JPH09248381A - Play medium receiving box and play medium counter for amusement facilities - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To count balls without fail by constituting a key member in any prescribed shape at the receiving box placing part of a counter by providing a key groove in any prescribed shape for fitting the key member at a certain position corresponding to the key member on the bottom part of the receiving box. SOLUTION: Four circular key grooves 4 are formed at prescribed positions on a bottom part 3 of a receiving box 1. On the other hand, an inserting port 6 of a ball counter 5 is structured in a certain shape having prescribed depth for completely inserting the bottom part 3 of the receiving box 1. At the inserting port 6, four columner projecting boss keys 7 are arranged at positions fitted with the circular key grooves 4 of the receiving box 1. Thus, when the receiving box 1 is placed at the inserting port 6 of the ball counter 5 and the key grooves 4 are fitted with the boss keys 7, it can be discriminated there is no error at the ball counter 5. Besides, a means for discriminating this fitting is installed and corresponding to that discrimination, an exchange rate is changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for a pachinko ball used in a pachinko game hall, a medal box (hereinafter simply referred to as "game medium"), and a corresponding inbox. The present invention relates to a counter that counts the number of media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art If a player wins a large number of game media as a result of winning a prize or the like in a game facility in which a pachinko machine or pachislot machine is installed, the acquired media is temporarily suspended. Also, in order to exchange for prizes or the like according to the number acquired after playing, a container called an inbox for carrying in a game medium such as a pachinko ball from a game machine such as a pachinko machine to a replacement place is used.

FIG. 6 (a) shows an outline of a conventional receiving box 20. Such a conventional receiving box 20 usually has a vertical length of 1 to accommodate 500 to 5000 pachinko balls.
It consists of a plastic box with a height of 5〓 from inside to outside of 25〓, a width of 25〓 from inside to outside of 45〓, and a height of 7〓 from inside to outside of 9〓. In addition, a grip 21 is provided on the upper portion of the side surface for easy carrying, and normally, when a large number of pachinko balls are not stored, the installation space of the receiving box 20 is not wasted. In order to allow several of these receiving boxes 20 to be stacked and piled up, it has a shape structure that opens upward.

The player who has obtained the pachinko balls counts the stored pachinko balls using the inbox 20 from the ball insertion port 6 of the ball counting machine 22 installed at the exchange place, and counts them. Is performed, and based on the result, it is exchanged for a prize or the like according to the count.

FIG. 6 (b) shows an outline of such a ball counting machine 22. The ball counting machine 22 is shown in FIG. 6 (b).
As shown in, the ball slot 6 for throwing in the pachinko balls, the slot 9 for aligning the pachinko balls thrown from the slot 6 and sending them to the counting mechanism (not shown) in order, It comprises a display unit 10 for displaying a message such as a totaling result and an amount of money obtained according to a ball exchange rate and a message, and a card issuing mechanism 11 for issuing a card in which the number of acquired pachinko balls is described.

[0006]

However, in a gaming shop, various types of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines are installed in the shop (for example, in pachinko machines, seven machines, honey, There is a case where the prize exchange is performed by changing the ball exchange rate of each of these amusement machines depending on the type thereof.

In such a case, conventionally, a plurality of ball counters having different ball exchange rates are installed in advance, and the obtained balls are put into a ball counter having a predetermined exchange rate to count the number of balls. Or,
Or, install a ball counter that allows you to easily change the ball exchange rate, change the exchange rate each time you count, and then put the acquired balls into the ball counter to calculate the number of balls. Was done.

However, counting balls with a ball counter having a plurality of different exchange rates means that
In that case, there is a risk that the counting machine to be put in may be wrong, and in the case of the type in which the exchange rate can be changed, there is a risk that the exchange rate is erroneously set.

Furthermore, when a plurality of ball counters are provided, the installation space becomes necessary accordingly,
In the case of a limited installation space, there are problems such as difficulty in securing the space.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above conventional circumstances, and pachinko balls obtained from a specific type of amusement machine are to be housed in a receiving box having a predetermined key groove on the bottom thereof. On the other hand, in the ball counter provided at the prize exchange place, the ball counter having a key member fitted with the key groove provided at the bottom of the receiving box is used for counting, and the above-mentioned problems are solved. This is the purpose.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 is a receiving box for storing game media (pachinko balls, medals, etc.) and a counting machine for counting the game media in the receiving box. While a key member having a predetermined shape is provided on the receiving box mounting portion of the machine, at a position corresponding to the key member on the bottom of the receiving box,
It is characterized in that a key groove having a predetermined shape to be fitted to the key member is provided.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the receiving box and medium counter in the gaming facility according to claim 1, wherein the key member and the key groove are in the receiving box mounting portion of the counter. A plurality of key members of a predetermined shape provided, and a plurality of key grooves of a predetermined shape to be fitted to the key member are provided at the bottom of the receiving box at a position corresponding to the key member. is there.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A game medium receiving box and a custom media counting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, particularly a pachinko ball receiving box and a ball counting machine will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 (a) shows a receiving box 1 for accommodating pachinko balls obtained from a game machine. The receiving box 1 is made of plastic and can accommodate approximately 3000 pachinko balls. , Vertical 18.
It consists of a box with a height of 7〓, a width of 37〓 and a height of 8〓. Further, grips 2 for easy carrying are provided on the upper portions of both side surfaces of the receiving box 1, and these receiving boxes 1 are, when not in use, near the end of a game machine installation place called an island. It has a shape structure that opens upwards in order to stack many receiving boxes. Then, four circular keyways 4 are provided at predetermined positions on the bottom portion 3 of the receiving box 1.

The player uses the received balls to collect the balls.
It is stored in a car and carried to the place where the prize is exchanged, and the ball counting machine counts the acquired balls. FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of a ball counter 5 that counts the acquired pachinko balls. This ball counter 5 throws in pachinko balls like the conventional ball counter described above. Ball insertion port 6 and a slot for aligning the pachinko balls so that the pachinko balls that have entered the ball insertion port 6 are counted by a ball counting mechanism (not shown) provided inside the ball counter 5. 9, a display unit 10 for displaying the ball exchange points of pachinko balls, and a card issuing mechanism 11 for issuing a ball totaling card in which the ball exchange points are described. The ball inlet 6 of the ball counter 5 according to this embodiment has a shape structure in which the bottom portion 3 of the receiving box 1 has a predetermined depth into which the bottom portion 3 is completely inserted, and
At this insertion port 6, four boskeys 7 which are cylindrical columnar key members are arranged at positions where they fit into the circular key grooves 4 provided in the receiving box 1.

Further, in this ball counting machine 5, it is determined whether the key groove 4 provided in the receiving box 1 and the Boskey 7 provided in the ball counting machine 5 are fitted, and based on the result of the determination, It is configured to change the ball exchange rate. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a sensor that determines whether the key groove 4 provided in the receiving box 1 and the Boskey 7 provided in the ball counter 5 are fitted and sends the result of the determination to the determination means 13. 12, a storage means 14 in which a ball exchange rate of pachinko balls and messages are stored in advance, a determination means 13 for receiving a signal from the sensor 12 and reading out a corresponding ball exchange rate from the storage means 14, and its determination. It is composed of a card issuing means 11 for writing the content on a card and issuing it. Moreover, it has the display part 10 which displays the content of the judgment.

The sensor 12 is a ball ski 7 of the ball counter 5.
When the key groove 4 of the receiving case 1 and the boss key 7 are fitted to each other, the key groove 4 reaches the base of the boss key 7 and the sensor 12 is placed at a predetermined position. It is recognized as being done. The judging means 13 comprises a microcomputer or the like, stores the ball exchange rate in the storage means 14 in accordance with an instruction from the hall computer system, and reads the number of pachinko balls counted by the ball counting mechanism from the storage means 14. The ball exchange point is calculated by multiplying the exchange rate, and the calculated ball exchange point is transmitted to the display unit 10 and displayed, while the ball exchange point is printed on the ball totaling card.

Next, a method of using the receiving box 1 of the present invention and the ball counter 5 for counting the pachinko balls stored in the receiving box will be described. When the player acquires many pachinko balls, the player takes out the inbox 1 arranged in the vicinity thereof and stores the acquired pachinko balls in the inbox 1. The player who has finished playing with the pachinko machine moves to the place where the ball counter 5 is installed, with the inbox 1 containing the pachinko balls. And the inbox 1 containing the pachinko balls
Is placed in the inlet 6 of the ball counter 5.

When the receiving box 1 is placed on the insertion port 6 of the ball counting machine 5, the key groove 4 provided in the receiving box 1 and the ball counting machine 5 are placed.
It is determined whether the Boskey 7 provided on the display is fitted, the ball exchange rate is changed based on the determination result, and the result is displayed on the display unit 1.
While it is transmitted to 0 and displayed, it is printed on the ball counting card.

This series of flow is shown in FIG. FIG.
It shows a flow chart from the placement of the receiving box 1 in the insertion port 6 of the ball counting machine 5 to the issuance of the ball counting card. First, when the receiving box 1 is placed on the charging port 6 of the ball counter 5, the sensor 12 causes the key box 4 of the receiving box 1 to move.
And whether or not the Boskey 7 of the ball counter 5 is fitted is recognized (step S1). When the key groove 4 and the Boskey 7 are fitted, the determination means 13 reads out the ball exchange rate corresponding to the inbox from among those stored in the storage means 14 in advance (step S2). And
The determination means 13 sets the read ball exchange rate (step S3).

At this stage, the player carrying the receiving box 1 releases the pachinko balls from the receiving box 1 into the insertion slot 6 of the ball counting machine 5 and inserts the pachinko balls into the ball counting machine 5.
The ball counting machine 5 counts the inserted pachinko balls (step S4). When the counting of pachinko balls is completed in the ball counting machine 5, the counted number of pachinko balls is multiplied by the ball exchange rate to obtain a ball exchange point (step S5).

Next, the ball exchange points are transmitted to the display unit 10 for display (step S6), and the card issuing mechanism 11 describes the ball exchange points on the ball totaling card and issues the ball totaling card. Yes (step S7). Then, the player receives the ball counting card in which the ball exchange points are described from the card issuing mechanism 11 provided in the ball counting machine 5, turns to the prize exchange counter, and exchanges it for a prize.

On the other hand, if the key groove 4 and the Boskey 7 are not fitted, it is considered that the ball counting machine 5 cannot count the pachinko balls stored in the receiving box 1.
The message "This pachinko ball cannot be counted" is displayed on the display unit 10 (step S8). And
Despite displaying the above message, input slot 6
When a pachinko ball is thrown in, it is judged whether a pachinko ball is thrown in (step S9), a predetermined ball exchange rate stored in advance is read from the storage means 14 (step S10), and then, The processing from step S3 onward is performed. If no pachinko balls are thrown in, the process ends.

When counting the pachinko balls stored in a plurality of inboxes 1, the ball counter 5 is provided with a count end button (not shown), and pachinko balls in one inbox 1 are counted. Every time the count is counted, a message such as “please press the end button when the pachinko ball count is finished” is displayed on the display unit 10, and after the end button is pushed, Processing may be performed, or at the end of counting, after displaying "Please put the next inbox" etc.,
Hereinafter, the same work may be repeated.

In the above embodiment, the boskey 7 provided in the receiving box mounting groove 6 of the ball counter 5 is a columnar type of boskey 7 of one kind, and the columnar boskey 7 is When the receiving box 1 provided with the circular key groove 4 to be fitted is placed, the pachinko balls in the receiving box 1 are counted by the ball counting machine 5. The shape of the ball counting machine 5 is not limited to one kind.
In addition, a plurality of types of Boskeys 7 may be provided. Then, the ball exchange rate for each of the plurality of shapes of the boskies 7 is stored in the storage means 14, and when any of the plurality of kinds of the boskies 7 and the key groove 4 of the receiving case 1 are fitted, The pachinko balls may be counted and the number of ball exchange points may be displayed and described by the ball exchange rate of the fitted Boskey 7.

Next, a receiving box and a ball counter according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. FIG. 4A shows a receiving box 14 according to another embodiment. The receiving box 14 is a box body similar to the receiving box 1 shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, and is different from the receiving box 1 according to the first embodiment in that the bottom 3 of the receiving box 14 has a pachinko machine. That is, a ball discharge port 16 having a lid 15 is provided to discharge the balls. The lid portion 15 of the ball discharge port 16 is normally in a closed state, but when the key groove 4 of the receiving box 14 and the key of the ball counting machine described later are fitted, the ball counting machine 18 described later is provided. It has a ball discharging mechanism 17 that opens and closes the lid 15 by a ball discharging mechanism drive unit 19 provided in the.

FIG. 4 (b) shows a ball counter 18 for counting the pachinko balls stored in the receiving box 14. The ball counting machine 18 is similar to the first embodiment, and the receiving box 1
There are provided a ball insertion opening 6 for mounting the key 4 and a boss key 7 that fits into the key groove 4 provided in the receiving box 14 described above. In addition, the ball discharge port 1 provided in the receiving box 14
Since the pachinko balls discharged from 6 are flowed in, the receiving box 14 is placed in the ball insertion port 6 and the ball is discharged from the receiving box 14.

A ball discharging mechanism drive unit 19 for opening the lid 15 of the mouth 16 is provided, and when the receiving box 14 is placed on the ball charging port 6, the sensor 12 causes the bottom 3 of the receiving box 14 to be placed. It is determined whether or not the key groove 4 provided in the key slot 4 and the key 7 provided in the slot 6 of the ball counter 18 are fitted, and based on this determination result, the corresponding ball from the storage means 14 is detected. The exchange rate is set, and the ball ejection mechanism drive unit 19 drives the ball ejection port 16 of the receiving box 14.
The lid 15 is opened and the pachinko balls in the receiving box 14 are allowed to flow into the ball insertion port 6 of the ball counter 18.

Then, the inserted balls are counted, the ball exchange points at a predetermined ball exchange rate are displayed on the display unit 10, and the card issuing mechanism 11 issues a ball totaling card in which the ball exchange points are described. Further, the sensor 12 provided at the base of the boskey 7 of the ball counter 18 has a ball discharging mechanism 17 for opening and closing the lid 15 provided on the receiving box 14 when the key groove 4 and the boskey 7 are fitted to each other. The lid 15 is opened and closed by transmitting an open / close signal to the.

The lid 15 of the ball discharge port 16 may be opened and closed by sliding it horizontally, but one side of the lid 15 is bonded to one side of the ball discharge port 16. You may make it open and close by providing a catching part in the other side which opposes. The shape of the ball discharge port 16 is not particularly limited, and may be square or circular as long as pachinko balls can be discharged easily.

Further, in the above embodiment, the receiving box 1 and the ball counter 5 are each provided with four circular key grooves 4 and a boss key 7 fitted therein. However, the key groove 4 and the boss key 7 are:
The number of the keyways 4 and the boskeys 7 may be one, or a plurality thereof may be provided on the bottom 3 of the receiving box. Such as a polygonal shape and a polygonal pillar, or a combination of these predetermined shapes of boskeys and keyways, and a combination of a plurality of these. As a result, the balls in the inbox will
It is only necessary to be able to count at a predetermined conversion rate.

The ball input port 6 of the ball counting machine 14 is used as the receiving box 1
When the key groove 4 of the receiving box 14 and the shape of the boskey 7 of the ball counting device 18 are fitted deeper than the height of 4, the ball counting device 18 is accommodated in the receiving box 14 by providing an automatic shutter. You may count the number of pachinko balls.

In the above embodiment, the ball counters 1, 14
By fitting the Boskey 7 provided in the box and the key groove 4 provided in the boxes 1 and 14, the pachinko balls in the boxes 1 and 14 can be counted by the ball counters 5 and 18. , A predetermined number of magnetic sensors 12 are provided at predetermined positions such as the ball inlet 6 of the ball counters 5 and 18, and the bottom parts 3 of the receiving boxes 1 and 14 are provided.
And, by arranging a magnet at a predetermined position corresponding to this,
Depending on the position of the magnets and the number of the magnets, or a magnetic tape provided on the outer surface of the receiving boxes 1 and 14 or the bottom portion 3,
The magnetic readers provided in the ball counters 5 and 18 further provided a predetermined number of reflectors provided at predetermined positions on the outer side surfaces of the receiving boxes 1 and 14 and the bottom portion 3 and correspondingly provided. In the ball counting by the optical sensors 12 of the ball counting machines 5 and 18, and further by the bar code provided on the outer surface and the bottom 3 of the receiving boxes 1 and 14, and the bar code reader provided in the ball counting machines 5 and 18. The conversion rate may be changed.

In the above embodiment, the ball counting machines 5 and 18 which store the pachinko balls in the receiving boxes 1 and 14 and count the pachinko balls have been described, but not only the pachinko balls but also the medals in the pachi-slot machine are described. The receiving boxes 1 and 14 and the medal counting machines 5 and 18 may be used, regardless of the game medium.

[0034]

As described above, the game medium counter is provided with a Boskey of a predetermined shape, and the bottom of the game medium receiving box is
The sensor 12 of the counter is provided by providing a key groove that fits with this Boskey or by a mark or the like provided on the receiving box.
Since the exchange rate of pachinko balls etc. in the inbox is decided by etc., even if different conversion rates are set in the gaming facility, it is possible to count with the determined exchange rate, and thereby There is no need to install a counting machine for counting pachinko balls having different rates, and there is an excellent effect that there is no error in counting pachinko balls having different exchange rates with other exchange rates.

Furthermore, due to the difference in the exchange rate of game media such as pachinko balls, there is no operational loss when exchanging, and it is possible to release the maximum amount of pachinko balls to the player for the profit of management. The player has the effect of being able to obtain more pachinko balls without causing a loss to the game facility manager.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inbox and a ball counter in a game facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a counter for gaming media such as pachinko balls according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a pachinko ball counting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing another inbox and another counter in the game facility according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an inbox and a counter in a game facility according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an inbox and a counter in a conventional game facility.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 14 ... Inbox 2 ... Grip 3 ... Bottom 4 ... Keyway 5, 18 ... Counting machine 6 ... Input port 7 ... Key 9 ... Input groove 10 Display unit 11 Card issuing mechanism 12 Sensor 13 Judgment means 14 Storage means 15 Lid part 16 Ball discharge port 17 Lid opening / closing mechanism 19 Inlet port

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 26, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inbox and a ball counter in a game facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a counter for gaming media such as pachinko balls according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an input port 6 of a ball counter 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flow chart from the placement of the inbox 1 to the issuance of a ball counting card.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an inbox and a counter in a game facility according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an inbox and a counter in a conventional game facility.

[Explanation of Codes] 1, 14 ... Receiving Box 2 ... Grip 3 ... Bottom 4 ... Key Groove 5, 18 ... Counting Machine 6 ... Input Port 7 ... Key 9 ...・ ・ Inlet slot 10 ・ ・ Display 11 ・ ・ Card issuing mechanism 12 ・ ・ Sensor 13 ・ ・ Judgment means 14 ・ ・ Memory 15 ・ ・ Lid 16 ・ ・ Ejection outlet 17 ・ ・ Lid opening / closing mechanism 19 ・ ・ Flow entrance

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasue Emoto 7-86 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Stock Company within Amtex (72) Inventor Toru Imamura 7-86 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Stock Company Inside Amtex (72) Inventor Atsushi Miyazaki 7-86 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Stock Company Amtex

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A receiving box for storing game media (pachinko balls, medals, etc.) and a counting machine for counting the game media in the receiving box, wherein a key member having a predetermined shape is provided in a receiving box mounting portion of the counting machine. Provided,
A game medium receiving box and a game medium counting machine in a game facility, wherein a key groove of a predetermined shape that fits into the key member is provided at a position corresponding to the key member on the bottom of the receiving box. 2. The key member and the key groove are a plurality of key members having a predetermined shape provided in a receiving box mounting portion of the counter, and a plurality of key grooves having a predetermined shape fitted to the key member. The game medium receiving box and the game medium counting machine in a game facility according to claim 1, wherein the game medium receiving box and the game medium counting device are provided on a bottom portion of the receiving box at a position corresponding to the key member.