JP6511548B1 - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to detect game medals that have not been cleaned for a long time. SOLUTION: When the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media paid out from the storage device to the number of gaming media inserted into the storage device in a specific period is larger than the specific threshold, it is smaller than the specific threshold Compared to the case, it is possible to control the game medium stored in the storage device according to the signal from the gaming machine that is easily discharged in the specific period to the position where it can be transported to the cleaning unit for washing the game medium. It has a control device. The above control means is an end specifying means for specifying whether or not the specific period is over, and when the specific period is over, the game is paid out from the storage device to the number of gaming media inserted into the storage device in the specific period. And determining means for determining whether the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of media is greater than a specific threshold value. [Selected figure] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device capable of detecting a game medium used without being cleaned for a long time.

  Conventionally, a game is made possible by inserting a game medium (for example, game medals), and a game machine (for example, a reel-type game machine) that pays out the game medium according to the result of the game is known. The above gaming machine is provided with a storage device (for example, a hopper device) capable of storing gaming media. The above storage device stores game media inserted into the game machine, and pays out the stored game media to the player.

  In addition, when game media is continuously inserted and the game media overflows from the storage device, the game media which overflowed from the storage device is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine, and then the technology of conveying by the collection conveyor is known conventionally. (E.g., Patent Document 1). According to the above configuration, for example, there is an advantage that the store clerk in the game arcade does not have to be careful to prevent the game media from overflowing from the storage device. Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the game medium collected by the collection conveyor is cleaned by the purification unit. Furthermore, there is conventionally known a technology in which game media is automatically replenished to the storage device when the game media of the storage device become less than or equal to a predetermined number while the game media are continuously paid out (for example, patent documents 2).

  The technique which combined the structure of the above patent documents 1 and the structure of patent documents 2 is adopted from the former. Specifically, in the above technology, a replenishment conveyor for transporting gaming media automatically replenished to each gaming machine (storage device) and a recovery conveyor for transporting gaming media discharged from each gaming machine are provided. In addition, a management unit that cleans the gaming media collected from the collection conveyor and supplies the cleaned gaming media to the replenishment conveyor is adopted in the technology.

  According to the above-described technology, the gaming medium dirty by touching the hand of the player is collected from the gaming machine by the collection conveyor, the collected gaming medium is cleaned by the cleaning unit, and the game medium after cleaning is collected by the supply conveyor. The game is automatically replenished. That is, the gaming medium circulates between the gaming machine and the washing unit while being washed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-207016 JP 2000-107353 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, game media may be used without being cleaned for a long time. For example, it is assumed that a circulation route is established in which gaming medals inserted into the gaming machine are paid out to the player and reintroduced into the gaming machine. When game media circulates repeatedly through the above circulation path, the game media is used without being cleaned for a long time, and dirt is accumulated. If dirt accumulates on the gaming medium, the gaming medium is likely to be clogged inside the gaming machine, and the player may touch the soiled medals, and the player may feel uncomfortable and stop the game. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to suppress the above-mentioned inconvenience by detecting a game medium used without being cleaned for a long time.

In order to solve the above problems, the control device according to the first aspect of the present invention subtracts the number of game media paid out from the storage device from the number of game media inserted into the storage device in a specific period. When the absolute value of the difference to be determined is larger than the specific threshold, the gaming medium stored in the storage device is stored in the non-retention path that can be transported to the cleaning unit that cleans the gaming medium, as compared to the case where it is smaller than the specific threshold. A control device capable of performing control according to a signal from a gaming machine that is easy to discharge in the specific period, and an end identification unit that specifies whether the specific period has ended, and when the specific period ends, the specific period in a determination unit configured to determine whether the absolute value of the difference obtained, the number of payout game media from the accumulating device from the number of input game media to storage device by subtracting greater than a certain threshold, specific time period Storage device When it is determined that the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media paid out from the storage device from the number of gaming media inserted is determined not to be larger than the specific threshold, the gaming media is not transferred to the non-staying path A notification control means is provided which enables notification by a predetermined notification means that the vehicle has not moved during the period .

  The difference obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media paid out from the storage device (for example, gaming medals awarded to the player as a bonus) to the number of gaming media (for example, gaming medals) inserted into the storage device in a specific period If the "difference in number" is larger than the specific threshold value, it is possible that the gaming medium has been discharged in the specific period to the position (for example, the above-mentioned "collection conveyor") which can be transported to the cleaning unit for cleaning gaming media. Means high.

  In addition, when game media is discharged to the position where it can be transported to the cleaning unit, it is not transported to the cleaning unit as compared with the case where no game media is discharged to the position where it can be transported to the cleaning unit. Less gaming media. Therefore, the determination means of the present invention for determining whether or not the difference sheet number is larger than the specific threshold value is a means for determining the degree (presence or absence) of gaming media stagnating without being transported to the cleaning unit for a specific period. In other words. For example, when it is determined that the difference number is equal to or less than the specific threshold value, it can be said that there are (large number) game medals that have been used without being washed for the specific period. According to the above determination means, it can be detected (predicted) that game media is being used without being cleaned for a specific period.

The control device according to the second aspect of the present invention stores the game media inserted by the player and can perform control according to a signal from a game machine having a storage device capable of paying out the game media in each game. The control device, the signal includes a special award signal which is output when the gaming machine shifts to a special prize state in which more gaming media than the normal state are paid out, and a predetermined number of gaming mediums are inserted An end specifying means for specifying whether or not a specific period in which the end condition can be satisfied is ended, a counting means for counting the number of times the gaming machine has shifted to the special prize state in the specific period, and the special period determination but when completed, determining means for whether or number of shifts to the grand prize state in the particular period is specified number of times or more, and is not a prescribed number of times or more times that migrated to the prize state in a specific time period If it is, and a notification control means to the non-retention pathway may be transferred to the cleaning unit for cleaning the game medium is a game medium to the effect that not moving in the specified period, to allow notification by predetermined report means Do.

  In the case where the number of times the special prize state has been transferred in the specific period is equal to or more than the specified number, gaming media used without being cleaned for a long period of time stay in the storage device before the specific period starts. Even in the case where it has been stored, there is a high possibility that the gaming medium which has been stagnating has been discharged from the storage device to the outside during the specific period. On the other hand, in the case where the number of times of transition to the special prize state in the specific period is less than the specified number, there is a low possibility that the gaming media which have been staying are discharged from the storage device in the specific period. That is, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the gaming media staying by determining whether the number of transitions to the special prize state in the specific period is equal to or more than the specified number.

The control device according to the third aspect of the present invention stores the game media inserted by the player and also reduces the number of game media in the storage device capable of paying out the game media in each game to a predetermined number or less. A control device capable of performing control in accordance with a specific signal to be output, and specifying an end specifying means for specifying whether or not a specific period in which the end condition can be satisfied when the player continues the game has ended; When the period ends, determination means for determining whether or not the specific signal is output in the specific period, and when it is determined that the specific signal is not output in the specific period, may be transported to the cleaning unit for cleaning gaming media A notification control means is provided which enables notification by a predetermined notification means that the game medium has not moved to the non-dwelling path in the specific period .

  If a signal (hereinafter referred to as a "resupply request signal") output when the gaming medium of the storage device decreases to a predetermined number or less in a specific period is temporarily before the specific period is started. In the case where the gaming media being used without being cleaned for a long period of time stay in the storage device, the gaming media that were staying can be discharged from the storage device to the outside during the specific period. Sex is high. On the other hand, when the replenishment request signal is not output, there is a low possibility that the gaming medium which has been staying has been discharged from the storage device in the specific period. That is, by determining the presence or absence of the replenishment request signal, the presence or absence of the gaming medium staying can be detected.

As a suitable example of the control device according to the first aspect to the third aspect of the present invention, the mode transition means for causing the notification means to shift to either the notification mode or the non notification mode and the notification control means If the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of game media are paid out from the accumulating device from the number of input game media is not greater than a certain threshold value, the notification mode, the game to a non-retention pathway While making the notification means execute notification that the medium has not moved in the specific period, in the non notification mode , the notification means execute notification that the game medium has not moved to the non-dwelling path in the specific period. I will not let you . According to the above configuration, in the notification mode, for example, it is possible to make a store clerk in the game arcade know the presence or absence of a game medium which has been used without being cleaned for a long time. Further, it may be better not to notify the presence or absence of a game medium that has been used for a long time without being cleaned, for example, while a player is playing a game. According to the preferred embodiment, it is possible to conceal the presence or absence of a game medium being used without being cleaned for a long period of time by shifting to the non-informing mode while the player is playing a game.

  As a suitable example of the control device according to the first aspect to the third aspect of the present invention, the notification control means can perform control for notifying the portable portable device of information which can specify the determination result of the determination means. It is characterized by According to the above configuration, for example, by letting the store clerk at the game arcade carry the mobile device, it is possible to notify the store clerk away from the gaming machine that the game medium is stagnant at the gaming machine.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect gaming media that have not been cleaned for a long time.

It is a figure for demonstrating each game machine installed in the game arcade. It is a figure for explaining each composition of a game system. It is a figure for demonstrating the course in which a game medal circulates. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure for detecting a retention medal. It is a flowchart of a retention monitoring process. It is a flowchart of the retention monitoring process of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the retention monitoring process of 3rd Embodiment.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a game arcade in which each game machine 100 is installed. FIG. 1 shows a part of each gaming machine 100 installed in the game arcade. As shown in FIG. 1, each gaming machine 100 is divided into islands L and installed. In the specific example of FIG. 1, seven gaming machines 100 are installed on the island L. As shown in FIG. 1, each gaming apparatus 200 is installed in the game arcade. In the present embodiment, one gaming device 200 is provided for one gaming machine 100. In the specific example of FIG. 1, the gaming apparatus 200 is provided adjacent to the right of the gaming machine 100 to which the gaming apparatus 200 corresponds.

  The gaming machine 100 uses gaming medals as gaming media. By inserting three game medals into the gaming machine 100, one game can be made. When the start lever is operated after the game medals are inserted, the game is started and the three reels rotate. A plurality of types of symbols are arranged on each reel. Each stop button corresponding to each reel is provided, and when each stop button is operated, the symbol combination as a result of the game is stopped and displayed.

  The gaming medals used for the game are awarded from the gaming device 200. Specifically, a hopper device (204 in FIG. 2 described later) is provided inside the gaming device 200. When the player inserts a bill into the gaming device 200, a predetermined number of gaming medals are lent to the player from the hopper device 204. In the present embodiment, 50 gaming medals are lent to the player from the gaming device 200 at one time.

  When a specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed as a result of the game, the gaming machine 100 transitions to the BB (big bonus) state. Further, when another specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed as a result of the game, the gaming machine 100 shifts to the RB (regular bonus) state. In the BB state and the RB state, the expected value of the number of game medals acquired in one game is larger than that in the normal state. The BB state ends, for example, when 300 gaming medals are paid out. The RB state ends in eight games, for example. In the present embodiment, a state in which the number of payouts is purely increased with respect to the number of inserted sheets such as the BB state and the RB state is generically referred to as a “special prize state”. The gaming machine 100 outputs a BB signal in the BB state and outputs an RB signal in the RB state.

  When the predetermined symbol combination is stopped and displayed, the gaming medals are paid out from the medal payout opening (102 in FIG. 2 described later) of the gaming machine 100. Specifically, inside the gaming machine 100, a hopper device (103 in FIG. 2 described later) for storing medals is provided. The hopper device 103 pays out game medals from the medal payout opening 102. Every time one game medal is paid out from the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100, a payout signal is output from the gaming machine 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the island L is provided with a medal circulating device 400. As described above, gaming medals are awarded from the gaming machine 100 to the player. The medal circulating device 400 supplies game medals to the gaming machine 100 (the hopper device 103). Further, medals are given (lended) from the gaming device 200 to the player. The medal circulating device 400 supplies game medals to the gaming device 200 (the hopper device 204).

  The hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment can store up to about W (for example, W = 1000) gaming medals. Therefore, when about W game medals are stored in the hopper device 103 and the game medals are continuously inserted, the game medals overflow from the hopper device 103. Although described later in detail, the game medals overflowing from the hopper device 103 are collected by the collection conveyor of the medal circulation device 400. The game medals collected by the collection conveyor are supplied again to the gaming machine 100 or the gaming device 200 by the medal circulation device 400.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a medal management unit 300 is provided at the end of the island L. The game medals are automatically supplied from the medal circulation device 400 to each gaming machine 100. The medal management unit 300 manages the timing of automatically supplying the game medals to each gaming machine 100. As will be described in detail later, gaming medals are conveyed to the medal management unit 300 from the collection conveyor. The medal management unit 300 cleans the gaming medals contained and transported by the cleaning unit 303. The cleaned gaming medals are supplied to each gaming machine 100.

  The medal management unit 300 is provided with a display unit 301. The display unit 301 can display various types of information. Further, the medal management unit 300 is provided with a lamp 306. For example, when there is a shortage of game medals that can be supplied by the medal circulation device 400 (the medal management unit 300), the lamp 306 notifies that effect.

  Although described later in detail, in the gaming machine 100 (the hopper device 103), gaming medals (hereinafter referred to as "dwelling medals") that have been used without being cleaned may be retained. The gaming device 200 of the present embodiment can detect and notify the staying medal in the gaming machine 100 corresponding to the gaming device 200.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the medal management unit 300 is provided with a control panel 307. The control panel 307 is operated by, for example, a store clerk at a game arcade. By appropriately operating the control panel 307, it is possible to switch each gaming device 200 to either the staying notification mode or the staying non notification mode. The gaming device 200 notifies that the gaming machine 100 has a staying medal in the staying notification mode. Specifically, a staying notification lamp 205 is provided in the gaming device 200 as shown in FIG. The gaming device 200 in the stagnation notification mode makes the display mode of the stagnation notification lamp 205 different depending on whether there is a stagnation medal in the gaming machine 100 or not. According to the above configuration, the presence or absence of the staying medal is notified by the display mode of the staying notification lamp 205 while the gaming device 200 is in the staying notification mode.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the medal management unit 300 is provided with a counter K. When stopping the game, the player transfers the acquired game medals to the medal box. The game medals transferred to the medal box are counted by the counter K. Specifically, the counter K is provided with an opening through which game medals can be inserted. The game medals inserted into the opening are detected and counted one by one, for example, by a photo sensor. Also, the game medals counted by the counter K are accumulated in the medal management unit 300. The game medals inserted from the counting machine K are cleaned by the medal management unit 300 in the same manner as the game medals transported by the above-described collection conveyor.

  FIG. 2 is a view for explaining each configuration of the gaming system S. As shown in FIG. The gaming system S is configured to include the above-described medal management unit 300 and the medal circulation device 400. The medal management unit 300 includes the display unit 301, the control unit 302, the cleaning unit 303, the replenishment conveyor drive unit 304, the collection conveyor drive unit 305, the lamp 306, and the control panel 307 described above.

  The control unit 302 causes the display unit 301 to display various types of information. Further, the control unit 302 drives the cleaning unit 303 to wash the game medals. The washing unit 303 includes washing that can remove hand marks and the like attached to the game medals. As the cleaning unit 303, for example, the technology described in JP-A-2000-296204 is suitably adopted. However, the technology for washing game medals is not limited to the above example, and can be changed as appropriate.

  The control unit 302 drives the replenishment conveyor drive unit 304. As the supply conveyor drive unit 304 is driven, the game medals are transported by the supply conveyor 402 of the medal circulation device 400. The replenishment conveyor 402 conveys the game medals cleaned by the cleaning unit 303. Further, the control unit 302 drives the collection conveyor drive unit 305. The recovery conveyor drive unit 305 is driven to transport the gaming medals by the recovery conveyor 403 of the medal circulation device 400.

  The medal circulation device 400 includes the above-described supply conveyor 402, a collection conveyor 403, and a flow path switching unit 401. The replenishment conveyor 402 conveys the gaming medals cleaned by the medal management unit 300 to each gaming machine 100 and each gaming device 200. The flow path switching unit 401 includes a shutter (not shown) that switches the moving direction of the game medals moving the supply conveyor 402. A supply instruction signal is input to the flow path switching unit 401 from the control unit 302 of the medal management unit 300. When the supply instruction signal is input, the flow path switching unit 401 changes the flow path of the game medal moving the supply conveyor 402 by the shutter unit.

  Specifically, the game medals move along the feed conveyor 402 at a substantially constant speed regardless of the presence or absence of the supply instruction signal. When the supply instruction signal is input, the flow path switching unit 401 changes the flow path of the game medals until the supply stop signal is received. In a period in which the flow path is changed by the flow path switching unit 401, the gaming medals are supplied to the gaming machine 100 or the gaming device 200. The collecting conveyor 403 is driven to be able to transport the gaming medals to the medal management unit 300 at a substantially constant speed regardless of the presence or absence of the gaming medals overflowing from the hopper device 103.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 100 is provided with a medal insertion slot 101, a medal payout opening 102, and a medal storage tray 105. When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 101, the game can be started. Further, when the predetermined symbol combination is stopped and displayed as a result of the game, the game medal is paid out from the medal payout opening 102. The game medals paid out from the medal payout opening 102 are stored in the medal storage tray 105. In addition, although mentioned later in detail, the medal discharge port for making the collection conveyor 403 collect the game medal which overflowed from the hopper apparatus 103 at the bottom of the main body of the gaming machine 100 (106 in FIG. 4 (a)). Is provided. Further, on the back of the main body of the gaming machine 100, a medal supply port (107 in FIG. 4A described later) for supplying the hopper device 103 with the game medals supplied from the supply conveyor is provided.

  Inside the gaming machine 100, as described above, the hopper device 103 is provided. Further, the hopper device 103 is provided with a token amount detection device 104. The medal amount detection device 104 detects whether or not a predetermined number of game medals are stored in the hopper device 103. Specifically, the medal amount detection device 104 includes two conductive bar portions. Each of the above-mentioned bars is installed so as to be located at a predetermined height from the bottom of the hopper device 103. For example, when about 100 or more game medals are stored in the hopper device 103, each bar portion is filled with the game medals, and each bar portion is energized via the game medal.

  On the other hand, when the number of game medals stored in the hopper device 103 decreases to less than about 100, each bar portion is exposed from the game medal, and each bar portion is not energized. The medal amount detecting device 104 determines that the number of gaming medals stored in the hopper device 103 is less than 100 when the respective rod portions are not energized, and outputs a replenishment request signal to the control unit 302. When the supply request signal is input to the control unit 302, the supply instruction signal described above is output to the flow path switching unit 401, and the game machine medal is output to the hopper device 103 provided with the medal amount detection device 104 that has output the supply request signal. Is replenished. In the present embodiment, about 500 game medals are supplied to the hopper device 103 when the supply request signal is output.

  In the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100, a payout signal is output to the gaming device 200 every time one gaming medal is paid out according to the game result. In addition, a game medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 101 of the gaming machine 100, and when the start lever is pressed, an insertion signal according to the number of inserted sheets is output to the gaming apparatus 200. Although described later in detail, the gaming apparatus 200 is retained in the gaming machine 100 by using the insertion signal and the payout signal input from the gaming machine 100 (not being cleaned and continued to be used for a long time ) To detect game medals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming device 200 includes a bill insertion slot 201, a gaming medal lending button 202, and a gaming medal lending device 203. A bill can be inserted into the bill insertion slot 201. When the game medal lending button 202 is operated in a state where a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 201, a predetermined game medal is borrowed from the gaming medal lending device 203. In the present embodiment, 50 game medals are lent out for 500 yen. When the game medals of the hopper device 204 of the gaming apparatus 200 are lost, a replenishment request signal is output as in the case where the gaming medals of the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 run short, and the hopper device 204 of the gaming apparatus 200 is concerned. Game medals are supplied to

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a route through which game medals circulate. In FIG. 3, the arrow indicates the direction in which the circulating game medals move. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the direction in which the game medals touched by the player's finger after washing move is indicated by a shaded arrow. The game medals touched by the player's fingers may be dirty. On the other hand, the direction in which the game medals which have not touched the hand of the player after washing is moved is indicated by a white arrow.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaned gaming medals are supplied from the supply conveyor 402 to the respective gaming machines 100 and the gaming devices 200 (S1 in FIG. 3). The gaming medals supplied to the gaming apparatus 200 are lent to the player (S2 in FIG. 3). In the above configuration, the gaming machine 200 grants the game medals after washing. The game medals loaned from the gaming apparatus 200 touch the hand of the player, and are inserted from the medal insertion slot 101 of the gaming machine 100 (S3 in FIG. 3). Further, for example, in each game of the special prize state, the game medal is paid out from the gaming machine 100 (S4 in FIG. 3). The medals paid out from the gaming machine 100 may or may not be touched once after being washed. For example, when the game medal supplied from the supply conveyor 402 is paid out, the game medal does not touch the finger once after washing. On the other hand, when the game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 101 of the gaming machine 100 is paid out, the game medal is the one touching the hand of the player.

  The gaming medals overflowing from the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 are collected by the collection conveyor 403 (S5 in FIG. 3). As described above, the hopper device 103 can store up to about W game medals. Further, when the number of game medals in the hopper device 103 decreases to about 100, about 500 game medals are replenished. That is, about 600 game medals are stored in the hopper device 103 immediately after being supplied from the supply conveyor 402.

  The number W of game medals that can be stored by the hopper device 103 is sufficiently larger than 600. Therefore, when replenished from the replenishment conveyor 402, the gaming medals do not normally overflow from the hopper device 103. On the other hand, when about W game medals are stored in the hopper device 103 and the game medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 101, the game medals may overflow from the hopper device 103. In the above configuration, the game medals collected by the collection conveyor 403 become the game medals that have touched the fingers of the player.

  The game medals collected by the collection conveyor 403 are conveyed to the medal management unit 300 and inserted into the cleaning unit 303 (S6 in FIG. 3). In addition, the gaming medals paid out from the medal payout opening 102 of the gaming machine 100 are transferred to the medal box and counted by the counting machine K when the player stops the game. The game medals counted by the counter K are inserted into the cleaning unit 303 in the same manner as the game medals collected by the collection conveyor 403 (S7 in FIG. 3). On the other hand, the gaming medals paid out from the medal payout opening 102 of the gaming machine 100 are reinserted into the gaming machine 100 when the player continues the game (S3 of FIG. 3 described above).

  The game medals inserted into the cleaning unit 303 are stored in the supply tank 306 after being cleaned (S8 in FIG. 3). The game medals stored in the supply tank 306 are supplied to the supply conveyor 402 (S9 in FIG. 3). The gaming medals supplied to the replenishment conveyor 402 are replenished again to the gaming machine 100 or the gaming apparatus 200 (S1 in FIG. 3 described above).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing unit 303 cleans the gaming medals overflowing from the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 and the gaming medals paid out from the gaming machine 100 and inserted into the counter K. Therefore, as compared with the configuration in which the game medals are not cleaned, for example, the effect that the game medals are kept clean can be achieved.

  However, even when the medal management unit 300 (washing unit 303) adopts a configuration capable of washing the game medals, the problem that dirt is accumulated on the game medals has been pointed out from the related art. As a result of analyzing the above-described conventional configuration, the applicant noted that the existence of a circulation route in which the game medals are not cleaned is the cause of the problem. In the present embodiment, a circulation route in which the game medals are not cleaned is referred to as a "dwelling route". When the game medals move other than the staying route, the game medals can be cleaned by the medal management unit 300.

  Drawing 4 (a) is a figure for explaining a retention course. FIG. 4A is a simulated view of a cross section of the lower side (lower side than the reel) of the gaming machine 100. FIG. In the front view of FIG. 4 (a), the left side is the front side (gamer side) of the gaming machine 100, and in the front view of FIG. 4 (a), the right side is the back side of the gaming machine 100 (inside of island L). is there. Further, FIG. 4A shows a simulated view of a cross section of the hopper device 103 provided inside the gaming machine 100. FIG. The medal amount detecting device 104 provided on the hopper device 103 and the game medals stored in the hopper device 103 are omitted in FIG. 4A. Also, in FIG. 4A, the path of the game medal is indicated by an arrow, as in FIG. 3 described above. Each arrow with each symbol (s1, s3, s4, s5, s7) in FIG. 4A corresponds to the arrow with the symbol in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the gaming machine 100 is provided with the above-described medal insertion slot 101, medal payout opening 102, medal discharge opening 106, and medal supply opening 107. In addition, the hopper device 103 is provided with an opening 108 through which the game medals into which the medal insertion slot 101 is inserted and the game medals replenished from the medal supply port 107 fall. The game medals falling into the opening 108 are stored in the hopper device 103.

  The hopper device 103 is provided with a medal discharge port 109 for discharging the overflowing game medals. The game medals overflowing from the medal discharge port 109 of the hopper device 103 are discharged from the medal discharge port 106 of the gaming machine 100 to the outside (the collecting conveyor 403). The medal discharge port 109 is provided at a position at a predetermined height from the bottom of the hopper device 103. Specifically, when gaming medals larger than about W, which is the capacity of the hopper device 103, are stored in the medal discharge port 109, a portion of the stored gaming medals is in a position where it overflows the hopper device 103. Provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the gaming medals (game medals having moved the path s5) discharged to the outside from the medal discharge port 106 of the gaming machine 100 are cleaned by the cleaning unit 303. Further, the game medals (game medals having moved the path s7) paid out from the hopper device 103 and inserted into the counter K are washed by the washing unit 303.

  On the other hand, among the game medals paid out from the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100, the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 101 (game medals having moved the paths s4 and s3) are not cleaned. That is, the route constituted by the route s4 and the route s3 is a stagnant route. If the circulation path continues to be circulated, dirt will accumulate on the gaming medals, causing clogging of the flow path of the gaming medals (for example, the medal insertion slot 101) and causing the player to feel uncomfortable.

  In consideration of the above circumstances, the gaming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can detect game medals (staying medals) circulating through the staying route for a long time. Specifically, when a sufficient number of game medals move other than the staying route (a route where the gaming medals can be washed) in a specific period (“confirmation cycle” described later), there is no staying medal (recirculating the staying route Game medals)). On the other hand, when a sufficient number of game medals have not moved other than the staying route (when only the staying route is moved), it is determined that there is a staying medal (there are many game medals circulating in the staying route). In addition, with "a sufficient number of game medals", for example, about 1/2 game medals of the capacity of the hopper device 103 is assumed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the gaming machine 100 storing the staying medals can be notified. With the above configuration, the manager of the gaming machine 100 (for example, a clerk at the game arcade) can grasp the gaming machine 100 in which the staying medals are stored. When the gaming machine 100 in which the staying medals are stored is grasped, the gaming medals stored in the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 are manually scraped out from the medal discharge port 109 and dropped onto the collection conveyor 403, whereby the game medals are medals. It is transported to the management unit 300 and cleaned.

  The gaming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment detects a staying medal in the gaming machine 100 based on an insertion signal and a payout signal from the gaming machine 100. Specifically, the gaming device 200 inserts the number of times the insertion signal is input from the medal insertion slot 101, and counts the number as the number of game medals (hereinafter referred to as "number of inserted coins") at which the game is started. Further, the gaming apparatus 200 counts the number of times the payout signal is input as the number of game medals (hereinafter referred to as “the number of payouts”) paid out from the hopper device 103 according to the game result. The gaming device 200 determines the presence or absence of the staying medal from the result of subtracting the number of payouts from the number of inserted cards (hereinafter referred to as “the number of difference cards”).

  The gaming device 200 determines the presence or absence of the staying medal each time the confirmation cycle ends. The present confirmation cycle ends when the number of inserted sheets in the confirmation cycle reaches a predetermined end value. For example, the confirmation cycle ends when the number of inserted sheets reaches a numerical value “K” (for example, K = 1000). In the above case, the gaming apparatus 200 determines the presence or absence of the staying medal from the difference number every time the insertion number reaches the value "K". In the present embodiment, the number of inserted sheets at which the confirmation cycle ends is described as an end value K. The end value K of the confirmation cycle is determined for each gaming machine 100 in accordance with the capacity of the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 or the like. For example, as the hopper device 103 has a larger capacity, the end value K of the confirmation cycle becomes larger.

  When the difference number of the current check cycle is a positive number and the difference number is smaller than a predetermined upper threshold La, the gaming device 200 determines that the staying medal is present. Further, when the difference number of the current check cycle is a negative number, and the absolute value of the difference number is smaller than a predetermined lower threshold Lb, the gaming device 200 determines that the staying medal is present. In the present embodiment, the range of the number of differences determined to have a staying medal is referred to as a staying detection range R. The upper threshold La and the lower threshold Lb are determined for each gaming machine 100 in accordance with the capacity of the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 or the like. Although described later in detail, the lower threshold Lb (for example, Lb = 500) of the present embodiment is set larger than the upper threshold La (for example, La = 200).

  When the difference number of the present confirmation cycle is within the stagnation detection range R, in the confirmation cycle, there are few game medals which moved the path s5 and the path s7 (other than the stagnation path) of FIG. Tend to circulate in the stagnation route (details will be described later). That is, when the difference sheet number of the present confirmation cycle is the staying detection range R, the staying medal tends to be generated.

  FIG. 4 (b-1) to FIG. 4 (b-3) are diagrams for describing a specific example in the case where the presence or absence of the staying medal is determined. FIG. 4 (b-1) to FIG. 4 (b-3) show the relationship between the number of inserted sheets (horizontal axis) and the number of difference sheets (vertical axis) in the present confirmation cycle. FIGS. 4 (b-1) to 4 (b-3) show the difference number of sheets from the number "0" to the number "K" (number of inserted sheets at the end of the confirmation cycle). . Moreover, in the specific example of FIG. 4 (b-1) to FIG. 4 (b-3), whenever 3 game medals are inserted (every time the number of inserted sheets is incremented by "3") A game shall be performed. In FIG. 4 (b-1) to FIG. 4 (b-3), the upper threshold La and the lower threshold Lb are shown on the difference sheet number axis. Moreover, the stagnation detection range R is shown in FIG. 4 (b-1) to FIG. 4 (b-3).

  FIG. 4B shows a specific example in which the difference sheet number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is a negative number, and the absolute value of the difference sheet number is equal to or more than the lower threshold Lb. If the absolute value of the difference sheet calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is equal to or greater than the lower threshold Lb, and if the payout sheet number is “H”, “difference sheet number = K (insertion sheet number) −H (deposition sheet number) ≦≦). In the case of -Lb ". When the payout number H in the present confirmation cycle is relatively large (in the case of H ≧ K + La), the difference number falls below the lower threshold Lb. For example, it is assumed that the end value K of the present confirmation cycle is 1000 sheets, the payout number H of the confirmation cycle is 1600 sheets, and the lower threshold Lb is the numerical value "500". In the above case, the difference sheet number is −600 sheets, and the absolute value “600” of the difference sheet number is larger than the lower threshold Lb (= 500).

  When the payout number H in the present confirmation cycle is larger than the insertion number K (when the difference sheet is a negative number), at the end of the confirmation cycle, at least the number of game medals equal to the absolute value of the difference sheet is stored in the medal storage tray 105. It is stored. Temporarily, when the absolute value of the difference number is larger than the lower threshold Lb, and the game medal is stopped when the game medals equal in number to the absolute value of the difference number are obtained, the game medal is inserted into the counter K (game When the medal travels the path s7), the number of game medals of the lower threshold Lb or more is cleaned by the medal management unit 300. As for the end value K (the number of inserted sheets) and the lower threshold Lb of the present embodiment, when the absolute value of the difference number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is equal to or more than the lower threshold Lb, a sufficient number of game medals can be washed. Set to

  When the difference number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is a negative number, the gaming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment determines that there is no staying medal when the absolute value of the difference number is equal to or greater than the lower threshold Lb. However, if it is temporarily determined that there are no staying medals in the present confirmation cycle, and the paid gaming medals are continuously inserted from the medal insertion slot 101 in the next confirmation cycle, the staying medals at the end of the subsequent confirmation cycle. It can be determined that there is a

  FIG. 4 (b-2) shows a specific example in which the difference sheet number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is equal to or more than the upper threshold La (difference sheet number La La). When the difference number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is equal to or more than the upper threshold La, the case where "the difference number = K (the number of inserted sheets)-H (the number of dispensed sheets) La La" It is. As described above, the upper threshold La is a positive number. Therefore, the specific example of FIG. 4B is also stated in the case where the number of paid-out sheets H is smaller than the number of inserted sheets K in the confirmation cycle.

  When the payout number H is smaller than the insertion number K, the game medals stored in the hopper device 103 increase. When the difference sheet number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is equal to or larger than the upper threshold La, the number of inserted sheets K and the upper threshold La at which the confirmation cycle of the present embodiment ends is smaller than the case where the difference sheet is smaller than the upper threshold La. At any point in time, the game medals are set to a value that is likely to overflow (is likely to be discharged) from the medal discharge port 109 of the hopper device 103.

  Specifically, in a gaming machine having a relatively low winning probability in the special prize state, a case where game medals are not paid out from the hopper device 103 for a long period of time tends to occur, and game medals are relatively relatively discharged from the medal discharge port 109 of the hopper device 103. There is a situation that it is easy to overflow. Further, a gaming machine having a relatively large number of game medals that can be acquired in the special prize state has temporary game medals of the hopper device 103 compared to a gaming machine having a relatively small number of game medals that can be acquired in the special prize state. There is a situation that it is easy to run short. That is, in the gaming machine having a relatively large number of game medals that can be acquired in the special prize state, the gaming medals are easily supplied to the hopper device 103 from the medal supply port 107. Temporarily, when the difference number is the same, as the number of game medals supplied to the hopper device 103 in the confirmation cycle is larger, the game medals more easily overflow the hopper device 103 in the confirmation period. Therefore, a gaming machine having a relatively large number of game medals that can be acquired in the special prize state is compared with a gaming machine having a relatively small number of game medals that can be acquired in the special prize state, if the difference is the same. It is easy for game medals to overflow from 103.

  As understood from the above description, the gaming machine having a relatively high probability of winning the special prize state and a relatively small number of game medals obtainable in the special prize state (hereinafter, "low shootability gaming machine") If the difference is the same compared to a gaming machine with a comparatively low probability of winning and a relatively large number of game medals that can be acquired in the special prize state (hereinafter referred to as "high gambling gaming machine") There is a circumstance that the game medals are hard to overflow (the game medals are easily stagnated). That is, in order to collect a sufficient number of gaming medals in the low gambling gaming machine by the collection conveyor 403, it is necessary to set a large upper threshold La in comparison with the high gambling gaming machine. When the difference number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is equal to or larger than the upper threshold La, the gaming apparatus 200 can determine that there is no staying medal.

  By the way, in each game, three game medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 101. Therefore, when the payout number of the current game is “0”, the insertion number in the game is incremented by “3”. That is, the maximum value of the addition value of the insertion number in each game is the numerical value "3". On the other hand, for example, in each special prize state game, three game medals are inserted, and a maximum of 10 game medals are paid out. That is, the maximum value of the added value of the number of payouts in each game is the numerical value "7".

  In the above configuration, as understood from, for example, FIG. 4 (b-1) and FIG. 4 (b-2), in the slump graph of the difference number, the slope in the decreasing direction is steeper than the slope in the increasing direction. Therefore, if the upper threshold La and the lower threshold Lb are equal to each other, the absolute value of the difference sheet may reach the lower threshold Lb, but the difference sheet may not reach the upper threshold La. In consideration of the above circumstances, in the present embodiment, the absolute value of the upper threshold La is set to a numerical value smaller than the absolute value of the lower threshold Lb. According to the above configuration, the above-mentioned inconvenience is suppressed.

  However, in the configuration in which the upper threshold La is a numerical value smaller than the lower threshold Lb, if it is determined that there is no staying medal when the difference sheet reaches the upper threshold La even once, there are a sufficient number of game medals. It is assumed that it is judged that there is no staying medal even though it has not moved to the collection conveyor 403. In the above case, even if a sufficient number of staying medals are not washed, a disadvantage may occur in which it is determined that the staying medals have disappeared. In consideration of the above circumstances, the gaming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment determines that there is no staying medal when it is determined that the number of differences is continuously greater than or equal to the upper threshold La in a plurality of confirmation cycles. In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the difference sheet number is continuously equal to or more than the upper threshold La in a confirmation cycle of N times (N is an integer greater than or equal to the numerical value “5”), it is determined that there is no staying medal. According to the above configuration, the staying medals are collected by the collection conveyor 403 over a plurality of confirmation cycles, whereby a sufficient number of staying medals are cleaned. In the gaming machine in which the upper threshold La is set to be relatively small, it is preferable that the above-mentioned value “N” be set to be relatively large.

  FIG. 4 (b-3) is a diagram for explaining a specific example in which the difference sheet number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle falls within the stagnation detection range R. When the difference number at the end of the confirmation cycle is smaller than the upper threshold La, it is difficult to discharge a sufficient number of game medals from the medal discharge port 109 of the hopper device 103. That is, it is difficult for the game medals to move along the path s5 in FIG. 4 (a). In addition, when the absolute value of the difference number in the confirmation cycle is smaller than the lower threshold Lb, it is difficult for the game payout of the sufficient number of game medals to be discharged from the medal payout opening 102. That is, it is difficult to move a sufficient number of game medals along the path s7 of FIG. 4A.

  As understood from the above description, when the absolute value of the difference number calculated at the end of the confirmation cycle is within the stagnation detection range R, many game medals are stagnant paths (path s2 and path s3 in FIG. 4A). Is presumed to be circulating. When the absolute value of the difference sheet number calculated at the end of the check cycle is within the staying detection range R, the gaming apparatus 200 of the present embodiment determines that the hopper device 103 has a staying medal.

  The above embodiment will be described using specific numerical values. For example, a specific example in which the capacity W of the hopper device 103 is 1000 sheets, the end value K of the confirmation cycle is 1000 sheets, and the lower threshold Lb is 500 sheets is assumed. In the above specific example, it is assumed that 600 hoppers are stored in the hopper device 103 at the start of the confirmation cycle. In the above case, if the difference number of the confirmation cycle is −500 or less, the absolute value of the difference number becomes equal to or more than the lower threshold Lb “500”. If the difference number of the confirmation cycle is -500, at least 500 game medals are discharged to the medal storage tray 105 at the end of the confirmation cycle. That is, there is a possibility that 500 game medals move along the path s7 of FIG. 4 (a). In the above case, it is determined that there is no staying medal.

  Further, it is assumed that the capacity W of the hopper device 103 is 1000 sheets, the end value K of the confirmation cycle is 1000 sheets, and the upper threshold La is 200 sheets. In the above specific example, it is assumed that 600 hoppers are stored in the hopper device 103 at the start of the confirmation cycle. In the above case, when the difference number of the present confirmation cycle is larger than 200, the difference number becomes larger than the upper threshold La. For example, in the case where the difference number of the present check cycle is 200, at least 800 game medals are stored in the hopper device 103 at the end of the check cycle. If the difference number of the second check cycle is greater than 200, at least 1000 game medals are stored in the hopper device 103 at the end of the check cycle. When the difference number of the third confirmation cycle is larger than 200, at least 200 game medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 106 of the hopper device 103. Thereafter, when the difference between the fourth and fifth confirmation cycles is greater than 200, a total of 600 game medals are discharged from the medal discharge port 106 of the hopper device 103. In the above case, it is determined that there is no staying medal at the end of the fifth confirmation cycle.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the retention monitoring process of the gaming device 200. When the retention monitoring process is started, the gaming device 200 acquires model information of the gaming machine 100 connected to the gaming device 200 (S101). After obtaining the model information, in step S102, the gaming apparatus 200 determines the end value K of the confirmation cycle according to the model information.

  The hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100 differs depending on the type of gaming machine 100. That is, the number (capacity) of gaming medals that can be stored in the hopper device 103 differs depending on the type of gaming machine 100. The number of staying medals that can be stored in the hopper device 103 changes according to the capacity of the hopper device 103. As the number of staying medals increases, the length of time required for all staying medals to travel along a route other than the staying route tends to be longer. In consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is necessary for the end value K of the confirmation cycle to be a numerical value by which a sufficient number of staying medals can move a route other than the staying route in the present confirmation cycle. Specifically, the period length of the confirmation cycle becomes longer as the end value K increases, and becomes shorter as the end value K decreases. Therefore, the end value K is set to a larger value as the capacity of the hopper device 103 is larger, and the end value K is set to a smaller value as the capacity of the hopper device 103 is smaller.

  In the above-described step S102, the gaming device 200 determines the lower threshold Lb in accordance with the model information. The larger the lower threshold Lb, the more the staying medals (game medals moving on the path s7 in FIG. 4A described above) inserted into the counter K and cleaned when it is determined that there is no staying medal. . However, in the configuration where the lower threshold Lb (for example, 100 sheets) is too small with respect to the capacity (for example, 1000 sheets) of the hopper device 103, it is assumed that there are no staying medals when sufficient number of staying medals do not move on the path s7. It will be judged. The gaming apparatus 200 determines a lower threshold Lb of a size that can be estimated that a sufficient number of staying medals have moved along the path s7 according to the capacity of the hopper apparatus 103.

  The gaming apparatus 200 determines the number N of confirmation cycles required until it is determined that there is no staying medal due to the upper threshold La and the difference number exceeding the upper threshold La in the above-described step S 102 according to the model information. Do. For example, in the above-described low game-playing gaming machine, a larger upper threshold La is determined than in the high game-playing gaming machine.

As the upper threshold La and the number of times N increase, the number of staying medals (game medals moving on the path s5 in FIG. 4A described above) moved from the medal discharge port 109 to the collection conveyor 403 increases. However, if the upper threshold La (for example, 30 sheets) and the number N (for example, 3 times) are too small with respect to the capacity (for example, 1000 sheets) of the hopper device 103, sufficient number of staying medals are not collected by the collection conveyor 403 In this case, it is determined that there is no staying medal. The gaming device 200 determines the upper threshold La and the number N of sizes that can be estimated that a sufficient number of staying medals have been collected by the collection conveyor 403 according to the capacity of the hopper device 103.

  After executing step S102, the gaming device 200 initializes various information (flags, counters) (S103). Specifically, the gaming device 200 sets the staying flag to the OFF state. The staying flag is turned on when it is determined that the staying medal is present at the end of the confirmation cycle. In addition, the gaming apparatus 200 sets the insertion counter and the payout counter to the numerical value "0". The insertion counter stores the number of inserted sheets in the present confirmation cycle. The payout counter confirms the number of payouts in the present check cycle. In addition, the gaming apparatus 200 sets the continuous counter to the numerical value "0". The continuous counter stores the number of times it is determined that the difference number of confirmation cycles is equal to or greater than the upper threshold La.

  After initializing various types of information, the gaming device 200 determines whether the current mode is the staying notification mode or the staying non notification mode (S104). The manager of the game arcade can collectively change the mode of each gaming apparatus 200 by operating the control panel 307 of the above-mentioned medal management unit 300 as appropriate. For example, in a period in which a game arcade is open (a period in which a player is playing a game), each gaming device 200 is set to the stagnation non-notification mode. On the other hand, in a period after the operation of the game arcade ends (a period in which the player is not playing a game), each gaming device 200 is set to the stagnation notification mode.

  If it is determined that the current mode is the stagnation non-notification mode (S104: NO), the gaming device 200 executes an insertion counter addition process (S105). Specifically, when the game medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 101 and the game is started in the period from the previous addition processing of the insertion counter to the current addition processing, the same number of game medals inserted in the corresponding period Add a number to the input counter. In addition, the gaming device 200 executes an addition process of the payout counter. Specifically, in the period from the previous addition processing of the payout counter to the present addition processing, when the game medal is paid out from the medal payout opening 102 according to the game result, the numerical value of the same number as the game medal paid out in the relevant period Is added to the payout counter.

  After executing the addition process of the payout counter, the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the insertion counter has reached the end value "K" (S107). That is, the gaming device 200 determines whether or not the current check cycle has ended. If it is determined that the current check cycle has not ended (S107: NO), the gaming device 200 returns the process to step S104 described above. The gaming device 200 repeatedly executes steps S104 to S108 until the present confirmation cycle ends.

  If it is determined that the insertion counter has reached the end value "K" (S107: YES), the gaming apparatus 200 subtracts the payout counter from the insertion counter, and stores the result of the subtraction (S108). That is, the gaming device 200 subtracts the number of payouts from the number of inserted cards in the current check cycle to calculate the number of difference cards.

  After calculating the number of differences in the current check cycle, the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the number of differences is a negative number (S109). If it is determined that the difference number is a negative number (S109: YES), the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the absolute value of the difference number is equal to or greater than the lower threshold Lb (S110). When it is determined that the absolute value of the difference sheet number is equal to or more than the lower threshold Lb (S110: YES), that is, when the difference sheet number is not within the staying detection range R (see FIG. 4 (b-1)) 200 updates the staying flag to the OFF state (S111). After changing the staying flag to the OFF state, the gaming apparatus 200 clears the insertion counter and the payout counter to the numerical value "0" (S112), and returns the process to step S104.

  If the gaming machine 200 determines that the difference number in the current check cycle is a positive number (S109: NO), it determines whether the difference number is larger than the upper threshold La (S113). When it is determined that the difference number in the current check cycle is larger than the upper threshold La (S113: YES), that is, when the difference number is not within the staying detection range R (see FIG. 4 (b-2)) The step 200 adds the value "1" to the continuous counter (S114). After adding the continuous counter, the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the continuous counter has reached the value "N" determined in step S102 described above (S115). If it is determined that the continuous counter has not reached the numerical value "N" (S115: NO), the gaming apparatus 200 proceeds to the above-described step S112. On the other hand, if it is determined that the continuous counter has reached the value "N" (S115: YES), the gaming device 200 updates the staying flag to the OFF state and clears the continuous counter to the value "0" (S116) ), And then proceeds to step S112.

  If the difference sheet number is determined to be a negative number in step S109 described above, and the absolute value of the difference sheet number is determined to be smaller than the lower threshold Lb in step S110, and the difference sheet number is determined to be a positive number in step S109 described above. When it is determined in step S113 that the absolute value of the difference sheet is smaller than the upper threshold La, the difference sheet is within the staying detection range R (see FIG. 4 (b-3)). In the above case, the gaming apparatus 200 initializes the continuous counter to the numerical value "0" and changes the staying flag to the ON state (S117), and then proceeds to step S112.

  If it is determined in step S104 described above that the current mode is not the staying notification mode (S104: NO), the gaming device 200 ends the staying monitoring process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current mode is the staying notification mode (S104: YES), the gaming device 200 executes the staying notification process (S118). The gaming device 200 notifies that the staying medal has been detected in the staying notification process. Specifically, the gaming device 200 displays the above-mentioned staying notification lamp 205 (see FIG. 2) in a specific mode (for example, blinks in red). According to the above configuration, the presence or absence of the staying medal can be grasped by the staying notification lamp 205.

Second Embodiment
Other embodiments of the invention are described below. In addition, in each form illustrated below, about the element which an operation | movement and a function are equivalent to 1st Embodiment, the code | symbol referred by description of 1st Embodiment is diverted and detailed description of each is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the retention monitoring process executed by the gaming device 200 of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, the staying medals are detected according to the number of inserted sheets and the number of paid out sheets in the confirmation cycle. In the second embodiment, the staying medals are detected according to the number of transitions to the special prize state in the confirmation cycle. The gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment outputs a prize signal to the gaming apparatus 200 when it shifts to the prize state. The special prize state ends when about M (for example, M = 200) game medals are paid out.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the retention monitoring process is started, the gaming device 200 acquires model information (information capable of grasping the capacity of the hopper device 103) of the gaming machine 100 (S201). In step S202 after acquiring the model information, the gaming apparatus 200 determines the end value K of the confirmation cycle according to the model information (similar to S102 of FIG. 5 described above). In addition, the gaming apparatus 200 determines the prescribed value N in step S202.

  The prescribed number N is determined in accordance with the capacity of the hopper device 103 of the gaming machine 100. For example, it is assumed that the gaming machine 100 capable of storing up to W (for example, W = 1000) game medals in the hopper device 103 can be stored. The specified number N of the present embodiment is set such that the value obtained by multiplying the specified number N by M sheets of gaming medals paid out in the special prize state (hereinafter referred to as “number of special prizes”) is equal to or more than the capacity W of the hopper device 103. (M × N ≧ W). The above-mentioned number of prizes is put back as the total of the game medals paid out in the prize state in the present confirmation cycle.

  If game medals of capacity W or more of the hopper device 103 are discharged in the confirmation cycle, there is a high possibility that a sufficient number of game medals (dwelling medals) will be inserted into the counter K and cleaned (first embodiment) There is a high possibility that many game medals move on the path s7 of FIG. 4 (a) of the form). In consideration of the above circumstances, in the second embodiment, when the number of times of transition to the special prize state in the present confirmation cycle is equal to or more than the specified value N, it is determined that there is no staying medal. On the other hand, when the number of times of transition to the special prize state in the present confirmation cycle is less than the specified value N, it is determined that the staying medal is present.

  After determining the prescribed number N, the gaming device 200 initializes various information (S203). Specifically, the staying flag is initialized to the OFF state, the insertion counter is initialized to the numerical value "0", and the prize counter is initialized to the numerical value "0". The insertion counter counts the number of inserted sheets in the present check cycle, as in the first embodiment. The prize counter counts the number of transitions to the prize state in the present confirmation cycle.

  After initializing various types of information, the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the current mode is the staying notification mode as in S104 of FIG. 5 of the above-described first embodiment (S204). If it is determined that the current mode is the staying notification mode (S204: YES), the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the staying flag is in the ON state (S205). If it is determined that the staying flag is not in the ON state (S205: NO), the gaming device 200 ends the staying monitoring process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the stay flag is in the ON state (S205: YES), the gaming device 200 executes the stay notification process (S206) as in S118 of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. End the stagnation monitoring process.

  If it is determined in step S204 described above that the staying notification mode is not set (S204: NO), the gaming apparatus 200 executes an adding process of the insertion counter (S207. Similar to S105 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment). ). Further, the gaming device 200 executes an addition process of the special prize counter (S208). Specifically, the number of times of transition to the special prize state is added to the special prize counter in the period from the previous execution of the special prize counter addition processing to the current addition process.

  After executing the addition process of the special prize counter, the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether or not the insertion counter has reached the end value "K" (S209). That is, in step S209, it is determined whether the current confirmation cycle has ended. If it is determined that the insertion counter has not reached the end value "K" (S209: NO), the gaming apparatus 200 returns the process to step S204.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the insertion counter has reached the end value "K" (S209: YES), the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the number of prize counters is equal to or greater than the specified number N (S210). That is, it is determined whether or not the gaming device 200 has shifted to the special prize state N times or more in the present confirmation cycle. In step S210 described above, it is determined whether the number of special prizes paid out in the present confirmation cycle (the total number of game medals paid out in the special prize state of the present confirmation cycle) is equal to or greater than the capacity of the hopper device 103. In other words.

  If it is determined that the special award counter is equal to or more than the specified number N (S210: YES), the gaming device 200 updates the staying flag to the OFF state (S211). On the other hand, when it is determined that the special prize counter is not the specified number N or more (S210: NO), the gaming device 200 updates the staying flag to the ON state (S212). After updating the staying flag, the gaming device 200 initializes the insertion counter and the special prize counter to the numerical value "0" (S213), and proceeds to step S204.

  In the above second embodiment, the staying medal can be detected as in the first embodiment. By the way, a gaming machine in which a special prize state is not provided is conventionally known (for example, a gaming machine in which a so-called assist time state is provided and a prize state is not provided). The staying medal in the above gaming machine is difficult to detect (including the case where it can not be substantially achieved) in the staying monitoring process of the second embodiment. The stay monitoring process of the first embodiment has an advantage that the stay medal can be detected even for a game machine in which the special prize state is not provided.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of retention monitoring processing executed by the gaming device 200 of the third embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, the staying medals are detected according to the number of inserted sheets and the number of paid out sheets in the confirmation cycle. Further, in the second embodiment, the staying medal is detected according to the number of times of transition to the special prize state in the confirmation cycle. In the third embodiment, the staying medals are detected according to whether or not the gaming medals have been supplied to the hopper device 103 in the confirmation cycle.

  In the third embodiment, as in the above-described first embodiment, when the number of gaming medals stored in the hopper device 103 decreases to about 100, a replenishment request signal is output to the control unit 302. When the supply request signal is input to the control unit 302, the hopper device 103 is supplied with a game medal. In the third embodiment, the replenishment request signal is also input to the game apparatus 200.

  When the number of game medals stored in the hopper device 103 decreases to about 100, it is estimated that many game medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 102. Therefore, in the above case, many game medals can be inserted into the counter K and cleaned. In consideration of the above circumstances, the gaming apparatus 200 of the second embodiment determines that there is no staying medal in the current check cycle when the replenishment signal is input. On the other hand, when the replenishment signal is not input, it is determined that the staying medal is present in the present confirmation cycle.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the retention monitoring process is started, the gaming apparatus 200 acquires model information of the gaming machine 100 (S301), and determines an end value K of the confirmation cycle according to the model information (S302). . After determining the end value K, the gaming device 200 initializes various information (S303). Specifically, the staying flag is initialized to the OFF state, the insertion counter is initialized to the numerical value "0", and the replenishment flag is initialized to the OFF state. The insertion counter counts the number of inserted sheets in the present check cycle, as in the first embodiment. The replenishment flag is turned ON when the hopper device 103 is replenished with gaming medals in the present confirmation cycle.

  After initializing various types of information, the gaming device 200 determines whether the current mode is the staying notification mode, as in S104 of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment described above (S304). If it is determined that the current mode is the staying notification mode (S304: YES), the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the staying flag is in the ON state (S305). If it is determined that the staying flag is not in the ON state (S305: NO), the gaming device 200 ends the staying monitoring process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the staying flag is in the ON state (S305: YES), the gaming device 200 executes the staying notification process (S306) as in S118 of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. End the stagnation monitoring process.

  If it is determined in step S304 described above that the staying notification mode is not set (S304: NO), the gaming device 200 executes an adding process of the insertion counter (S307. Similar to S105 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment). ). Also, the gaming device 200 executes a replenishment flag updating process (S308). Specifically, when the replenishment request signal is received in the present confirmation cycle in step S308, the replenishment flag is updated to the ON state.

  After executing the replenishment flag update process, the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the insertion counter has reached the end value "K" (S309). That is, in step S309, it is determined whether the current confirmation cycle has ended. If it is determined that the insertion counter has not reached the end value “K” (S309: NO), the gaming apparatus 200 returns the process to step S304.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the insertion counter has reached the end value "K" (S309: YES), the gaming apparatus 200 determines whether the replenishment flag is in the ON state (S310). In step S310 described above, it is also determined that it is determined whether or not the gaming medals (staying medals) of the hopper device 103 have decreased until immediately before the game medals of the hopper device 103 disappear in the present confirmation cycle.

  If it is determined that the replenishment flag is in the ON state (S310: YES), the gaming device 200 updates the staying flag to the OFF state (S311). On the other hand, when it is determined that the replenishment flag is not in the ON state (S310: NO), the gaming device 200 updates the staying flag to the ON state (S312). After updating the retention flag, the gaming device 200 initializes the replenishment flag to the OFF state (S313), and proceeds to step S204.

  In the above third embodiment, the staying medal can be detected as in the first and second embodiments. However, in the third embodiment, a configuration capable of outputting the replenishment request signal is essential. On the other hand, the first embodiment has an advantage that the configuration capable of outputting the replenishment request signal can be omitted.

<Modification>
Each of the above forms can be variously modified. The aspect of a specific deformation | transformation is illustrated below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be appropriately combined.

(1) The “confirmation cycle” (specific period) of each of the above-described modes is ended when a game medal having an end value K is inserted. However, the time when the confirmation cycle ends may be changed as appropriate. For example, the confirmation cycle may end every time the game is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 1000 times). In the above configuration, the presence or absence of the staying medal is determined each time the predetermined number of games are finished. In addition, when transitioning from the staying non notification mode to the staying notification mode, the confirmation cycle may end.

(2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of game media paid out from the storage device from the number of game media inserted into the storage device in each game for a specific period of the present invention If the difference is a positive number, it is determined whether the difference is larger than the upper threshold La (hereinafter referred to as “first determination”). When the difference sheet number is a negative number, it is determined whether or not the difference sheet number is smaller than the lower threshold La (hereinafter referred to as "second determination"). However, only one of the first determination and the second determination may be executed.

(3) In each embodiment described above, the notification mode in the stay notification mode may be changed according to the length of the period after it is determined that the stay medal is present. For example, immediately after it is determined to be a staying medal, the stored medal is notified in the first mode. On the other hand, when it continues to be detected as a staying medal over a long period of time (for example, five confirmation cycles) after being judged as a staying medal first, the composition which reports the storing medal concerned in the 2nd mode can be considered. It is estimated that the number of times the game medal has circulated through the staying route increases as the period after the game medal is detected as the staying medal is longer. In addition, there is a circumstance that dirt is more easily accumulated on the game medals as the number of times of circulation through the staying route increases. Therefore, according to the modification, it is possible to grasp the level of the possibility that dirt is accumulated. For example, in the case of being notified in the second mode, there is a high possibility that dirt is accumulated on the game medals, as compared with the case of being notified in the first mode.

(4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the game apparatus 200 functions as the "control device" of the present invention, but another device may function as the "control device". For example, the medal management unit 300 may be adopted as a control device. Further, a management computer capable of communicating with each gaming machine 100 and each gaming device 200 may be separately provided, and the management computer may be employed as a control device.

(5) In each of the above-described embodiments, the staying notification lamp 205 of the gaming device 200 notifies of the presence or absence of the staying medal. However, the presence or absence of the staying medal may be notified by another device. For example, the display unit 301 of the medal management unit 300 may notify the presence or absence of the staying medal in each gaming machine 100. In the above modification, it is preferable that the display unit 301 display information capable of specifying the gaming machine 100 determined to have the staying medal. In addition, in a portable terminal (such as an income device or a wearable computer equipped with a display unit) possessed by a store clerk at the game arcade, information for identifying the gaming machine 100 determined to have the staying medal may be notified. . Furthermore, in the above configuration, the presence or absence of the staying medal may be notified by a message (for example, a message "There is a staying medal").

  Also, a gaming system in which an information display device (a so-called "stand lamp") is provided to each of the gaming machines 100 is conventionally known. In the above gaming system, the presence or absence of the staying medal may be notified by the information display device. For example, the information display device can display the number of prizes for the gaming machine 100 or the like in the stagnation non-informing mode. In addition, in the staying notification mode, the information display device can notify the presence or absence of the staying medal in the corresponding gaming machine 100.

  Furthermore, the gaming machine 100 determined to have the staying medal may be notified by a plurality of types of devices. In the above configuration, the first notification mode and the second notification mode are provided, and in the first notification mode, the gaming machine 100 having staying medals is notified only by a specific type of device, and is notified by other types of devices. Instead, in the second notification mode, a configuration may be employed in which the other type of device is notified. For example, in the first notification mode, the gaming machine 100 having the staying medals is notified only by the portable terminal possessed by the store clerk at the game arcade, and in the second notification mode, the staying notification lamp 205 of the portable terminal and the gaming device 200 Alternatively, the gaming machine 100 having the staying medal may be notified on both sides.

(6) In each above-mentioned form, the conditions which a retention flag changes to an OFF state can be changed suitably. For example, the retention flag may be turned off by a remote controller possessed by a store clerk at the game arcade. In the above configuration, after the store clerk at the game arcade collects the staying medals in the gaming machine 100 by the collection conveyor 403, the stay flag can be turned OFF by the remote controller. The store clerk at the game arcade opens and closes the front door of the gaming machine 100 in order to cause the collection conveyor 403 to collect the staying medals. In consideration of the above circumstances, the opening and closing of the front door of the gaming machine 100 may be detected, and when the front door of the gaming machine 100 is opened and closed, the retention flag may be automatically updated to the OFF state.

(7) Any one of the stay monitoring process of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), the stay monitoring process of the second embodiment (see FIG. 6), and the stay monitoring process of the third embodiment (see FIG. 7) Only one may be executed, or any one or more staying monitoring processes may be executed.

  100: game machine, 101: medal insertion slot, 102: medal payout opening, 103: hopper device, 105: medal storage plate, 106: medal discharge port, 107: medal supply port, 109: medal discharge port, 200: for gaming Device, 205: Staying notification lamp, 300: Medal management unit, 301: Display unit, 302: Control unit, 303: Cleaning unit, 400: Medal circulation device, 401: Flow path switching unit, 402: Supply conveyor, 403: Recovery Conveyor.

Claims (5)

When the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media paid out from the storage device from the number of gaming media inserted into the storage device in a specific period is larger than the specific threshold, it is compared with the case where it is smaller than the specific threshold It is possible to control the game medium stored in the storage device according to the signal from the gaming machine that is easily discharged in the specific period, to the non-dwelling path which can be transported to the cleaning unit for washing the game medium. A control device,
An end specifying means for specifying whether or not the specific period has ended;
When the specific period ends, the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media paid out from the storage device from the number of gaming media inserted into the storage device in the specific period is greater than the specific threshold determining means for determining whether,
When it is determined that the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of gaming media paid out from the storage device from the number of gaming media inserted into the storage device in the specific period is not larger than the specific threshold value, A control device comprising: notification control means for enabling notification by a predetermined notification means that the game medium has not moved to the non-dwelling path in the specific period . A control device capable of controlling in response to a signal from a gaming machine which stores gaming media inserted by a player and has a storage device capable of paying out gaming media in each game,
The signal includes a prize signal output when the gaming machine transitions to a prize state in which more gaming media are paid out than the normal state,
An end specifying means for specifying whether or not a specific period in which an end condition can be satisfied when a predetermined number of game media have been inserted;
Counting means for counting the number of times the gaming machine has shifted to the special prize state in the specific period using the special prize signal;
When the specific period ends, a determination unit that determines whether or not the number of transitions to the special prize state in the specific period is equal to or greater than a specified number ,
When it is determined that the number of times of transition to the special prize state in the specific period is not the specified number of times or more, the game medium has not moved in the specific period to the non-dwelling path that can be transported to the cleaning unit that cleans the game medium And a notification control unit that makes it possible to notify of the effect by a predetermined notification unit . It is possible to control according to a specific signal which is output when the game medium of the storage device capable of paying out the game medium in each game while storing the game medium inserted by the player is reduced to a predetermined number or less A control device,
An end specifying means for specifying whether or not a specific period in which the end condition can be satisfied when the player continues the game has ended;
A determination unit that determines whether the specific signal is output in the specific period when the specific period ends ;
When it is determined that the specific signal is not output in the specific period, it is determined in advance that the gaming medium has not moved in the specific period to the non-dwelling path that can be transported to the cleaning unit that cleans the gaming medium. And a notification control unit configured to enable notification by the notification unit. A mode shift unit to shift said notification means to one of the broadcast mode and a non-broadcast mode,
The notification control means does not have an absolute value of a difference obtained by subtracting the number of game media paid out from the storage device from the number of game media inserted into the storage device in the specific period larger than the specific threshold If it is determined that, in the notification mode, while executing a notification indicating that the game medium to the non-retention pathway is not moved in the specified period to the notification unit, in the non-broadcast mode, the non-dwell path the control system of claim 1, the game medium is not allowed to perform the notification to the effect that not moving in the specified period to the notification means to. The notification control means, said determining means determines information capable specifying a result, it is possible to control to inform the portable mobile device controller according to claim 4.

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