JPH10230071A - Game medium counting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium counting device for preventing game media from being excessively paid at the time of gift exchange by counting the game media acquired by a player, selecting a desired gift based on the counted value, writing it to a ticket, issuing it and returning the fraction of the game media generated at the time of exchange with a special gift and a residual game medium number generated at the time of the exchange with the gift. SOLUTION: The game media are fed to a feeding port 2 disposed on this game medium counting device and a game medium number is counted up one by one by a counter disposed in a game medium carrying path communicating with the feeding port 4. When the counting of the game media is ended, the return selection of the game media is performed, and when a gift button 5 is pressed, the gift displayed at a display part 6 is selected, the exchange game medium number of the gift is subtracted from the counted game medium number by a subtraction means and the residual game medium number is calculated. Then, a gift name and the number of the gifts are entered to the ticket 12 by characters, numerals and a bar code and issued and the game media for the residual game medium number are returned from a return port 8 by a return number control means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention counts the number of game media inserted and selects a prize such as juice or cigarette based on the counted value, thereby obtaining the number of exchange game media required for the selected prize. The present invention relates to a game medium counting device that writes premium information on a ticket and returns a fraction of game media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gaming facility, a game medium counter for counting the number of game media is disposed in order to exchange game media discharged from a game machine for a prize. This gaming medium counting machine is provided near the center of a so-called "island" (a group of gaming machines in which a plurality of gaming machines are adjacent to each other),
It is arranged on the side of the "island", and when the game media is inserted, the game media counter counts the inserted game media, displays the count value, and issues the described ticket. I have. On the other hand, the inserted game media is
When the counting is completed, it is discharged to a game medium collection gutter provided inside the “island” and transported to a game medium storage tank (not shown) in the game facility.

[0003] A player may desire juice, cigarettes, etc. during a game. In such a case, in order to exchange game media possessed by the player with premiums such as juice, cigarettes, etc. A number of game media such as juices, cigarettes, etc. are put into a game media counter, and when a ticket describing the counted number of game media is received, the ticket is held at a prize exchange counter and exchanged for a prize. If the number of game media described in this ticket is slightly larger than the prize exchange, the fraction remaining after the prize exchange cannot be exchanged for any prize and must be paid to the game store.

[0004] Further, the game medium counter is also arranged in a prize counter, and when a player exchanges prizes directly with the prize exchange counter, the number of prizes corresponding to prizes out of the game media possessed by the player is determined. A game medium is put into a game medium counter. The game media counter counts the number of game media inserted, displays the number of the game media on a display device provided in the counter, confirms the displayed number by an employee, and delivers the prize. Was. In the case of directly exchanging prizes at the prize exchange counter in this way, for example, if the number of exchanged balls for one cigarette is 55, the player counts the number of game balls possessed and obtains a value equivalent to 55 pieces. The game medium is put into the game medium counter, and “55” is displayed on the display unit provided in the game medium counter.
Is displayed, and the tobacco can be replaced.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional game medium counting machine, the game medium acquired by the player is counted and displayed, the game medium is issued in the form of a ticket, or the number of special prizes. Only by issuing the minute as a ticket and returning game media (fractions) less than the special prize, the player can use the above-mentioned game medium counter to increase the number of game media corresponding to the desired prize. If the number of media has been inserted, the number of game media obtained by subtracting the number of game media corresponding to the desired prize from the number of game media inserted cannot be returned, and as a result, the number of game media exchanged for the prize cannot be returned. Many game media had to be paid. When exchanging for prizes, the user holds the game media at the prize exchange counter, and checks the number of game media displayed on the display device of the counter, until a desired number of game media is reached. It took a long time to replace one cigarette, for example.

[0006] As described above, if it takes time for one prize exchange, the player must leave the gaming machine for a long time, and the willingness to play the game decreases, and the game is stopped. There is also a problem that other players trying to exchange prizes wait, and the prize exchange counter is crowded with players. Furthermore, in the gaming facility, music is played at a high volume, and the sound of launching game media with a gaming machine, the counting of acquired game media, and the sound of in-store broadcasts flowing from speakers provided in the store. Noisy, due to the game media possessed by the player,
If the desired prize is exchanged, if the prize name is explained verbally, the prize name will not be transmitted correctly, and a brand such as cigarette will be given to the player by mistake, There was a problem that trouble occurred between players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and when a player counts game media obtained and exchanges it for a desired prize based on the counted value, the count value and the prize are used. Since tickets with names are issued, prize exchange at the service counter can be performed smoothly. In addition, since the fraction generated when exchanging for prizes such as juice and cigarettes is returned to the player, the player is required to provide a game medium counting device that does not pay excessive game media when exchanging prizes. Aim.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The invention of claim 1 of the present application is
According to the game medium counting device, a game medium counting device that counts the inserted game media (refers to pachinko balls, medals, etc.) and pours it into a game medium collection gutter, counts and displays the inserted game media. Section, a selection means for selecting a prize exchange method based on the counted game media, a display means for displaying predetermined prize information based on the selection means, and a prize based on the predetermined prize information. Switch means for selecting, ticket issuing means for issuing a ticket describing the prize information of the prize selected by the switch means and the number of exchange game media, and display on the display unit from the count value of the inserted game media. Subtracting the number of game media exchanges of prizes based on the selected prize selection to calculate a fraction (hereinafter, the number of game balls that does not reach any prize exchange number is referred to as “fraction”). A step, a supply path for supplying game media from a game medium supply gutter provided inside the game island, and a game medium passing therethrough detected by a sensor provided on the supply path, and the remaining game calculated by the subtraction means. Return number control means for counting and guiding game media for the number of media.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A game medium counting device according to the present invention is provided with a game medium, in particular, a pachinko ball, inserted into a slot provided in the game medium counting device, and is provided on a game medium transport path leading from the slot. The number of the game media is counted up by one at a time, and the number of game media inserted into the game medium counting device is counted. When the counting of the game media is completed, the return of the game media is selected, and when the all return button is pressed, the number of the game media counted by the counter is described in the ticket and issued. In addition, when the fraction return button is pressed in the return selection of the game medium,
The number of game media is divided by the number of special prize exchange media by the dividing means to determine the number of special prize exchanges and the fraction. The number of exchanges of the special prize is described in a ticket and issued, and the fraction is returned from the return port after the number of returned game media is counted by the return number control means. When the prize button is pressed, the prize displayed on the display section is selected, and the number of exchanged game media of the prize is subtracted from the number of game media by the subtraction means to calculate the number of remaining game media. Then, the prize name and the number of prizes are written and issued on the ticket with letters, numbers and barcodes,
The game media for the number of remaining game media are counted by the return number control means, and are returned from the return port.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A description will be given of a game medium counting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is an external view of a game medium counting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Is a game medium counting device of the present invention, 2 is a slot for inserting game balls, 3 is one of the selection means, all buttons for issuing a ticket describing the count value of all the game media inserted, 4 issues a value corresponding to the exchange amount of the special premium in the ticket among the count values of all the inserted game media, and issues the value.
The fraction return button 5, which is one of the selection means for returning the remaining game media, is a ticket corresponding to the exchange amount of general premiums (juice, cigarettes, etc.) among the count values of all the game media inserted. And a prize button 6, which is one of the selection means for returning the remaining game media, is a display section for displaying a general prize name and the number of exchanges, which will be described in detail later.

Reference numeral 7 denotes ticket issuing means for issuing a ticket on which a prize name and the number of exchanges are printed by a printer (not shown); 8, return means for returning a fraction of game media; A supply path 10 for supplying game media returned from the means 8 is a game medium supply gutter for supplying game media to the supply path 9, and a game medium collection gutter 11 is provided on an island or the like. The return means 8 returns a fraction obtained by subtracting the number of prizes exchanged from the counted number of game media, and a return control means described later is provided inside the return means 8, which counts the number of game media to be returned and returns To the means 8.

FIG. 1B is an explanatory view of the display section 6 and a screen displayed on the display section 6. The display section 6 is provided on the front of the game medium counting device 1 and is constituted by a touch panel type liquid crystal display or the like. ing. The display unit is provided with a plurality of switch means 6a, 6b, 6c,..., And the switch means 6a, 6b, 6c,. "Juice 30
General prize names such as "individual" and the number of exchanges are displayed. The switch means 6a, 6b, 6c,...
The prize button 5 is displayed when the prize button 5 is pressed, and can be inputted by contact. FIG. 1C shows a ticket 12 issued from the ticket issuing port 7. For example, FIG.
When the switch means 6a is turned on, the name of the general prize displayed on the switch means 6a, the number thereof, a code (in this embodiment, a bar code is used) and the like are described.

Next, a schematic configuration of the above-described game medium counting device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of the game medium counting device 1. A game medium counting means (hereinafter, referred to as a "counter") 13 counts game media and obtains the number of game media. The division means 15 for calculating the number of special prizes and the remainder by pressing the fraction return button 4 subtracts the prize exchange number of the selected general prize from the number of game media after pressing the prize button 5. Subtraction means. Reference numeral 16 denotes a return number control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a return counter) that counts the fraction to be returned based on the operation results of the division unit 14 and the subtraction unit 15.

The dividing means 14 is operated by depressing the fraction return button 4, and calculates the number of game media counted and the number of exchanges of special prizes and the fraction which did not lead to the exchange of special prizes. . For example, the game medium that is inserted into the game medium slot 2 and counted by the game medium counting unit 13 is
If the number of game media that can be exchanged for one special prize is 500 in the case of 3,520 pieces,
Divide by 00. The result of this division is 7 special prizes,
There are 20 fractions.

The subtraction means 15 is operated by the switch means 6a, 6b, 6c,... (Selection of general prizes) displayed on the display section 6, and calculates the number of game media based on the counted number of game media. The number of exchanges of the selected general prize is subtracted, and the number of remaining game media is calculated. For example, if the number of game media counted by the game medium counting means 13 is 60, and the switch means 6a is contacted, a game corresponding to the general premium displayed on the switch means 6a is performed. Number of media (for example, the number of balls exchanged for one Seven Star
Number. ) Is subtracted, and “55” for the tobacco is subtracted from “60” to obtain a fraction of 5.

The number-of-returns control means 16 instructs the printer (not shown) of the ticket issuing means 7 to indicate the contents of the ticket based on the pressing of the return selection means (all buttons 3, fraction return button 4, premium button 5). The return means 8 counts and returns a fraction of the game media, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the return number control means 16. Reference numeral 17 denotes a feed cam that picks up the game medium on its side surface and guides the game medium one by one. Reference numeral 18 denotes a reduction gear that rotates the feed cam 17 at a predetermined speed. Reference numeral 19 denotes a reduction gear. It is a motor to be driven. Reference numeral 20 denotes a first sensor for detecting that there is no game medium in the supply path 9, and reference numeral 21 denotes the feed cam 1.
7 is a second sensor for detecting that the game medium has passed through the supply path 9.

For example, assuming that the fraction calculated by the subtraction means 15 is 5, the return number control means 16 drives the motor 19 and rotates the feed cam 17 via the reduction gear 18. Then, one game medium is sent downward. Then, the second sensor 21 detects the passing game medium. When the second sensor 21 detects a game medium, a return counter (not shown) adds one to the number of times of detection. When the number of times of detection reaches a fractional number of five, the motor 19 is stopped, and five game media are returned to the return means 8. In addition, when the game medium is not guided to the supply path 9 and the first sensor 20 detects this, the game medium cannot be returned from the game medium counting device 1. A message such as "use discontinued" or "adjusting" is displayed so that the player does not use it.

The game medium counting device 1 having the above configuration is arranged on the side of a so-called "island", and FIG. 4 is an arrangement diagram of the game medium counting device 1. In FIG. 4, 22 is an island,
23 is a gaming machine arranged on the island 22, and 24 is a bellows for sending game media from the game medium supply gutter 10 to the supply path 9 of the game medium counting device 1. That is,
The game media inserted from the slot 2 of the game medium counting device 1 are counted, and then discharged to the game media collection gutter 11 provided on the island 22, and the fraction to be returned generated by the above-mentioned premium designation is: The game medium is supplied to the game medium counting device 1 from the game medium supply gutter 10 via the bellows 25 and returned to the return means 8.

Next, a description will be given of a method of returning the game medium of the game medium counting device 1 having the above configuration. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a game medium returning method by the game medium counting device 1. First, a game medium is inserted into an insertion port 2 provided in the game medium counting device 1 (step S1), and a counter (not shown) provided on a game medium transport path (not shown) leading from the insertion port 2 The number of game media is counted up by one (step S2). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a game medium inserted (step S
3) If the game medium is being conveyed along the game medium conveyance path, the process of step S2 is repeated, and if the counting of the game media inserted into the slot 2 is completed, the display unit 6 displays The counted number of game media is displayed (step S
4).

Next, when the all button 3 of the game medium return selecting means is pressed (step S5), the number of game media counted by the counter is described in a ticket and issued (step S6). When the fraction return button 4 is pressed in the game medium return selecting means (step S7), the counted number of game media is divided by the number of special prize exchange media by the dividing means 14 to obtain the special prize exchange number. And a fraction (step S8). The number of the special prize exchange is described in a ticket and issued (step S9), and it is determined whether or not there is a fraction (step S10). If there is a fraction, the number of game media for the fraction is counted by the return number control means 16 (step S11), and the return means 8 is returned.
(Step S12), and if there is no fraction, the process ends.

When the prize button 5 is pressed (step S13), a general prize is displayed on the display section 6, and a desired general prize is selected from the displayed general prizes (step S14). Then, the number of exchanged game media of the general prize is subtracted from the counted number of game media by the subtracting means 15 to calculate the number of remaining game media (step S1).
5). In addition, it is determined whether the fraction return button 4 has been pressed (step S16), and the fraction return button 4
If is pressed, the processing from step S8 to step S12 is performed. Then, it is determined whether or not a general prize is designated (step S17). If the selection of a general prize is continued, the process returns to step S14.
When the selection of the general prize is completed, the above step S9
In the same manner as in the process from step 12, the general prize name and the number of exchanges are described in the ticket and issued. If there is a fraction,
Returned from the return means 8 by the return number control means 16. If none of the all button 3, the fraction return button 4, or the premium button 5 is pressed, the process waits until any of the buttons is pressed.

In the above embodiment, any one of the all button 3, the fraction return button 4, and the premium button 5 has been described as being pressed, but after the game medium is inserted into the game medium counting device 1, If none of the all button 3, the fraction return button 4, and the premium button 5 have been pressed within a predetermined time, after suggesting by a voice or display message, for example, as in the case of pressing the all button 3, A ticket describing the number of game media may be issued, and a cancel button may be provided. In the above embodiment, as the return selecting means, the all button 3, the fraction return button 4, and the premium button 5 are used.
However, it is not particularly necessary to use push-down buttons (switches), and all of these buttons 3, the fraction return button 4, and the premium button 5 are provided as touch-panel switches.
May be displayed. Then, the next screen may be displayed by the switch pressed down by touch, so that the next selection (prize specification or the like) can be performed. Further, the game medium and the game medium counting device referred to herein may be a medal and a medal counter for counting medals in a pachislot machine.

[0023]

As described above, according to the game medium counting apparatus of the present invention, when a game medium is exchanged for a general prize such as one cigarette or one juice, the game medium corresponding to the general prize is counted. It is possible to return the surplus inserted game media without inserting the game media into the game media counter. In addition, in the game medium counting device of the present invention, when selecting the prize to be exchanged when counting the game media, a ticket in which the name of the prize is described is issued,
If the ticket is submitted to a prize exchange counter, it can be exchanged for a desired prize. Thus, the prize exchange can be performed in a short time, and congestion of the prize exchange counter can be eliminated. Furthermore, since the ticket with the prize name only has to be submitted at the time of the prize exchange, the employee does not misunderstand the prize name and the trouble with the player is eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of a game medium counting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a game medium counting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a return number control means of the game medium counting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an arrangement configuration diagram of a game medium counting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a game medium return method in the game medium counting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game medium counting device 2 ... Input port 3 ... All buttons (selection means) 4 ... Fraction return button (selection means) 5 ... Premium button (selection means) 6 ... Display Parts 6a, 6b, 6c, switch means 7 ticket issuing means 8, return means 9, supply path 10, game medium supply gutter 11, game medium collection gutter 12, ticket 13, ..Game medium counting means 15 subtraction means 16 return number control means 14 guideway 17 feed cam 18 reduction gear 19 motor 20 first sensor (no game media 21) Second sensor (detects the passage of game media)

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Go Kobayashi 7-86 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Inside Amtex Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Sawada 7-86 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Amtex Co., Ltd. Inside

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A game media counting device which counts inserted game media (meaning pachinko balls, medals, etc.) and pours them into a game media collection gutter, and displays and displays a count of the inserted game media. Selecting means for selecting a prize exchange method based on the counted game media; display means for displaying predetermined prize information based on the selecting means; selecting the prize based on the predetermined prize information Switch means; ticket issuing means for issuing a ticket describing the prize information of the prize selected by the switch means and the number of exchange game media; and a count value of the inserted game media displayed on the display unit. Subtraction means for subtracting the number of game medium exchanges of the prize based on the selection of the prize to calculate a fraction (hereinafter, the number of game balls that does not reach any of the prize exchange numbers is referred to as “fraction”); A supply path for supplying game media from a game medium supply gutter provided inside the game island, and a game medium passing therethrough detected by a sensor provided on the supply path, and the number of remaining game media calculated by the subtraction means. And a return number control means for counting and guiding the number of game media.