JP4601513B2 - Automatic medal supply device for game equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic medal supply device for a gaming facility that automatically supplies medals to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that plays a game using medals or a medal lending machine that lends medals for the gaming machine to a player.

Conventionally, Patent Document 1 proposes an automatic medal supply device for gaming equipment. In this technique, as shown in FIG. 8 , a medal hopper 11 that temporarily stores a medal inserted in a game machine 10 that inserts a medal and pays out a number of medals according to the game state until the time of paying out. The medal hopper 11 is provided with a touch-type medal amount sensor 12 that detects a predetermined amount or less of medals accommodated in the medal hopper 11, and a medal transport line 13 for transporting medals to the game machine 10 is provided. A medal supply path 14 is provided for sending medals conveyed on the line 13 to the medal hopper 11 in the game machine 10. When the medal amount sensor 12 detects a predetermined amount or less of the medals in the medal hopper 11, the medal is conveyed until the predetermined amount is reached. A medal supply device 15 for supplying medals on the line 13 to the medal supply path 14 is provided. Reference numeral 15a is an arm, 15b is a motor, 16 is a medal slot, 17 is a chute, 18 is a medal tray, 19 is a medal delivery path, 20 is a medal collection line, and M is a medal.

By the way, in the above technique, the medal M is temporarily separated from the medal amount sensor 12 due to the vibration of the game machine 10 or the medal M is entangled and stored in a state where the medal amount sensor 12 is not touched. The quantity sensor 12 may erroneously detect. In other words, will be actuated medal supply apparatus 15 while being accommodated sufficient amount of medals M to the medal hopper 11 as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the medal hopper 11 medal M to the game machine 10 There was a problem of overflow or overflowing in the medal supply path 14 and overflowing to the medal replenishing device 15. Also, easy clogging at the portion in particular bent from a thin medal supply passage 14, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), be operated medal supply apparatus 15 decreases the medal M in the medal hopper 11 once clogged The medal hopper 11 is not replenished by being blocked by the jammed medals M, and the medal hopper 11 becomes empty, causing the game machine 10 to malfunction or stop.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-236783

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve these conventional problems, and even if the medal amount sensor of the medal hopper detects falsely, the medal overflow and clogging are prevented and the operation is continued without stopping the equipment. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic medal supply device for gaming facilities that can be used.

The configuration of the present invention that solves this problem is as follows.
1) A medal hopper that temporarily stores a medal inserted in a game machine that inserts a medal to play a game and pays out the number of medals according to the game state until the time of paying out is provided. A medal amount sensor that detects a predetermined amount or less is provided in the medal hopper, a medal transport line for transporting medals to the game machine is provided, and a medal supply path is provided for sending medals transported by the medal transport line to the medal hopper in the game machine A medal supply device for supplying medals on the medal transport line to the medal supply path, and when the medal amount sensor detects a predetermined amount or less of medals in the medal hopper, the medal supply device is operated until the predetermined amount is reached. In a gaming facility in which a medal is sent to a medal hopper through the route of the medal supply path In the normal state, an intermediate hopper is provided between the end and the medal hopper as a buffer for allowing the medal to pass as it is, and for the medal hopper to be replenished with excessive medals and reaching up to the medal supply path. A medal retention sensor that detects the stagnation of medals is provided in the intermediate hopper, and when the medal stagnation sensor detects the stagnation of medals in the intermediate hopper, the operation of the medal replenishment device is stopped. 2) Automatic medal supply device for gaming equipment 2) A medal hopper that temporarily stores medals in a medal lending machine that pays out the number of medals used in the game according to the amount of money when coins or coins are inserted is provided. , A medal amount sensor that detects a predetermined amount or less of medals contained in the medal hopper. Provided over the medal hopper, a medal transporting line for transporting the medal in the medal lending machine provided, the medal supply path that transmits a medal which has been conveyed by the medal transporting line medal lending machine of the medal hopper provided, medals medal transporting line A medal replenishing device for replenishing the medal supply path is provided, and when the medal amount sensor detects a predetermined amount or less of the medal in the medal hopper, the medal replenishing device is operated until the predetermined amount is reached, and the medal is sent to the medal hopper through the medal supply path. In such a gaming facility, the medal is normally passed between the edge of the medal supply path and the medal hopper as it is, and the medal hopper is supplied with excessive medals until the accumulated medal reaches the medal supply path. An intermediate hopper that serves as a buffer for the A game facility characterized in that a medal retention sensor is provided in the intermediate hopper, and the operation of the medal replenishment device is stopped when the medal retention sensor detects the retention of the medal in the intermediate hopper during the operation of the medal replenishment device. The medal automatic supply device.

  According to the present invention, the medal replenishment device is forcibly stopped regardless of the detection of the medal amount sensor when the medal retention sensor detects the medal retention, so that even if the medal amount sensor of the medal hopper detects it erroneously. Troubles such as overflowing and clogging medals can be prevented in advance, and smooth operation is possible by continuing operation without stopping the equipment.

In the present invention, the hopper between the medium becomes a buffer up medals built up being excessively replenished after erroneous detection Medals quantity sensor has reached the medal supply path, it can more reliably prevent clogging of the medal supply path, medals This is useful when the replenishment speed of is fast. Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

  The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic medal supply device that automatically supplies medals to a slot machine and a medal lending machine arranged in parallel. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the gaming equipment of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the game machine of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the medal lending machine of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit of the medal replenishment control unit of the embodiment, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing excessive replenishment of medals and the elimination thereof, and FIG. 7 is an information processing of medal replenishment of the embodiment. It is a flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with a medal slot 1a on the front surface, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the progress of the game and the game result by the medals inserted from the medal slot 1a. Is provided, and a medal hopper 1c that temporarily stores medals until the number of medals according to the game result is paid out, and a touch-type medal that detects the amount of medals stored above the medal hopper 1c. An amount sensor 1d is provided, a chute 1e for discharging the medals paid out below the medal hopper 1c is provided, a medal tray 1f for taking out the medals discharged below the chute 1e is provided, and a lower right side of the medal hopper 1c. Is provided with a medal delivery path 1g for discharging surplus medals.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the medal lending machine 2 is provided with a money insertion slot 2a into which money is inserted, and a control device that performs payout control of a predetermined number of medals according to the amount of money inserted from the money insertion slot 2a. 2b, a medal hopper 2c that temporarily stores medals until the number of medals according to the amount inserted is paid out, and a touch-type medal amount sensor 2d that detects the amount of medals stored above the medal hopper 2c. A chute 2e for discharging the medals paid out is provided below the medal hopper 2c, and a medal payout opening 2f for taking out the medals discharged below the chute 2e is provided.

  The medal automatic supply device 3 is provided with a medal transport line 3a including a belt conveyor for transporting medals above a plurality of game machines 1 and a medal lending machine 2 arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. A medal recovery line 3b composed of a belt conveyor for recovering the surplus medals is provided below the game machine 1, and a medal cleaning and polishing unit 3c for cleaning and polishing the recovered medals is provided. The medal cleaning and polishing unit 3c is cleaned and polished. A turning portion 3d that raises the medal and sends it to the medal transport line 3a is provided, and a medal replenishment control portion 3f that performs replenishment control of the medal is provided.

  The medal replenishment device 4 is provided above the game machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 on the medal transport line 3 a, and a medal supply path 4 a is piped between the medal replenishment device 4 and the game machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. Then, the medals transported by the medal transport line 3a are obliquely cut off by the arm 4b rotated by the motor 4c and guided to the medal supply path 4a to be sent to the game machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. Yes. The intermediate hopper 5 is provided between the end of the medal supply path 4a and above the medal hoppers 1c and 2c, and a sensitive medal staying sensor 5a for detecting the stay of the medal is provided on the inner walls on both sides of the intermediate hopper 5. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit of the medal replenishment control unit 3f includes a CPU 3g, a RAM 3h, a ROM 3i, and an interface 3j. The control devices 1b and 2b, the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d, and the medal retention sensor 5a are connected via the interface 3j. They are connected by a signal line 3k. The program in the ROM 3i operates the medal replenishment device 4 during detection of the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d, and regardless of the detection of the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d when the medal retention sensor 5a detects during operation of the medal replenishment device 4. The medal replenishing device 4 is forcibly stopped. 6 is a hall computer, 6a is a connection part, 6b is a signal line, and M is a medal.

  In this embodiment, when the medal automatic supply device 3 is operated and the medal M in the game machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 is separated from the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d, the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d detect the medal. The replenishing device 4 operates to replenish the medal M to the medal supply path 4a. The medal M is stored in the medal hoppers 1c and 2c, and when the medal M comes into contact with the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d, the medal replenishing device 4 is stopped and a predetermined amount is constantly held. In the game machine 1, when the inside of the medal hopper 1c is saturated, surplus medals M are discharged to the medal collection line 3b through the medal discharge path 1g, transported through the medal collection line 3b, cleaned and polished by the medal cleaning and polishing unit 3c, and turned. It is sent out to the medal transport line 3a by the section 3d and supplied again.

  In the medal lending machine 2, when the player inserts money into the money insertion slot 2a, the control device 2b pays out to the player the number of medals M corresponding to the amount of money inserted, and the medal M in the medal hopper 2c When the medal amount sensor 2d decreases and the medal M leaves the medal amount sensor 2d, it is determined that the medal is insufficient, and the medal replenishment device 4 operates to replenish the medal hopper 2c with the medal M of the medal transport line 3a through the medal supply path 4a. Replenishment continues until the medal M contacts the medal amount sensor 2d, and the medal replenishing device 4 is stopped when the medal M contacts the medal amount sensor 2d.

  In the game machine 1, when the player starts the game by inserting the medal M obtained by the medal lending machine 2 into the medal slot 1a, the control device 1b pays out to the player the number of medals M corresponding to the game state. When the medal M in the medal hopper 1c decreases and the medal M moves away from the medal amount sensor 1d, it is determined that the medal is insufficient and the replenishment is performed. The replenishment is continued until the medal M comes into contact with the medal amount sensor 1d as described above, and the replenishment is stopped at the time of contact.

  Here, if the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d are erroneously detected for some reason and the medal replenishing device 4 is activated for some reason while the medal M is accommodated in the medal hoppers 1c and 2c, the medal as shown in FIG. M is stored fully in the medal hoppers 1c and 2c (when the surplus medals cannot be discharged in time in the game machine 1) and stored in the intermediate hopper 5, and further stacked upward in the medal supply path 4a. Will cause clogging.

  However, in this embodiment, when the medal stagnation sensor 5a of the intermediate hopper 5 detects the stagnation of the medal M, the medal replenishment control unit 3f forcibly stops the medal replenishment device 4 and avoids overflow and clogging of the medals M. Is done. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, every time the medal M is paid out, the medal M in the medal hoppers 1c and 2c decreases, and the medal M in the intermediate hopper 5 shifts to the medal hoppers 1c and 2c. Then, the excessive supply state is resolved and the normal state is restored. In this way, even if the medal amount sensors 1d and 2d are erroneously detected, troubles such as overflow and clogging of medals M can be prevented in advance, and smooth operation is possible by continuing operation without stopping the equipment. It became.

  The medal automatic supply device for a gaming facility of the present invention is used in a game machine such as a slot machine or a medal lending machine that lends a medal of the game machine.

It is explanatory drawing of the game equipment of an Example. It is a partially cutaway perspective view of the game machine of the embodiment. It is a partially cutaway perspective view of the medal lending machine of the embodiment. It is a perspective view of the intermediate hopper of an Example. It is explanatory drawing of the circuit of the medal supply control part of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the excessive supply of medals of an Example, and its cancellation. It is an information processing flowchart of medal supply of an example. It is a partially cutaway perspective view of a conventional game machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the overflow and clogging of the conventional medal.

1 game machine 1a medal slot 1b control device 1c medal hopper 1d medal amount sensor 1e shoot 1f medal tray 1g medal delivery path 2 medal lending machine 2a money slot 2b control device 2c medal hopper 2d medal amount sensor 2e shoot 2f medal payment Exit 3 Automatic medal supply device 3a Medal transport line 3b Medal collection line 3c Medal cleaning and polishing unit 3d Turning unit 3f Medal replenishment control unit 3g CPU
3h RAM
3i ROM
3j interface 3k signal line 4 medal supply device 4a medal supply path 4b arm 4c motor 5 intermediate hopper 5a medal retention sensor 6 hall computer 6a connection 6b signal line 10 game machine 11 medal hopper 12 medal amount sensor 13 medal transport line 14 medal supply Road 15 Medal supply device 15a Arm 15b Motor 16 Medal slot 17 Shoot 18 Medal tray 19 Medal delivery path 20 Medal collection line M Medal

Claims (2)

A medal hopper is provided for temporarily storing the medals inserted into the game machine until the time of paying out the medal inserted in the game machine. A medal amount sensor for detecting a fixed amount or less is provided in the medal hopper, a medal transport line for transporting medals to the game machine is provided, and a medal supply path for sending medals transported by the medal transport line to the medal hopper in the game machine is provided. A medal replenishing device for replenishing the medal on the transport line to the medal supply path is provided. When the medal amount sensor detects a predetermined amount or less of the medal in the medal hopper, the medal replenishing device is operated until the predetermined amount is reached and the medal is supplied through the medal supply path. the gaming facility to send the medal hopper, and the road-edge of the medal supply passage An intermediate hopper is provided between the dull hopper and the medal in the intermediate hopper as a buffer until the medal is passed as it is and the medal hopper is replenished with excessive medals and the accumulated medals reach the medal supply path. A medal staying sensor for detecting staying is provided in the intermediate hopper, and when the medal staying sensor detects the staying of the medal in the intermediate hopper, the operation of the medal replenishing device is stopped. An automatic medal supply device for gaming equipment. When a coin or coin is inserted, a medal hopper for temporarily storing the medal used for the game in accordance with the amount inserted is provided in the medal lending machine until the medal is paid out, and a predetermined amount of medals stored in the medal hopper provided a medal quantity sensor for detecting the following medals hopper, a medal transporting line for transporting the medal in the medal lending machine provided, the medal supply path that transmits a medal which has been conveyed by the medal transporting line medal lending machine of the medal hopper provided, A medal replenishment device for replenishing medals on the medal transport line to the medal supply path is provided, and when the medal amount sensor detects a predetermined amount or less of the medal in the medal hopper, the medal replenishment device is operated until the predetermined amount is reached and the medal supply path is passed through the medal supply path. Supplying the medals in a gaming facility that sends medals to the medal hopper In the normal state, an intermediate hopper is provided between the roadside and the medal hopper as a buffer until the medal is passed as it is and the medal hopper is supplied with excessive medals and the accumulated medals reach the medal supply path. The medal retention sensor that detects the stagnation of the medals in the intermediate hopper is provided, and when the medal stagnation sensor detects the stagnation of medals in the intermediate hopper, the operation of the medal replenishment device is stopped. A medal automatic supply device for gaming equipment.

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