JP5072445B2 - Pachinko Island ball balance device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball quantity balance device for leveling a ball quantity by moving pachinko balls stored in each pachinko island between islands.

Pachinko parlors are arranged with multiple pachinko islands (hereinafter referred to simply as islands) with pachinko machines arranged, and a pachinko ball is returned on a predetermined pachinko island with a counter that counts the prize balls acquired by players. It is like that.
If returned to the counter of the island you played here, the amount of pachinko balls stored on the island will be almost stable, but it is not always returned to the counter of the island you played due to congestion, etc. Storage balance between islands will be lost, and some islands will have problems such as lack of balls.
As a countermeasure, for example, a ball equalizing apparatus is proposed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-86383.

In this device, a storage device for each island is provided with a sensor device for detecting the amount of storage and a small tank having an open / close shutter, and a ball passage connecting the small tanks is provided between the islands so that pachinko balls in the storage tank When the amount is smaller than the predetermined lower limit amount, a request signal is output from the sensor device, and the open / close shutter is controlled to supply the pachinko balls from the large side to the short side.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-86383

In the conventional apparatus, the pachinko balls between the islands are not moved while the pachinko balls in the storage tank do not reach the predetermined lower limit. For example, when there are a large number of pachinko machines that are unevenly distributed and are not used by an island, the pachinko balls in the storage tank of the island are not reduced, and therefore no request signal is output from the sensor device.
On the other hand, when the storage tank becomes so-called full, it is discharged to the adjacent island, but in this case, it is only discharged when the detected storage amount reaches the upper limit. is there.

By the way, even if the storage tank is not full, it is expected that the storage amount of the storage tank on the own island will rapidly increase when a pachinko ball discharged from an adjacent island is received. However, the above-mentioned conventional apparatus does not take any measures against the anticipated sudden increase in the storage amount, and does not enter the preparation for discharge until the tank is full. There was a risk of it occurring.
Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides a pachinko island that can quickly secure a balance of pachinko ball storage amounts between islands even when the storage amount of a specific island may increase rapidly. The object is to provide a ball balance device.

For this reason, the ball quantity balance device for pachinko islands according to the present invention forms an island row with a plurality of islands each having a storage tank for storing pachinko balls, and a ball balance passage is provided between each adjacent island, The island is provided with a control device connected to a storage amount sensor for detecting the storage amount of pachinko balls in the storage tank of the own island, and a counter for collecting the pachinko balls is provided as necessary, the control device Is connected to the control device of other islands via a communication line, and the island that has fallen to a predetermined level with a low storage volume is supplied with pachinko balls from the adjacent island, increasing the storage volume, to a predetermined level with a high storage volume increased island by subtracting the storage amount by releasing the pachinko balls to an adjacent island, in order to perform the leveling of the ball of pachinko islands, the control device Ichinoshima is out of the supply request signal or ejection request signal of the pachinko balls And, this via a ball balancing passage receives a supply of pachinko balls from the adjacent islands to the Ichinoshima based, or pachinko island ball weight balance device configured to discharge the pachinko balls to the adjacent island from the Ichinoshima There ,
The balance control of the control devices on each island first checks whether the storage amount has fallen and the island is in a supply request state that requires pachinko ball replenishment. Select the direction of the supply request for which of the adjacent islands to make a supply request, then check whether the supply of pachinko balls is possible when receiving a supply request from the adjacent island, and then the amount of storage Check if there is an emission request state that needs to be discharged and then in the emission request state, if it is in the emission request state, select the discharge request direction to which of the islands adjacent to its own island the discharge request is made Next, check whether it is possible to receive pachinko balls when receiving a discharge request from an adjacent island,
By constantly repeating the above check, in the control device of one island, when the storage amount decreases and the supply request state is detected, a direction supply request signal is output, and an island adjacent to the supply request direction of the direction supply request signal is When the supply ready state is reached, the island outputs a supply ready state signal, and when the direction supply request signal of one island is output, when the supply ready state signal of the adjacent island is output, the supply is performed from the adjacent island. When a discharge request state is detected by increasing, a direction discharge request signal is output, and when an island adjacent to the discharge request direction of the direction discharge request signal is in a discharge ready state, the island outputs a discharge ready state signal, When a discharge request status signal for an adjacent island is output when the direction supply request signal for one island is output, the discharge is performed to the adjacent island, and a decrease or increase in the storage amount is recognized from the control device of one island. When a request signal is output, the control device of the adjacent island that responds to this request signal outputs a request ready state signal to supply from the requested island or to discharge to the requested island. As a result, the balance of the ball storage between the islands can be secured .

  According to the present invention, when the storage amount of the storage tank becomes equal to or higher than the first level, the pachinko balls are discharged through the ball balance passage toward the adjacent island where the discharge of the pachinko balls can be accepted. The second level, where the storage amount is lower than the first level, when accepting the discharge of pachinko balls from one of the islands or when the storage amount of the storage tank increases more rapidly than usual, such as when the pachinko balls are being inserted into the counter Since the pachinko balls are discharged when reaching the level, the pachinko balls can be moved to adjacent islands while preventing a sudden increase in the amount of storage, and the amount of balls between the pachinko islands can be quickly leveled.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view of an island in the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of the island.
A plurality of islands 30 (30A to 30E) are arranged as an island row 10, and 30A and 30E at both ends are set as parent islands, and 30B, 30C, and 30D are sandwiched between them as child islands. The number of islands is arbitrary, but here five examples are shown.
Hereinafter, when it is not limited to the parent island or the child island, it is simply referred to as “island”.
The island 30 is configured such that a plurality of pachinko machines 32 are arranged in the horizontal direction to form one surface, and similar surfaces are back to back. A counter 12 is appropriately provided at the island end.
A polishing lift 39 is provided in the center of the island 30 to lift the pachinko balls to the upper tank 40 while polishing them, and a storage tank 34 for storing the pachinko balls is provided below the pachinko platform.

A circulation lift 36 is provided at one end on the polishing lift side of the storage tank 34, and the pachinko balls in the tank are lifted to a predetermined height from the bottom of the storage tank 34 and supplied to the polishing lift 39 through the recovery rod 38.
Replenishment rods 44, 44 extend from the upper tank 40 in the longitudinal direction of the island 30, and although not shown in detail, pachinko balls are replenished to each pachinko machine 32. Further, pachinko balls overflowing beyond the capacity of the upper tank 40 are recovered to the storage tank 34 from the overflow rods 42, 42 provided substantially in parallel with the supply rods 44, 44 via the recovery rod 68. It has become.
In addition, pachinko balls received by the counter 12 are also collected in the storage tank 34 via the collection basket 68.

  Both parent islands and child islands are constructed with pachinko machines arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, but the parent islands 30A and 30E have a larger distance between the two pachinko machines than in the case of child islands. The difference is that the storage tank 34 is configured to have a large capacity by accommodating, for example, two sets of storage tanks in Kojima between the pachinko machines. If necessary, two sets of polishing lifts are provided.

Each storage tank 34 is provided with a storage amount sensor 74 for detecting the storage amount of the pachinko balls. Here, the storage amount sensor 74 represents the storage amount in four levels, level 1 corresponds to a lower limit value close to empty, level 4 corresponds to an upper limit value close to full, and values between level 2 and level 3 are divided into three parts between them. Corresponds to ascending order.
The plurality of islands 30 (30A to 30E) configured as described above are arranged as shown in FIG.
Between the islands 30 adjacent to each other, a bowl-shaped ball balance passage 50 for moving the pachinko balls is provided to balance the pachinko ball storage amount between the islands.

FIG. 3 is a partial view showing an installed state of the ball balance passage 50.
Two ball balance passages 50 are provided so as to incline vertically between adjacent islands 30. One of the ball balance passages 50 is, for example, spanned from the upper part of the upper tank 40 of the island 30B to the lower part of the upper tank 40 of the adjacent island 30C, for example, and the other ball balance passage 50 is conversely the upper part of the upper tank 40 of the island 30C. To the lower part of the upper tank 40 of the island 30B. A shutter 46 is provided on the upper portion of the upper tank 40 so that the end portion on the high position side of the ball balance passage 50 can communicate with the inside of the upper tank 40, and the end portion on the low position side of the ball balance passage 50 is the upper portion. The tank 40 is always in communication with the inside.

As shown in FIG. 2, the island 30 includes control devices 70 (70 </ b> A, 70 </ b> B, 70 </ b> C, 70 </ b> D, 70 </ b> E), and the control devices 70 on each island are connected to each other via a communication line 72. . Even in a child island that is not directly adjacent to the parent islands 30A and 30E at the end of the island row, the control device is also connected to the control devices 70A and 70E in each parent island via the communication line 72.
Each control device 70 is connected to a storage amount sensor 74 of the storage tank 34, and in the islands 30A, 30C, and 30E including the counter 12, a counter sensor 76 that detects the insertion of a pachinko ball into the counter is also provided. It is connected.
In addition, the circulation lift 36 and the shutter 46 of the ball balance passage 50 in the upper tank 40 are connected to the control device 70 as control targets.
Note that the signal lines between the control device 70, the storage amount sensor 74, and other control objects are shown only for the island 30C.
In addition, about the structure in the island 30, when specifying the site | part of an individual island, the code | symbol of A to E is attached | subjected and demonstrated to a reference number.

  Normally, the polishing lift 39 is always driven, and the pachinko balls thrown into the individual pachinko machines 32 are returned to the polishing lift 39, and in the order of the upper tank 40-pachinko machine 32-polishing lift 39-upper tank 40. It is circulating. Pachinko balls that have overflowed the upper tank 40 are stored in the storage tank 34. On the other hand, if there is a shortage, the circulation lift 36 is driven to supply the pachinko balls from the storage tank 34 to the polishing lift 39.

Next, a first embodiment will be described for balance control between islands.
The control device 70 of each island 30 monitors a signal from each storage amount sensor 74. For example, when it is detected that the storage amount of the storage tank 34 has decreased to a predetermined level, a flag for requesting a direction supply to one of the adjacent islands is set by communicating with the control device of another island. In the island where the supply is requested, when the pachinko ball can be supplied, the shutter 46 is opened and the supply is performed from the upper tank 40 through the ball balance passage 50.
In addition, when the control device 70 detects that the storage amount of the storage tank 34 has increased to a predetermined level, the control device 70 sets a direction discharge request flag for one of the adjacent islands and is adjacent to the direction indicated by the flag. When the island to be discharged can be discharged, the shutter 46 of the own island is opened and discharged from the upper tank 40 to the adjacent island through the ball balance passage 50.
The control device 70 of the child island can obtain the storage amount of the storage tank 34 of other islands and other information by communicating with the control device of the adjacent child island and the parent island.
As other information, by checking the opening control signal of the shutter 46 on the adjacent island, it is detected that the pachinko ball is being supplied or discharged from the adjacent island to the own island.

Details of balance control will be described below.
As a premise of balance control, the control device 70 of each child island always checks the state of the child island itself.
FIG. 4 is a main flowchart showing the flow of this state check.
First, in step 100, it is checked whether or not the amount of storage is reduced and pachinko balls need to be replenished on its own island, that is, whether it is in a supply request state.
When in the supply request state, in step 101, a supply request direction is selected for which of the islands adjacent to the own island the supply request is to be made.
Next, in step 102, it is checked whether a pachinko ball can be supplied when a supply request is received from an adjacent island.

In step 103, it is checked whether or not the storage amount is increased and the state where the discharge is required, that is, the discharge request state.
When in the discharge request state, in step 104, a discharge request direction is selected as to which of the islands adjacent to the own island is to be discharged.
Finally, in step 105, it is checked whether or not the pachinko balls can be discharged when a discharge request is received from an adjacent island.
The above flow is repeated on each child island.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request status check in step 100.
First, in step 110, the storage amount sensor 74 checks whether or not the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on its own island is level 2 or less.
When the storage amount is in a low state of level 2 or lower, the process proceeds to step 111, and a supply request state flag indicating that the supply request state is present is set (supply request state FLAG = 1). On the other hand, when the storage amount is in a large state of level 3 or more, the routine proceeds to step 112, where the supply request state flag is reset (supply request state FLAG = 0).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the supply request direction selection in step 101, which is executed when the supply request state flag is set.
Here, first, in step 120, communication is performed with the control devices 70A and 70E of the parent islands at both ends of the island row 10, the storage amount information of the respective storage tanks 34 is obtained, and the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A in FIG. And the storage amount of the rightmost parent island 30E.
When the level of the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A is larger, the routine proceeds to step 122, and a left direction supply request flag indicating that a supply is requested to an island adjacent in the left direction is set (left direction supply request FLAG = 1). ).
When the level of the storage amount of the rightmost parent island 30E is larger, the routine proceeds to step 123, and a right direction supply request flag is set indicating that a supply is requested to an island adjacent to the right direction (right direction supply request FLAG = 1). ).

When the storage amounts of the parent islands 30A and 30E are at the same level, the process proceeds to step 121.
In step 121, the distances to the parent islands 30A and 30E are compared. Here, the distance to each parent island is represented by the number of islands between the own island and the parent island.
When the distance to the leftmost parent island 30A is shorter as in the case of the child island 30B, the routine proceeds to step 122 and a left direction supply request flag is set.
When the distance to the leftmost parent island 30A is the same as the distance to the leftmost parent island 30E as in the child island 30C, or when the distance to the rightmost parent island 30E is closer as in the child island 30D Proceeding to step 123, the right supply request flag is set.
When the left direction supply request flag is set, the right direction supply request flag is reset simultaneously. When the right direction supply request flag is set, the left direction supply request flag is reset.
As described above, when selecting the supply request direction, priority is given to the items to be checked. First, the direction in which there is a parent island with a large amount of storage is set. A request flag is set and supply from the right direction is requested except in this case.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the supply ready state check in step 102.
That is, in step 130, when there is a counter 12 on its own island, it is checked by the counter sensor 76 whether a pachinko ball is being inserted into the counter.
If the counting machine 12 is not installed on its own island, or the pachinko ball is not being thrown in even if there is a counting machine, the process proceeds to step 131 and the supply or discharge of the pachinko ball is received from the adjacent island Check whether or not.
When the pachinko balls are being put into the counting machine 12 in the check in step 130, or when the pachinko balls are supplied or discharged from the adjacent island in the check in step 131, the process proceeds to step 132.

In step 132, it is checked whether the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is level 2 or higher. When the storage amount is equal to or higher than level 2, the process proceeds to step 134, and a supply ready state flag is set to indicate that the own island is in a state in which pachinko balls can be supplied to an adjacent island (supply ready state FLAG = 1). ).
On the other hand, when the storage amount is equal to or lower than level 1, the process proceeds to step 135, and the supply enable state flag is reset assuming that the pachinko ball supply is not possible (supply enable state FLAG = 0).
If it is determined in step 131 that no pachinko balls are supplied or discharged from the adjacent island, the process proceeds to step 133.

In step 133, it is checked whether or not the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is level 3 or higher. When the storage amount is level 3 or higher, the routine proceeds to step 134, where a supply ready state flag is set.
On the other hand, when the storage amount is equal to or lower than level 2, the process proceeds to step 135, and the supply enable state flag is reset on the assumption that the pachinko ball supply is not possible.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the discharge request status check in step 103.
First, in step 140, if there is a counter 12 on its own island, it is checked whether a pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter.
If the counting machine 12 is not installed on its own island, or if the pachinko ball is not being thrown in even if there is a counting machine, the process proceeds to step 141 and the supply or discharge of the pachinko ball is received from the adjacent island Check whether or not.
When the pachinko balls are being inserted into the counter 12 in the check of step 140, or when the pachinko balls are supplied or discharged from the adjacent island in the check of step 141, the process proceeds to step 142.
In addition, when the pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter 12 and the supply or discharge of the pachinko ball is received from an adjacent island, the process proceeds to step 142 as a result.

In step 142, it is checked whether the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is level 3 or higher. When the storage amount is level 3 or more, the process proceeds to step 144, and a discharge request state flag is set to indicate that the pachinko ball discharge request state from the own island to the adjacent island is set (discharge request state FLAG = 1). ).
On the other hand, when the storage amount is equal to or lower than level 2, the process proceeds to step 145, and the discharge request state flag is reset (discharge request state FLAG = 0), assuming that the pachinko ball discharge request state is not set.

When it is determined in step 141 that no pachinko balls are supplied or discharged from the adjacent island, the process proceeds to step 143 to check whether the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is level 4 or more.
And when the storage amount is level 4 or more, the routine proceeds to step 144, where a discharge request state flag is set. On the other hand, when the storage amount is equal to or lower than level 3, the process proceeds to step 145, and the discharge request state flag is reset assuming that it is not in the discharge request state.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the discharge request direction selection in step 104, which is executed when the discharge request state flag is set.
First, in step 150, the distances to the parent islands 30A and 30E at both ends are compared.
When the distance to the leftmost parent island 30A is closer, the process proceeds to step 152. When the distance to the rightmost parent island 30E is closer, the process proceeds to step 153. When the distance is the same, the process proceeds to step 151.
In step 152, a left direction discharge request flag indicating that a discharge request is to be made from the own island to the island adjacent in the left direction is set (left direction discharge request FLAG = 1).
In step 153, a right direction discharge request flag indicating that a discharge request is to be made from the own island to the right adjacent island is set (right direction discharge request FLAG = 1).

In step 151, the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A is compared with the storage amount of the rightmost parent island 30E, and when the storage amount is the same level or the storage amount level of the leftmost parent island 30A is smaller, step Proceeding to 152, the left direction discharge request flag is set, and when the storage amount level of the rightmost parent island 30E is smaller, the process proceeds to step 153 and the right direction discharge request flag is set.
When the left direction discharge request flag is set, the right direction discharge request flag is reset at the same time, and when the right direction discharge request flag is set, the left direction discharge request flag is reset.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the check for accepting discharge from an adjacent island in step 105.
First, in step 180, it is checked whether there is a counter 12 on its own island and a pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter.
When the pachinko ball is not being thrown into the counting machine 12, the process proceeds to step 181 to check whether the island is being supplied to or discharged from the adjacent island.
When supplying or discharging to an adjacent island, the process proceeds to step 184, and a discharge ready state flag indicating that it is possible to receive pachinko balls discharged to the own island is set (discharge received state FLAG = 1). ).

When the supply or discharge to the adjacent island is not in progress, the process proceeds to step 182 to check whether the storage amount of the storage tank on the own island is level 4 or higher.
When the storage amount is equal to or higher than level 4, the process proceeds to step 185, and the discharge acceptance state flag is reset (discharge acceptance state FLAG = 0).
When the storage amount is equal to or lower than level 3, the process proceeds to step 184, and the discharge acceptance state flag is set.
If the pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter 12 in the check of step 180, the process proceeds to step 183, and it is checked whether or not the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is level 3 or higher.
When the storage amount is level 3 or higher, the process proceeds to step 185 to reset the discharge acceptance state flag, and when the storage amount is level 2 or less, the process proceeds to step 184 to set the discharge acceptance state flag.

Each child island 30B, 30C, 30D repeats the above flow, and sets or resets each flag depending on the state. Therefore, the child island checks the flag of the adjacent island by communication to check whether there is a supply request state including the direction of the adjacent island, whether it can be supplied, whether there is a discharge request state including the direction, and Each state of whether or not it is possible to receive the discharge can be confirmed.
In the above flow, detection of each state is performed sequentially in a series of flows, but it may be executed in parallel for each state.

Next, the control devices 70A and 70E of the parent islands 30A and 30E also constantly check the state of their own islands. On the parent island, a state check is performed to determine whether the pachinko balls can be supplied to the child island and whether the pachinko balls can be discharged from the child island.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of checking whether pachinko balls can be supplied on the parent island.
First, in step 190, the parent island checks whether the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on its own island is level 1 or higher.
When the storage amount is equal to or higher than level 1, the process proceeds to step 191, and a supply ready state flag indicating that the pachinko balls can be supplied to the child island is set (supply ready state FLAG = 1).
When the storage amount is less than level 1, the process proceeds to step 192 and the supply ready state flag is reset (supply ready state FLAG = 0).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of checking whether or not the discharge can be received in the parent island.
In step 193, it is checked whether the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is level 3 or less.
When the storage amount is equal to or lower than level 3, the process proceeds to step 194, and a discharge acceptance state flag is set to indicate that pachinko balls can be received and received from the adjacent child island (discharge acceptance state FLAG = 1). ).
When the storage amount has reached level 4, the routine proceeds to step 195, where the discharge acceptance state flag is reset (discharge acceptance state FLAG = 0).

Each parent island 30A, 30E repeats the above flow, and each flag is set or reset depending on the state. Therefore, the child island checks the parent island flag by communication. The state can be confirmed.
When there is a parent island only at one end of the island row 10, the supply request direction cannot be selected on the child island, so that the direction in which the parent island is installed is fixed.
In addition, each flag set in the control device 70 on one island, regardless of whether it is a parent island or a child island, can be recognized as an output signal because it can be recognized by the control device on another island. Therefore, in particular, the left direction discharge request flag and the right direction discharge request flag are discharge request signals each including a discharge request direction, and the left direction supply request flag and the right direction supply request flag are supply request signals, respectively. The discharge acceptance flag is a discharge acceptance signal.

An example of balance control based on the above flow will be described for a case where the storage amount decreases.
Here, if two conditions are met, the direction supply request flag is set on the island that needs to be replenished due to a decrease in the storage amount, and the supply ready state flag is set on the island adjacent to the supply request direction. Pachinko balls are supplied from the island.
For example, in the child island 30D, when the storage amount of the storage tank 34D on the own island becomes level 2 or less, a supply request state flag is set. (Step 110 → 111)
At this time, if the storage amount of the storage tank 34A on the leftmost parent island is level 3, and the storage amount of the storage tank 34E on the rightmost parent island is level 2, the left supply request flag FL1 is set. (Step 120 → 122)

In the child island 30C adjacent to the left side of the child island 30D, the pachinko ball is not being charged into the counter 12C, and there is no discharge from the adjacent child island 30B, and the storage amount of the storage tank 34C is level 2. In some cases, the supply ready state flag cannot be set. (Step 130 → 131 → 133 → 135)
Even if the control device 70C detects that the left-side supply request flag of the child island 30D is set, the supply enable state flag for the own island is not set, and therefore the shutter 46 of the own island is not opened, and therefore FIG. As shown by the prohibition code X, the pachinko balls are not supplied from the child islands 30C to 30D.

On the other hand, when the pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter 12C at Kojima 30C, the supply ready state flag FL2 is set even if the storage amount is level 2. (Steps 130 → 132 → 134)
Since the left direction supply request flag FL1 of the child island 30D is set and the supply enable state flag FL2 of the own island is also set, the control device 70C opens the shutter on the own island, and thereby (a) of FIG. As shown by black arrows, the pachinko balls are supplied from Kojima 30C to 30D.
Further, even when the child island 30C is discharged or supplied from the adjacent island 30B, the supply ready state flag FL2 is set even if the storage amount is level 2. (Step 131 → 132 → 134)
Therefore, also in this case, the control device 70C opens the shutter of its own island, and as a result, the pachinko balls are supplied from the child islands 30C to 30D as indicated by the black arrows in FIG.

Next, a case where the storage amount increases will be described.
Here, when two conditions are met, the direction discharge request flag is set on an island that requires discharge due to an increase in the storage amount, and the discharge ready state flag is set on an island adjacent to the discharge request direction. Pachinko balls are discharged to the adjacent island.
For example, in the child island 30C, when no pachinko balls are being thrown into the counter 12C and there is no supply or discharge from the adjacent island 30B or 30D, the storage amount of the storage tank 34C on the own island is level 4 or higher. Otherwise, the discharge request status flag is not set. (Steps 140 → 141 → 143 → 145)
However, when a pachinko ball is being put into the counter 12C, a discharge request state flag is set when the storage amount of the storage tank 34C on the own island becomes level 3 or higher. (Step 140 → 142 → 144)

When the discharge request state flag is set, the distances to the parent islands 30A and 30E at both ends are the same, so the stored flow rates of the parent islands are compared. Here, assuming that the stored flow rate of the leftmost parent island 30A is level 2 and the stored flow rate of the rightmost parent island 30E is level 3, the stored flow rate of the leftmost parent island 30A is smaller. Set flag FL3. (Steps 150 → 151 → 152)
Correspondingly, in the child island 30B adjacent to the left side of the child island 30C, the discharge acceptance state flag FL4 is set when the storage amount is level 3 or lower unless the discharge is being performed to the adjacent parent island 30A. Stand up. (Steps 180 → 181 → 182 → 184)

The control device 70C of the child island 30C has two conditions that the left direction discharge request flag FL3 of the own island is set and the discharge acceptance state flag FL4 of the child island 30B adjacent to the left is set. If established, as shown in FIG. 15A, the shutter 46 to the ball balance passage 50 directed to the island 30B adjacent to the left is opened to discharge the pachinko balls.
Note that in the Kojima 30C that started discharging the pachinko balls, the storage amount of the storage tank 34C decreases due to the discharge to the Kojima 30B, and the storage amount is reduced to, for example, level 3 that is one level lower by the signal from the storage amount sensor. When it is detected that it has reached, the control device 70C resets the discharge request state flag and the left direction discharge request flag, closes the shutter 46, and ends the current discharge.

In the sub-island 30C, even if pachinko balls are not being thrown into the counter 12C, even when the pachinko balls are supplied or discharged from the adjacent island 30D, the storage amount of the storage tank 34C on its own island is level 3 or higher. When it becomes, a discharge request state flag is set. (Steps 140 → 141 → 142 → 144)
Accordingly, in this case as well, the left direction discharge request flag FL3 is subsequently raised, and as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the shutter to the ball balance passage toward the island 30B adjacent to the left is opened and the pachinko ball is opened. Is discharged.

Further, in the child island 30B, even if the storage amount of the storage tank 34B is not equal to or lower than the level 3, the discharge acceptable state flag FL4 is set when discharging to the adjacent parent island 30A is in progress. (Steps 180 → 181 → 184)
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16A, the pachinko balls are discharged from the child island 30C toward the adjacent island 30B as in the case of FIG.

On the other hand, in the child island 30B, when it is not being supplied or discharged to the adjacent parent island 30A and the storage amount is level 4, the discharge acceptance state flag is not raised. (Steps 180 → 181 → 182 → 185)
In this case, since the discharge acceptance flag of the island 30B adjacent to the left side of the child island 30C is not raised, the condition is not satisfied. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Do not discharge balls.
At Kojima 30C, the discharge request direction on its own island changes and can be discharged to the adjacent Kojima 30D on the right, or until the discharge acceptance flag FL4 of the Kojima 30B adjacent to the left is raised. I will wait.
The child island 30B is not equipped with a counter, but in the case of an island with a counter 12, when a pachinko ball is being inserted into the counter, if the storage amount is level 3 or higher, the discharge receptacle is received. Do not set the enable flag. (Steps 180 → 183 → 185)
Therefore, also in this case, discharge to the island having the counter 12 is not performed.

  As described above, an island whose storage volume has been lowered to a predetermined level is supplied with pachinko balls from the adjacent island to increase the storage volume, and an island whose storage volume has been increased to a predetermined level is pachinko to the adjacent island. Unbalance is improved by releasing balls and reducing the amount of storage.

This embodiment is configured as described above,
A plurality of islands 30 each having a storage tank 34 for storing pachinko balls form an island row, and a ball balance passage 50 is provided between each adjacent island, and each island 30 has a pachinko in a storage tank 34 on its own island. A control device 70 connected to a storage amount sensor 74 that detects the amount of storage of balls is provided, and a counter 12 that collects pachinko balls is provided as necessary. One island controller 70 is connected to the island controller, and a left, right direction supply request flag or left, right direction discharge request flag is set, and based on this, the one island from the adjacent island via the ball balance passage 50 is set. In the pachinko ball balance device configured to receive the supply of hepachinko balls or to discharge pachinko balls from the one island to the adjacent island,
When the pachinko ball is not discharged or supplied from other islands, or when the pachinko ball is not put into the counter 12 of the own island, the control device 70 of the above-mentioned one island controls the storage tank 34 of the own island. When the storage amount becomes the first level (level 4) on the full side or higher, the left and right direction discharge request flag is set, and (b) the state where the pachinko ball is discharged or supplied from the adjacent island, Or, when a pachinko ball is being put into the own island counter 12, when the storage amount of the storage tank 34 of the own island becomes equal to or higher than the second level (level 3) lower than the first level, A right direction discharge request flag was set.
By this, when the pachinko ball is discharged from the adjacent island or the pachinko ball is thrown into the counter 12, the storage amount of the storage tank is increasing more rapidly than by pachinko ball circulation in the own island, Without waiting for the storage amount to reach the first level, which is the normal emission request level, the discharge request is made when it reaches the lower second level, so the ball quantity between Pachinko islands can be quickly leveled Is done.

Further, the island control device 70 which is requested to discharge the pachinko ball adjacent to the one island is not (c) discharging or supplying the pachinko ball to another island adjacent to the opposite side of the one island, and the own island When the pachinko ball is not being put into the counter 12, when the storage amount of the storage tank 34 on the own island is equal to or higher than the predetermined third level (level 4), the discharge acceptance state flag for accepting the discharge of the pachinko ball (D) When pachinko balls are being introduced into the own island counter 12, whether or not the pachinko balls are being discharged or supplied from the own island to other islands. Even if the stored amount of water is higher than the fourth level (level 3), which is lower than the third level, the discharge acceptance flag is not raised, and (e) the pachinko ball is not being thrown into the counter 12 of the own island. Is discharging or supplying pachinko balls to other islands , Regardless of the storage amount of the storage tank 34 of its own island, it makes a discharge receiving Ready state flag, and shall accept the discharge of pachinko balls from the Ichinoshima.
Therefore, even on the side that should receive the pachinko balls, the acceptance of the discharge is limited when the storage amount of the storage tank 34 is rapidly increasing, but the discharge is immediately performed when the storage amount is rapidly decreasing. Acceptance promotes effective leveling by preventing new imbalances as a result of supply and discharge.

  On the other hand, when one island sets the left / right direction supply request flag, the adjacent island control device 70 (f) discharges or supplies pachinko balls from other islands on the opposite side of the one island to its own island. If the pachinko ball is not being thrown into the counter 12 of the own island, if the storage amount of the storage tank 34 of the own island is equal to or higher than a predetermined fifth level (level 3), the island is transferred from the own island to the one island. It is possible to supply pachinko balls. (G) When the pachinko balls are discharged or supplied from other islands to the own island, or when pachinko balls are being thrown into the counter 12 of the own island, the own island is stored. If the storage amount of the tank 34 is equal to or higher than the sixth level (level 2) lower than the fifth level, the pachinko balls can be supplied from the own island to one island, and the pachinko balls are supplied through the ball balance passage 50. So pachinko balls according to the supply request Island of supply side can not even fall into extreme storage shortage.

  In particular, the left and right direction discharge request flags relating to the discharge request refer to the parent islands 30A and 30E provided with large-capacity storage tanks and arranged at both ends of the island row, and (h) the distance from the own island is short The left direction discharge request flag is set by selecting in order of priority from the parent island side, (j) the parent island side where the storage amount of the storage tank 34 is small, and (k) the side fixed in advance (left direction). Since it is decided whether to set a right direction discharge request flag, the number of islands that may be sequentially affected by pachinko ball discharge is reduced by first determining by comparing the distance to the parent islands 30A, 30E. Yes.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. This is obtained by switching the order of the distance comparison to the parent island and the storage amount comparison in the discharge request direction check in step 104.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the details.
First, in step 160, the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A is compared with the storage amount of the rightmost parent island 30E.
When the amount stored in the leftmost parent island 30A is smaller, the routine proceeds to step 162, and a left direction discharge request flag is set. When the amount of storage in the rightmost parent island 30E is smaller, the process proceeds to step 163 and a right direction discharge request flag is set.
Moreover, when both storage amount is the same level, it progresses to step 161 and the distance to the parent islands 30A and 30E of both ends is compared. When the rightmost parent island 30E is closer, the process proceeds to step 163. When the leftmost parent island 30A is closer or the same distance, the process proceeds to step 162.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
According to this, since it is discharged mainly in the direction of the parent island where the amount of storage is small, leveling as a whole is further promoted compared to the first embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the discharge request direction check in step 104, whether or not a pachinko ball is inserted into the counter is included in the discharge direction selection condition.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the details.
In step 170, it is checked whether there is a counter 12 on its own island and a pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter.
When the pachinko ball is being thrown into the counter 12, the distance to the parent islands 30A and 30E at both ends is compared in step 171.
When the distance to the leftmost parent island 30A is shorter, the routine proceeds to step 175, where the left direction discharge request flag is set.
When the distance to the rightmost parent island 30E is shorter, the routine proceeds to step 176, where a right direction discharge request flag is set.
When the distance to the parent islands 30A and 30E at both ends is the same distance, the process proceeds to step 172, and the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A is compared with the storage amount of the rightmost parent island 30E.
When the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A is smaller, or when both storage amounts are the same level, the process proceeds to step 175 and a left direction discharge request flag is set.
When the amount stored in the rightmost parent island 30E is smaller, the routine proceeds to step 176, where a right direction discharge request flag is set.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 170 that there is no counting machine 12 on its own island, or there is a counting machine and the pachinko ball is not being thrown in, the process proceeds to step 173 and the amount stored in the leftmost parent island 30A and the rightmost parent island. The amount of storage of 30E is compared.
When the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A is smaller, the process proceeds to step 175 and a left direction discharge request flag is set.
When the amount stored in the rightmost parent island 30E is smaller, the routine proceeds to step 176, where a right direction discharge request flag is set.
When the storage amount of the leftmost parent island 30A and the rightmost parent island 30E is at the same level, the process proceeds to step 174, and the distance to the parent islands at both ends is compared.
When the leftmost parent island 30A is closer, or when the leftmost parent island 30A and the rightmost parent island 30E are the same distance, the routine proceeds to step 175 and a left direction discharge request flag is set.
When the rightmost parent island 30E is closer, the routine proceeds to step 176, where a right direction discharge request flag is set.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

According to this, in the state where the pachinko ball is inserted into the counter 12, priority is given to the direction in which the distance to the parent island is short, so the child islands that are successively affected by the exhausted pachinko ball that may increase rapidly. The number can be suppressed as much as possible.
On the other hand, when there is no pachinko ball thrown into the counter 12, leveling of the entire island row is promoted by giving priority to the parent island direction with a small storage amount.

In the embodiment, the level values used for determining the various states of the island 30 are merely examples, and can be set as appropriate according to the configuration of the island row 10 and the storage tank capacity.
In particular, the storage amount sensor 74 represents the storage amount of the storage tank 34 in four levels 1 to 4, with the higher level 4 corresponding to the first level and the third level, and level 3 being the first level. The level 2 is described as the sixth level, corresponding to the second level, the fourth level, and the fifth level. However, when a storage amount sensor that indicates the storage amount of the storage tank 34 in more stages is used, The first to sixth levels as reference values for state determination may be set to different values.
Furthermore, although the counter sensor 76 for detecting the pachinko ball thrown into the counter is provided in the counter 12, it may be provided in the recovery basket 68 or the like while the pachinko ball thrown into the storage tank 34 is moving. Alternatively, instead of providing the counter sensor 76, a signal from a ball counting sensor provided in the counter 12 itself can be used.

In determining the supply request, first, in step 100, it is checked whether or not the supply request state is set. When the supply request state flag is set, the supply request direction is checked in step 101, and the left supply request flag is set. Alternatively, since the right direction supply request flag is raised, the supply request state can also be confirmed by checking only the left direction supply request flag or the right direction supply request flag as the supply request signal.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the supply request direction check may be always repeated regardless of whether the supply request state flag is set. In this case, the supply request state flag and the left direction supply request flag Alternatively, the supply request signal may be output when both the right supply request flag is set.
The same applies to the determination of the discharge request. When the check of the supply request direction is always repeated regardless of whether or not the discharge request state flag is set, the discharge request state flag and the left direction discharge request flag or When both the right direction discharge request flag are set, the output state of the discharge request signal may be set.

  In addition, the parent islands 30A and 30E are also checked for the discharge acceptance status in the same manner as the child island 30B and the like, but the parent island has a larger capacity of the storage tank 34 than the child island until it becomes full. If there is a discharge request from an adjacent child island, you may always accept it.

Further, in the embodiment, the state in which the self-island is receiving or discharging the pachinko ball is detected by checking the opening control signal of the shutter 46 on the adjacent island. You may make it detect by installing the sensor which detects a pachinko ball.
Also, for the movement of pachinko balls between the islands 30, the slanted ball balance passage 50 is used to supply the pachinko balls by opening the shutter 46 of the own island by the island control device on the side requested to supply, The pachinko ball is discharged by the control device on the island that requested the discharge by opening the shutter on its own island. However, the pachinko ball moving structure between the islands is not limited to this, The control device may control the specific execution of the pachinko balls.

  In the embodiment, in the island having the counter 12, the pachinko balls thrown into the counter are directly collected into the storage tank 34, but the counter 12 is opposite to the storage tank 34 with the polishing lift 39 interposed therebetween. It may be installed on the side, and sent from the counter 12 to the polishing lift 39 via the recovery rod 38. Also by this, when the upper tank that has received the pachinko balls lifted by the polishing lift 39 overflows, it is finally recovered to the storage tank 34 via the overflow trough 42 and the like, and the storage amount of the storage tank increases. .

It is a figure which shows the structure of the island in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the connection structure of an island row. FIG. 6 is a partial view showing an installation state of a ball balance passage 50. It is a main flowchart which shows the flow of the state check in the child island concerning a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a supply request | requirement state check. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of supply request | requirement direction selection. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a supply enabled state check. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of discharge | emission request | requirement state check. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of discharge | emission request | requirement direction selection. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a discharge | emission acceptance / rejection check. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the supply possible state check in a parent island. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the discharge | emission acceptance / rejection check in a parent island. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of balance control when the storage amount reduces. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of balance control when the storage amount reduces. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of balance control when the storage amount increases. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of balance control when the storage amount increases. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the discharge request | requirement direction check in a 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the discharge | emission request | requirement direction check in a 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

10 island row 12 counter 30 island 30A, 30E island 30B, 30C, 30D child island 32 pachinko machine 34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E storage tank 36 circulation lift 38, 68 recovery rod 39 polishing lift 40 upper tank 44 Supply rod 42 Overflow rod 46 Shutter 50 Ball balance passage 70, 70A, 70B, 70C, 70D, 70E Control device 72 Communication line 74 Storage amount sensor 76 Counter sensor

Claims (1)

A plurality of islands each having a storage tank for storing pachinko balls form an island row, and a ball balance passage is provided between each adjacent island,
Each island is provided with a control device connected to a storage amount sensor for detecting the amount of pachinko balls stored in its own storage tank, and a counter for collecting pachinko balls is provided as necessary.
The control device is connected to a control device of another island by a communication line,
An island whose storage volume has dropped to a predetermined level increases the storage volume by supplying pachinko balls from the adjacent island, and an island whose storage volume has increased to a predetermined level with high storage volume releases the pachinko balls to the adjacent island and stores them. In order to reduce the amount and level the ball quantity between Pachinko islands,
The control device of one island outputs a pachinko ball supply request signal or discharge request signal, and based on this, the pachinko ball is supplied from the adjacent island to the one island via the ball balance passage, or the adjacent island from the one island. A ball quantity balance device of Pachinko Island configured to discharge hepachinko balls,
Balance control of each island's control device
First, check whether the storage amount has fallen and the island is in a supply request state that requires replenishment of pachinko balls. Next, when in the supply request state, make a supply request to any of the islands adjacent to the island. The direction of supply request is selected, and then a check is made as to whether pachinko balls can be supplied when a supply request is received from an adjacent island.
Next, a check is made as to whether or not the storage request is in an emission request state that requires discharge, and if it is in the discharge request state, the discharge request direction of which of the islands adjacent to the own island will make the discharge request And then check if it is possible to receive pachinko balls when receiving a discharge request from an adjacent island,
By constantly repeating the above checks,
In one island control device,
When the storage amount decreases and the supply request state is detected, a direction supply request signal is output,
When an island adjacent to the supply request direction of the direction supply request signal becomes ready for supply, the island outputs a supply ready state signal,
When the supply availability state signal of the adjacent island is output when the direction supply request signal of one island is output, the supply is performed from the adjacent island,
In addition, when the storage amount increases and the discharge request state is detected, a direction discharge request signal is output,
When an island adjacent to the discharge request direction of the direction discharge request signal becomes ready for discharge, the island outputs a discharge ready state signal,
When the discharge acceptance status signal of the adjacent island is output when the direction supply request signal of one island is output, the discharge is performed to the adjacent island,
When a request signal is output when a decrease or increase in the amount of storage is recognized from one island controller, the neighboring island controller responding to this request signal outputs a request ready state signal, A ball quantity balance device on Pachinko Island that is supplied from the requested island or discharged to the requested island to ensure a balance of the amount of ball storage between the islands.

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