JPH09225131A - Pachinko ball counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko ball counter with which burden to be imposed on players and clerks is reduced. SOLUTION: An inter-stand ball lending machine 11 is provided parallelly with a pachinko machine 2. The inter-stand ball lending machine 11 is equipped with a display part 8 and an operating button 13. A ball counter 5 is disposed on the downside of the pachinko machine 2. A printer 6 is disposed on the upside of the pachinko machine 2. Based on the operation of the operating button 13, a microcomputer 7 displays the amount of pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 5 on the display part 8. The microcomputer 7 prints the amount of pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 5 through the printer 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko ball counting device provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a pachinko parlor (pachinko hall), a plurality of pachinko parlors as game machines are lined up on a plurality of islands, and many of these pachinko parlors are installed in a pachinko parlor in a limited space. At the same time, a pachinko ball storage container is installed in a part of the pachinko parlor or part of the island. The pachinko balls stored in the pachinko ball storage container are sent to the pachinko ball storage container and then returned to the pachinko ball storage container by being sent to each pachinko machine installed in the pachinko store or on the island.

When the player operates the operation dial of the pachinko machine, each pachinko ball in the pachinko ball saucer is fired along the guide rail by the pachinko ball launching device. When the launched pachinko balls enter the prize hole, a predetermined amount of pachinko balls are discharged into the pachinko ball saucer, and this is added to the number of balls owned by the player (player). This allows players to enjoy playing pachinko machines. The number of such pachinko balls is 2000 to 5000 pieces (250 in a standard box).
It is stored in a ball box (also called a dollar box) that can hold 0 to 3000 pieces, and the weight is about 14 kilograms to 1 box.
It weighed 7.8 kilograms and was quite heavy to carry.

On the other hand, a pachinko machine is one that can be played for a long time, such as a seven machine that can be a big hit when three numbers of 7 (seven) move independently, or a blade that opens levers on both sides when winning. Some are very popular and others are extremely popular. The popular models of these various types of pachinko machines are always dominated by players, and the unpopular models are rarely dominated by players.

In this case, the player borrows a predetermined amount of pachinko balls at a predetermined amount from a pachinko parlor and enjoys playing the pachinko machine, and then exchanges the borrowed pachinko balls for a prize. In this case, the player rents one pachinko ball for 4 yen, for 2.5 yen (in this case, 3 yen or equivalent exchange may be used, and in case of equivalent exchange, the divisor is set low). I am exchanging with. This has helped stabilize the sales of pachinko parlors.

[0006] Here, the divisor represents how much profit a pachinko parlor operates on. It is calculated based on the number of in-balls and out-balls with respect to the gross profit rate on a monetary basis. ing. That is, it shows how many balls (out balls) were paid out with respect to the number of balls (in balls) that were driven in.

For example, when the number of out balls is 100 with respect to the number of in balls 100, the divisor is "100%". The setting of the divisor is different for each pachinko machine and for each island, but it is usually a value that is the average of the total number of units for the day, and is a standard for understanding the business policy for the day. It is said that the profitability of a pachinko parlor is about 130% to 140% of the profitable line considering the cash exchange rate and the purchase cost of prizes.

In recent years, the number of large-scale pachinko parlors has increased, and one pachinko parlor has about 1090 pachinko parlors and one pachinko parlor has about 2000 pachinko parlors. The number of dice is set to about 20% when the new equipment is opened, and the number of balls released is very large. Further, the closing time is not decided, and the supply balls stored in a large amount in the player's ball box run out, so the shop is closed at a time when it does not hinder business. In this case, it usually closes earlier than the normal closing time.

[0009] In addition, when a new store is opened, the split number is about 180% or more.
The ratio is set at about 20%, and by doing so, pachinko parlors are advertised to facilitate future business development. In particular, when a large store is newly opened, a person with many ball boxes forms a line in front of the ball counting machine, and it takes a lot of time to count the pachinko balls. For this reason, when the closing time of a pachinko parlor is announced in advance, the player starts to line up in front of the counter about 30 to 60 minutes or before the closing time with a heavy ball box containing pachinko balls. .

In addition, when the number of balls is large and the number of balls is large, the player has a plurality of heavy ball boxes containing a large number of pachinko balls, and a plurality of pachinko ball counters (in this case, one pachinko ball shop or one floor floor is installed). I am carrying it. In this case as well, a large number of people lined up in front of the ball counting machine and it took a lot of time to count the pachinko balls.

[0011]

However, even a pachinko ball produced by various pachinko machines has a constant cash exchange rate, and particularly popular models have a large proportion of game players arriving. For this reason, unpopular pachinko machines are shunned, and these unpopular pachinko machines are played, causing a problem that the sales of pachinko machines are reduced.

[0012] In particular, when a new store is opened, a counting counter, exchange of prizes, a place of purchase, etc. are used for a long time. Therefore, there is a problem that the player has to be in front of the pachinko ball counting machine long before the closing time.

[0013] In addition, when the new store is opened, the divisor is about 180%-
It is set to about 20%, the probability of a big hit is high, and the number of ball boxes is large. As a result, there is a shortage of replenishing balls, which adversely affects the operation of the pachinko machine, and there is a problem that the closing time must be shortened.

Further, the player has to carry a heavy ball box to the counting counter several times, and it is difficult to carry a large number of pachinko balls to the counting counter. For this reason, the pachinko parlors also helped me to carry the box to the counting counter, which puts a heavy burden on the players and the clerks.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko ball counting device which reduces the burden on the player and the clerk.

[0016]

That is, the pachinko ball counting device according to claim 1 is a pachinko ball counting means, an inter-mountain ball lending machine 11 and a printer 6, which are provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 2, respectively. The ball lending machine 11 is provided with a display unit 8 and an input unit 6 and a control unit. This control unit displays the number of pachinko balls counted by the ball counting unit based on the operation of the input unit 6. Is displayed and is printed out by the printer 6.

[0017]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of an inter-mountain ball rental machine 11 installed side by side on a pachinko machine 2 on the island 1, FIG. 2 is a front view of an inter-mountain ball rental machine 11 installed side by side on the pachinko machine 2, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the rental machine, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the pachinko ball counting device. A plurality of pachinko machines 2 are juxtaposed on the island portion 1 in the pachinko parlor, and inter-palette ball rental machines 11 are juxtaposed on the pachinko machines 2 ...

The pachinko machine 2 is for a player to enjoy playing by renting pachinko balls, and the pachinko balls stored in a large amount in the pachinko ball storage container 23 are pachinko ball circulating devices 24.
Is configured as an all-store type or an island-return type in which each pachinko machine 2 is circulated. The pachinko machine 2 is composed of an operation dial 17 for operating and firing a pachinko ball and a game board 16. A guide rail 19 is provided on the surface of the game board 16, and an out hole (not shown) is provided below the guide rail 19. 2A is a pachinko ball saucer, 18 is a ball storage box, and 3 is a shelf.

The inter-lens ball lending machine 11 is vertically long (in this case,
It has a substantially rectangular shape with a width of about 30 mm and a depth of about 160 mm, and is formed to have a height substantially equal to that of the pachinko machine 2. The inter-mountain ball lending machine 11 is provided with a money insertion unit 12 on the upper side, and the money insertion unit 12 is on the upper side.
2A, a coin slot 12B is provided on the lower side.

A plurality of operation buttons 13, ... As an input means are provided below the money insertion unit 12. The operation button 13 is a pachinko ball counting start button,
It is composed of a stop button, an end button, a receipt issuing button, a function switching button, a ten-key (numerals 0 to 9), a member service button, a cancel button, and the like. By operating these operation buttons 13, it is possible to start, stop, end, etc. the counting of pachinko balls, and to perform total number of coins, fractional coins, replay, and the like.

A pachinko ball payout unit 14 is provided below the operation button 13. The pachinko ball payout unit 14 extends laterally from the inter-mountain ball lending machine 11 by a predetermined distance, and has a tip end. A pachinko ball discharge port 14A is provided downward. The pachinko ball discharge port 14A is configured to be able to extend above the pachinko ball tray 2A. Further, a membership card insertion slot 15 is provided below the pachinko ball payout section 14, and this membership card insertion slot 15 is provided.
A member card reader 15A is provided inside.

Then, the member inserts the member card into the member card insertion slot 15 and operates the operation button 13 (in this case, a function of prompting the input of a password or the like may be provided).
By doing so, the number of pachinko balls can be counted, and stop, end, receipt 21 issue, etc. can be performed. In addition, by operating the operation button 13, the total number of coins stored,
It is configured to be able to receive provision of fractional coins, replay, and service information of the pachinko machine 2 and the like that are aggregated and registered in the host computer of the pachinko machine.

Further, a display section 8 as an output means is provided between the pachinko ball payout section 14 of the inter-mountain ball rental machine 11 and the member card insertion slot 15. The display unit 8 is configured to display the number of pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 5 to be described later and also display service information of the pachinko machines 2 and the like registered and registered in the host computer 10.

The display unit 8 is composed of eight 7-segment LEDs (8 digits) or a liquid crystal display,
The last 6 digits indicate the number of pachinko balls, and the previous 2 digits are reserved. In this case, when 2500 pieces are placed in one ball box, 40 boxes are 100,000 pieces. That is, the display unit 8 can display up to about 10 times as many as 40 boxes in 6-digit display. In addition, the month, day, hour, and minute can be displayed with two digits each for a total of eight digits except when counting with the ball counter 5.

While counting the pachinko balls, the fact that the counting is in progress is displayed (in this case, counting up, etc.),
When the thermal paper of the printer 6 to be described later is finished, for example, "Err P-0" is displayed on the display unit 8. Further, when the printer 6 is abnormal, "Err P-1" is displayed on the display unit 8, and when the ball counter 5 is abnormal, "Err P-2" is displayed on the display unit 8. Further, when the ball counting machine 5 is clogged, "Err P-3" is displayed on the display unit 8 and each of these displays is turned on and off in units of 1 second.

Further, on the pachinko machine 2, that is, the stand ball ball lending machine 1
A printer 6 as an output unit is provided above the printer 1. The printer 6 prints by applying a heat-generating head (not shown) to a paper that develops color when heated (in this case, a thermal paper having a width of about 58 mm). It is composed of a conventionally known thermal printer. The printer 6 is controlled by the microcomputer 7 and prints the number of pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 5 on the thermal paper to receive the receipt 21 and the sub receipt 2.
It is configured to issue 2.

A receipt issuing port (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the printer 6, and the receipt 21 and the sub-receipt 22 printed by the printer 6 are issued from the receipt issuing port. In this case, a receipt cutter may be provided at the receipt issuing port, and the issued receipt 21 and sub receipt 22 may be cut by the receipt cutter.

Further, the issued receipt 21 can be exchanged for a prize by bringing it to the service counter of the pachinko parlor on the day (in this case, an exchangeable period may be provided), and the receipt 21 can be prevented from being tampered with by tampering. Therefore, it is configured only on that day. As shown in FIG. 5, this receipt 21 has a bar code, the number of balls, the date and time, and a hall name (== in the figure).
=), The receipt issue number (the number in the bottom row in the figure), and the like are printed. In this case, the barcode is compatible with a POS (not shown) installed in the service counter, and the receipt 21 can be directly processed by the barcode reader of the POS.

The sub-receipt 22 has a hall name (=== in the figure) as shown in FIG.
The number of receipts issued per hour, the total number of receipts issued, the total number of accumulated coins, the total sum, etc. are printed, and the history of the day and the like can be displayed. The numbers and letters shown in FIG. 6 are examples of printing and differ from the actual numbers.

On the other hand, below the shelf 3 of the pachinko machine 2, there is provided a ball counter 5 as pachinko ball counting means.
The ball counter 5 is configured to count the number of pachinko balls. In this case, when the pachinko balls stored in the ball storage box 18 flow into the ball counting machine 5, the ball counting machine 5 is configured to count the pachinko balls. Further, a path (not shown) is provided from the ball counting machine 5 to the pachinko ball storage container 23, and the pachinko balls after counting return to the pachinko ball storage container 23 and circulate to the pachinko machine 2 ... Is configured.

This ball counting machine 5 is constructed substantially the same as the pachinko ball counting machine 5 installed at a service counter of a pachinko parlor, and there are a plurality of ball passages (not shown) through which the pachinko balls pass (in this case, four rows). ) It is provided. A ball passage portion slightly wider than a pachinko ball is provided in a part of the ball passage, and a light emitting element is provided on one of the right and left sides of each ball passage portion and a light receiving element is provided on the other side.

In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting element (in this case, light such as infrared rays) can be received by the light receiving element, and the pachinko ball interrupts the optical path between the light receiving element and the light emitting element. The non-light receiving signal is detected and the microcomputer 7 counts the passing amount of the pachinko balls. As a result, the number of pachinko balls passing through the ball passage can be counted.

Also, four rows of ball passages are provided, and the ball counting efficiency is quadrupled to count 2500 pachinko balls in about 30 seconds and a large number of pachinko balls can be counted in a short time.
The entrance of the ball passing portion is structured so that small articles (coins, etc.) and water drops, etc. do not accidentally enter, and it is also configured to prevent the entry of objects that may cause the passage of foreign matter or malfunction of the counter.

On the other hand, a ball storage box 18 having an open upper side is provided on the shelf 3 of the pachinko machine 2, and the ball storage box 18 is configured to be substantially the same as a ball box normally used. There is. Further, a shutter (not shown) is provided on the lower surface or the side surface of the ball storage box 18, and by opening and closing this shutter, the pachinko balls in the ball storage box 18 can be removed.
It is configured to be able to flow into.

Further, the ball storage box 18 is constructed so that the pachinko balls can be introduced from a pachinko ball tray 2A provided on the entire surface of the pachinko machine 2. The pachinko ball receiving tray 2A is provided with a discharge lever (not shown), and the pachinko balls of the pachinko ball receiving tray 2A can be introduced into the ball storage box 18 by operating the discharge lever.

Next, an example of use of the inter-lens ball lending machine 11 having the above configuration will be described. A microcomputer 7 as a control means is provided in an island computer (Nakajima Computer in FIG. 4) in the pedestal ball lending machine 11, and the microcomputer 7 is connected to a host computer 10. Further, the printer 7, the display unit 8, the operation button 13, the ball counter 5, etc. are connected to the microcomputer 7.

First, the player inserts a predetermined amount of money into the money insertion unit 12 (in this case, the membership card may be inserted), and then a pachinko ball equivalent to the amount of the inserted money is received from the pachinko ball outlet 14A. Discharge into 2A. When the player operates the operation dial 17 of the pachinko machine 2, the pachinko balls in the pachinko ball receiving tray 2A are individually fired along the guide rails 19 by a pachinko ball firing device (not shown).

When the launched pachinko balls enter a winning hole (not shown), a predetermined amount of pachinko balls are discharged into the pachinko ball tray 2A, and this is added to the number of own balls. Thereby, the player enjoys playing the pachinko machine 2. Also, the pachinko balls that do not enter the winning holes enter the out holes, return to the pachinko ball storage container 23, and circulate to the respective pachinko machines 2 ... By the pachinko ball circulating device 24.

When the player enjoys playing the pachinko machine 2 and receives many prizes, the number of pachinko balls in the pachinko ball saucer 2A increases. When the pachinko ball receiving tray 2A is full of pachinko balls, the discharge lever is operated to cause the pachinko balls of the pachinko ball receiving tray 2A to flow into the ball storage box 18.

When this is repeated and the pachinko balls are filled in the ball storage box 18, the player opens and closes the shutter of the ball storage box 18 to flow the pachinko balls into the ball counter 5. The player who operates the operation button 1 while sitting in front of the pachinko machine 2
Press the Pachinko ball counting start button in 3. As a result, the microcomputer 7 counts the pachinko balls that have flowed into the ball counter 5 from the ball storage box 18 and displays the counting result on the display unit 8. Then, the counted pachinko balls return to the storage container 23.

When it is desired to interrupt the counting of pachinko balls during counting of such pachinko balls, the operation button 13 of the inter-lens ball lending machine 11 is used.
Press (Stop button) to stop counting. And
Every time the pachinko balls are repeatedly counted, the microcomputer 7 records the counted time and accumulates the repeatedly counted pachinko balls.

When the pachinko balls counted here are to be stored, the operation button 13 is operated while the membership card is inserted into the membership card insertion slot 15 of the stand ball lending machine 11 and the data is read by the membership card reader 15A. To do. This allows
The microcomputer 7 is the pachinko ball quantity data counted by the ball counter 5 and the member card data (member number).
Is sent to the host computer 25 and stored as a member's savings. In this case, the deposit is performed by pressing the operation button 13 (in this case, the deposit button) with the membership card inserted.

In addition, when the member has a ball and exchanges a predetermined ball for a prize, the member card is inserted into the member card insertion slot 15 and operated with the member card data being read by the member card reader 15A. When the button 13 is operated (in this case, the operation button 13 is operated to input the quantity), the entered quantity is displayed on the display section 6B. If the displayed quantity is correct, the operation button 13 (receipt issue button) is pressed.

As a result, the microcomputer 7 sends the input pachinko ball quantity data and the membership card data (member number) to the host computer 10, and subtracts the quantity stored in the host computer 10 as a member's savings and also the micro computer. Computer 7 is printer 6A
To issue a receipt 21. Also, the issued receipt 21 can be exchanged for a gift if taken to the service counter on the same day.

Then, when the play of the pachinko machine 2 is finished, the operation button 13 (end button) of the stand ball lending machine 11 is finished.
Press. As a result, the printer 6 is driven, and only the sub-receipt 22 on which the above-described predetermined items are printed is issued from the receipt issuing port 6B, and the player finishes cutting the sub-receipt 22 with a receipt cutter.

As described above, since the inter-mountain ball lending machine 11 installed in parallel with the pachinko machine 2 can operate the ball counting machine 5 and the printer 6, the ball counting machine 5 and the printer 6 can be operated in addition to the inter-mountain ball lending machine 11. All you have to do is provide it. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the operation buttons 13 and the display unit 8 in addition to the inter-lens ball lending machine 11, and each pachinko machine 2 ... Can be provided with a pachinko ball counting device at an extremely low cost. Further, since the operation button 13 and the display unit 8 are provided on the stand ball lending machine 11, it is possible to enjoy playing the pachinko machine 2 while sitting in front of the pachinko machine 2 and to count the pachinko balls. You can

This eliminates the need for the player to carry the heavy ball box to the counting counter several times, and also eliminates the burden of the pachinko parlor's staff to carry the heavy ball box to the counter. In addition, the receipt 21 issued from the printer 6
Can be exchanged for free gifts by taking them to the service counter.
As a result, it is not necessary to line up with a congested counting counter, and it is possible to enjoy playing with the pachinko machine 2 until the closing of the store, and the burden on the player and the clerk can be greatly reduced.

Further, since the pachinko balls counted by the ball counting machine 5 are returned to the pachinko ball storage container 23 and circulated to the respective pachinko machines 2 by the pachinko ball circulating device 24, such as when a new pachinko parlor is opened. As described above, even when the split number is set to about 180 to 20% and the number of balls released is increased, the number of circulating pachinko balls can be closed and the store can be closed at the set closing time. As a result, there is no need to shorten the closing time, and the business hours can be extended to the normal closing time, and the pachinko parlor can significantly improve its sales.

Also, since the number of pachinko balls can be counted for each pachinko machine 2, it is possible to easily change the split number for each pachinko machine 2 for each island part, and to play with popular models such as seven machines and feathers. Different pachinko machines 2 can be set to different cash exchange rates. As a result, it is possible to prevent players from concentrating only on popular models, and distribute the players on average to the pachinko machines 2 of the entire pachinko parlor.
The operating rate of each pachinko machine 2 is increased, and it is possible to significantly improve the sales of pachinko machines.

Since the ball counting machine 5 is provided below the pachinko machine 2, the limited space of the pachinko parlor is not pressed. In particular, the printer 6 is installed above the pedestrian ball rental machine 11.
In addition, since the display unit 8 and the operation button 13 are provided in the inter-lens ball lending machine 11, the number of pachinko machines 2 does not decrease, and the pachinko parlor can significantly improve sales.

In the embodiment, the printer 6 is provided above the inter-mountain ball renting machine 11 on the pachinko machine 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The printer 6 may be provided in the.

Further, the pachinko ball is counted by the ball counting machine 5 and the receipt 21 is issued, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pachinko ball is stored in the pachinko store by using the membership card, and the membership card is used at a later date. There is no problem even if the receipt 21 is issued with the accumulated coins.

It is also possible to detect illegal use of pachinko balls by counting the number of pachinko balls. In this case, the pachinko balls borrowed by the player from the pachinko balls counted by the ball counter 5, that is, the pachinko ball discharge port 14
It is calculated whether or not the total number of pachinko balls discharged from A and the number of pachinko balls discharged into the pachinko ball tray 2A due to winning (in this case, the pachinko balls that have entered the out holes are subtracted). In such cases, moving pachinko balls between pachinko machines is prohibited.

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the pachinko ball counting means, the inter-mountain ball lending machine and the printer respectively provided for the pachinko machine, and the display provided in the inter-mountain ball lending machine. And a control means, and based on the operation of the input means, the control means displays the number of pachinko balls counted by the ball counting means on the display section, and prints out by the printer. Therefore, a pachinko machine can be provided with a stand ball lending machine, and others can be provided with a ball counter and a printer. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an operation button or a display section in addition to the inter-mountain ball lending machine, and the ball counting machine can be attached to each pachinko machine at an extremely low cost.

Since a ball counting machine is provided for each pachinko machine, the player can enjoy playing the pachinko machine while sitting and can count the pachinko balls.
Therefore, it is not necessary for the player to carry a heavy ball box to the counting counter several times, and the pachinko machine can be enjoyed until the store is closed. Also, the pachinko parlor's clerk does not have to carry a heavy ball box to the counting counter, and the burden can be greatly reduced.

Since a ball counting machine is provided for each pachinko machine, the number of splits can be changed for each island and pachinko machine, and popular models such as Seven machines and feather machines and other pachinko machines that are idle. Can be set to different cash exchange rates. Therefore, it is possible to prevent players from concentrating only on popular models, and the average number of pachinko machines in the pachinko machines in the entire pachinko machines will increase the operating rate of the pachinko machines, resulting in a significant increase in sales of pachinko machines. It will be possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an inter-lens ball rental machine installed in parallel on a pachinko machine on an island.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an inter-lens ball rental machine installed in parallel with a pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a unit ball rental machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a pachinko ball counting device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a receipt.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a sub receipt.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Island part 2 Pachinko machine 3 Shelf stand 5 Ball counter 6 Printer 7 Microcomputer 8 Display part 11 Inter-lens ball lending machine 12 Money insertion part 13 Operation buttons 14 Pachinko ball payout part 15 Member card insertion slot 17 Operation dial 18 Ball storage Box 21 Receipt 22 Sub-receipt

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pachinko ball counting means, an inter-mountain ball lending machine, and a printer, which are provided corresponding to each pachinko machine, a display unit, an input means, and a control means, which are provided in the inter-mountain ball lending machine. The control means displays the number of pachinko balls counted by the ball counting means on the display section based on the operation of the input means, and prints out by the printer. .