JP2006006494A - Game media supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium supply device capable of appropriately supplying game media to a gaming machine.
SOLUTION: A gaming machine management unit 40a (control means) outputs a ball payout pulse signal (payout) indicating the payout number of pachinko balls to be paid out from the pachinko machine 40, which is output from a payout information output means provided in the pachinko machine 40. Based on the information, the ball replenishment meter 40b (replenishment means) is controlled to replenish the pachinko balls to the ball tank (game medium storage means) of the pachinko machine 40.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium supply device for supplying game media to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

Generally, a pachinko machine is provided with a ball tank that stores pachinko balls to be paid out as prize balls when winning. In addition, a pachinko ball replenishing device for replenishing the ball tank with a pachinko ball is provided.
A conventional pachinko ball replenishing device has a storage amount detection switch (“dish”) that is turned on and off according to the weight of the pachinko balls stored in the ball tank in order to always store a predetermined amount of pachinko balls in the ball tank. A switch). (See Patent Document 1)
This conventional pachinko ball supply device operates as follows. When the number of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank decreases and the load applied to the storage amount detection switch decreases, the storage amount detection switch is turned on and replenishment of the pachinko balls to the ball tank is started. . When the number of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank increases with the replenishment of the pachinko balls to the ball tank and the load applied to the storage volume detection switch increases, the storage volume detection switch turns off and the ball Pachinko ball supply to the tank is stopped.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-144062

Since the storage amount detection switch used in the conventional pachinko ball supply device detects the weight of the pachinko ball stored in the ball tank, the detection accuracy for detecting the number of the pachinko balls stored is high. not good.
Further, since the storage amount detection switch detects the weight, inexpensive mechanical switches are frequently used. In such a mechanical switch, there is a possibility that a decrease in detection accuracy, a malfunction, or the like may occur due to aging of component parts (for example, a movable part or a spring member). For example, there is a possibility that a malfunction occurs in which the storage amount detection switch is always on or always off. When a malfunction occurs in which the storage amount detection switch is always turned on, the pachinko balls are not replenished in the ball tank even though the pachinko balls stored in the ball tank are decreasing. In this case, there is a possibility that the prize ball for the winning of the pachinko machine cannot be paid out. In addition, when a malfunction occurs in which the storage amount detection switch is always turned off, the pachinko ball is continuously supplied to the ball tank even though the pachinko ball is sufficiently stored in the ball tank. In this case, pachinko balls may overflow from the ball tank.
In the conventional pachinko ball replenishing device, the start and stop of replenishment of the pachinko ball to the ball tank is determined using such a storage amount detection switch, so the accuracy of replenishing the pachinko ball to the ball tank is good. There wasn't.
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a game medium supply device capable of improving the supply accuracy of game media to the game medium storage means and appropriately supplying game media to the game medium storage means. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in each claim is configured.
(Invention of Claim 1)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game medium supply device is configured to supply the game medium to the game medium storage means for storing the game medium paid out from the gaming machine.
The game medium supply device has payout information output means, supply means, and control means.
The payout information output means outputs payout information indicating the payout number of game media to be paid out from the gaming machine.
The supply means supplies the game medium to the game medium storage means of the gaming machine.
The control means controls the replenishing means based on the payout information output from the payout information output means.

The “game medium” is inserted into the gaming machine when the player plays a game on the gaming machine. For example, when the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, the pachinko ball, and when the gaming machine is a slot machine, Medal is applicable.
The “payout information output means” can be arranged in various places. For example, the “payout information output means” may be provided in a gaming machine, or may be provided in a gaming machine terminal device (such as a gaming machine management unit) that transmits / receives gaming information to / from a hall computer in a gaming hall. Good.
As the “payout information”, information indicating the number of game media paid out from the gaming machine itself (for example, payout number information indicating that 10 game media have been paid out) may be used, or a predetermined number of games. Information indicating that the medium has been paid out from the gaming machine (for example, payout set number information indicating that one set of “10” gaming media has been paid out once) may be used. Information indicating the number of payouts for each payout may be used, or information indicating the total number of payouts may be used.
As the “replenishment means”, a replenishment means for replenishing the game medium storage means in a predetermined number (for example, “10”) or in units of one is used, and preferably indicates the number of replenished game media. Supply means having supply information output means for outputting supply information is used.
The “control means” only needs to be able to control the replenishment means based on the payout information, and may be provided corresponding to each gaming machine or may be provided in common to a plurality of gaming machines. . The control means widely includes control means configured integrally with a gaming machine or supply means, control means configured separately from the gaming machine or supply means, and the like.
As a mode of “controlling the replenishment means based on the payout information”, for example, the number of payouts indicated by the payout information and the number of replenishments replenished by one driving (one step or one rotation) of the replenishment means The driving time of the replenishing means is controlled based on the mode of controlling the number of times of driving the replenishing means based on the relationship between the number of payouts indicated by the payout information and the driving time of the replenishing means and the number of replenishing And the like are used. When the payout information indicating the cumulative payout number is used, the mode of “control the replenishment means based on the payout information” is the cumulative payout number indicated by the current payout information and the payout information at the time of the previous replenishment. The aspect which controls a supply means based on the difference with the accumulation payout information shown by this is included.

According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, the supply means is controlled based on the payout information output from the payout information output means, that is, the number of game media paid out from the gaming machine. Therefore, the game medium can be appropriately supplied to the game medium storage means.
In addition, normally, game machines that can output payout information are frequently used in order to grasp the number of payouts of game media for each game machine using a hall computer. Therefore, the payout information output from the existing gaming machine can be used as the payout information of the present invention, that is, the existing gaming machine can be used as the payout information output means of the present invention. Can be configured.

(Invention of Claim 2)
According to the invention described in claim 2, the game medium supply device according to claim 1 further includes supply information output means. Then, the control means controls the replenishment means based on a comparison result between the number of game media payout indicated by the payout information and the number of game media replenishment indicated by the replenishment information.
The replenishment information output means outputs replenishment information indicating the number of game media replenished from the replenishment means.
The “replenishment information output means” can be arranged at various places. For example, the “supply information output means” may be provided in the supply means, or a gaming machine terminal device (game machine management unit) that manages gaming information of gaming machines and transmits / receives gaming information to / from the hall computer of the gaming hall Etc.).
As the “replenishment information”, information indicating the number of game media replenished from the replenishment means (for example, replenishment number information indicating that 10 game media have been replenished) may be used, or a predetermined number of game media may be used. May be used (for example, supply set number information indicating that one set of “10” game media has been supplied once). Further, information indicating the number of replenishments for each replenishment may be used, or information indicating the total number of replenishments may be used.
As the “comparison result between the number of game media payout indicated by the payout information and the number of game medium replenishment indicated by the supply information”, for example, the game indicated by the number of game media payout indicated by the payout information and the supply information The difference from the number of medium replenishments can be used. Here, when using the replenishment number for each replenishment as the replenishment information and the payout number for each payout as the payout information, the sum of the replenishment number of game media replenished from the last replenishment and the replenishment from the last replenishment The difference with the sum of the number of paid out game media is used. Further, when the cumulative supply number is used as the supply information and the cumulative supply number is used as the payout information, the difference between the cumulative supply number indicated by the current supply information and the cumulative payout number indicated by the current payment information is used. .
When a game is started, a predetermined number of game media need to be stored in the game media storage means. Therefore, when no game medium is stored in the game medium storage means, a predetermined number (initial supply number) of game media is supplied before the game is started. At this time, as the “comparison result between replenishment information and payout information”, the difference between the number of game media replenished since the last replenishment and the number of game media paid out since the last replenishment Is used, the control means does not control the supply means based on the “comparison result between supply information and payout information” until the initial number of game media is supplied to the game medium storage means. To do.

According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, the control means outputs the payout information output from the payout information output means, that is, the number of game media paid out from the gaming machine and the supply information output from the supply information output means. That is, since the replenishing means is controlled based on the comparison result with the number of game media replenished from the replenishing means, the number of game media corresponding to the paid-out number can be accurately replenished to the game medium storage means. Can do.
Further, according to the game medium supply device of the present invention, the control means controls the supply means because the comparison result between the number of payouts and the number of supply, for example, the difference between the number of supply and the number of payouts may be calculated. The process in which the control means controls the replenishing means is simple.

(Invention of Claim 3)
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game medium replenishing device according to the second aspect, the control means has the replenishment number indicated by the replenishment information smaller than the payout number indicated by the payout information by a first set value or more. Then, the replenishing means is operated to start replenishment. When the number of replenishment indicated by the replenishment information becomes greater than the number of payouts indicated by the payout information by a second set value or more, the replenishing means is stopped to stop the replenishment. .

The value obtained by subtracting the payout number indicated by the payout information from the supply number indicated by the supply information indicates the number of game media stored in the game medium storage means, that is, the “stock ball count”. The lower limit value of the number of stock balls from which replenishment is started is set according to the “set value”, and the upper limit value of the stock ball number at which replenishment is stopped is set according to the “second set value”.
The “first setting value” and the “second setting value” can be set to various values. For example, by increasing the difference between the “first set value” and the “second set value”, it is possible to reduce the number of times the replenishing means is driven, and the burden on the replenishing means is reduced.
Further, by increasing the “first set value” and the “second set value”, the number of stored game medium storage means can be increased, and the “first set value” and the “second set value” By reducing the “value”, the number of storage of the game medium storage means can be reduced.

(Invention of Claim 4)
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the game medium supply device according to the second or third aspect further includes a storage information output unit.
The storage information output means outputs storage information indicating that the number of game media stored in the game medium storage means has become less than or equal to the supply start set value and has become greater than or equal to the supply stop set value.
The control means controls the replenishment means based on the payout information, the replenishment information, and the storage information.
For example, the “reserved information output unit” is turned on when the number of stored game media stored in the game medium storing unit is less than or equal to the replenishment start set value, and is turned off when it is greater than or equal to the replenishment stop set value. A switch can be used. In addition, as such a switch, for example, a weight detection switch (referred to as a “dish switch”) for detecting the weight of the game medium stored in the game medium storage means, or a storage in the game medium storage means. A level switch or the like for detecting the height of the game medium being played can be used. In this case, a signal indicating switch on information or off information corresponds to “storage information”.

For example, the storage information indicates that the number of storages is equal to or less than the replenishment start set value, or the replenishment indicated by the replenishment information is used as the aspect of “controlling the replenishment means based on the payout information, the replenishment information, and the storage information”. When the number becomes smaller than the number of payouts indicated by the payout information by the first set value or more (when the number of stock balls falls below the lower limit value), the replenishment means is driven to start replenishment, and the number of storages is the replenishment stop set value If the storage information indicates that the above has been reached, or if the number of replenishment indicated by the replenishment information is greater than or equal to the second set value than the number of payouts indicated by the payout information (when the number of stock balls exceeds the upper limit) A mode is used in which the replenishing means is stopped to stop the replenishment.
In the above aspect, the supply means may be controlled by preferentially using one of the storage information or the comparison result between the payout information and the supply information. For example, when the replenishing means is controlled using the comparison result between the payout information and the replenishment information preferentially, the replenishment start setting value is set to a value smaller than the lower limit value of the number of stock balls. When set in this way, the replenishing means is normally controlled based on the payout information and the replenishment information, but when the number of stored game medium storage means falls below the replenishment start set value for some reason, Regardless of the information or the replenishment information, the replenishment means can be driven to replenish. Thereby, the control operation of the replenishing means based on the payout information and the replenishment information can be backed up by the storage information output means.
According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, the supply means is based on the payout information output from the payout information output means, the supply information output from the supply information output means, and the storage information output from the storage information output means. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the game media stored in the game media storage means is insufficient and the prize balls for winning a prize cannot be paid out.

(Invention of Claim 5)
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the game medium supply device according to the first aspect further includes storage information output means.
The storage information output means outputs storage information indicating that the number of game media stored in the game medium storage means has become less than or equal to the supply start set value and has become greater than or equal to the supply stop set value.
And a control means controls a supply means based on payout information and storage information.

  As an aspect of “controlling the supply means based on the payout information and the storage information”, for example, the supply means is controlled based on the number of payouts indicated by the payout information, and the storage number of the game medium storage means is some factor When the value is less than or equal to the replenishment start set value, it is possible to use a mode in which the replenishing means is driven to replenish regardless of the payout information.

  According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, since the supply means is controlled based on the payout information output from the payout information output means and the storage information output from the storage information output means, the game medium storage means It is possible to surely prevent a situation in which the stored game media is insufficient and a prize ball for a winning of a gaming machine cannot be paid out.

(Invention of Claim 6)
According to the invention described in claim 6, in the game medium supply device according to claim 1, the control means supplies the supply time based on the number of game media payouts indicated by the payout information output from the payout information output means. And the replenishing means is driven for the determined replenishment time.
As a method of determining the “replenishment time”, a table indicating the replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts, a method of determining the “replenishment time” based on the number of payouts indicated by the payout information, and a replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts And a method for calculating “replenishment time” based on the number of payouts indicated by the payout information.
According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, since the supply means is driven for the supply time corresponding to the number of payouts, the control means can be easily controlled by the control means.

(Invention of Claim 7)
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game medium supply device according to the sixth aspect, the storage information output means is further provided.
The storage information output means outputs storage information indicating that the number of game media stored in the game medium storage means has become less than or equal to the supply start set value and has become greater than or equal to the supply stop set value.
The control means controls the replenishment means based on the replenishment time and storage information corresponding to the payout information.
As an aspect of “controlling the supply means based on the supply time corresponding to the payout information and the storage information”, for example, the supply means is controlled based on the supply time corresponding to the number of payouts indicated by the payout information, When the number of stored game medium storage means falls below the supply start set value for some reason, it is possible to use a mode in which the supply means is driven to supply regardless of the supply time corresponding to the payout information.

  According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, the supply means is controlled based on the supply time corresponding to the payout information output from the payout information output means and the storage information output from the storage information output means. It is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the game media stored in the game media storage means is insufficient and a prize ball for a winning of a gaming machine cannot be paid out.

(Invention of Claim 8)
According to the invention described in claim 8, in the game medium supply device according to claim 6 or 7, supply information output means for outputting supply information indicating the number of game media supplied from the supply means is further provided. I have.
The control means corrects the replenishment time based on the number of replenishment indicated by the replenishment information.
As a method of “correcting the replenishment time based on the number of replenishment”, for example, the number of payouts is calculated based on the comparison result between the number of payouts and the replenishment number when the replenishment device is driven for the replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts. A method of correcting the corresponding replenishment time (for example, a method of correcting a replenishment time of 10 seconds corresponding to 10 payouts to 9.5 seconds, etc.) and a parameter of a calculation formula for calculating the replenishment time corresponding to the payouts Is used (for example, a method of correcting the replenishment time of 1 second per payout number to 0.95 seconds, etc.) and the like.
According to the game medium supply device of the present invention, the supply time for supplying a desired number of game media can always be determined accurately, and the game medium dispensed from the gaming machine can be more reliably handled. A number of game media can be replenished.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the game medium supply device of the present invention is applied to a pachinko ball supply device that supplies a pachinko ball to a pachinko machine.
The pachinko ball supply device of the present embodiment is the difference between the number of pachinko balls supplied from the supply means and the number of pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine (the value obtained by subtracting the number of payouts from the supply number, Based on the number of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank, that is, “the number of stock balls”), the pachinko balls are replenished. Note that the replenishment information indicating the number of replenishments and the payout information indicating the number of payouts in the present embodiment are cleared every time a replenishment operation is performed by the replenishment means.
Specifically, a pachinko machine that delivers 10 pachinko balls (one set “10”) at a time and outputs a pulse signal (referred to as a “ball delivery pulse signal”) every time 10 pachinko balls are delivered. Using a replenishment meter that supplies 10 pachinko balls (one set “10”) at a time and outputs a pulse signal (referred to as a “ball replenishment pulse signal”) every time 10 pachinko balls are replenished, When ten ball payout pulse signals output from the pachinko machine are counted (100 pachinko balls have been paid out from the pachinko machine, that is, the replenishment number is equal to or less than “−100” which is the first set value from the payout number. At the time when the ball supply pulse signal output from the supply meter is counted (when 100 pachinko balls have been supplied from the supply meter, ie, The number stops supplemented with a second a set value when the "0" becomes above) from payout, the case where the count value is cleared for each pulse signal.

  The operation of starting and stopping the supply of pachinko balls described above is started from a state in which 2000 pachinko balls have been supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine as the initial supply number. For example, if the number of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank is initially zero, the process starts from a state where 200 “ball supply pulse signals” are output. This initial supply number is not included in the supply number when calculating the number of stock balls. In this case, the supply control operation is prohibited by the difference between the supply number and the payout number until the predetermined number (200) of “ball supply pulse signals” is counted by the start signal.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration diagram of a gaming system provided with a plurality of pachinko machines, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a replenishment meter provided corresponding to each pachinko machine and supplying a pachinko ball to the ball tank of each pachinko machine. Show. In addition, every time “10” pachinko balls are delivered from the pachinko machine, “ball delivery pulse signal” output from the pachinko machine, and “10” pachinko balls from the replenishment meter to the ball tank of the pachinko machine. FIG. 3 shows a timing chart of the “ball replenishment pulse signal” output from the replenishment meter every time it is replenished. Also provided for each pachinko machine, the “ball payout pulse signal” and the “ball replenishment pulse signal” are input and the pachinko ball replenishment executed by the CPU of the gaming machine management unit that controls the replenishment meter. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the program relating to the start of the process and the stop of supply.

First, a schematic configuration of the gaming system will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system includes a plurality of pachinko machines 40 and 41 arranged for each island 20. Each pachinko machine 40, 41 is provided with a gaming machine management unit 40a, 41a corresponding to each pachinko machine. Each gaming machine management unit 40a, 41a is connected to the island management unit 30 for each island. The island management unit 30 of each island is connected to a management device (hall computer) 10 installed at the headquarters or office of the game arcade.
The gaming machine management unit 40a, together with the gaming machine ID (for example, “unit number”), gaming information of the pachinko machine 40, for example, the safe number (pachinko ball payout number) and out number (pachinko ball thrown number) within a predetermined time. ), The number of special prizes (the number of prizes awarded and the number of special prizes) is transmitted to the hall computer 10 via the island management unit 30. The safe number within the predetermined time is calculated by the gaming machine management unit 40a using the above-mentioned “ball payout pulse signal” output from the pachinko machine 40. Similarly, the gaming machine management unit 40 b transmits the gaming information of the pachinko machine 41 to the hall computer 10 via the island management unit 30.
In this way, the hall computer 10 manages the gaming information of the pachinko machines 40 and 41 based on the gaming information transmitted from the gaming machine management units 40a and 41a via the island management unit 30.

  Each pachinko machine 40, 41 is provided with replenishment meters 40b, 41b controlled by the gaming machine management units 40a, 41a corresponding to each pachinko machine. When the supply meters 40b and 41b are driven, the pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tanks (not shown) of the corresponding pachinko machines 40 and 41 from the supply basket 50 provided on each island. On the other hand, when the driving of the supply meters 40b and 41b is stopped, the supply of pachinko balls from the supply basket 50 to the ball tanks of the corresponding pachinko machines 40b and 41b is stopped.

Next, the configuration of the replenishment meter will be described. In addition, since the supply meter 40b and 41b are the same structures, the structure of the supply meter 40b is demonstrated.
The supply meter 40b is provided with a supply ball passage 400, a rotation supply device 410, and a drive device 420.
Pachinko balls flow down from the supply basket 50 shown in FIG.
The rotation replenishing device 410 is provided with a sprocket 411, a protrusion 412, a magnet holding member 413, a reed switch 414, and a weight 415.
The sprocket 411 configured in a ring shape is provided with ten recesses (not particularly shown) that can hold one pachinko ball on the outer periphery. When the sprocket 411 is rotating, the pachinko balls that have flowed down in the supply ball passage 400 are held one by one in this recess and supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40. For example, the sprocket 411 carries pachinko balls in the downward direction shown in FIG. When the sprocket 411 is not rotating, the pachinko ball that has flowed down in the supply ball passage 400 stops at a position where the leading pachinko ball 401 abuts against the sprocket 411. Therefore, the pachinko ball is a ball of the pachinko machine 40. Not supplied to the tank.
Further, the protrusion 412 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface side of the ring-shaped sprocket 411. A magnet holding member 413 that holds the magnet 413 a is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft of the sprocket 411 in a space formed by the inner peripheral surface of the sprocket 411. A claw portion 413 b that can come into contact with the protrusion 412 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the magnet holding member 413. Accordingly, when the sprocket 411 rotates (clockwise in FIG. 2), the protrusion 412 contacts the claw portion 413b of the magnet holding member 413 so that the magnet holding member 413 also rotates (clockwise in FIG. 2). To do. When the magnet 413a rotates to a position facing the reed switch 414, the reed switch 414 is turned on. When the sprocket 411 continues to rotate, the magnet 413a is separated from the position facing the reed switch 414, and the reed switch 414 is turned off.
Thus, when the sprocket 411 rotates once, the reed switch 414 is turned on once. That is, the reed switch 414 outputs a “ball supply pulse signal” to the gaming machine management unit 40a every time the sprocket 411 rotates once. Here, since ten concave portions are provided in the outer peripheral portion of the sprocket 411, ten pachinko balls (one set of ten pachinko balls) are replenished by one rotation of the sprocket 411. Therefore, when one “ball supply pulse signal” is input from the reed switch 414, the gaming machine management unit 40a recognizes that 10 pachinko balls have been supplied from the supply meter 40b to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40. can do.
The sprocket 411 is provided with a weight 415 so that a predetermined load is applied during rotation, and the sprocket 411 is prevented from rotating unnecessarily due to the weight of the pachinko ball.

Further, the drive device 420 is provided with a solenoid that rotates the sprocket 411. When the gaming machine management unit 40a outputs a signal for driving the supply meter 40b to the drive device 420, the solenoid is turned on and the sprocket 411 of the rotation supply device 410 rotates. Further, when the gaming machine management unit 41a outputs a signal for stopping the driving of the supply meter 40b to the driving device 420, the solenoid is turned off, and the rotation of the sprocket 411 is stopped.
The drive device 420 is provided with a stopper 421. Further, full detection means for detecting that the pachinko balls stored in the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40 are full and outputting a full detection signal to the drive device 420 is provided. When this full detection means operates, the driving device 420 operates the stopper 421 to forcibly stop the rotation of the sprocket 411. This prevents the pachinko ball from overflowing from the ball tank.
The pachinko machine 40 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “game machine” of the present invention, and a ball payout pulse signal output device (usually output from the main control circuit of the game machine 40) provided in the game machine 40 is The sprocket 411 corresponds to the “replenishment means” of the present invention, the reed switch 414 corresponds to the “supply information output means” of the present invention, and the gaming machine management unit 40a corresponds to the “payout information output means” of the present invention. Corresponding to the “control means” of the invention, the “ball tank” of the present embodiment corresponds to the “game medium storage means” of the present invention.
Further, the “ball payout pulse signal” output from the gaming machine 40 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “payout information” of the present invention, and the “ball supply pulse signal” output from the reed switch 414 corresponds to “ Corresponds to “Supply Information”.

  Next, when it is determined in the gaming machine management unit 40a that the number of pachinko balls paid out by the pachinko machine 40 has reached 100 (when it is determined that the “ball payout pulse signal” has been output 10 times), the replenishment meter 40b (Specifically, the sprocket 411 is driven to start the supply of pachinko balls to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40, and when it is determined that 100 pachinko balls have been supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40 ("ball supply pulse" When it is determined that the “signal” has been output 10 times), the replenishment meter 40b is stopped to stop the replenishment of the pachinko balls to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40. That is, when [(replenishment number 0) − (payout number 100)] indicating the number of stock balls becomes “−100” (first set value) or less, replenishment is started, and the number of stock balls is indicated [( The replenishment is stopped when “replenishment number 100) − (payout number 100)” becomes “0” (second set value) or more. This operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

In order to realize this operation, a CPU (not particularly shown) provided in the gaming machine management unit 40a executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S 10, it is determined whether or not a “ball payout pulse signal” is output from the pachinko machine 40. If the “ball payout pulse signal” has been output (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11. If the “ball payout pulse signal” is not output (NO in step S10), the process waits.
In step S11, the “ball payout pulse signal” is counted to calculate the ball payout pulse number P. Then, the CPU proceeds to the process of step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the ball payout pulse number P has reached “10” (whether or not the pachinko machine 40 has paid out 100 pachinko balls). If the ball payout pulse number P has not reached 10 in step S12 (NO in step S12), the CPU returns to the process in step S10. For example, at the time point t1 shown in FIG. 3, the ball payout pulse number P is “4” and has not reached “10”, so the processing returns to step S10. If the ball payout pulse number P has reached 10 in step S12 (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13. For example, at the time point t2 shown in FIG. 3, the ball payout pulse number P is “10” and has reached “10”, so the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the replenishment meter 40b is driven (specifically, a drive signal is output to the driving device 420 to rotate the sprocket 411), and replenishment of the pachinko balls to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40 is started. Proceed to the process.
In step S14, the “ball supply pulse signal” output from the supply meter 40b (specifically, the reed switch 414) driven in step S13 is counted to calculate the ball supply pulse number S. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, it is determined whether or not the ball supply pulse number S has reached “10” (whether or not 100 pachinko balls have been supplied from the supply meter 40b). If the ball supply pulse number S does not reach “10” in step S15 (NO in step S15), the process returns to step S13. For example, at the time point t3 shown in FIG. 3, the ball replenishment pulse number S is “5” and has not reached “10”, so the processing returns to step S13. If the ball replenishment pulse number S has reached 10 in step S15 (YES in step S15), the process proceeds to step S16. For example, at time t4 shown in FIG. 3, the ball supply pulse number S is “10” and has reached “10”, and thus the process proceeds to step S16.
In step S16, the driving of the replenishment meter 40b is stopped (specifically, the output of the driving signal to the driving device 420 is stopped to stop the rotation of the sprocket 411), and the process proceeds to step S17.
In step S17, the value of the ball payout pulse number P and the value of the ball replenishment pulse number S are cleared and the process ends.

According to the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 40 is based on the difference between the number of “ball supply pulse signals” output from the supply meter 40 b and the number of “ball discharge pulse signals” output from the pachinko machine 40. Pachinko balls 40 are replenished to the pachinko machine 40 by the number of pachinko balls paid out from. Thereby, according to the number of the pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine, the pachinko balls can be appropriately supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine. Further, unlike the conventional example, since it is not necessary to use a mechanical storage amount detection switch, it is not necessary to frequently perform maintenance and inspection work.
In addition, since pachinko machines configured to output a “ball payout pulse signal” are frequently used, there is no need to separately provide payout information output means. Furthermore, since a replenishment meter configured to output a “ball replenishment pulse signal” is frequently used, it is not necessary to separately provide a replenishment information output unit. Therefore, the game medium supply device of the present embodiment can be configured easily.

  Further, in the pachinko ball supply device of the present embodiment, a storage amount detection switch may be further provided in the ball tank. As a storage amount detection switch, for example, when the number of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank decreases and becomes less than or equal to the replenishment start set value, the on state (reservation information indicating that the storage start set value or less) is set. The switch becomes an off state (storage information indicating that it has become more than the replenishment stop set value after being less than or equal to the storage start set value) when the number of storage increases after being turned on and becomes more than the replenishment stop set value. Can be used. As such a switch, for example, a weight detection switch for detecting the weight of the pachinko sphere in the sphere tank, a level switch for detecting the height of the pachinko sphere in the sphere tank, or the like can be used. The replenishment start setting value of the storage amount detection switch is a value when the storage number is a replenishment start condition based on the replenishment number and the payout number [(replenishment number) − (dispensing number) = first set value]. It is preferable to set so as to be in the on state when the number is less than the number of stock balls (lower limit). An arbitrary value is set as the supply stop setting value of the storage amount detection switch. Thereby, since the control of the replenishment meter 40b based on the payout information and the replenishment information can be backed up by the storage information, the pachinko balls stored in the ball tank are insufficient, and the prize balls for winning the pachinko machine cannot be paid out. The situation can be prevented. As described above, the control for replenishment based on the comparison result between the payout information and the replenishment information may be given priority over the control for replenishment based on the storage information. Control for replenishment based on the comparison result between the replenishment information and the replenishment information may be performed with the same priority. In any case, the replenishment accuracy of the game medium to the game medium storage means is high as compared with the conventional case where only the storage amount detection switch is used.

Further, in this embodiment, replenishment is started when ten ball payout pulse signals are output from the pachinko machine, and replenishment is stopped when ten ball replenishment pulse signals are output from the replenishment meter. Although the count value obtained by counting the number of output signals is cleared, there is a possibility of stopping when 11 ball replenishment pulse signals are output. This corresponds to, for example, the case where the sprocket 411 further makes one rotation due to the weight of the pachinko ball or the like while counting the tenth ball supply pulse signal. In this case, the number of ball replenishment pulses “1” output excessively because the sprocket has rotated excessively is stored, and the number of ball replenishment pulse signals is 9 (10 (number)) when the next replenishment is performed. -“1” (pieces)) When the output is made, supply is stopped and the number of supplies is adjusted. Similarly, if the supply is stopped at the time when nine ball supply pulse signals are output for some reason, the insufficient number of ball supply pulses “1” is stored and the next supply is performed. When the ball supply pulse signal is output 11 (10 (pieces) + “1” (pieces)), the supply may be stopped and the number of supply may be adjusted. Thereby, the pachinko ball corresponding to the number of payouts can be replenished accurately.
Also, if it is determined that the pachinko ball has been paid out during the replenishment operation of the present embodiment (time t3 to time t4 shown in FIG. 3), the number of ball payout pulses output during the period is calculated. It is memorized and replenished by adding to the ball payout pulse number at the next replenishment.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The pachinko ball supply device of the present embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and, like the pachinko ball supply device of the first embodiment, the number of pachinko balls supplied from the supply means and the pachinko machine The pachinko balls are replenished based on the difference from the number of pachinko balls to be paid out. In the first embodiment, the difference between the number of replenishments after the initial replenishment and the number of payouts is calculated, and the number of replenishments and the number of payouts are cleared each time the replenishment operation is completed, but in this embodiment, The difference between the sum of the number of game media replenished from the reset time and the sum of the number of payouts is calculated.
In the present embodiment, the gaming machine management unit 40a (also see FIG. 1) calculates the cumulative value of the number of payouts since the pachinko machine 40 is reset as the number of payouts. Further, the cumulative value of the number of pachinko balls supplied from the supply meter 40b after the pachinko machine 40 is reset is calculated as the number of supplies. Then, the replenishment meter 40b is controlled based on the difference between the replenishment number and the payout number calculated as the cumulative value (= stock ball number). Hereinafter, when it is determined that the number of stock balls has reached 1950 (first set value), the replenishment meter 40a is driven, and when it has been determined that the number of stock balls has reached 2020 (second set value). A case where the driving of the replenishment meter 40a is stopped will be described.
As a method for calculating the difference between the supply number and the payout number as an accumulated value, for example, a method of adding the supply number to the counter and subtracting the payout number from the counter can be used. When this method is used, the count value of the counter represents the number of stock balls.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart for outputting the “ball payout pulse signal” and the “ball supply pulse signal” in the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program relating to the supply of pachinko balls executed by the CPU of the gaming machine management unit 40a. Is shown in FIG.
The overall schematic configuration of the gaming system of the present embodiment and the configuration of the supply meter 40a are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

In order to realize the operation of the present embodiment, the CPU of the gaming machine management unit 40a executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
During this process, the stock ball count (count value of the counter) is calculated and updated every time there is a change. For example, when one ball payout pulse signal is output, the stock ball count is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the payout count “10” corresponding to one ball payout pulse signal from the stock ball count at that time. When one ball supply pulse signal is output, the stock ball number is updated to a value obtained by adding the supply number “10” corresponding to one ball supply pulse signal to the stock ball number at that time.
First, in step S20, it is determined whether or not the number of stock balls is 2020 or more. If the number of stock balls is less than 2020 (NO in step S20), the process proceeds to step S21. If the number of stock balls is 2020 or more (YES in step S20), the process proceeds to step S22.
In step S21, the replenishment meter 40b is driven (specifically, a drive signal is output to the drive unit 420 to rotate the sprocket 411), and the pachinko balls are replenished to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40. Return to processing.
On the other hand, in step S22, the driving of the replenishment meter 40b is stopped (specifically, the output of the driving signal to the driving device 420 is stopped to stop the rotation of the sprocket 411), and the pachinko to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40 is stopped. The supply of the balls is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S23.
In step S23, it is determined whether or not the number of stock balls is 1950 or less. If the number of stock balls is 1950 or less (YES in step S23), the process proceeds to step S24. If the number of stock balls exceeds 1950 (NO in step S23), the process returns to step S22.
In step S24, the replenishment meter 40b is driven (specifically, a drive signal is output to the drive unit 420 to rotate the sprocket 411), and the pachinko balls are replenished to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40. Proceed to processing.
In step S25, it is determined whether or not the number of stock balls is 2020 or more. If the number of stock balls is less than 2020 (NO in step S25), the process proceeds to step S24. If the number of stock balls is 2020 or more (YES in step S25), the process returns to step S22.

According to the present embodiment, first, when the pachinko machine 40 is turned on, 2020 pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank. Thereafter, every time the number of stock balls becomes 1950 or less, a game operation is performed with the pachinko machine 40 while being replenished until the number of stock balls reaches 2020. In this manner, the pachinko balls can be appropriately supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40 according to the number of pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine 40.
Further, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the system waits until the initial number of pachinko balls (2000 in the first embodiment) is supplied to the ball tank of the pachinko machine (for example, The operation of prohibiting replenishment control based on the difference between the replenishment number and the payout number) is not necessary, and the processing of the gaming machine management unit 40a is easy.
Moreover, according to the pachinko machine 40 of the present embodiment, the number of stock balls stored in the ball tank of the pachinko machine 40 can be easily changed. For example, the number of stock balls can be increased by setting the first and second set values to large values.

In the present embodiment, as a method of calculating the difference between the replenishment number and the payout number as a cumulative value, a method of adding the replenishment number to the counter and subtracting the payout number from the counter is used. A method of subtracting from the counter and adding the number of payouts to the counter may be used. Alternatively, a method of calculating and subtracting the cumulative value of the replenishment number and the cumulative value of the payout number may be used.
When the accumulated value of the number of payouts is output from the gaming machine 40, the gaming machine management unit 40a may not calculate the accumulated value. When the cumulative value of the number of supplies is output from the supply meter 40b, the gaming machine management unit 40a may not calculate the cumulative value.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko ball supply devices of the first and second embodiments replenish pachinko balls based on the difference between the number of pachinko balls supplied from the supply means and the number of pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine. Although controlled, the pachinko ball supply device of the present embodiment supplies the pachinko balls based on the number of payouts. It should be noted that the payout information indicating the number of payouts in the present embodiment is cleared every time the replenishment operation by the replenishing means is performed.
In the present embodiment, a replenishment time corresponding to the number of pachinko balls to be replenished is set in advance and stored as a replenishment time table. Then, when 10 ball payout pulse signals output from the pachinko machine are counted (at the time when 100 pachinko balls are paid out from the pachinko machine), the supply time corresponding to 100 pachinko balls is determined and determined. The case where the count value of the ball payout pulse signal is cleared after the replenishment time and the replenishing means are driven to replenish the pachinko balls will be described.
The pachinko ball supply control described above is started after 2000 pachinko balls are stored in the ball tank of the pachinko machine. For example, if the number of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank is initially zero, the replenishment time corresponding to 2000 pieces is started after the replenishment meter is driven.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a program relating to the supply of pachinko balls executed by the CPU of the gaming machine management unit in the present embodiment.

First, the CPU of the gaming machine management unit determines whether or not a “ball payout pulse signal” has been output from the pachinko machine 40 in step S30. If the “ball payout pulse signal” has been output (YES in step S30), the process proceeds to step S31. If the “ball payout pulse signal” is not output (NO in step S30), the process waits.
In step S31, the “ball payout pulse signal” is counted to calculate the ball payout pulse number P, and the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the ball payout pulse number P has reached “10” (whether or not the pachinko machine has paid out 100 pachinko balls). If the ball payout pulse number P has not reached 10 in step S32 (NO in step S32), the process returns to step S30. If the ball payout pulse number P has reached 10 in step S32 (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S33, the replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts (number of replenishments) “100” (the ball payout pulse number P has been determined to have reached 10 in step S32) is set to 10 × 10 (pieces). decide. In this embodiment, the gaming machine management unit determines the replenishment time by reading the replenishment time corresponding to 100 payouts from the replenishment time table indicating the replenishment time corresponding to the replenishment number stored in advance. . Then, after driving the supply meter for the determined supply time, the process proceeds to step S34.
In step S34, the value of the ball payout pulse number P is cleared and the process ends.
According to the present embodiment, since the gaming machine management unit only needs to drive the supply means for the supply time corresponding to the number of payouts, it is easy to control the supply means.

In this embodiment, the gaming machine management unit supplies the replenishing means when the number of payouts of the pachinko balls reaches 100. However, the time point at which the replenishing means is driven is not limited to this. . For example, it is also possible to detect the number of pachinko balls dispensed at predetermined time intervals, read from a replenishment time table indicating the replenishment time corresponding to the detected number of dispenses, and drive the read replenishment time and replenishment means.
Further, the method for determining the replenishment time is not limited to the method using the replenishment time table. For example, a calculation formula for calculating the replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts and a method for calculating the replenishment time based on the detected number of payouts may be used. The calculation formula uses, for example, the time required to supply a predetermined number (for example, 10) of pachinko balls.

In addition, due to the aging of the replenishing means, the planned replenishment number may not match the actual replenished number even though the replenishment time determined according to the number of payouts and the replenishing means are driven. . In such a case, it is preferable that the replenishment time table and the calculation formula can be corrected (updated). For example, the supply time corresponding to the number of payouts stored in the supply time table is corrected. Alternatively, numerical values (parameters) in the calculation formula may be corrected. For example, when the calculation formula is [replenishment time = number of ball payout pulses (number of payouts / 10) × replenishment time per 10 payouts], the replenishment time per 10 payouts is corrected.
In order to correct the replenishment time, for example, replenishment information output means for outputting replenishment information (“ball replenishment pulse signal”) indicating the number of pachinko balls replenished from a replenishment meter is provided. Based on the number of payouts used to determine the replenishment time and the number of pachinko balls actually replenished, the replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts or the numerical value of the calculation formula is changed. According to this, the gaming machine management unit can determine an accurate replenishment time for replenishing a desired number of pachinko balls, and more reliably pay out the pachinko balls paid out from the pachinko machine. It is possible to replenish as many times as required.

Further, in the pachinko ball supply device of the present embodiment, a storage amount detection switch may be further provided in the ball tank. According to this, since the control of the replenishment meter 40b based on the replenishment time corresponding to the payout information can be backed up based on the storage information, there is a shortage of pachinko balls stored in the ball tank, and the pachinko machine wins a prize. It is possible to prevent the situation where the prize ball for cannot be paid out.
In this embodiment, as a method of controlling the replenishment means based on the number of payouts indicated by the payout information, the method of driving the replenishment means for the replenishment time corresponding to the number of payouts is used. However, based on the number of payouts The method for controlling the replenishing means is not limited to this. For example, when the number of pachinko balls to be replenished when the replenishing means is driven by one step or when the replenishing means is driven by one rotation is determined, the replenishing means is driven by the number of steps or the number of revolutions corresponding to the number of payouts. The method can be used. For example, when ten pachinko balls are paid out by driving the replenishing means once, the replenishing means is replenished by the number of revolutions “10 rotations” corresponding to the number of payouts “100”.
In the present embodiment, the pachinko balls are replenished based only on the number of payouts. However, the pachinko balls may be replenished based on a combination of other information and the number of payouts.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment, and various changes, additions, and deletions are possible.
In the embodiment, the gaming machine management unit corresponding to each pachinko machine is provided in each pachinko machine (refer to FIG. 1 together), but one pachinko machine may be provided. The gaming machine management unit only needs to be able to control a replenishment meter that replenishes the corresponding pachinko machine with a pachinko ball.
Further, the “ball payout pulse signal” is not limited to one that is output as one pulse for every paid pachinko ball or 10 pachinko balls to be paid out. Similarly, the “ball replenishment pulse signal” is not limited to one that is output for one replenished pachinko ball or 10 repatriated pachinko balls. However, the number of pachinko balls to be delivered to output the “ball delivery pulse signal” and the number of pachinko balls to be supplied to output the “ball supply pulse signal” should be the same as the above “stock”. The number of balls "and replenishment time can be easily calculated, which is preferable.
In the first and second embodiments, the difference between the replenishment number and the payout number is calculated. However, the difference between the ball replenishment pulse count number and the ball payout pulse number count may be calculated. In addition, it is possible to use a comparison method other than calculating the difference and control the replenishment means based on the comparison result.
Further, as described above, when the storage information is used, priority is given to one of the control of the replenishing means based on the storage information and the control of the replenishing means based on the payout information (or the payout information and the replenishment information). As a backup, the replenishing means may be controlled, or the replenishing means may be controlled without giving priority to one of them (the priority is made equal).

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a game system to which a game medium supply device of the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of the replenishment meter 40b. It is a timing chart figure in which a "ball payout pulse signal" and a "ball supply pulse signal" in the first embodiment are output. It is a flowchart figure explaining the replenishment process of the gaming machine management unit 40a in the first embodiment. It is a timing chart figure in which a "ball payout pulse signal" and a "ball supply pulse signal" are output in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart figure explaining the replenishment process of the game machine management unit 40a in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure explaining the replenishment process of the game machine management unit 41a in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Hall computer 20 Island 30 Island management unit 40, 41 Pachinko machine 40a, 41a Game machine management unit 40b, 41b Supply meter 411 Sprocket 414 Reed switch

Claims (8)

A game medium supply device for supplying game media to a game medium storage means for storing game media to be paid out from a gaming machine,
A payout information output means for outputting payout information indicating the payout number of game media to be paid out from the gaming machine;
Replenishment means for replenishing the game medium to the game medium storage means;
Control means for controlling the replenishing means based on the payout information output from the payout information output means;
A game medium supply device characterized by comprising: The game medium supply device according to claim 1,
Replenishment information output means for outputting replenishment information indicating the number of game media replenished from the replenishment means;
The control means controls the replenishment means based on a comparison result between the number of game media payout indicated by the payout information and the number of game media replenishment indicated by the replenishment information;
A game medium supply device. The game ball supply device according to claim 2,
The control means activates the replenishing means to start replenishment when the number of replenishment indicated by the replenishment information is smaller than the number of payouts indicated by the payout information by a first set value or more, and is indicated by the replenishment information. The replenishment means is stopped to stop the replenishment when the replenishment number to be added becomes larger than the number of payouts indicated by the payout information by a second set value or more,
A game medium supply device. The game medium supply device according to claim 2 or 3,
A storage information output means for outputting storage information indicating that the number of stored game media stored in the game medium storage means is less than or equal to a supply start setting value and more than a supply stop setting value;
The control means controls the supply means based on the payout information, the supply information, and the storage information.
A game medium supply device. The game medium supply device according to claim 1,
A storage information output means for outputting storage information indicating that the number of stored game media stored in the game medium storage means is less than or equal to a supply start setting value and more than a supply stop setting value;
The control means controls the replenishing means based on the payout information and the storage information.
A game medium supply device. The game medium supply device according to claim 1,
The control means determines supply time based on the number of game media payouts indicated by the payout information output from the payout information output means, and drives the supply means for the determined supply time. Game media supply device. The game medium supply device according to claim 6,
A storage information output means for outputting storage information indicating that the number of stored game media stored in the game medium storage means is less than or equal to a supply start setting value and more than a supply stop setting value;
The control means controls the replenishment means based on the replenishment time corresponding to the payout information and the storage information;
A game medium supply device. The game medium supply device according to claim 6 or 7,
Replenishment information output means for outputting replenishment information indicating the number of game media replenished from the replenishment means;
The control means corrects the replenishment time based on the number of replenishment indicated by the replenishment information;
A game medium supply device.

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