing device 8 and the inside of the slot replenishing device 8 If the medals stored in are transferred to the adjacent slot machine, even if the slot machine does not support automatic replenishment of medals, the store clerk of the game hall will not feel bothersome as described above. The slot machine can be quickly replenished with medals.
[0032]
Further, in the medal lending machine according to the present embodiment, as in the invention according to claim 2, the switching unit 9 is disposed between the medal paying mechanism 4b and the medal paying outlet 3, and the switching unit 9 is used for the medal paying out. The medals received from the mechanism 4b are selectively discharged to either the medal payout opening 3 or the slot communication path 9a (on the slot supply device 8 side). That is, the medal replenishment to the slot replenishing device 8 is performed using the medal stored in the medal payout hopper 4a. Therefore, in this medal lending machine, the communication interface (medal replenishment request issuance processing) with the medal circulation mechanism or the like is changed only by adding the switching unit 9 and the slot communication path 9a to the conventional configuration. The medal supply into the slot supply device 8 is possible.
[0033]
Further, in the medal lending machine according to the present embodiment, a detection sensor 8c for detecting whether or not a predetermined number of medals are stored in the slot supply device 8 is provided as in the invention according to claim 3. The switching unit 9 performs switching based on the detection result of the detection sensor 8c. As a result, in this medal lending machine, since a substantially constant amount of medals is always stored in the slot replenishing device 8, it is possible to respond to the replenishment of medals to the slot machine at any time. Can be.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the slot replenishing device 8 is provided at the lowermost position in the medal lending machine, and the switching unit 9 replenishes the medal in the medal payout hopper 4a into the slot replenishing device 8 as an example. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when the medal received from the medal replenishing port 5a is immediately switched between the medal payout hopper 4a side and the slot replenishing device 8 side, the slot replenishing device 8 is attached to and detached from the medal lending machine body. If it is provided freely, it is possible to quickly supply medals to the slot machine.
[0035]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a medal lending machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a ball lending machine that lends pachinko balls. Even if it is etc., it is possible to apply.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the game medium lending machine of the present invention includes a replenishment device for storing a game medium separately from the game medium in the medium storage means, that is, the game medium for paying out from the medium payout outlet, Moreover, the replenishing device is detachably attached to the game medium lending machine main body. Therefore, according to this game medium lending machine, even if an adjacent game machine does not support automatic supply of game media, a game shop clerk or the like will be required to supply game media to that game machine. It is only necessary to remove the supply equipment and move the game media stored in the supply equipment to the gaming machine. There is no need to move it. Therefore, according to this game medium lending machine, it is possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of a store clerk or the like in the game hall when replenishing game media to adjacent game machines, and further to enable quick replenishment work. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from waiting or causing the operating rate of the gaming machine to decrease.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a game medium lending machine according to the present invention, (a) is a front view thereof, and (b) is a side sectional view thereof.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the game medium lending machine according to the present invention, in which (a) is a front view thereof and (b) is a side sectional view thereof.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Medal payout exit, 4a ... Medal payout hopper, 5a ... Medal supply port, 8 ... Slot supply tool, 8c ... Detection sensor, 9 ... Nozzle / slot switching part

Claims (4)

It located adjacent to the gaming machine, and the medium payout opening for paying out game media to be used in a game at the recreation machine, a medium storing means for previously storing the game media for paying out from the medium payout opening, medals In a game medium lending machine comprising a medium supply port for receiving a supply of game media stored in the medium storage means from a circulation mechanism ,
A replenishment device for reserving the game medium received at the medium replenishment port separately from the medium storage means in a state of being installed in the game medium lending machine body ,
The replenishing device is pulled out from the game medium lending machine main body with a handle attached to the replenishing device, and the game medium stored in the replenishment device is moved into the game medium storage unit of the gaming machine, A game medium lending machine configured to supply a game medium to a game machine.   A switching means is provided between the medium payout outlet and the medium storage means, and selectively discharges the game medium received from the medium storage means to either the medium payout outlet or the replenishing device. The game medium lending machine according to claim 1. A detecting means for detecting whether or not a predetermined number of game media are stored in the replenishing device;
When the detecting means detects that the predetermined number of game media is not stored in the supply device, the switching device receives the game medium from the medium storage device and sends it to the supply device. The game medium lending machine according to claim 2, wherein the game medium lending machine is switched to. The replenishing device is withdrawn from the game medium lending machine body by releasing the key lock by the key lock mechanism of the replenishing device.
The game medium rental machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3.

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