JPH10309371A - Game machine island - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine island which can reduce the number of ball counters for counting balls by respective game machines or man-hour for attachment and can surely prevent illegal actions as well since the ball counter is not exposed outside the island. SOLUTION: The balls dispensed from respective PACHINKO (Japanese pin ball game) machines 10 are respectively led into ball boxes 16 and guided later through ball lanes 100A-100C by respective PACHINKO machines into a ball counter 20 inside the island. At the terminal ends of respective ball lanes 100A-100C, shutters 130A-130C are provided and in addition to signals from respective ball detecting means provided for each of respective ball lanes 100A-100C, whether fever just occurs at each PACHINKO machine 10 or not and the priority to more preferentially select the ball lane shortened in the full length for the unit of three PACHINKO machines 10 are totally judged by the respective shutters 130A-130C. Then, these shutters are displaced from ordinary closing position to opening position one by one.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine comprising a plurality of gaming machines arranged in a row on a top plate extending in a longitudinal direction, and counting balls, which are game media paid out from each gaming machine, for each gaming machine. Related to gaming machine islands that are used repeatedly. Here, the gaming machine is represented by all pachinko machines that use a ball as a game medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional gaming machine island, a prize ball counting machine for counting the number of balls held by a player is generally installed at predetermined positions at both ends of the island or in the center of the island, and the counted pachinko balls are transferred to the gaming machine island. It was configured to return to the inside. Therefore, when counting balls, it is necessary to carry a heavy ball box or transfer the balls in the ball box to a prize ball counter, and the ball counting operation is very troublesome.

[0003] Also, since one prize ball counter is shared by many players, when a nearby prize ball counter is in use, if a prize ball counter on the opposite island is free,
In many cases, counting is performed by the counter. Then, the balance of the number of balls held between the islands is lost, and there is a risk that the pachinko machine will not operate normally due to a shortage of balls, or conversely, a ball may be clogged due to excessive balls.

In order to solve such inconveniences, one ball counter corresponding to each pachinko machine is integrally fixed on a top plate in front of the pachinko machine, and each ball counter is used to separate the pachinko machine. Techniques for counting spheres have been proposed. In such a ball counter, since it is fixed so as not to move on the top plate, it is operationally stable.

[0005]

However, in the gaming machine island provided with a ball counter corresponding to each pachinko machine, the same number of ball counters as the pachinko machines are provided one by one on the top board. Since the ball counter is mounted at the front position, a large number of ball counters themselves are required, and the number of steps for mounting each counter is also large, resulting in a problem that the construction work of the island is troublesome and the cost increases.

When the pachinko machine is opened and closed or the pachinko machine itself is replaced due to a trouble of the pachinko machine or the like, the ball counter becomes a hindrance to the work. There is also a problem that the ball counter must be removed one by one, and the work of attaching and detaching the ball counter is extremely troublesome.

Further, since each ball counter is exposed outside the gaming machine island, it is easy to perform various operations on each ball counter relatively easily, and it is highly probable that an illegal act is performed. There was also a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. A ball counter for counting balls for each gaming machine is provided inside the island, one for each of a plurality of gaming machines. By providing the game machine island, it is possible to reduce the number of counters and the number of man-hours for mounting the counters, and to provide a gaming machine island capable of reliably preventing fraud since the ball counter is not exposed to the outside of the island. It is intended to be.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following inventions. [1] A plurality of gaming machines (10) are arranged in a row on a top plate (4) extending in the longitudinal direction, and balls serving as gaming media paid out from each gaming machine (10) are transferred to each gaming machine ( 10) In the gaming machine island (1) that is repeatedly used after being counted separately, a predetermined amount of balls paid out from each gaming machine (10) is provided in front of each gaming machine (10) on the top plate (4). A plurality of ball lanes (100A-C) for detachably installing ball boxes (16) to be stored and for individually aligning and flowing down balls discharged from the bottom of each of the ball boxes (16) are provided in the island longitudinal direction. Are provided inside the top plate (4) so as to extend to each ball lane (100
A to C) are arranged in parallel with each other in the top plate (4) in the depth direction of the top plate for each predetermined number unit of the corresponding gaming machine (10). The shutter (130) that can be opened and closed at an appropriate position of each ball lane (100A-C) arranged in each of the ball lanes (100A-C) at an open position for passing a ball for each ball lane (100A-C) and a closed position for blocking the passage of a ball
A to C), and when each of the shutters (130A to 130C) is in the open position, a ball counter (20) for identifying and counting the balls introduced into the island for each of the gaming machines (10). A gaming machine island (1), wherein one gaming machine (10) is provided in the island for every predetermined number of units.

[2] Ball detecting means (120A-C) for detecting a ball for each ball lane (100A-C) at an appropriate position upstream of the shutter (130A-C) in each ball lane (100A-C). ), And each ball detecting means (12
(1) The control means (80) for controlling the shutters (130A to 130C) to be displaced from the normal closed position to the open position based on the signal output from 0A to 0C). The described gaming machine island (1).

[3] The control means (80) determines whether or not there is a signal output from each of the ball detection means (120A to 120C), and if each of the gaming machines (10) satisfies a predetermined condition, the control means (80) continuously plays balls. Whether or not a special prize state in which a large amount of balls can be released is occurring, and a predetermined priority is set such that the shorter the overall length of each ball lane (100A to 100C) is, the higher the priority within a predetermined number of units of the gaming machine (10). The control is performed such that any one of the shutters (130A to 130C) in the predetermined number unit of the gaming machine (10) is displaced from the normal closed position to the open position one by one in the order determined in consideration of the ranking. [2]
The gaming machine island (1) described in the item.

[4] The predetermined number unit of the gaming machine (10) includes three gaming machines (10) adjacent to each other, [1], [2] or [3]. Gaming machine island (1).

[5] Display means (35) for visually displaying the counting results of the balls counted for each gaming machine (10) by the ball counting machine (20) corresponds to each gaming machine (10). [1], [2],
The gaming machine island (1) according to the item [3] or [4].

[6] Within the range of the number of balls displayed on the display means (35), from the ball rental machine (30) juxtaposed to the gaming machine (10) to the ball storage tray of the gaming machine (10). (13) The gaming machine island (1) according to [5], wherein a payout switch (33) for instructing payout of a ball is provided for each gaming machine (10).

[7] Recording means (39) for recording the counting result of the balls counted for each gaming machine (10) by the ball counter (20) on a recording medium, and a recording medium for the recording means (39). [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], characterized in that a settlement switch (34) for instructing payout is provided for each gaming machine (10). Or the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [6].

[8] A polishing and conveying device (70) for polishing the balls discharged from each of the ball counters (20) while conveying the balls in a certain direction is disposed inside the island lower stage so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Features [1], [2], [3], [4],
A gaming machine island (1) according to the item [5], [6] or [7].

[9] The polishing and conveying device (70) is a lower conveying belt (71) disposed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the island.
And an upper conveyor belt (75) disposed along the lower conveyor belt (71), and at least one of the upper and lower conveyor belts (71, 75) is formed so as to include an abrasive. A gaming machine island (1) according to the item [8], wherein

[10] Inside the lower island, a pair of collecting gutters (2) extending parallel to each other corresponding to the rows of gaming machines (10) extending back to back and collecting balls for each gaming machine (10) row. A gaming machine island (1) according to the item [8] or [9], wherein the polishing transport device (70) is provided in each of the collecting gutters (60).

[11] A storage tank (40) for storing balls in the lower stage of the gaming machine island (1) is provided, and a transfer outlet of the polishing transfer device (70) is connected to the storage tank (40).
[8], characterized in that it is arranged to face the inside.
The gaming machine island (1) according to the item [9] or [10].

Next, the operation based on the above-mentioned solution will be described. In the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [1], each gaming machine (10)
The balls dispensed from are received by a ball box (16) installed on a top plate (4) for each gaming machine (10).
Since the ball box (16) is detachable from the top plate (4), it can be easily removed at the time of inspection or replacement of the gaming machine (10).

The balls discharged from the bottom of each ball box (16) are stored in a ball lane (100A-C) inside a top plate (4) provided for each gaming machine (10) corresponding to each ball box (16). Flow down in a certain direction with the. Each ball lane (100
A to C) are arranged in parallel with each other in a predetermined number unit of the corresponding gaming machine (10) in the depth direction of the top board by the predetermined number.

Here, the predetermined number unit of the gaming machine (10) is
For example, as described in the item [4], a group of three gaming machines (10) adjacent to each other may be used. In such cases,
The three ball lanes (100A to 100C) are arranged in parallel in the top plate (4) in groups of three.

Each ball lane (100
A to C) The spheres flowing down are on each sphere lane (100A to 100A).
C) When the separately provided shutters (130A to 130C) are in the open position, they are introduced into the island and transferred to the ball counter (20). Therefore, in the ball counter (20), the ball lanes (100A to 100A) with the shutters (130A to C) in the open position are provided.
The ball is supplied only from C) and the shutter (130A-
No ball is supplied from the ball lane (100A-C) where C) is in the closed position.

Since the ball counters (20) are disposed in the island one by one for a predetermined number of units of the game machine (10), the ball counter (20) itself has the same number as the game machine (10). No need to prepare. Also, the mounting work of the ball counter (20)
It can be performed collectively for each predetermined number of units of the gaming machine (10). Further, since the ball counter (20) is not exposed to the outside of the gaming machine island (1), there is no possibility that the ball counter becomes bulky and obstructive, or that an illegal act is easily performed.

The ball counting machine (20) can identify and count the supplied balls for each gaming machine (10), for example, based on the relationship with the opening and closing control of the shutters (130A to 130C). . Here, since the ball counter (20) itself is fixed inside the island and does not move, stable and reliable counting can be performed, and the counting result is accurately grasped for each gaming machine (10).

As described above, the balls dispensed from each of the gaming machines (10) are once introduced into the ball box (16) and then pass through the ball lanes (100A to 100C) as they are to count the balls inside the island. Since the ball is introduced into the machine (20), the counting can be performed smoothly and reliably without the need to transfer the ball and without spilling the ball.

In the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [2], control is performed on the basis of signals output from ball detecting means (120A to 120C) provided in the middle of each of the ball lanes (100A to 100C). The means (80) is provided with the shutter (130A).
To C) are controlled to be displaced from the normal closed position to the open position.

Specifically, for example, the ball detecting means (120A
-C) has detected the passage of a sphere (100A-C)
The ball counter (20) may count from the balls in the ball lanes (100A to 100C), which are opened from the shutters (130A to 130C) located in the ball lane.

[0029] In the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [3], the control means (80) controls the ball detecting means (120A to 120A).
C), each gaming machine (1
0), whether or not a special prize state is occurring, and whether or not the gaming machine (1)
0), each ball lane (100A-
C) Any one of the shutters (130A to 130C) within a predetermined number of units of the gaming machine (10) in an order in which the priority is determined in such a way that the shorter the total length, the higher the priority.
Are displaced one by one from the normal closed position to the open position.

Thus, the balls are sent to the ball counter (20) and counted in order from the ball lane (100A to 100C) in which the balls are most likely to accumulate and be clogged. Here, since the shutters (130A to 130C) are opened one by one, it is easy to identify from which gaming machine (10) the ball introduced into the ball counter (20) has been paid out. It is also possible.

According to the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [5],
Since the counting result of the balls for each of the gaming machines (10) is visually displayed on the display means (35), the player can easily confirm the number of his or her own balls.

According to the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [6],
When all the balls in the ball storage dish (13) are used up during the game,
If one or more balls are displayed on the display means (35), the payout switch (33) is operated to operate the ball lending machine (3) within the range of the number of balls displayed on the display means (35).
0), the ball can be paid out into the ball storage dish (13).

According to the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [7],
The counting result of the balls counted for each gaming machine (10) can be recorded on a recording medium by the recording means (39),
The payout of the recording medium can be instructed by the settlement switch (34).

According to the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [8],
The counted balls discharged from the ball counter (20) are polished while being conveyed in a certain direction by the polishing and conveying device (70) inside the lower island. The polishing transport device (70) does not require a considerable installation space above and below the island unlike the conventional polishing and lifting device, and is arranged to extend in the island longitudinal direction inside the lower island. .

According to the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [9],
Since the polishing and conveying device (70) is composed of the lower conveying belt (71) extending in the island longitudinal direction and the upper conveying belt (75) along the lower conveying belt (71), the sphere is used as an abrasive. It is possible to omit a special mechanism for separating the belt from the conveyor belt, to reduce the number of parts, and to simplify the configuration.

The balls discharged from each of the ball counters (20) are taken in between the starting ends of the upper and lower conveyor belts (71, 75), and are moved up and down by the rotation of the conveyor belts (71, 75). Is transported while being polished while being sandwiched between the transport belts (71, 75). Upper and lower conveyor belts (71, 7
At least one of 5) is formed so as to include an abrasive.

The abrasive is made of, for example, 6 nylon as a main component, mixed with a static electricity removing material and a polishing enhancing material, or synthesized with another synthetic resin, fiber material or the like. Conveyor belt (7
1, 75) itself may be formed of an abrasive, or a polishing layer made of an abrasive may be provided on the surface side of the conveyor belt (71, 75).

In the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [10], a pair of collecting gutters (60) provided inside the island lower stage are provided with the gaming machine (1).
0) In order to collect the spheres in each row, the capacity may be smaller than that of the conventional wide collecting gutter (60), and the width may be narrowed so as not to hinder the flow of the spheres.

The ball counter (2) in each gaming machine (10) row
Spheres discharged from each of the collecting gutters (6)
0), and the ball is conveyed in one direction while being polished by a polishing and conveying device (70) disposed in each collecting gutter (60).

Since the polishing transfer device (70) is disposed in each of a pair of relatively narrow collection gutters (60), the polishing processing amount is not so large. By having a compact configuration, a large empty space can be secured inside the lower stage, or the island lower stage itself can be configured to be narrower to meet the demand for space saving.

Further, according to the gaming machine island (1) according to the item [11], the balls discharged from the polishing and conveying device (70) are temporarily stored in a storage tank (40) provided inside the lower island.
Usually, it is lifted to the upper island by a simple lifting machine and distributed again to each gaming machine (10).

[0042]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments representing the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 13 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine island 1 has a lower unit 1A, a middle unit 1B, and an upper unit 1C as supporting frames, and a middle unit 1B.
Inside, a plurality of pachinko machines (game machines) 10 and ball rental machines 30
Are alternately arranged in a row. The lower unit 1C serving as an island base has, on both sides of a bottom plate 2 extending along the floor, waist plates 3, 3 extending in parallel to each other, and supports a substantially horizontal top plate 4 on both waist plates 3, 3. Consisting of

As shown in FIG. 1, the middle unit 1B
The upper unit 1C is erected on the top plate 4 at predetermined intervals.
, And a plurality of pachinko machines 10 arranged side by side in a back-to-back manner with each middle-stage support 6 interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the pachinko machines 10 are grouped as a group counted by one ball counter 20 for every three adjacent pachinko machines.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pachinko machine 10 launches a ball on the gauge board 11 by rotating a handle 12 provided at the lower right end of the machine, and enjoys winning of the hit ball. In the present pachinko machine 10, when a ball is hit into the starting chucker on the gauge board 11, a digital rotation is displayed. When the display result is a specific combination, a fever (prize state) capable of continuously releasing a large amount of balls is displayed. Is set to occur.

In the lower part of the machine of the pachinko machine 10, a ball storage plate 13 for storing a ball to be played or a prize ball, and the ball storage plate 1
A spare plate 14 for receiving a ball overflowing from 3 is provided.
The spare plate 14 is provided with a ball removing lever 15 for dropping the stored balls downward. The ball rental machine 30 interposed between the pachinko machines 10 will be described later.

A ball box 16 for receiving and storing balls falling from the spare plate 14 is provided on the top plate 4 located directly below the spare plate 14 of each pachinko machine 10. 4 and 5
As shown in the figure, the ball box 16 is a cubic box having an open top surface, and the bottom 17 thereof is inclined toward a ball drop opening 18 which is opened at a position near the front side, at the center or at the rear. ing. A shutter member 19 a that can be opened and closed by swinging a lever 19 is provided below the ball drop opening 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, a ball lane 100A in which balls discharged from the ball drop openings 18 of the respective ball boxes 16 are individually arranged in a row and flow down inside the top plate 4.
To C are provided so as to extend in the island longitudinal direction. Each of the ball lanes 100A to 100C corresponds to three of the pachinko machines 10 adjacent to each other.
They are organized in units. That is, each ball lane 100
In A to C, three units corresponding to the three adjacent pachinko machines 10 are arranged so as to be parallel and densely arranged in the top plate 4 in the depth direction of the top plate.

The starting end openings of each of the ball lanes 100A to 100C are:
Each of the pachinko machines 10 is located immediately below a ball drop opening 18 of a ball box 16 in front of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the ball lanes 100 </ b> A to 100 </ b> C is configured such that a lane member 110 is provided in one direction in a lane groove 5 formed on the lower surface side of the top plate 4. A lane holding plate 4 a is integrally attached to the lower surface of the top plate 4.

Of the three ball lanes 100A to 100C, the ball lane 100A whose opening at the start end is closest to the ball counter 20 described below and whose overall length is short is closest to the top plate 4 (closer to the player). The ball lane 100B having the next shorter overall length is disposed on the far side of the ball lane 100A. The ball lane 100C whose starting end opening is farthest from the ball counter 20 and whose length is long is located at the farthest side of the top plate 4 (closer to the island center line).
It is arranged in.

As shown in FIG. 5, each ball lane 100A-
Ball detecting means 120A to 120C for detecting a sphere are provided at intermediate positions near the end of C. Each of the sphere detecting means 120A to 120C is specifically configured by various sensors such as an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, and a magnetic sensor. These ball detecting means 120A to 120C are connected to the ball lane 10
It is set to be turned on each time a ball flowing down from 0A to C approaches, and to output a ball passing signal to the three controllers 80 via the below-described controller 50.

The end portions of the ball lanes 100A to 100C are aligned at the same position in the island longitudinal direction, and shutters 130A to 130C are provided for each end portion. The shutters 130A-C can be arbitrarily displaced between an open position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 7) and a closed position (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 7).
It serves to prevent the balls in A to C from flowing to the ball counter 20. Note that the shutters 130A to 130C are normally set to be in the closed position.

As shown in FIG.
C is held slidably (open / close) in the up-down direction by a holding bracket 132 fixed below the ends of the ball lanes 100A to 100C, and a play groove 131 is provided below the shutters 130A to 130C. Has been drilled. In this play groove 131,
A pin 136 protruding from an eccentric portion of the rotary plate 135 of the rotary solenoid 134 is inserted therethrough.
Reference numeral 36 is movably inserted into a guide groove 133 formed in the holding bracket 132 and extending in a vertical arc shape.

The shutters 130A to 130C are provided with the ball detecting means 1
Control is performed so as to be displaced from the normal closed position to the open position in accordance with the order determined by the three controllers 80 based on the signals output from 20A to 20C. This will be described later in detail. In the present embodiment, the shutter 130
Although the rotary solenoid 134 is used as the driving means for A to C, the driving means is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a simple solenoid or a motor, or may be opened and closed by a rack and pinion. You may comprise.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the lower unit 1A, a ball counter 20 is provided integrally for every three adjacent pachinko machines 10. When the shutters 130A to 130C are at the open positions, the ball counter 20 identifies and counts the balls introduced into the island by each pachinko machine 10. The ball counter 20 is fixedly mounted on the inner side of the waist plate 3 of the lower unit 1A so as not to move.

The ball counter 20 is provided for each of the ball lanes 100A to 100C.
The ball path member 21 communicating with the end portions arranged in a line with the shutters 130A to 130C interposed therebetween, and the leading end connected to the ball path member 21 and extending parallel to the island longitudinal direction.
2 and the payout stage 2 where the end side of the introduction path 22 connects
3 is provided.

The spherical path member 21 is provided in such a shape that it extends a little in the longitudinal direction of the island, then bends at a substantially right angle on the way, and extends again in the longitudinal direction of the island. The spherical path member 21 penetrates the waist plate 3 of the lower unit 1A at the center thereof, is guided into the lower unit 1A, and the terminal edge of the spherical path member 21 is connected to the introduction path 22.

As shown in FIG. 8, the introduction path 22 is
Four alignment rails 24, 24 arranged in parallel in a row
And a total of three partition guides 25 provided between the alignment rails 24, and side plates 22a, 22a provided at both ends in the width direction. Each alignment rail 24
Is inclined so as to become lower from the start end to the end, so that the sphere flows down naturally.

As shown in FIG. 9, both side plates 22a, 22a
A sensor board 27 is erected above and below the terminal side of 2a. Count sensors 28 and 29 are attached to the sensor plate 27. Each of the counting sensors 28 and 29 includes a photoelectric switch including a light receiving element 28 and a light emitting element 29.
4 are provided. Output signals from the counting sensors 28 and 29 are processed by a table controller 50 described later, and are used for displaying a counting result or the like.

The payout stage 23 is connected to a ball guide passage 23a for dropping the ball on the collecting gutter 60 so as to extend downward. As shown in FIG. 3, an out-ball tank 47 for temporarily storing the out-ball discharged from the pachinko machine 10 is provided on the lower back side of each of the pachinko machines 10. From this out ball tank 47, a ball discharge path 47a for guiding a ball onto the polishing and conveying machine 70 extends downward.

As shown in FIG. 4, a ball lending machine 30 arranged in parallel with the pachinko machine 10 is a device for paying out balls, and a bill insertion slot 31, a coin insertion slot 32, and a payout switch 33 are provided in front of the ball lending machine. , A settlement switch 34, a ball number display 35, a ball payout nozzle 36, and a card entrance 37. Inside the ball lending machine 30, a bill validator 31a, a coin validator 32a, a ball dispenser 38, and a read writer 39 are provided.

The bill validator 31a accepts a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 31, identifies the authenticity and the amount of the bill, and outputs an identification signal to the table controller 50. On the other hand, the coin discriminating machine 32a discriminates whether the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 32 is true or false, or the type thereof,
The identification result is output to the table controller 50.

The ball number display 35 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the number of balls held by the player (the number of balls counted by the ball counter 20) based on a command from the table controller 50.
Is displayed in real time so that it can be viewed. The ball dispenser 38 is a counter for dispensing a predetermined number of balls, and outputs a predetermined number of balls supplied from the distribution gutter 8 in the upper unit 1C based on a dispensing command of the table controller 50.
It is paid out via the ball discharging nozzle 36. The ball discharging nozzle 36 is configured to sequentially discharge the balls counted by the ball discharging device 38 to the ball storage tray 13.

Each time the payout switch 33 is pressed, a predetermined number (for example, 100) of the payout switches 33 is pushed from the ball payout device 38 to the ball payout nozzle 36 within the range of the number of held balls displayed on the ball number display 35. And instruct the player to return the ball. The returned ball count is set to be subtracted from the ball count display 35 and displayed. Settlement switch 34
Is to output a settlement signal to the table controller 50 when pressed.

The reader / writer 39 is a device for writing and reading a magnetic card as a recording medium, for example. The read writer 39 reads the data of the magnetic card inserted through the card entrance 37, and operates by exchanging data or signals with the table controller 50 as appropriate. At the time of settlement, data such as the number of balls held and date are input. It is newly written on a magnetic card and paid out.

The lead writer 39 has a storage section for storing therein a magnetic card in a non-recording state, and a payout mechanism for paying out from the storage section.
When the game is started with only cash without inserting the magnetic card, the game also has a function of writing and paying out data such as the number of balls held on the magnetic card in the storage section. As a data recording mode, a method of printing numbers or characters on the card surface or a method of printing with a barcode may be used in addition to the registration as magnetic data.

As shown in FIG. 10, each pachinko machine 10 and each ball lending machine 30 constituting the gaming machine island 1 are connected to a stand controller 50, respectively. The three controllers 50 and one ball counter 20, and the ball detectors 120A to 120C and the shutters 130A to 130C are connected to the three controllers 80 via the ball counter 20, respectively. Further, each controller 50 and three controllers 80 are also connected to an island controller 90 via a bus (BUS).

The island controller 90 of each gaming machine island 10
The communication line is connected to a concentrator (HUB), and the concentrator is connected to a management computer terminal 9 via a local information network (LAN).
1 and a prize customer management terminal 92. Here, the island controller 90 is a computer that centrally controls the operation and operation of various devices in the entire game arcade.

The three controller 80 is a computer that manages the three pachinko machines 10 collectively.
As shown in FIG. 1, functionally, the ball storage determining unit 81, the fever determining unit 82, the storage unit 83, the pachinko machine identifying unit 8
4, and a shutter drive unit 85. The three controllers 80 are unitized, and are disposed at appropriate locations inside the middle unit 1B.

When a ball passing signal from any one of the ball detectors 120A to 120C is continuously input, for example, for 2 seconds or more, the ball storage determining unit 81 determines which one of the ball detectors 120A to 120C is installed. It is determined that a certain amount of balls are stored in the ball lanes 100A to 100C, and the ball lanes 100A to 100A
This is a means for specifying C. Also, the fever determination unit 82
Is a means for specifying the fever unit when a fever occurs in any of the three pachinko machines 10.

The storage means 83 has a higher priority among the three ball lanes 100A to C of the three ball lanes 100A to C, that is, the shorter ball lane 100A → the middle ball lane 100B → the longer ball lane 100C. It is a RAM that stores various data such as a priority order in which priority is given in order.

The pachinko machine discriminating section 84 takes into account the priorities stored in the storage means 83 in addition to the information judged by the ball storage judging section 81 and the fever judging section 82, and sets the pachinko machine in units of three. This is a means for specifying which of the balls 10 is to be counted by the ball counter 20. The shutter driving unit 85 transmits a driving signal to the shutters 130A to 130C in any one of the ball lanes 100A to 100C corresponding to the platform specified by the pachinko machine identifying unit 84 based on the information from the pachinko machine identifying unit 84. Is a means for outputting.

The platform controller 50 controls each pachinko machine 10
Are individually managed, and functionally as shown in FIG. 12, the payout control unit 51, the amount calculation registration unit 5
2, a ball count calculation registration unit 53, a settlement control unit 54, and a display control unit 55 are provided. The storage unit 57 is a RAM that stores various data such as the number of held balls. The table controller 50
And the storage means 57 are unitized, and the pachinko machine 1
It is placed in the right place inside 0.

When the payout switch 33 is operated in a state where the number of held balls is registered in the storage means 57, the payout control section 51 pays out a ball in an amount corresponding to the inserted amount or the number of held balls. Command to the container 37. When the insertion of cash is detected by the bill validator 31a or the coin validator 32a, the amount calculation registration unit 52 calculates the number of balls corresponding to the amount of money, and adds the calculation result to the storage means 57 as the number of held balls. And register it.

The ball number calculation registration unit 53 includes a read writer 38
The insertion of the card is detected by the
When the number of balls is counted, the number of held balls registered in the card or the ball counting result counted by the ball counter 20 for each pachinko machine 10 is added to the storage means 57 and registered. In addition, the ball number calculation registration unit 53 stores the payout switch 13
When the ball is dispensed by the ball dispenser 37 based on the operation c, the number of paid balls is subtracted from the number of held balls, and the subtraction result is updated and registered in the storage means 57 as a new number of held balls. .

When the number of held balls is registered in the storage means 57, the settlement controller 54 sets the settlement switch 34
Is operated, the re-registration of the number of balls held in the storage means 57 at this time and the issuance of the card are instructed to the reader / writer 38, and the number of balls held in the storage means 57 is reset to zero. Things. The display control unit 55
Is to display the accumulated ball count up to that point on the ball number display 35 based on the registration data in the storage means 57.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the lower unit 1A, a storage tank 40 arranged so as to surround the lower end of the lifting device 45 erected at the center of the island is interposed between the lower unit 1A and the lower side unit 1A. The collecting gutters 60, 60 extending in pairs each are provided. In each of the collecting gutters 60, a polishing and conveying machine 70 for conveying the balls to the storage tank 40 while polishing the balls is provided. An auxiliary recovery gutter 65 extending in parallel with the pair of recovery gutters 60 is provided between the pair of recovery gutters 60.

The pair of recovery gutters 60 extend in parallel with each other in correspondence with each pachinko machine row, and are provided so as to extend substantially in the horizontal direction from the start end located at the island end to the end located toward the center of the island. Have been. Since each recovery gutter 60 collects the balls discharged from the plurality of pachinko machines 10 for each pachinko machine row, the capacity is smaller than that of a conventional wide recovery gutter.

That is, as shown in FIG.
It has been confirmed that even if the spheres are configured to have a narrow and small flow passage area, the spheres can be efficiently collected without impairing the receiving capacity of the spheres. The collection gutter 60 has a bottom surface extending in a narrow width and both side walls rising at right angles along both sides thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal end 61 of each collection gutter 60 is connected to the side end wall 4 of the storage tank 40 disposed in the center of the island.
2 and extends considerably into the tank.

As shown in FIG. 2, the polishing and conveying machine 70 includes a lower conveying belt 71 laid on the bottom of the collecting gutter 60,
It comprises a driving means 74 for rotating and driving the lower transport belt 71 toward the storage tank side, and an upper transport belt 75 disposed along the lower transport belt 71.

A drive roller 72 is pivotally supported below the start end of the collection gutter 60, and a driven roller 73 is pivotally supported below the end of the collection gutter 60. A lower transport belt 71 is stretched between the rollers 72 and 73. ing. In addition, both rollers 72, 7
A shape holding roller (not shown) for preventing the lower conveyance belt 71 from sagging may be provided between the three.

The lower conveying belt 71 is formed by shaping an abrasive having elasticity into an endless belt shape. As the abrasive, for example, nylon 6 or nylon 66 is suitable. These abrasives may be used as a main component, and a static eliminator or a polishing enhancer may be mixed with the abrasives, or another synthetic resin, a fiber material, or the like may be formed. The driving means 74 includes the driving roller 7
2 is an electric motor with a speed reduction mechanism that rotationally drives
It is arranged below the drive roller 72.

The upper conveying belt 75 is different from the lower conveying belt 71 extending over almost the entire length of the collection gutter 60.
The collection gutter 60 is divided so as to be included in a plurality of upper conveyor units 76 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the same number of the upper conveyor units 76 as the pachinko machines 10 are disposed in the collection gutter 60 so as to correspond to the pachinko machines 10 located above.

One auxiliary recovery 65 gutter is provided between the pair of recovery gutters 60 and 60 so as to extend in parallel with them. The auxiliary recovery gutter 65 is used only for balls that have overflowed from the downstream end of the distribution gutter 8 on the upper unit 1C side and have fallen directly into the lower unit 1A, that is, only unused balls that have not been supplied to the pachinko machines 10 after polishing. It is a gutter to be collected. Similarly to the collecting gutter 60, the auxiliary collecting gutter 65 has a bottom portion extending in a narrow width and both side walls rising at right angles along both sides thereof.

The storage tank 40 is formed in a box shape whose bottom 41 is inclined downward from both sides toward the center where the lifting device 45 is erected. The substantially horizontal upper surface of the storage tank 40 is open. The lifting device 45 is provided upright at the center of the bottom surface portion 41 in the storage tank 40.
The lifting device 45 is a device for simply lifting a ball in the storage tank 40 to the upper unit 1C side by a bucket or the like, and does not include a polishing transport mechanism.

In the present embodiment, the balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 are introduced into the respective collecting gutters 60 as described above, while the balls overflowing from the upper unit 1C are introduced into the auxiliary collecting gutter 65. Only the used and dirty balls are polished by the polishing conveyor 70 in the collection gutter 60. As described above, since only clean balls are stored in the storage tank 40, it is sufficient to provide a simple lifting device 45 such as a so-called bucket type in the storage tank 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper unit 1C
It is built on a base plate 7 supported by a middle support 6.
As shown in FIG. 2, a distribution gutter 8 is provided obliquely in the upper unit 1C so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the island. Although not shown, a ball supply member called a distribution chute corresponding to each of the pachinko machines 10 and each of the ball lending machines 30 is attached to the middle of the distribution gutter 8.

Next, the operation will be described. When assembling the gaming machine island 1, the ball counter 20 includes three pachinko machines 1 adjacent to each other.
0 units are disposed inside the lower unit 1A one by one. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare the same number of ball counters 20 as the pachinko machines 10. In addition, since the mounting operation of the ball counter 20 is performed in units of three pachinko machines 10, the number of mounting steps can be reduced as compared with the case where one pachinko machine corresponds to one counter. .

Since the ball counter 20 is not exposed to the outside of the gaming machine island 1, there is no danger of cheating being performed easily, and the ball counter 20 does not become bulky on the top plate 4 and hinders the game. In addition, since a large prize ball counter installed in the center of the conventional island is not required, the dead space where the prize ball counter was provided can be effectively used, for example, by installing a pachinko machine. It is possible to do.

The balls paid out from each pachinko machine 10
Once introduced into the ball box 16, the ball lane 100
A to C are introduced into the ball counter 20. Thus, the player does not need to transfer or carry the ball, and can count smoothly and reliably without having to worry about spilling the ball.

Further, the ball counter 20 can identify and count the supplied balls for each pachinko machine 10 based on the relationship with the opening / closing control of the shutters 130A to 130C described later. Here, since the ball counter 20 is fixed inside the lower unit 1A and does not move, stable and reliable counting can be performed, and the counting result is accurately grasped for each pachinko machine 10.

In the completed gaming machine island 1, the player
After putting cash or a card into the ball lending machine 30 to obtain a predetermined amount of balls, the pachinko machine 10 enjoys the game. In the ball lending machine 30, first, the presence or absence of insertion of a card and insertion of cash is detected. When the insertion of a true bill or coin is detected by the bill validator 31a or the coin validator 32a, the control of the amount calculation registering unit 52 temporarily
The inserted amount is registered in the storage means 57, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount is displayed on the ball number display 35 as the number of held balls.

When a card is inserted into the card entrance 37, the number of held balls recorded on the card is checked, and this time the number of held balls is stored under the control of the ball number calculation registration unit 53.
7 and the number is displayed on the ball number display 35. When the player presses the payout switch 33, the payout control unit 5
The ball payout device 38 is operated by the control of 1, and a predetermined number of balls are paid out within the range of the number of held balls displayed on the ball number display 35. At this time, the number of balls to be paid out is subtracted from the original number of balls held by the control of the number-of-balls registering unit 53, and the result is updated and registered in the storage means 57 as a new number of held balls. Will be displayed.

During the game with the pachinko machine 10, in FIG. 4, the won ball is first discharged to the ball storage tray 13, and the ball overflowing from the ball storage tray 13 is received by the spare plate 14.
When the player operates the ball removing lever 15 to drop the ball from the spare plate 14, the ball is received in the ball box 16 as it is. Since the ball box 16 is detachable from the top plate 4, the pachinko machine 10 can be easily removed at the time of inspection or replacement of the pachinko machine 10, and does not become an obstacle.

The ball is stored in the ball box 16 up to a predetermined amount. When the player operates the lever 19 of the ball box 16, the shutter member 19a closing the ball drop opening 18 opens,
As shown in FIG. 5, the balls in the ball case 16 flow down in a certain direction in a state where the ball lanes 100A to 100C in the top plate 4 are aligned with each other.

Each of the ball lanes 100A to 100C is arranged in parallel in the depth direction of the top board 4 in groups of three for each three corresponding pachinko machines 10. Here, the shortest ball lane 100A is arranged on the near side of the top board 4 (closer to the player), and the longest ball lane 100C is arranged on the far side of the top board 4 (closer to the island center line). Is done. Therefore, even if the player's foot collides with the front edge of the top plate 4, each ball lane 100A
It does not significantly affect the flow of the sphere in ~ C.

Since the shutters 130A to 130C at the ends of the ball lanes 100A to 100C are normally in the closed position, the balls in the ball lanes 100A to 100C are not immediately introduced into the ball counter 20. . That is, the three controllers 80
The balls are supplied to the ball counter 20 in a balanced manner and counted in order from the ball lanes 100A-C in which one of the shutters 130A-C displaced to the open position is located.

Hereinafter, the order of counting will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, pachinko machine 1
If a fever occurs during the game at 0 (Y at S1),
Which fever is generated is determined by the fever determining unit 82 of the three-controller 80. Subsequently, the ball lanes 100A to 100C corresponding to the fever generating table
The three controllers 80
(S3).

The fever signal output from the pachinko machine 10 is sent to the fever determining section 82 of the three-controller 80 via the three-controller 50. On the other hand, the ball passing signals from the ball detecting means 120A to 120C are directly sent to the three-unit controller 80, but may be transmitted via the three-unit controller 50. In addition, when the ball storage determination unit 81 continuously inputs a ball passing signal from the ball detection units 120A to 120C in the ball lanes 100A to 100C corresponding to the fever generating table, for example, continuously for 2 seconds or more, Judge that it is in a state of accumulation.

Even if no fever is generated in the pachinko machine 10 (N in S1), if the ball box 16 is full of balls (Y in S2), the ball corresponding to the table is It is determined by the ball storage determination unit 81 whether or not balls are stored in the lanes 100A to 100C (S3). Here, whether the ball box 16 is full of balls is determined by the pachinko machine 10.
The determination may be made based on the number of awarded ball payouts in the above and information from a sensor or the like provided in the ball box 16.

If the balls are actually stored in the ball lanes 100A to 100C of the fever generating table (Y in S3),
At that time, the same condition is set in the unit of three units (S1
If there is another table that satisfies Y) in ３3, it is determined whether or not it is higher in the priority order stored in the storage unit 83.
The determination is made by the pachinko machine identification unit 84 (S4).

That is, in the pachinko machine identification section 84, 3
If only one fever is generated among the units and balls are stored in the ball lanes 100A to 100C of that unit, the unit is specified as it is. Also, if fever is generated at the same time for all three vehicles and balls are accumulated in the ball lanes 100A to 100C, the ball lane 100A which has a possibility of clogging is prioritized, and the ball lane 100A to C is given priority. 100
In the order of B and the ball lane 100C, only one pachinko machine 10 to count the balls is specified.

When the pachinko machine identification unit 84 specifies the platform in this way (Y in S4), based on the information from the pachinko machine identification unit 84, this time the shutter drive unit 85 determines that the platform has been identified. Any corresponding ball lane 1
Drive signals are output to shutters 130A to 130C located at 00A to 00C. When the shutters 130A to 130C are displaced from the closed position to the open position by the rotary solenoid 134 receiving the driving signal (S5), the ball lanes 100A to 100A are moved.
The ball in C is first received by the ball path member 21 of the ball counter 20. At this time, the pachinko machine identification unit 84 has already specified from which table the balls to be supplied to and counted by the ball counter 20 have been paid out.

Subsequently, the balls in the ball path member 21 sequentially flow into the starting end of the introduction path 22. The balls that have entered the introduction path 22 are sorted by the partition guide 25 shown in FIG. 9 and flow down in a state where they are aligned in a line for each of the alignment rails 24, 24. The spheres flowing down to the end of the introduction path 22 are counted by upper and lower counting sensors 28 and 29 provided for each alignment rail 24 (S6).

In the ball counter 20, as long as balls are supplied,
That is, the counting is automatically performed as long as the shutters 130A to 130C are open. Here, the timing for closing the shutters 130A to 130C is set when the ball passing signal from the ball detecting means 120A to 120C is interrupted or by a timer. After the lapse of a predetermined time, it may be appropriately set based on the end of counting of a predetermined number, the end of fever, or the like. Shutter 1
When 30A to 30C return to the normal closed position (S7),
The counting by the ball counter 20 ends once.

The ball count value (count signal) counted by the ball counter 20 is sent to the table controller 50 via the ball lending machine 30, and under the control of the ball number calculation registration unit 53 of the table controller 50, The number of held balls is added to the storage means 57 and registered. Further, the result of counting by the ball counter 20 is added and displayed on the number of held balls displayed on the ball number display 35 under the control of the display control unit 55. The counted balls are discharged from the payout stage 23 through the ball guide passage 23a communicating with the inclined lower end thereof onto the polishing and conveying machine 70 of the collection gutter 60 located immediately below the ball.

The sphere that has fallen into the collection gutter 60 is introduced into the gap between the lower conveyance belt 71 and the upper conveyance belt 75 of the polishing conveyance device 70 that is compactly disposed in the collection gutter 60. The balls are uniformly rolled while being sandwiched between the upper and lower transport belts 71 and 75 by the rotation of the lower transport belt 71, and are reliably transported to the storage tank 40 while being polished.

The spheres collected by each collection gutter 60 do not spread unnecessarily on the lower conveyance belt 71 extending along the narrow bottom surface, but rather efficiently move the lower conveyance belt 71 as compared with the wide collection gutter. It is forcibly conveyed to the downstream side by the rotation drive. The out ball discharged from the pachinko machine 10 of each pachinko machine row is used as an out ball tank 47 shown in FIG.
After being temporarily stored in the collection gutters 60, they are introduced into the respective collection gutters 60 through the ball passage members 47a.

On the other hand, the balls not distributed to each pachinko machine 10 on the upper unit 1C side overflow from the downstream end of the distribution gutter 8 and fall directly into the lower unit 1A. It is introduced upstream of the recovery gutter 65. The ball in the auxiliary recovery gutter 65 flows down smoothly in the gutter by its own weight, and the storage tank 4 to which the terminal end thereof is connected is connected.
Passed to 0. Further, according to the polishing and conveying machine 70, unlike the conventional polishing and transporting apparatus, there is no need for a considerably large installation space above and below the island, and in the lower unit 1A of the gaming machine island 1 in the island longitudinal direction. What is necessary is just to arrange so that it may extend.

When the ball in the ball storage tray 13 runs out during the game, the player presses the payout switch 33 on the ball lending machine 30 to display the ball held on the ball number display 35. Within a range of numbers, a predetermined number of balls can be dispensed from the ball dispensing nozzle 36 into the ball storage tray 13.
At this time, the number of balls to be paid out is subtracted from the original number of balls held by the control of the number-of-balls calculating / registering unit 53, and the result is updated and registered in the storage means 57 as a new number of held balls, and the ball number indicator is displayed. 35 is subtracted and displayed.

To end the game, it is preferable to push the settlement switch 34 after dropping all the balls in the ball storage tray 13 and the spare tray 14 to the ball lanes 100A to 100C. Then, the balls paid out from the table are counted by the ball counter 20 with priority. Subsequently, based on the control of the settlement controller 54 shown in FIG.
After writing on the card at 9, the card is issued from the card entrance 37.

At this time, if the card has already been inserted, the newly inserted card whose ball holding number has been newly registered is paid out. In this way, the player can exchange desired prizes simply by taking the card received from the ball lending machine 30 to a prize exchange counter or the like.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the lower unit of the gaming machine island, only one collection gutter 60A that is relatively wider than the pair of collection gutters 60 is disposed so as to extend in the island longitudinal direction at the island center side, A polishing and conveying device 70A of the same width is provided in the collecting gutter 60A.

As described above, the collection gutter 60A and the polishing and conveying device 7
The shape and width of 0A may be appropriately set to an optimum size according to the polishing processing amount and the ball storage amount required in the gaming machine island. In addition, the payout stage 23 of the ball counter 20 in the present embodiment has a shape extending toward the center of the island so as to be bent at a substantially right angle from the end of the introduction path 22 in accordance with the collection gutter 60A.

In each of the above embodiments, the pachinko machines are grouped in units of three and the ball counters are allocated to each of them. However, the number of pachinko machines is not limited to three. They may be grouped in units of four. The reason why three units are used in each of the above embodiments is that they are optimal from the viewpoint of cost and counting balance.

For example, if one ball counter is allocated to every two pachinko machines, a large number of ball counters is required.
Also, if one ball counter is allocated to every four pachinko machines, there is a possibility that one ball counter cannot process the ball.

Further, the shutter and the ball detecting means are provided at the end of the ball lane, respectively, but are not limited to the illustrated positions. Further, the payout switch, the settlement switch, and the ball number indicator may be provided on the side of the pachinko machine instead of the ball lending machine.

[0117]

According to the gaming machine island of the present invention, the balls dispensed from each gaming machine are introduced into the ball boxes, and then pass through the ball lanes corresponding to the gaming machines to form the inside of the island. Since the ball is introduced into the ball counter, the ball can be counted smoothly and reliably without the need to transfer the ball and without spilling the ball.

Also, since one ball counter is provided in the island for every predetermined number of game machines, it is not necessary to prepare the same number of ball counters as the game machines. Can be performed collectively for each predetermined number of gaming machines, so that the number of mounting steps can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the ball counter is not exposed to the outside of the gaming machine island, it does not become bulky and obstructive at the time of inspection or replacement of the gaming machine, and it is possible to reliably prevent fraud.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gaming machine island according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a lower unit shows an internal structure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a part of the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine constituting the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a ball lane and a ball counter provided on the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view showing a shutter provided on a ball lane provided on the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of a ball counter provided on the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between a ball counter of the gaming machine island, a pachinko machine, and a ball rental machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing three controllers provided in the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a stand controller provided in the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a counting order in one ball counter in each of the pachinko machines constituting the gaming machine island according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal front view showing a main part of a gaming machine island according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view schematically showing a positional relationship among a ball counter of a gaming machine island, a collecting gutter, and a polishing and conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of Signs] 1 ... Game machine island 1A ... Lower unit 1B ... Middle unit 1C ... Upper unit 2 ... Bottom plate 3 ... Waist plate 4 ... Top plate 7 ... Base plate 8 ... Distribution gutter 10 ... Pachinko machine 11 ... Gauge panel 12 ... Handle 13: Ball storage dish 14: Spare dish 16 ... Ball box 17 ... Bottom part 18 ... Ball dropout port 19 ... Lever 19a ... Shutter member 20 ... Ball counter 21 ... Ball path member 22 ... Introduction path 23 ... Discharge stage 30 ... Ball Lending machine 31 ... Bill slot 31a ... Bill discriminator 32 ... Coin slot 32a ... Coin discriminator 33 ... Payout switch 34 ... Checkout switch 35 ... Ball counter display 36 ... Ball payout nozzle 37 ... Card entrance 38 ... Ball payout machine 39 ... Lead writer 40 ... Storage tank 45 ... Lifting device 50 ... Table controller 60 ... Recovery gutter 65 ... Auxiliary recovery gutter 70 ... Polishing transfer machine 71 ... Lower transfer Lt 72: drive roller 73: driven roller 75: upper conveyor belt 76: upper conveyor unit 80: three controllers 81: ball storage determination unit 82: fever determination unit 83: storage unit 84: pachinko machine identification unit 85: shutter drive unit 100A-C: ball lane 120A-C: ball detection means 130A-C: shutter

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in a row on a top plate extending in a longitudinal direction, and balls as game media paid out from each gaming machine are counted for each gaming machine and then used repeatedly. In the machine island, in front of each gaming machine on the top board, a ball box for storing a predetermined amount of balls paid out from each gaming machine is detachably installed, and balls discharged from the bottom of each ball box A plurality of ball lanes for separately aligning and flowing down are provided inside the top plate so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the island, and each of the ball lanes is a predetermined number of units corresponding to a predetermined number of corresponding gaming machines. An open position for passing a ball for each ball lane, and a closed position for blocking the passage of a ball in each ball lane arranged in parallel at a predetermined number in parallel with each other in the depth direction of the top plate inside the plate. And a shutter that can be opened and closed. A ball counter for identifying and counting the balls introduced into the island by each gaming machine when in the open position is disposed in the island one by one for each predetermined number of the gaming machines. A gaming machine island. 2. A ball detecting means for detecting a ball for each ball lane is provided at an appropriate position on the upstream side of the shutter in each ball lane, and the shutter is operated in a normal manner based on a signal output from each ball detecting means. The gaming machine island according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the displacement from the closed position to the open position. 3. The control means determines whether a special prize state in which a large number of balls can be continuously released when a predetermined condition is satisfied in each of the gaming machines is occurring in the presence or absence of a signal output from each of the ball detection means. Whether or not, within a predetermined number of units of the gaming machine, a priority determined such that the shorter the overall length of each ball lane, the higher the priority,
3. The game according to claim 2, wherein the shutters in the predetermined number of units of the gaming machine are controlled to be displaced one by one from the normal closed position to the open position one by one in the order determined in consideration of the addition. Kijima. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of gaming machines comprises three gaming machines adjacent to each other.
The gaming machine island according to 2 or 3. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein display means for visually displaying a result of counting the balls counted for each gaming machine by said ball counter is provided for each gaming machine.
A gaming machine island according to 2, 3 or 4. 6. A payout switch for instructing payout of a ball from a ball lending machine juxtaposed to a gaming machine to a ball storage tray of the gaming machine within a range of the number of balls displayed on the display means, 6. The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the game machine is provided for each game machine.
The gaming machine island mentioned. 7. A recording means for recording, on a recording medium, a counting result of balls counted for each gaming machine by said ball counting machine, and a settlement switch for instructing said recording means to pay out the recording medium,
7. The gaming machine island according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine island is provided so as to correspond to each gaming machine. 8. A polishing and transporting device for polishing and transporting the spheres discharged from each of said ball counters in a predetermined direction is provided inside the island lower stage so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. The gaming machine island according to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. 9. The polishing and conveying device has a lower conveying belt disposed so as to extend in an island longitudinal direction and an upper conveying belt disposed along the lower conveying belt. The gaming machine island according to claim 8, wherein at least one of them is formed so as to include an abrasive. 10. A pair of collecting gutters extending parallel to each other corresponding to the gaming machine rows extending back to back in two rows and collecting balls for each gaming machine row are provided inside the lower island. 10. The gaming machine island according to claim 8, wherein each of the polishing and conveying devices is provided. 11. A storage tank for storing balls in a lower stage of a gaming machine island, wherein a transfer outlet of the polishing transfer device is provided.
The gaming machine island according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the gaming machine island is arranged so as to face the inside of the storage tank.