JP2007215560A - Game token supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game token supply system which permits a player to smoothly supply game tokens into a slot machine without opening the lower door or the upper door of the slot machine or a special opening and closing door on the front side of the slot machine while sitting on a seat, and is less at the risk of being exposed to a fraudulent act. <P>SOLUTION: A storage quantity sensing means (400) of a token tank (5) is formed so as to enable it generate an empty signal at the time when a storage quantity becomes equal to or lower than a prescribed quantity. The slot machine (1) is formed so as to enable it to output a supply request signal to request the supply of game tokens to a token dispensing machine (2) owing to the generation of the empty signal. The token dispensing machine (2) is formed so as to enable it to supply game tokens stored in a dispensation storage section (25) to the token tank (5) of the slot machine (1) through a transfer section (200) at the time when the supply request signal output from the slot machine (1) is input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a supply system capable of supplying game medals without opening a front door of a slot machine.

Conventionally, various techniques for facilitating the supply of game medals to the slot machine have been proposed. Specifically, techniques for supplying game medals by rotating the lower door of the slot machine toward the front side have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).
In addition, a technique for supplying game medals by rotating a part of the opening / closing door on the lower side of the slot machine to the labor side has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 4).
In addition, a technique for replenishing game medals by opening the upper door of the slot machine has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 5).
In addition, a technique for supplying game medals without opening the lower door by providing a drawer-type medal supply port on the upper side of the slot machine has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 6).

In addition, a technique has been proposed in which another supply port is opened without opening the lower door of the slot machine to supply game medals (for example, Patent Document 7).
JP 11-169510 A JP 2003-199872 A JP 2004-113570 A JP 2004-113571 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-227459 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-222845 JP 2004-129746 A

However, among the techniques for supplying gaming medals to the conventional slot machines described above, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 open the lower door of the slot machine and supply gaming medals. When opening the door, there was a problem of being exposed to the risk of fraud.
In the techniques described in Patent Documents 4 to 7, the lower door of the slot machine is not opened, but an opening / closing door serving as another supply port must be opened to replenish game medals. In terms of preventing fraud, there was still a problem that it was not enough.

Accordingly, each invention described in each claim has been made in view of the problems of the conventional techniques described above, and the object thereof is as follows.
That is, the invention described in claim 1 has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object is to provide a lower door, an upper door, A game medal supply system that can smoothly supply game medals to the inside of the slot machine without opening any special opening / closing door on the front side of the slot machine and has a low risk of being exposed to fraud. It is something to be offered.
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a game medal replenishment system that does not require a player to move his body from the front of the slot machine to open a place and is exposed to cheating. Is.

(Claim 2) The invention described in claim 2 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1. That is, the invention according to claim 2 is a game medal that can prevent a medal from being replenished only by outputting a replenishment request signal when the medal tank of the slot machine falls below a predetermined amount. It is intended to provide a replenishment system.
(Claim 3) The invention described in claim 3 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2. That is, the invention according to claim 3 can separate the game medals remaining in the medal storage part and used for the game from the game medals to be supplied to the medal tank, and avoiding the confusion between them. It is intended to provide a game medal replenishment system that can be used.

(Claim 4) In addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the invention described in claim 4 aims at the following point. That is, in the invention according to claim 4, the count of the game medals inserted from the medal slot is handled separately for the game medals inserted as a game start condition and the game medals for replenishing the medal tank. It is intended to provide a game medal replenishment system.
(Claim 5) In addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the invention described in claim 5 has the following object. That is, the invention according to claim 5 is to provide a game medal replenishment system capable of avoiding mixing of a game medal for replenishment with a game medal as a condition for starting the game. It is.

(Claim 6) The invention described in claim 6 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 3. That is, the invention according to claim 6 is intended to provide a game medal replenishment system capable of preventing a replenishment game medal from reaching the player's hand.
(Seventh aspect) In addition to the object of the invention described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the invention described in the seventh aspect has the following object. That is, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a player or the like from picking up a game medal passing through the side transfer passage and acquiring it as his own game medal while the game medal is supplied. It is intended to provide a game medal supply system as described above.

  (Claim 8) The invention described in claim 8 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7. That is, the invention according to claim 8 is to provide a game medal supply system capable of supplying game medals to a medal tank by manual operation.

(Claim 1)
(Features) The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points. That is, a slot machine (1) that can be played on the condition that a game medal is inserted, and a medal lending machine (2) that lends a game medal adjacent to the slot machine (1), the medal lending machine (2) A game medal supply system (7) capable of supplying game medals to the slot machine (1), wherein the medal lending machine (2) inputs game medals for supply to the slot machine (1) Possible lending slot (4), lending storage part (25) for storing gaming medals inserted from the lending slot (4), and gaming medals can be inserted into the slot machine (1) in a lump A batch throwing device (3), the batch throwing device (3), the accepting and throwing unit (48) capable of batch throwing game medals, game medals thrown from the accepting and throwing unit (48) and Meda for temporarily storing game medals transferred from the lending storage unit (25) A slot storage unit (44), a transfer unit (200) for transferring game medals stored in the medal storage unit (44), and discharging the game medals from the transfer unit (200), and the slot machine (1) The slot machine (1) has a medal tank (5) for storing game medals, and the medal tank (5) is stored inside. The storage amount detection means (400) for detecting that the storage amount of game medals has become a predetermined amount or less, the storage amount detection means (400), when the storage amount of game medals has become a predetermined amount or less, The slot machine (1) is capable of generating an empty signal, and the slot machine (1) can output a supply request signal for requesting a supply of game medals to the medal lending machine (2) due to the generation of the empty signal. The medal lending machine (2) is output from the slot machine (1). When the supply request signal is input, the game medals stored in the lending storage unit (25) are supplied to the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) via the transfer unit (200). It is characterized by being formed.

Here, the “slot machine” specifically includes a device including a rotating reel and a stop switch for stopping the rotation of the rotating reel. The rotating reel includes those in which a plurality of symbols are displayed in the periphery, such as those that actually rotate and those in which the rotating reel is displayed on the liquid crystal screen.
In addition, here, “game medals” are not limited to disk-shaped medals, but may be ordinary coins, spherical ball balls, or stick-shaped medals. It is. Furthermore, as long as some value is given to the player, it is not particularly limited to a specific shape.

Here, the slot machine (1) includes a medal tank (5) for storing game medals, a medal slot (10) for inserting game medals into the medal tank, and a medal lending machine (2). And a side transfer passage (12) for guiding a game medal discharged from the medal discharge port (66) to the medal insertion port.
In addition, here, the “supply request signal for requesting the supply of game medals” specifically means that, for example, after an empty signal shown in FIG. This includes the replenishment signal A of step 121 that is output later. Note that the replenishment request signal may use the empty signal in step 120 of FIG. 15 described later, which is generated before the completion of the predetermined processing such as such error warning. That is, the empty signal may be directly output to the medal lending machine (2) regardless of the predetermined process.

(Operation) In the replenishment system (7) according to the present invention, when the storage amount of game medals stored in the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the storage amount detection means (400) This is detected and an empty signal is generated. Then, the slot machine (1) outputs a replenishment request signal for requesting correction to the medal lending machine (2). The medal lending machine (2) receiving this supply request signal receives the game medals stored in the lending storage unit (25) via the transfer unit (200) and the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1). To replenish.
This replenishment system (7) transfers the game medals stored in the lending storage unit (25) of the medal lending machine (2) via the transfer unit (200) to the medal discharge port (2) of the medal lending machine (2). 66), the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) can be replenished. For this reason, it is possible to smoothly enter the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) without opening any of the lower door, the upper door, or the special opening / closing door on the front side. , Game medals can be replenished. In this way, game medals can be replenished without opening any door on the slot machine (1) side, and the risk of the internal parts of the slot machine (1) being exposed to cheating is reduced. Can do.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to supply game medals to the medal tank (5) without opening any door of the slot machine (1). For this reason, in order to replenish game medals, the player does not have to move their body from the front of the slot machine (1) to open the place, and because the door etc. cannot be opened, there is a risk of being exposed to cheating. Can be lowered.
(Claim 2)
(Features) The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above. That is, at least one of the slot machine (1) or the medal lending machine (2) is stored in the lending storage unit (25) of the medal lending machine (2) on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied. A replenishment signal generating means (440) capable of generating a replenishment signal (specifically, a replenishment start signal B in step 142 of FIG. 16 to be described later) for replenishing the slot machine (1) with the game medals currently being provided. When the medal lending machine (2) receives the replenishment request signal (specifically, the replenishment signal A in step 140 of FIG. 16 described later) and detects the occurrence of the replenishment signal, the lending storage The game medal stored in the part (25) is configured to be replenishable to the slot machine (1) via the transfer part (200).

Here, the “replenishment signal” specifically includes a replenishment start signal B shown in FIG. The “replenishment signal” may be set to the replenishment signal A shown in FIG. 16, or may be set to a signal generated when another predetermined condition is satisfied. The supply signal manual generating means (442) for generating the supply signal may be disposed on the slot machine (1) side, may be disposed on the medal lending machine (2), or the slot machine (1 ) And medal lending machine (2). The slot machine (1) and the medal lending machine (2) include those in which supply signals can be input and output bidirectionally by optical communication or the like.
(Operation) In the present invention, the medal lending machine (2) stores the replenishment request signal from the slot machine (1) and stores it in the lending storage unit (25) when the occurrence of the replenishment signal is detected. The game medals are replenished to the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) via the transfer unit (200). Therefore, the medal lending machine (2) does not replenish the medal tank (5) from the lending storage unit (25) unless a replenishment signal is input in addition to the replenishment request signal. As a result, it is possible to prevent replenishment from being performed simply by outputting the replenishment request signal when the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) falls below a predetermined amount. In other words, when the player is playing, it is possible to prevent replenishment from being started immediately after the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) has fallen below the predetermined amount. In addition, it is possible to avoid the start of replenishment when it is inconvenient if the replenishment is started immediately, such as when the medal lending machine 2 is not ready for replenishment.

(Claim 3)
(Features) The invention described in claim 3 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2. That is, the batch insertion device (3), the downward direction of the medal storage part (44), the game medal of the medal storage part (44) can drop the cancellation path (49) and the medal storage part (44) and the cancellation path (49), the opening and closing plate (82) capable of opening and closing the cancellation path (49), and positioned below the cancellation path (49), the cancellation path A medal tray (90) for receiving a game medal that has fallen down the passage (49), and before replenishing the slot machine (1) with the game medal in the lending storage part (25) of the medal lending machine (2) In addition, the game medals in the medal storage part (44) are dropped to the medal tray (90) through the cancellation passage (49) by opening the opening / closing plate (82). .

  (Operation) The present invention provides a mechanism between the medal storage unit (44) and the cancel passage (49) before the game medals in the lending storage unit (25) of the medal lending machine (2) are replenished to the slot machine (1). Open the open / close plate (82). Thereby, the game medals remaining in the medal storage part (44) can be dropped to the medal tray (90) through the cancel passage (49). As a result, when a player replenishes the medal tank (5) in the middle of the game, the game medal currently in play remains in the medal storage part (44). Even if it exists, the game medals remaining in the medal storage part (44) can be discharged from the cancel passage (49) to the medal tray (90). This makes it possible to separate the game medals remaining in the medal storage unit (44) and used for games from the game medals to be supplied to the medal tank (5), and avoiding the confusion between them. it can.

(Claim 4)
(Features) The invention described in claim 4 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3. That is, the slot machine (1) is opened to the front of the game, a medal slot (10) into which a game medal can be inserted, and an inserted game medal located inside the medal slot (10) And a medal selector (6) that counts regular game medals as game start conditions, and the medal selector (6) includes the lending storage unit (25) of the medal lending machine (2). When the game medals stored in the slot machine (1) are replenished to the slot machine (1), the game medals inserted from the medal slot (10) for replenishment shall not be counted as game medals as a condition for starting the game. It is characterized by.

Note that, here, “not counted as a game medal as a condition for starting the game” specifically means that, for example, when a supply signal is generated, even if a game medal is inserted into the medal selector (6), Including those that prevent the input signal from being output from the selector (6). In addition, while a supply signal is being generated, even if a game medal is inserted into the medal selector (6) and the insertion signal is output from the medal selector (6), the control signal of the slot machine (1) , And the like that do not count as a regular input signal.
(Operation) The present invention provides a medal slot (10) for replenishment when a game medal is replenished from the lending storage unit (25) of the medal lending machine (2) to the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1). ) Is not counted as a game medal as a game start condition. As a result, the count of game medals inserted from the medal slot (10) is handled separately for the game medals inserted as a condition for starting the game and the game medals for supplying to the medal tank (5). Can do.

(Claim 5)
(Features) The invention described in claim 5 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4. That is, the medal lending machine (2) includes a closing means (300) that closes the receiving and inserting unit (48) and rejects the reception of game medals, and the lending storage unit (2) of the medal lending machine (2) 25) When the gaming medals stored in 25) are replenished to the slot machine (1), the receiving and charging unit (48) of the batch loading device (3) is closed by the closing means (300). It is characterized by that.
(Operation) According to the present invention, when a game medal is supplied from the lending / reserving section (25) to the slot machine (1), the closing means (300) closes the receiving and inserting section (48). As a result, even if a player inserts a game medal as a condition for starting a game from the receiving input unit (48) during the supply of the game medal, the game medal for supply and the condition for starting the game It is possible to avoid mixing with other game medals.

(Claim 6)
(Features) The invention described in claim 6 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 3 described above. That is, when the medal lending machine (2) replenishes the slot machine (1) with game medals stored in the lending storage unit (25), the opening / closing plate (82) is made unopenable. Features.
(Operation) The present invention makes it impossible to open the opening / closing plate (82) when replenishing game medals from the lending storage section (25) of the medal lending machine (2) to the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1). As a result, it is possible to prevent the game medals for replenishment from falling through the cancel passage (49) to the medal tray (90). As a result, it is possible to prevent the replenishment game medals from reaching the player's hand.

(Claim 7)
(Features) The invention described in claim 7 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6. That is, the slot machine (1) includes a medal slot (10) for inserting a game medal as a game start condition and a game medal for supply to the medal tank (5), and the medal lending machine ( 2) The side transfer passage (12) for guiding the game medals discharged from the medal discharge port (66) to the medal insertion port (10), and the medal tank (5) of the game medals A passage cover means (420) capable of covering above the medal slot (10) and the side transfer passage (12) during replenishment of the medal, the passage cover means (420) The medal tank (5) can be replenished with game medals in a state where the upper part of the insertion port (10) and the side transfer passage (12) is covered.

(Operation) The present invention provides a passage cover means (e.g., when a player or the like picks up a game medal passing through the side transfer passage (12) by hand and acquires it as his own game medal while the game medal is supplied. 420) covers the top of the medal slot (10) and the side transfer passage (12), and the game medal being supplied cannot be grasped. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a game medal being supplied from being stolen by a player or the like. Further, since the game medals being replenished can be blocked from the outside by the passage cover means (420), the game medals can be replenished stably and reliably without being obstructed from the outside.
(Claim 8)
(Features) The invention described in claim 8 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7. That is, at least one of the slot machine (1) or the medal lending machine (2) is manually operated when the amount of game medals stored in the medal tank (5) is within a predetermined range. Manual supply means (450) capable of supplying game medals stored in the lending storage part (25) to the medal tank (5) of the slot machine (1) via the transfer part (200) It is characterized by having.

  (Operation) Since the present invention includes the manual supply means (450), when the amount of game medals stored in the medal tank (5) is within a predetermined range, the player can freely play the game by manual operation. Medals can be replenished. Thereby, the player can replenish the medal tank (5) at his own convenience in accordance with the tone and rhythm of his game content. Therefore, when the player's own game content is in good condition, the operation of his / her own operation is such that the medal in the medal tank (5) falls below the predetermined amount and the game is suddenly interrupted by the replenishment of medals. Can be avoided.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
(Claim 1) According to the invention of claim 1, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a game medal can be smoothly inserted into the slot machine without opening any lower door, upper door, or special opening / closing door on the front side of the slot machine. It is possible to provide a game medal supply system that can be replenished and has a low risk of being exposed to fraud.
Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 1, since it is possible to replenish game medals without opening the door of the slot machine, it is necessary for the player to move the body from the front of the slot machine and open the place. In addition, it is possible to provide a game medal replenishment system with a low risk of being exposed to fraud even when the player is sitting on the seat.

(Claim 2) According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent medals from being replenished only when the medal tank of the slot machine falls below a predetermined amount and a replenishment request signal is output. A medal supply system can be provided.
(Claim 3) According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the following effect can be obtained. That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to separate the game medals remaining in the medal storage part and used for the game from the game medals to be supplied to the medal tank, and avoiding confusion between them. It is possible to provide a game medal replenishment system that can be used.

(Claim 4) According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the following effect is achieved. That is, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the count of game medals inserted from the medal slot is separated between a game medal inserted as a game start condition and a game medal for replenishing the medal tank. It is possible to provide a game medal supply system that can be handled.
(Claim 5) According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the following effect can be obtained. That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medal supply system capable of avoiding mixing of game medals for supply and game medals as a condition for starting the game. Can do.

(Claim 6) According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 3, the following effect can be obtained. That is, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a game medal replenishment system that can prevent a replenishment game medal from reaching the player's hand.
(Invention 7) According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the following effect can be obtained. That is, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a player or the like from picking up a game medal passing through the side transfer passage and acquiring it as his / her own game medal while supplying the game medal. It is possible to provide a game medal replenishment system that can be used.

  (Embodiment 8) According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the following effect is provided. That is, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a game medal replenishment system capable of manually replenishing game medals to the medal tank.

(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 18 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a batch insertion device, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a game medal supply system having a slot machine and a medal lending machine, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a batch insertion device and a medal insertion port, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the medal feeding device, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the medal feeding device, and FIG. 7 is the medal feeding device. FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the medal feeder with the cover member opened, and FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the medal feeder with the opening / closing plate opened. 10 is an external front view of the passage portion, FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the receiving and throwing portion, FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the medal tank, and FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view in a state where the closing means of the medal feeder is opened FIG. 14 shows the closing means of the medal feeder. FIG. 15 is a control flow related to medal replenishment of the slot machine, FIG. 16 is a control flow related to medal replenishment of the medal lending machine, FIG. 17 is a flow of replenishment preparation processing of the medal lending machine, and FIG. These show longitudinal sectional views when a rotating cover plate is used for the passage cover means.

(Game medal supply system)
The game medal supply system according to the present embodiment includes a slot machine 1 that can be played on condition that a game medal is inserted, and a medal lending machine 2 that lends a game medal adjacent to the slot machine 1, and the medal lending machine 2 A game medal can be supplied to the slot machine 1.
The medal lending machine 2 in the present embodiment is installed adjacent to the slot machine 1 and is provided so as to correspond to each slot machine.
Here, “front”, “forward”, and “front” refer to the operator (or player) lending the gaming machine S and medals in front of the gaming machine S and the medal lending machine 2 in front. This means the direction from the back to the front when viewed from such a worker (or player) when sitting or standing while facing the machine 2. Therefore, the forward direction and the forward direction mean a direction from the back of the gaming machine S and the medal lending machine 2 to the front.

“Back”, “rearward direction” and “backward direction” mean that an operator (or a player) places the game machine S and the medal lending machine 2 on the front side of the game machine S and the medal lending machine 2. This means the direction from the front to the back when viewed from such an operator (or player) when facing the position. Therefore, the backward direction means a direction from the front of the gaming machine S and the medal lending machine 2 toward the back (back). In addition, the left and right directions such as “left direction” and “right direction” in this specification are also the right direction when viewed from the person facing the front of the gaming machine S and the medal lending machine 2, Means left direction.
(Slot machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 has a rectangular box-shaped casing whose front is open and a front door 13 attached to the front side of the casing, and a rotary reel (not shown) on the front side. The symbol display window 14 is formed so that the symbol (1) can be visually recognized. Although not shown, the front door 13 includes an upper door that can be opened and closed only in the upper half and a lower door that can be opened and closed only in the lower half. Further, below the symbol display window 14 and in the approximate center of the slot machine 1 is an operation unit 16 provided with operation means such as a start switch and a stop switch. A medal slot 10 for inserting game medals is provided at the right front end of the operation unit 16. A medal selector 6 is provided below the medal insertion slot 10 for determining the authenticity of game medals and counting the inserted medals. Then, the game medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 10 pass through the medal selector 6 and are stored in the box-shaped medal tank 5. Further, a lower plate 15 capable of storing a payout medal is provided at the lower part of the slot machine 1. When a game medal is paid out after winning a game, the game medal stored in the medal tank 5 is paid out to the lower plate 15.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the medal insertion slot 10 has an upper insertion opening 11 through which gaming medals can be inserted one by one from the upper side, and a lateral transfer that communicates in the form of a concave groove on the side of the upper insertion opening 11. And a passage 12. The side transfer passage 12 is a bowl-shaped passage extending from the upper insertion opening 11 to the front right side (the medal lending machine 2 side). The game medal that is sent is received and transferred to the upper insertion opening 11.
Then, a game medal is inserted from the medal slot 10, the rotating reel is rotated by operating the start switch, and the rotating reel is stopped by operating the stop switch. At this time, the symbols displayed on the plurality of rotating reels are predetermined. When the position mode is stopped, a prize is won, and a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.

In the game medal replenishment system 7 according to this embodiment, during the game medal replenishment, as shown in FIG. 4, the medal insertion slot 10, the upper insertion opening 11 and the passage cover means 420 that covers the side transfer passage 12 are provided. ing.
(Passage cover means 420)
As shown in FIG. 4, the passage cover means 420 does not allow a player or the like to pull out a replenishment game medal that passes through the side transfer passage 12 while replenishing a game medal from the lending storage unit 25 to the medal tank 5. As described above, the top of the medal slot 10, the upper slot 11 and the side transfer passage 12 is covered. The passage cover means 420 includes a storage opening hole 422 opened in a slit shape on the front surface of the front door 13 slightly above the medal insertion opening 10, the upper insertion opening 11 and the side transfer passage 12, and the storage opening hole 422. During the replenishment of medals, it moves toward the front side and covers the upper side of the side transfer passage 12 etc. An advancing / retreating solenoid for moving the passage cover plate 421 toward the front side is provided. The passage cover plate 421 has a substantially square plate shape made of metal, and is normally housed in the housing opening hole 422 as shown in FIG. The passage cover means 420 is formed so as to be able to protrude to the near side as shown in FIG. 4 only during the supply of game medals. The advance / retreat solenoid is controlled so that the passage cover plate 421 protrudes from the storage opening hole 422 to the near side when an empty signal is generated in step 120 of FIG. The advance / retreat solenoid is controlled to be housed in the back side of the housing opening hole 422 when the generation of the replenishment signal D shown in step 126 of FIG. Even when the passage cover plate 421 protrudes to the front side, a refilling game medal can be rolled in the side transfer passage 12 in the space below the passage cover plate 421, and the medal is inserted as it is. It is formed so that it can be inserted into the mouth 10. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a player or the like from picking up a game medal passing through the side transfer passage 12 by hand and acquiring it as his own game medal while the game medal is being replenished. Also, by having this passage cover means 420, it is not necessary for the hall manager to watch while the game medals are being replenished, and the game medals can be replenished between the games during the game.

  The passage cover means 420 is not limited to the one in which the plate-like passage cover plate 421 pops out toward the front side as described above, and game medals being replenished from outside are stolen. Any other mechanism that covers the medal slot 10, the upper slot 11, and the side transfer passage 12 may be used as long as it can be prevented. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, a lid-like rotary cover plate 432 whose rear side edge is rotatably supported and has a substantially L-shaped longitudinal section, and the rotary cover plate It is also possible to have a rotating solenoid 431 that rotatably supports the rear edge of 432. The rotating cover plate 432 can cover the top of the medal slot 10, the upper slot 11, and the side transfer passage 12 in the closed state after rotating toward the front side.

(Medal tank 5)
The medal tank 5 is located at the lower part of the slot machine 1 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. In the lower part of the medal tank 5, although not shown, a sending disc having a circular hole into which a game medal can be inserted is arranged around the medal tank 5. By rotating the delivery disk, the game medals that have entered the circular hole can be discharged to the lower plate 15 one by one.
The medal tank 5 is provided with a storage amount detection means 400 for detecting that the storage amount of game medals stored in the medal tank 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

(Storage amount detection means 400) The storage amount detection means 400 is for detecting that the storage amount of game medals stored in the medal tank 5 has become a predetermined amount or less. The storage amount detection means 400 is configured to be able to generate an empty signal when the storage amount of game medals in the medal tank 5 becomes a predetermined amount or less.
The storage amount detection means 400 is a detection sensor 410 arranged inside the medal tank 5 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, this detection sensor 410 has a bar-shaped sensor protruding from the top along the height direction of the inner wall of the medal tank 5 at positions A, B, C, D, K. It is. That is, the A position detection sensor 411, the B position detection sensor 412, and the C position detection sensor 413, D are located at positions A, B, C, D, and K in order from the top along the height direction of the inner wall of the medal tank 5. A position detection sensor 414 and a K position detection sensor 415 are provided. The detection sensor 410 is a so-called energization sensor, and the medal tank 5 is provided depending on which position of the K position detection sensor 415 and the four positions of the A to D position detection sensors are energized. It is possible to detect the approximate amount of stored game medals.

  That is, when game medals are stored in the medal tank 5, the K position detection sensor 415 and the sensors up to which of the four sensors A to D position detection sensors 411 to 414 depend on the stored game medals. The storage height of the game medals can be estimated depending on whether the power is on. One of the electrodes is connected to the K position detection sensor 415, and the other electrode is connected to four sensors A to D position detection sensors 411 to 414 so that the current flow at each electrode can be detected. ing. For example, when neither the K position detection sensor 415 nor the A to D position detection sensors 411 to 414 are energized, the current upper limit position of the game medal storage amount means the following from the D position. Further, when the K position detection sensor 415 and the D position detection sensor 414 are energized, it means that the current upper limit position of the game medal storage amount is between the C position and the D position. To do. In addition, when the K position detection sensor 415, the D position detection sensor 414, and the C position detection sensor 413 are in an energized state, the upper limit position of the current game medal storage amount is between the B position and the C position. Means that Further, when the K position detection sensor 415, the D position detection sensor 414, the C position detection sensor 413, and the B position detection sensor 412 are energized, the upper limit position of the current game medal storage amount is the A position. It means that it is between the B position. In addition, when the K position detection sensor 415, the D position detection sensor 414, the C position detection sensor 413, the B position detection sensor 412 and the A position detection sensor 411 are energized, the upper limit of the storage amount of the current game medal is stored. The position means exceeding the A position.

The storage amount detection means 400 is not limited to the one that detects the current flow as described above, and may be one that uses another optical sensor or one that uses a proximity switch.
The storage amount detection means 400 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to generate an empty signal when the upper limit position of the storage amount of game medals stored in the medal tank 5 is lower than the D position. Then, the control device of the slot machine 1 inputs an empty signal from the storage amount detection means 400, and then receives an error warning described in step 121 shown in FIG. After the transition to the ON state and the process of projecting the front side of the passage cover plate 421 are completed, a supply signal A as a supply request signal is output to the medal lending machine 2.

  Note that the input / output signal between the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 is not particularly shown, but is performed by an optical signal on the side walls adjacent to each other. By providing both the optical signal light emitting means having the light emitting element and the optical signal light receiving means having the light receiving element on the respective side surfaces at the corresponding positions of the adjacent side walls, via the optical signal, Bidirectional input / output signals can be output and input. As a result, signals are exchanged between the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2. Of course, a bidirectional signal input / output may be possible by connecting a signal line connected to each control device between the two by a connector or the like.

(Medal selector 6)
The medal selector 6 is located inside the slot machine 1 on the lower side of the medal slot 10, and is used to discriminate the inserted game medals and to count the regular game medals as the game start conditions. is there.
When the medal selector 6 refills the slot machine 1 with game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 (to be described later) of the medal lending machine 2, the game medals inserted from the medal slot 10 for replenishment It is formed not to count as a game medal as a start condition. Specifically, when a replenishment signal D, which will be described later, is generated from the medal lending machine 2, even if a game medal is inserted into the medal selector 6 from the medal insertion slot 10, the insertion signal is not output from the medal selector 6. It is what has been. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even when a game medal is inserted into the medal selector 6 and the insertion signal is output from the medal selector 6 while the replenishment signal D is being generated, the control device of the slot machine 1 The input signal may be set not to be counted as a normal input signal.

(Medal lending machine 2)
The medal lending machine 2 is a box-type device installed adjacent to the side of the slot machine 1 and rents game medals in exchange for money, and rents medal and game medals to be inserted by the player. This is for insertion into the medal slot 10 of the machine 1. Further, the medal lending machine 2 is configured so that a game medal can be replenished to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 in the game medal replenishment system 7.
The medal lending machine 2 includes an outer box 20, a bill counter 22 that detects and stores a bill to be inserted, a lending slot 4 into which a gaming medal can be inserted, and a gaming medal inserted through the lending slot 4. The lending storage unit 25 that stores the game medal inside the lending storage unit 25 and the batch insertion device 3 that can input the gaming medals inserted into the receiving input unit 48 described later into the slot machine 1 and this batch input A drive control means 280 for controlling the rotational drive of the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200, which will be described later, of the apparatus 3 and a supply signal for supplying game machines stored in the lending storage unit 25 to the slot machine 1 can be generated. Replenishment signal generating means 440.

The lending slot 4 is located at the upper part on the front side of the medal lending machine 2 and is normally closed with a predetermined key (not shown) as shown by the solid line in FIG. However, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, when the key is opened, the front side is tilted toward the front side and opened upward so that a game medal for supplying to the slot machine 1 can be inserted. Is.
The lending storage unit 25 also has a role as a lending medal payout device 23 for lending out the stored game medals according to the bills inserted into the bill counter 22.
The bill counter 22 is for reading a bill inserted from a bill insertion slot 21 provided on the lower front side of the outer box 20 and causing the rented medal payout device 23 to pay out a predetermined number of game medals. This bill insertion slot 21 is provided with an opening on the front side of the bill insertion slot 21 so that a player cannot accidentally insert a bill when replenishing a game medal from the lending storage unit 25 to the medal tank 5. The covering shutter is formed to be closed.

The bill counter 22 is formed so as to close the bill insertion slot 21 when the shutter is closed. However, the bill counter 22 is not particularly limited to this, and transports bills inside the bill insertion slot 21. You may form so that the drive of a part may be turned off so that it may not move. Moreover, in this form, although it forms so that a banknote may be thrown in, you may make it use a magnetic card instead of a banknote. When such a magnetic card is used, reading of the magnetic card may be prohibited during replenishment of game medals, or a signal from a reading unit of the magnetic card may not be received.
As shown in FIG. 2, the banknote counter 22 includes a banknote sensor 24 that detects a banknote inserted into the banknote slot 21 and outputs a banknote detection signal. The lending storage unit 25, specifically, the lending medal payout device 23 is for lending a game medal to the player with the input of a banknote detection signal from the banknote sensor 24 as an opportunity.

The medal lending machine 2 may have a coin insertion slot, a coin counter, a change dispensing slot, and the like in addition to the banknote insertion slot 21 and the banknote counter 22. Moreover, you may have a prepaid card slot and a card reader.
The lending medal payout device 23 as the lending storage unit 25 is for lending a game medal to the player with the input of a bill detection signal from the bill sensor 24 as a trigger. This rented medal payout device 23 is a so-called hopper device for paying out game medals. It has a rental disk 27 that can be discharged one by one. The rental disk 27 is rotatably supported by a drive motor, and has a hole into which a game medal can enter. And it forms in the mechanism which can discharge | emit the game medal which entered this hole one by one outside the apparatus with rotation. The rental medal payout device 23 is provided with a sensor for counting discharged medals, and is configured to stop the drive motor when a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.

In the replenishment system 7 according to the present embodiment, the medal lending machine 2 inputs a replenishment request signal (specifically, a replenishment signal A in step 140 in FIG. 16 described later) resulting from the generation of the empty signal, and replenishment When the generation of a signal (specifically, supply start signal B shown in step 142 of FIG. 16 described later) is detected, the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 are transferred to the lump-sum charging device 3 described later. The medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 is formed so as to be replenishable via the part 200.
As will be described later, this replenishment system 7 does not add the input of the replenishment signal to the condition, and only generates an empty signal of the storage amount detection means 400, so that the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 are stored. The medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 may be replenished via a transfer unit 200 described later of the batch loading device 3.

(Supply signal generating means 440)
The replenishment signal generating means 440 is located at the lower part of the medal lending machine 2, and the game medal stored in the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 is provided on the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied. The replenishment signal for replenishing can be generated. The supply signal generating means 440 is provided in the medal lending machine 2 in this embodiment, but may be provided in the slot machine 1 or in both the medal lending machine 2 and the slot machine 1.
The replenishment signal generating means 440 includes replenishment signal automatic generating means 441 capable of outputting a replenishment signal on condition that a replenishment preparation process shown in FIG.

That is, the replenishment signal automatic generation means 441 automatically outputs a replenishment start signal B as a replenishment signal on condition that a replenishment preparation process shown in FIG.
The automatic replenishment signal generation means 441 is formed in the medal lending machine 2 in this embodiment, but is provided on the slot machine 1 side to detect the generation of an empty signal and to shift the medal selector 6 to the off state. , Formed to output a replenishment signal A as a replenishment signal on condition that the blocker of the medal selector 6 is turned on and the passage cover plate 421 protrudes forward to cover the side transfer passage 12 and the like. You can do it.

  The replenishment signal generation means 440 includes a replenishment signal manual generation means 442 that is located on the medal lending machine 2 and that can generate a predetermined replenishment signal by a predetermined manual operation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment signal manual generation means 442 is located below the front side of the medal lending machine 2 and can be operated by a key possessed by the hall manager of the game hall. It is equipped with. As shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment signal manual generation means 442 is formed with a keyhole 443 into which a key held by the hall manager can be inserted on the front side. The replenishment signal manual generation means 442 is configured to generate a predetermined replenishment signal by inserting and turning the key in the keyhole 443.

  This is the case when the medal tank 5 is less than the predetermined amount and an empty signal is generated from the storage amount detection means 400, even when the player is playing a game, and when a game medal is being received from the input unit 48, etc. In addition, in order to reliably avoid an unexpected situation that may occur by starting the supply of game medals from the lending storage unit 25, under the supervision of the hall manager, It is provided for replenishment. Whether the replenishment signal manual generation means 442 is used to manually replenish game medals or whether the replenishment signal automatic generation means 441 as described above is used to automatically replenish game medals. The slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 are formed so that they can be selected in advance by an internal setting switch. Normally, the replenishment signal automatic generation means 441 is set to be used, and the replenishment signal manual generation means 442 is set not to be used. Using this replenishment signal manual generating means 442, for the replenishment for replenishment because the game medal inserted by the player as a condition for starting the game under the supervision of the hall manager and the medal tank 5 storage amount has decreased It is possible to reliably prevent the game medals from being mixed. That is, when replenishment is started, a predetermined confirmation operation is performed by the hall manager, and after a key operation is performed, a predetermined replenishment signal is generated and the replenishment operation is started. . This replenishment signal becomes a predetermined signal and is transmitted to the control devices of both the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine 2 via an optical signal or the like.

  The replenishment signal manual generation means 442 is formed in the lower part of the medal lending machine 2, but the position in particular is not limited to this, and may be provided on the slot machine 1 side. . For example, a key switch similar to that of the present embodiment may be provided on the front side of the front door 13 of the slot machine 1, and a supply signal may be generated by inserting a key into the key switch and operating it. . Further, after the front door 13 is opened, a replenishment signal may be generated in the vicinity of the setting switch of the slot machine 1 by an operation of a similar key switch or push switch. The supply signal becomes a predetermined signal regardless of where the slot is generated in the slot machine 1 or the medal lending machine 2, and the slot machine 1 and the medal lending machine are transmitted via an optical signal or the like. 2 can be sent to both.

  In the case where separation of game medals is ensured by performing a mixture avoidance process that can surely avoid the mixing of game medals thrown by the player and replenishment game medals The empty signal is directly input to the medal lending machine 2 only by generating an empty signal from the storage amount detecting means 400 without adding the supply signal generation by the supply signal generating means 440 to the supply start condition. Accordingly, the medal lending machine 2 may be formed so that the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 can be replenished to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 by lending a transfer unit 200 described later. For example, after the game hall is closed, replenishment is performed under the supervision of the hall manager.

In addition, regardless of the generation of the empty signal, the game manager of the lending storage unit 25 can receive the game medal of the slot machine 1 only when the hall manager operates the replenishment signal manual generating means 442 to generate the replenishment signal. The medal tank 5 may be replenished. In such a case, replenishment can be performed only when the hall manager performs a replenishment operation, instead of automatically replenishing according to the amount stored in the medal tank 5. Thereby, the replenishment operation can be completely put under the jurisdiction of the hall manager.
(Batch input device 3)
The batch insertion device 3 is a mechanism for batch-inserting game medals paid out from the lending storage unit 25 and game medals that a player inserts into an acceptance insertion unit 48 described later into the medal insertion slot 10 of the slot machine 1 It is.

Further, the batch loading device 3 is also for replenishing the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the batch loading device 3 is roughly divided into a main body cover 30 attached to the front surface of the outer box 20 of the medal lending machine 2, and an inside of the main body cover 30. And a medal feeding device 40 (FIG. 5) for sending out game medals provided on the front side of the main body cover 30 and a side transfer passage for the game medals sent from the medal feeding device 40. And an inlet introduction path 60 for guiding to 12.
The collective throwing device 3 is provided with a closing means 300 that closes the accepting and throwing section 48 and rejects accepting game medals.

(Main unit cover 30)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the main body cover 30 is located on the front side from the front center of the outer case 20 of the medal lending machine 2 (the front side when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front). A projecting box-shaped member is formed with a collective opening 31 that opens upward, and as shown in FIG. 1, a medal feeding device 40 is built therein.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a counter-like overhanging portion 32 having a flat portion on the upper surface is formed on the front side of the collective charging opening 31. The projecting portion 32 projects toward the front side and the side of the collective charging opening 31, and is formed in a substantially U shape as shown in FIG. Further, a standing portion 272 is formed around the collective charging opening 31 so as to stand in a U shape extending from both sides to the front as viewed from above. The collective loading opening 31 is set so as to be positioned above the dropping hole 271 of the receiving loading portion 48 of the main body block 41 described later, and as a result, the standing portion 272 is positioned above the dropping hole 271. Is formed.

  A rectangular contact is formed on the front side of the overhanging portion 32 of the batch loading device 3 as a belt operation switch 273 which is rectangular and is made of a conductive metal for activating and deactivating the conveying device 50. A sensor 275 (dotted line portion in FIG. 11) is laid. Then, when the hand touches the rectangular contact sensor 275 of the overhanging portion 32, the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is driven, and when the hand touching the rectangular contact sensor 275 of the overhanging portion 32 is released, The drive motor 55 of the device 50 stops driving. Specifically, when the belt operation switch 273 is operated for less than a predetermined time, three game medals are sent to the side transfer passage 12, and the belt operation switch 273 is operated continuously for a predetermined time. Then, more than three game medals are formed to be sent out to the side transfer passage 12.

The belt operation switch 273 is not limited to the rectangular contact sensor 275, but may be a U-shaped contact sensor 274 provided in a U-shape on the standing portion 272 as shown in FIG. . The U-shaped contact sensor 274 is formed in a U shape along the upright portion 272 as shown by the hatched portion in FIG. Then, by touching the U-shaped contact sensor 274 of the overhanging portion 32, the drive motor 55 of the transport device 50 is driven by operating in the same manner as the rectangular contact sensor 275.
Note that only the rectangular contact sensor 275 may be used as the belt operation switch 273, or only the U-shaped contact sensor 274 may be used. Also, the rectangular contact sensor 275 and the U-shaped contact sensor may be used. You may set so that both of 274 can be used.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a medal removal tray 90 having a discharge storage portion 93 that receives a foreign matter discharged from the medal feeder 40 or a canceled medal is formed on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30. Yes. This medal removal tray 90 is located under the opening / closing hole 85 on the front surface of the medal lending machine 2, and when the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharging mechanism 80 is opened, the medal storage unit 44 received through the opening / closing hole 85 is provided. The game medal can be taken out from the outside. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the medal removal tray 90 is pivotally supported by a tray hinge 95 so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction on the back side of the bottom of the main body cover 30. Normally, it is in a closed state as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 and is formed so as to be able to store discharged trash etc. When the game hall manager collects trash etc., the solid line in FIG. As shown in the figure, it is formed so that the stored matter can be easily taken out by hand from the near side by rotating to the near side.

On the front side of the overhanging portion 32, a rotation display portion 240 that displays the operating state of the belt 53 is formed.
(Rotation display 240)
The rotation display unit 240 is for displaying the operating state of the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200 and the open / closed state of the opening / closing hole 85 of the discharge mechanism 80 toward the player. The rotation display unit 240 is formed of a blue light emitting unit 241 that is located on the right side when viewed from the front side and can emit blue light, and a red light emitting unit 242 that is located on the left side when viewed from the front side and can emit red light. ing. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation display unit 240 is formed at a position visible from the player on the front side of the overhanging portion 32. The rotation display unit 240 displays an operating state of the belt 53 and a discharge mechanism 80 described later by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of the two light emitters of the blue light emitting unit 241 and the red light emitting unit 242. Specifically, the rotation display unit 240 is configured to perform forward rotation (forward rotation, in the black arrow direction of FIG. 1) and reverse rotation (reverse rotation, reverse rotation direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1) of the transfer unit 200. The four states of reverse rotation of the belt 53 with the opening of the opening / closing hole 85 (reverse rotation, reverse rotation direction of the black arrow in FIG. 1) and non-operation are sequentially turned on only in the blue light emitting portion 241 and red. Only the light emitting unit 242 is turned on, both turned on, and both turned off to distinguish them for display to the outside.

(Medal feeder 40)
The medal feeding device 40 is a device for feeding out game medals built in the main body cover 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the medal feeder 40 includes a box-shaped main body block 41 provided inside the main body cover 30 and a transport device 50 (a transfer unit 200) that transports game medals into the main body block 41. ) And a discharge mechanism 80 that discharges remaining game medals and the like that are located on the lower back side of the transfer device 50.
(Main body block 41)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the main body block 41 has a receiving input portion 48 that opens upward at a substantially central portion in the length direction. The receiving and inserting portion 48 is provided with a drop hole 271 that is opened in a quadrangle and allows a game medal to drop. A payout passage 42 that opens upward and communicates with the receiving input portion 48 is provided inside the receiving input portion 48. A game medal from the lending storage unit 25 is inserted into a portion opened above the payout passage 42.

A medal storage unit 44 for temporarily storing game medals inserted from the receiving input unit 48 or the payout passage 42 is formed below the receiving input unit 48. In addition, a transfer unit 200 (conveyance device 50) having a belt 53 for transferring game medals stored in the medal storage unit 44 is incorporated in the lower front portion of the main body block 41. The front side of the main body block 41 is a medal discharge unit 47 for discharging the game medals sent out by the transport device 50 to the insertion port introduction path 60 one by one. A discharge mechanism 80 having an openable / closable opening / closing hole 85 is provided at the bottom of the inner wall forming the payout passage 42 and on the bottom surface of the medal storage portion 44.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. It has a partition bar 100 provided over the direction. This is to align the inserted game medals in the same direction as much as possible. In other words, the presence of the partition rod 100 prevents a game medal from being inserted in the receiving and inserting section 48 in a vertical orientation (a direction in which the front and back surfaces of the game medal are in the horizontal direction). Is turned sideways (the direction in which the front and back sides of the game medal are in the front-rear direction) and dropped. When dropped in this way, the direction of the game medals is aligned, so the game medals can be stored in a stack in the medal storage part 44, which is a space located below the receiving insertion part 48. It becomes easier to carry by the carrying device 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, at the front side end portion of the receiving and throwing-in portion 48, the upper space of the transport device 50 is more than the medal storage portion 44 located below the receiving and throwing-in portion 48 and the medal storage portion 44. A movement adjustment valve 43 is provided that divides the medal return portion 45 located on the front side. The movement adjustment valve 43 prevents the movement of medals from the medal storage unit 44 to the medal return unit 45, and allows the movement of medals from the medal return unit 45 to the medal storage unit 44 as appropriate, thereby allowing the transport device 50 to transfer medals. This is to make it smooth.
The payout passage 42 is for receiving a game medal from the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 and guiding it to the medal storage unit 44. The bottom surface of the payout passage 42 is inclined downward from the back side toward the near side, and an opening / closing hole 85 that can be opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 82 is formed at the front end portion of the inclination. When the opening / closing plate 82 closes the opening / closing hole 85, game medals are stored in the medal storage section 44. When the opening / closing plate 82 is opened from the opening / closing hole 85, foreign matters such as dust and remaining game medals on the medal storage section 44 or the belt 53 of the transport device 50 fall from the cancel passage 49. Foreign matter and game medals that have fallen from the cancellation passage 49 are temporarily stored in the medal takeout plate 90, and can be taken out by opening the medal takeout plate 90 to the front as shown in FIG. It has become.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the medal removal tray 90 is pivotally supported by the lower portion of the batch loading device 3 so as to be rotatable by a tray hinge 95. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, a discharge storage portion 93 capable of storing a canceled medal, a foreign object, dust, or the like is formed in the state where the medal removal tray 90 is closed. Further, although not particularly shown, the medal removal tray 90 is formed so as to be automatically closed after being opened by a self-returning mechanism. The self-return mechanism includes a spring that biases the medal removal tray 90 in the closing direction, and the medal removal tray 90 is normally closed. Then, by pulling down the medal removal tray 90 in the opening direction against the biasing force of the spring, that is, the front side, the discharge storage portion 93 of the medal removal tray 90 is opened as shown in FIG. When opening the medal removal tray 90, the game medals and the like stored in the discharge storage section 93 are received by hand while holding the medal removal tray 90. When the stored matter is completely discharged, the medal removal tray 90 is automatically closed by releasing the hand from the medal removal tray 90. Of course, the medal removal tray 90 may be temporarily fixed by the concavo-convex portion in two stages of the closed state and the open state without providing such a self-returning mechanism.

Further, the medal removal tray 90 does not have the self-return mechanism as described above or the temporary fixing mechanism by the uneven portion, and is simply pivotally supported by the tray hinge 95 so that it can be opened and closed. It may be one that is kept open. The medal removal tray 90 can be closed as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 by pushing up the hand. As a result, when opening the lower door of another gaming machine on the right next to the front from the front, the medal removal tray 90 is closed by hand to avoid obstructing the lower door to be opened. Can do.
(Moving adjustment valve 43)
As shown in FIG. 6, the movement adjusting valve 43 has a configuration in which a square-shaped rotating plate 43A is attached to a support portion 43B having pins 46 protruding laterally from both ends. The pins 46 are engaged with holes formed on both side surfaces of the main body block 41 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around the pins 46.

Further, a stopper 43C is provided on the inner surface of the main body block 41 so as to abut on the medal return portion 45 side of the movement adjustment valve 43 in a state where the movement adjustment valve 43 is suspended. Accordingly, the movement adjustment valve 43 can be rotated from the suspended state to the medal storage unit 44 side, but is prevented from rotating from the suspended state to the medal return unit 45 side.
The rotating plate 43A is formed of an elastic member such as urethane, and is elastically deformed by a predetermined pressure or more. Further, the movement adjustment valve 43 is configured so that the distance from the lower end of the rotation plate 43A to the upper surface of the belt 53 of the transfer device 50 described later is longer than the diameter of the game medal when the rotation plate 43A is in the suspended state. It is formed. This is to allow the game medal to pass under the rotating plate 43A even when standing up.

(Transfer unit 200 (conveying device 50))
The transfer unit 200 (conveying device 50) is built in the lower front part of the main body block 41, and the game medals thrown into or out of the medal storage unit 44 are placed in a horizontal state (the front and back surfaces of the game medals are up and down. State, that is, the state where the front or back of the game medal faces upward or downward) one by one through the insertion port introduction path 60 to the medal discharge port 66 . Specifically, the transfer unit 200 (conveying device 50) includes a belt that is stretched between a pair of rollers 51 (the near side roller 51A and the back side roller 51B) and the near side roller 51A and the back side roller 51B. 53 (transfer means), a reverse roller 52 (return means) installed with a delivery gap 54 above the front side of the belt 53, a drive motor 55 for rotating the rollers 51, 52, and this drive motor A transmission means 56 (FIG. 5) for transmitting the rotation of the motor shaft 55 to the rollers 51 and 52 is provided.

The roller 51 is provided in parallel in the front-rear direction as viewed from the front side. The belt 53 is a flat belt stretched around two rollers 51A and 51B, and the surface thereof is covered with rubber or the like so as to increase the frictional resistance with the game medal. As shown in FIG. 1, the front roller 51A is mounted at a slightly higher position than the back roller 51B, so that the upper surface of the belt 53 is inclined slightly upward toward the front. By rotating the roller 51 in the direction of the black arrow shown in FIG. 1 (the arrow whose inside is painted black), the upper surface of the belt 53 is moved forward.
The roller 51 and the reverse roller 52 are rotated simultaneously by the transmission means 56. The transmission means 56 is a drive shaft of the drive motor 55, a gear provided on the near side roller 51A, the reverse rotation roller 52, and a belt connecting these gears. The reverse rotation roller 52 is in the same direction as the roller 51. Since it rotates, the traveling direction of the upper surface of the belt 53 and the moving direction of the lower surface of the reverse rotation roller 52 are reversed. Further, the rotation speed of the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed to be faster than the rotation speed of the roller 51 by adjusting the transmission means 56 (a combination of gears having different diameters).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a delivery gap 54 is formed between the lower end of the reverse rotation roller 52 and the upper surface of the belt 53, which is larger than the thickness of one game medal and smaller than the thickness of two game medals. Has been. For this reason, when a plurality of game medals are stacked on the reverse rotation roller 52 and are conveyed to the reverse rotation roller 52 side, the game medals above the second one are left, leaving the bottom one game medal. The kick roller is kicked backward by the reversing reverse roller 52. As a result, the game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 are sent one by one to the front side, and the game medals above the belt 53 and behind the reverse rotation roller 52 are kicked out to the medal return section 45. It has become.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the reverse rotation roller 52 in this embodiment is formed with a stirring groove 58 having a substantially trapezoidal cross section along the axial direction. The stirring groove 58 plays a role of effectively kicking back the game medals stacked above the belt 53 so that the game medals are hooked at the end of the groove.
The front side of the belt 53 is close to the medal receiving port 67 of the insertion port introduction path 60. The game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 are carried from the medal discharge unit 47 to the insertion port introduction path 60 through the delivery gap 54.
Although not particularly illustrated, a protrusion that protrudes from the side wall surface of the belt 53 toward the belt 53 after passing through the attachment position of the reverse rotation roller 52 in the middle of feeding from the belt 53 to the insertion port introduction path 60. A body may be formed. This projecting body projects the effective width that the belt 53 can convey so as to match the diameter of the game medal to be used. When the game medals on the belt 53 come into contact with the projecting body, the game medals can be transferred to a predetermined position.

The transfer unit 200 rotates the belt 53 in the forward direction (forward rotation, that is, in the black arrow direction in FIG. 1), thereby transferring the game medal to the insertion port 60 and the belt 53 in the reverse direction (reverse rotation, In other words, the game medals are placed in either the reverse feed direction in which the game medals are fed back to the medal storage section 44 on the opposite side of the insertion port introduction path 60 by performing the reverse rotation direction of the black arrow direction in FIG. It is configured to be transportable. That is, when the belt 53 is rotated in the forward direction, the transfer unit 200 transfers the material on the belt 53 to the introduction port 60, and when the belt 53 is reversed, the material on the belt 53 is transferred to the opening / closing hole 85. It is formed to do.
When the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200 is reversely rotated, the reverse rotation roller 52 is formed so as not to rotate by an internal mechanism.

(Discharge mechanism 80)
The discharge mechanism 80 includes a solenoid 81 that moves up and down a substantially cylindrical movable shaft 83 that protrudes upward in accordance with an energized state, and one end that is pivotally supported by the movable shaft 83. An opening / closing plate 82 is formed so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with a fixed shaft 84 as a fulcrum. The opening / closing hole 85 is located between the medal storage part 44 and the cancellation passage 49 and can open and close the cancellation passage 49. Then, the opening / closing hole 85 is formed to be openable / closable by rotating the opening / closing plate 82 about the fixed shaft 84.
When the movable shaft 83 is located below, the opening / closing plate 82 is closed (see FIG. 1), and when the movable shaft 83 is located above, the opening / closing plate 82 is opened (see FIG. 9). It is formed so that. Then, by opening the opening / closing plate 82 by the operation of the solenoid 81, medals and foreign matters in the medal feeder 40 can be discharged from the cancel passage 49 formed on the bottom surface of the main body block 41. Yes. The discharge mechanism 80 can be formed such that the opening / closing plate 82 is opened by operating a reset switch (not shown), for example.

  In the replenishment system 7 according to the present embodiment, before the game medals in the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 are replenished to the slot machine 1, the game medals in the medal storage unit 44 are opened by the opening / closing plate 82, thereby opening the cancel passage 49. Via the medal tray 90. Specifically, when the replenishment signal A in step 140 of FIG. 16 to be described later is input as the replenishment request signal, the batch loading device 3 opens the opening / closing hole 85 in FIG. 9 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). As shown, the belt 53 is formed in an open state and rotated in the reverse rotation direction (the reverse rotation direction to the black arrow direction in FIG. 1). After the predetermined time elapses, the opening / closing hole 85 is closed to the original state, and the belt 53 rotates in the normal feeding direction (the black arrow direction in FIG. 1) to supply the game medals for supply. Is possible. By performing the operation as described above, even if a game medal that was inserted as a game start condition by the player during the game remains in the medal storage unit 44, a game for replenishment Before the medal enters, the opening / closing hole 85 is vacant and can be dropped to the medal tray 90 via the cancel passage 49.

(Input port introduction path 60)
The slot 60 is provided in the vicinity of the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1 in order to introduce a game medal into the medal slot 10 of the slot machine 1, and the game medal is inserted from the side of the slot machine 1 to the medal. The game medal is guided from the transfer unit 200 to the side transfer passage 12 that guides to the insertion port 10. That is, the insertion port introduction path 60 is for transferring the game medals sent out from the transfer unit 200 (conveying device 50) to the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10, the insertion port introduction path 60 includes a base member 62 that is attached to the lower portion on the front side of the main body cover 30, and the base member 62. A cover that is pivotally attached to the base member 62 via a passage portion 65 having a medal transfer slit through which a game medal can pass and a hinge 63 provided at the lower end of the base member 62. As shown in FIG. 10, a member 61 and a light emitting part 220 capable of irradiating a passage part 65 visible from a visible part 210 described later are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the insertion port introduction path 60 is installed such that the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the end of the side transfer passage 12 of the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1. The In this case, the medal discharge port 66 and the end of the side transfer passage 12 do not necessarily abut and coincide with each other, and the gap between the game medal discharged from the medal discharge port 66 and the side transfer passage 12 can be moved. There may be a height error.
(Passage section 65)
The passage portion 65 is for guiding game medals falling from the belt 53 to the side transfer passage 12.

The passage portion 65 is located on the front side of the base member 62, a movable plate 250 that is movable on the front side of the fixed plate 251, and a lower portion of the fixed plate 251, so that the game It has a projecting portion 252 that projects to the near side by a width slightly larger than the thickness of one medal.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a protrusion 252 is sandwiched between the fixed plate 251 and the movable plate 250, and has a thickness that is slightly larger than the thickness of one game medal, which is larger than the diameter of the game medal. By having a slightly larger width, a passage portion 65 capable of transferring game medals is formed. The passage portion 65 is formed by a fixed plate 251, a movable plate 250, and a protrusion 252 that form a medal transfer slit through which a game medal can pass.

The passage portion 65 is bent in a substantially L shape from the medal receiving port 67 toward the slot machine 1 and has an end portion serving as a medal discharge port 66 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the passage unit 65 receives the game medals discharged from the medal discharge unit 47 from the medal receiving port 67, one by one from the medal discharge port 66, and the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1 through the side transfer passage 12. It is designed to discharge toward the side.
(Fixed plate 251)
The fixing plate 251 is fixed to the front side of the base member 62 and is formed in a substantially L shape in a front view. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the fixed plate 251 is a curved portion 62A that curves in the back direction from below to above, and this curved portion 62A is connected to the medal discharge portion 47 of the medal feeder 40. A medal receiving port 67 communicating therewith is formed.

(Movable plate 250)
The movable plate 250 is positioned on the front side of the fixed plate 251 and forms a wall on the near side of the passage portion 65. All the movable plates 250 of the passage portion 65 are made of transparent resin. The movable plate 250 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable slightly below the upper end of the side end of the movable plate 250 (specifically, at a position one fifth of the total height of the movable plate 250 from the upper end). A movable plate rotating shaft 253 is formed. The movable plate rotating shaft 253 is formed with a spring that pulls the upper end of the movable plate 250 toward the front side and biases the lower end toward the rear side. Normally, since the lower end of the movable plate 250 is in contact with the protruding portion 252, the movable plate 250 maintains a state in which it stands upright in the vertical direction. When a clogging release button 260 described later is pressed, the clogging release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 into the back side, and the movable plate 250 has an upper end with the movable plate rotation shaft 253 as the center of rotation. Rotate the back side and bottom end toward you. As a result, when game medals are clogged inside the passage 65 between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251, a gap between the lower end of the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 is opened. The clogged medal outlet 68 of the cover member 61 is discharged to the outside.

Further, on the front side of the movable plate 250, a passage sensor 231 is provided as a clogging detection unit 230 capable of detecting the passage of game medals.
(Clogging detection means 230 (passage sensor 231))
The clogging detection means 230 is a passage sensor 231 composed of a proximity switch (sensor) that detects the proximity of a game medal and the presence or absence of a nearby detection target in a non-contact manner. The presence information that the game medal does not move can be detected.
Here, the passing sensor 231 uses an inductive proximity switch that generates a magnetic field in the detection region as a proximity switch, but is not particularly limited to this, and other types of proximity switches are used. You can do it. For example, a capacitive proximity switch that generates an electric field in the detection region may be used as the passing sensor 231, or an ultrasonic proximity switch that generates an ultrasonic wave in the detection region may be used. In addition, a photoelectric proximity switch that detects a game medal by reflection or shading of visible or invisible light may be used, and a magnetic flux when a game medal approaches by a combination of a magnetic detection element and a magnet. A magnetic proximity switch that detects changes by using changes may be used. For example, when a photoelectric proximity switch is used, the light emitted from the light sensor emitting part that emits light and the light reflected from the reflecting plate (not shown) attached to the fixed plate 251 side are reflected. And an optical sensor light receiving unit for receiving light. It is possible to detect a state in which this light is blocked when a game medal passes between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 or when the game medal is clogged.

Further, the passing sensor 231 is not limited to a proximity switch (sensor) that can be detected without directly touching the game medal that is the detection target as described above. It is also possible to use a contact type detection type contact sensor that detects by direct contact.
Here, although not specifically shown, the passage sensor 231 is provided at a position slightly shifted in the width direction from the center of the passage width of the passage portion 65, so that a plurality of circular game medals pass in a continuous state. However, the detection signal of the passage sensor 231 always repeats a certain waveform. Therefore, by monitoring this waveform in the control unit of the medal lending machine 2, an abnormality in medal transfer can be detected. For example, when the passage sensor 231 continues to detect game medals, it is assumed that game medals are jammed inside the passage portion 65. In such a case, it is preferable to issue an alarm or the like for pressing the clog release button 260 to cancel the clogging of medals.

  On the other hand, if the passing sensor 231 does not detect a game medal for a certain time or more, the medal feeding device 40 depends on whether all the inserted game medals have been sent, or whether a medal clogging has occurred inside the transport device 50 or the like. One of the cases where the game medal is not sent out or the movable plate 250 is movable and is out of the detection range of the passage sensor 231 is assumed. Therefore, in such a case, the driving motor 55 of the conveying device 50 is set to stop driving or the rotation of the belt 53 is reversed. In such a case, control is performed so that the drive motor 55 is not driven even if the belt operation switch 273 is turned ON.

(Protrusion 252)
The protruding portion forms the bottom of the passage portion 65, and the game medal sandwiched between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 on the protruding portion 252 rolls toward the side transfer passage 12. Is formed.
(Cover member 61)
The cover member 61 is rotatable about a hinge 63 below the cover member 61 and covers the front surface of the passage portion 65.
The hinge 63 (FIG. 8) can pivotally support the cover member 61 and the base member 62 in a rotatable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, there is provided locking means 290 for locking the cover member 61 to the base member 62 side so that both the cover member 61 and the base member 62 are not opened. ing. As shown in FIG. 8, the locking means 290 is positioned on the lower surface side of the main body cover 30 above the anchor claw-shaped locking portion 291 provided on the upper back side of the cover member 61 and the insertion port introduction path 60. Thus, an anchor claw-like portion of the locking portion 291 is formed from a non-locking portion 292 that can be locked. As shown in FIG. 7, the engaging portion 291 has an insertion piece opening 294 that opens near the center in the width direction. And this latching | locking part 291 is formed from soft resin, and is formed so that elastic deformation is possible.

On the clogging release button 260 (described later) of the cover member 61, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. A hole 293 is formed. By inserting a strip plate-like insertion piece such as a key or a rod-like screwdriver into this locking release hole 293, this insertion piece pushes the upper surface of the above-mentioned insertion piece opening 294 downward. As a result, the inserted insertion piece elastically deforms the locking portion 291 downward, and the anchor claw-shaped locking portion 291 is disengaged from the non-locking portion 292. As a result, the locked state of the locking means 290 can be released.
The hinge 63 may be formed with a spring that biases the cover member 61 toward the base member 62 in the closing direction. Thereby, it is possible to hold the cover member 61 so as to be closed during normal times. Then, the cover member 61 is opened by rotating the cover member 61 in the opposite direction to the base member 62, that is, the front side against the urging force of the spring. This allows the player to resolve the clogging without calling the store clerk when a trouble such as a game medal clogging occurs inside the passage portion 65. After opening the cover member 61 and taking out the packed game medals, the cover member 61 automatically rotates around the hinge 63 and returns to the closed state.

The cover member 61 includes a visible portion 210 that allows the passage portion 65 to be visually recognized from the player side. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 7, the visible portion 210 is a plurality of slit-like through holes that penetrate the front and back of the cover member 61. It is formed so that the passage part 65 can be seen. As shown in FIG. 10, the position and shape of the visible portion 210 of the cover member 61 are clearly shown from what is drawn on the external front view of the passage portion 65. The elongated direction of the shape is formed along the moving direction of the game medal in the passage portion 65. Thereby, the movement of the game medal can be followed with a line of sight.
In the present embodiment, the visible portion 210 is formed in a long hole slit shape, but is not particularly limited thereto. Specifically, the cover member 61 corresponding to the front side of the passage portion 65 is formed of a transparent member such as glass or transparent resin, or a large number of small holes are formed. And the effect can be obtained.

A clogging release button 260 for moving the movable plate 250 is formed on the upper portion of the cover member 61.
In the lower part of the cover member 61, a clogged medal discharge port 68 opening downward is formed. This clogged medal outlet 68 is opened to move the movable plate 250 when the clogging release button 260 is pressed and to discharge the game medals clogged between the movable plate 250 and the fixed plate 251 to the outside. It is.
(Clogging release button 260)
The clog release button 260 pushes the upper part of the movable plate 250 to rotate the movable plate 250 when the game medals are jammed in the passage portion 65, and removes the game medals jammed in the passage portion 65 below the clogged medal. It is for discharging from the outlet 68.

(Light emitting unit 220)
The light emitting section 220 is located inside the insertion port introduction path 60 and is formed at a position where the passage section 65 visible from the visible section 210 can be irradiated as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the light emitting unit 220 is composed of an LED fixed to the base member 62, and can emit light of two colors, red and blue. The light emitting unit 220 emits blue light when the transfer unit 200 is operated, and the emitted light is formed so as to be visible from the visible unit 210. From the visible portion 210, the game medal passing through the passage portion 65 is visible from the player side. Thus, the player can clearly see the game medal passing through the passage portion 65 inside the cover member 61 in a bright state.

  The light emitting unit 220 is configured to emit light with a light emission color different from a light emission color during normal operation in which a medal clogging is not detected when a medal clogging is detected by the clogging detection means. Specifically, when the proximity switch of the passage sensor 231 detects the movement of the game medal, the game medal is not clogged and is passing normally, and the light emitting unit 220 emits light in blue. It is formed as follows. And when the proximity switch of the passage sensor 231 detects that the state where the game medal exists continuously, the game medal is jammed at the location of the passage sensor 231 due to some trouble. The light emitting unit 220 is formed to emit red light.

  (Closing means 300) The clogging means 300 is for rejecting the acceptance of game medals by closing the acceptance slot 48, as shown in FIGS. The closing means 300 accepts the collective throwing device 3 when replenishing the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 via the collective throwing device 3. The input section 48 can be closed. The closing means 300 is set to operate according to a control signal from the drive control means 280. When it is determined that the current state is a game medal replenishment state to the slot machine 1, the drive control means 280 operates to close the closing means 300.

The closing means 300 closes the accepting and throwing unit 48 during the supply of game medals, and prevents the player from mistakenly throwing the game medal as a condition for starting the game into the accepting and throwing unit 48. Is for.
Specifically, the closing means 300 is provided on the main body cover 30 adjacent to the receiving input portion 48 at the upper part of the medal feeder 40. The closing means 300 is formed so as to block the batch loading opening 31 of the main body cover 30 and at the same time block the receiving and loading portion 48 leading to the batch loading opening 31. The blocking means 300 includes a columnar blocking solenoid 311 formed on the main body cover 30 adjacent to the receiving input portion 48, a rod-shaped blocking advance / retreat rod 312 that moves forward and backward in response to a control signal input from the blocking solenoid 311, A rectangular plate-shaped closing shutter 310 that is fixed to the back side of the closing advance / retreat rod 312 and matches the shape of the opening of the receiving input portion 48 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the closing means 300 is not in operation, the closing advance / retreat rod 312 enters the inside of the closing solenoid 311, and the closing shutter 310 is also moved from the batch closing opening 31 and the receiving closing portion 48. It will be out of place. In such a case, the accepting / inserting unit 48 is in an open state, and a state where a game medal can be inserted is possible. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, when the closing means 300 is in operation, the closing advance / retreat rod 312 protrudes from the closing solenoid 311 toward the back side, and the closing shutter 310 has the collective opening 31 and It will be in the state which covers the whole surface of the acceptance insertion part 48. FIG. In such a case, the accepting / inserting unit 48 is in a closed state, and the gaming medal cannot be inserted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the game medal from being erroneously inserted from the receiving input unit 48 during the supply of the game medal.

(Transfer of game medals)
Next, a game medal transfer process in the game medal supply system 7 having the above-described configuration will be described.
First, when the amount stored in the medal tank 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (D position), an empty signal is output. After the error warning, the passage cover means 420 performs various processes such as the passage cover plate 421 popping out from the storage opening hole 422 to cover the side transfer passage 12 and the medal slot 10. A predetermined supply signal is generated. Thereafter, a replenishment preparation process before replenishing game medals from the lending storage unit 25 is performed, and residual medals are discharged. Specifically, in the replenishment preparation process, the closing shutter 310 is closed by the closing means 300, and the receiving input unit 48 is closed. Further, the opening / closing plate 82 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), the belt 53 rotates in the reverse rotation direction, and the game medal inserted by the player as a condition for starting the game remains on the belt 53. In such a case, the remaining game medals are discharged to the medal tray 90.

After these replenishment preparation processes are completed, the belt 53 starts rotating in the normal rotation direction (the black arrow rotation direction in FIG. 1), and game medals are thrown into the medal storage section 44 from the lending storage section 25 via the payout passage 42. And stored in the medal storage unit 44.
When the belt 53 starts to move, the game medals riding on the upper surface of the rear part of the belt 53 move forward, and the medals stored above the drag medals are also dragged, dive below the movement adjustment valve 43 and return to the medal return unit 45. Move to. Here, since the movement adjustment valve 43 does not rotate forward (toward the medal return part) by contacting the stopper 43C, the game medals stored in the upper part of the medal storage part 44 are immediately returned to the medal return part. 45 can prevent snow crumble.

Among the game medals transferred forward by the belt 53, the game medals on the upper surface of the belt 53 pass through the feeding gap 54 between the belt 53 and the lower surface of the reverse rotation roller 52, and the medals are discharged one by one. Transferred to section 47. On the other hand, the game medals overlying the belt 53 are brought into contact with the reverse rotation roller 52 and caught by the stirring groove 58 provided in the reverse rotation roller 52, and are kicked back by the medal return portion 45 at the upper rear part. Since the reverse roller 52 rotates at a higher speed than the roller 51, it is possible to kick out a game medal efficiently.
Here, if the amount of game medals staying in the medal return portion 45 is large, it may hinder kicking backward by the reverse rotation roller 52, and there is a possibility that medals are jammed in the delivery gap 54. However, since the movement adjustment valve 43 is pivotably attached to the rear (medal storage part side), the game medals in the medal return part 45 flow backward to the medal storage part 44 and above the medal return part 45. A space is formed. Thereby, the game medal is kicked out smoothly by the reverse rotation roller 52.

The game medals sent out from the transfer unit 200 (the transport device 50) are discharged from the medal discharge unit 47, enter the medal receiving port 67 while being guided by the curved portion 62A of the insertion port introduction path 60, and pass through the passage unit 65. It is discharged from the discharge port 66. Since the medal discharge port 66 is aligned with the side transfer passage 12 of the medal insertion port 10 of the slot machine 1, the game medal passes through the side transfer passage 12 of the slot machine 1 and passes through the medal insertion port of the slot machine 1. It is thrown into 10 upper throwing openings 11.
Game medals supplied from the medal slot 10 pass through the medal selector 6. During the supply of the game medals, the medal selector 6 does not count the passing game medals as the game medals that are input as a game start condition. Accordingly, the medal tank 5 is inserted as it is without adding credits or the like.

When the storage amount detection means 400 of the medal tank 5 detects that the upper limit position of the storage amount of game medals has reached the A position of the A position detection sensor 411, the rental storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 Stop sending game medals to replenish medals. After a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses from the stop timing, the rotation of the belt 53 is stopped and the replenishment of game medals is completed.
As described above, according to this embodiment, in order to replenish game medals to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1, the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 are inserted by the batch insertion device 3. The slot 10 can be easily replenished with game medals. Further, since the batch adjustment device 43 is provided with the movement adjusting valve 43, it is difficult for medal clogging to occur inside the medal feeding device 40, and even when a medal clogging occurs when ejecting from the medal feeding device 40, it is clogged. By pressing the release button 260 and opening the movable plate 250 downward, the medal clogging can be easily eliminated. Since the discharge mechanism 80 and the medal removal tray 90 are provided, the remaining medals and foreign matters in the medal feeder 40 can be easily removed. Furthermore, since the agitating groove 58 is formed in the reverse rotation roller 52 of the transport device, game medals staying inside the transport device 50 can be sent out efficiently, and medal clogging can be prevented.

(Drive control means 280)
The drive control means 280 is configured to rotate the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200 of the batch loading device 3 based on the input of the replenishment request signal and the replenishment signal, or on the operation of the belt operation switch 273, and the discharge mechanism 80. This is for controlling the opening / closing of the opening / closing hole 85, the closing means 300 and the like. The drive control means 280 can be operated based on a predetermined timer mechanism disposed therein or an input / output result of the judgment control circuit, and is a rectangular contact sensor as a belt operation switch 273 by the player. The belt 53 of the transfer unit 200 is made operable by contact with 275.

Further, the drive control means 280 is formed to start the transfer by the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200 in response to the input of the banknote detection signal from the banknote sensor 24. That is, when a banknote detection signal is input from the banknote sensor 24, the drive control means 280 is configured to start rotation of the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200.
Further, the drive control means 280 is predetermined to drop the game medals in the medal storage unit 44 to the medal tray 90 via the cancel passage 49 before supplying the game medals in the lending storage unit 25 to the medal tank 5. The opening / closing plate 82 is opened using the discharge mechanism 80 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).

Further, the drive control means 280 prevents the opening / closing plate 82 from being opened when the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 are supplied to the slot machine 1. Specifically, the drive control means 280 always keeps the opening / closing plate 82 closed while inputting a replenishment signal D described later.
The drive control means 280 outputs a control signal to the closing means 300 when the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 are replenished to the medal tank 5, and the closing advance / retreat rod 312 of the closing solenoid 311 is moved to the back side. A receiving shutter 48 is formed so as to be closed by the closing shutter 310. The drive control means 280 is configured to return the closing shutter 310 to the original state and return the receiving input unit 48 to the open state when the output of the replenishment signal D is stopped.

(Operation of Game Medal Supply System 7)
The operation of the replenishment system 7 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The flow of FIGS. 15 to 17 relates to the automatic supply of game medals using the supply signal automatic generation means 441 of the supply system 7, and the manual supply of game medals using the supply signal manual generation means 442. Omitted.
The control of the slot machine 1 related to the game medal supply system 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step 120, it is determined whether or not an empty signal has been generated based on detection by the storage amount detection means 400 of the medal tank 5. If it is determined that an empty signal is generated, the process proceeds to the next step 121.

In step 121, an empty error is warned by a notification device such as a liquid crystal, a lamp, or a speaker provided on the front side of the slot machine 1. Then, the sensor located inside the medal selector 6 and detecting the insertion of the game medal is turned off. Thereby, even if a game medal is inserted for replenishment, it is not counted as a game medal inserted as a condition for starting the game. The sensor may be maintained in an ON state so that a game medal inserted by internal control is not counted as a game medal as a game start condition.
Then, the blocker inside the medal selector 6 is turned on to refuse the insertion of the game medal. When this medal selector 6 is turned on, even if a game medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 10, it is paid out to the lower plate 15 without being guided to the medal tank 5. As a result, a game medal that is erroneously inserted can be paid out to the lower plate 15.

Then, by the passage cover means 420, the passage cover plate 421 protrudes toward the front side from the storage opening hole 422 and covers the side transfer passage 12 and the like.
Then, the control device of the slot machine 1 generates a supply signal A as a supply request signal and outputs the supply signal A to the medal lending machine 2. The replenishment signal A is generated by the control device of the slot machine 1, but may be generated by the storage amount detection means 400 or generated by another generation means other than the storage amount detection means 400. You may make it let it. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 122.
In step 122, it is determined whether or not the supply start signal B output from the medal lending machine 2 in step 142 of FIG. If it is determined that the supply start signal B is input, the process proceeds to the next step 123.

In step 123, the blocker of the medal selector 6 is turned off, and the game medal inserted into the medal selector 6 is transferred to the medal tank 5 instead of the lower plate 15. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 124.
In step 124, it is determined whether or not the medal tank 5 is full. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the upper limit of the storage amount of the medal tank 5 has reached the A position where the A position detection sensor 411 is located. If it is determined that the medal tank 5 is full, the process proceeds to the next step 125.
In step 125, a supply end signal C is generated, and this supply end signal C is output to the medal lending machine 2. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 126.

In step 126, it is determined whether or not a replenishing signal D output from the medal lending machine 2 in step 143 of FIG. If it is determined that the replenishment signal D is not being generated, the process proceeds to the next step 127.
In step 127, a sensor for detecting insertion of a game medal of the medal selector 6 is turned on. Then, the empty error is canceled and various warnings are terminated. Then, the passage cover plate 421 of the passage cover means 420 is housed behind the housing opening hole 422. Then, the control of the slot machine 1 in the supply system 7 ends.
If it is determined in step 120 that no empty signal has been generated, the process returns to step 120.

If it is determined in step 122 that the replenishment start signal B is not input, the process returns to step 122.
If it is determined in step 124 that the medal tank 5 is not full, the process returns to step 124.
If it is determined in step 126 that the replenishment signal D is being generated, the process returns to step 126.
Next, the control of the medal lending machine 2 of the game medal supply system 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step 140, it is determined whether or not the replenishment signal A output in step 121 of FIG. If it is determined that the replenishment signal A is input, the process proceeds to the next step 141.
In step 141, a replenishment preparation process is performed. When the replenishment preparation process ends, the process proceeds to the next step 142.
In step 142, a supply start signal B is output to the slot machine 1. Then, the process proceeds to next Step 143.
In step 143, the conveying belt 53 is rotated forward (in the direction of black arrow in FIG. 1). Then, a replenishment signal D is output to the slot machine 1. Then, the process proceeds to next Step 144.

In step 144, it is determined whether or not the supply end signal C output in step 125 of FIG. If it is determined that the supply end signal C is input, the process proceeds to the next step 145.
In step 145, it is determined whether or not the transport of the game medals in the transfer unit 200 has been completed. Specifically, during the rotation of the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200, the game medals are determined on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the passage sensor 231 no longer detects the passage of the game medals. It is determined that the conveyance has been completed. Then, when it is determined that the transport of the game medal in the transfer unit 200 is finished, the process proceeds to the next step 146.

In step 146, the rotation drive of the belt 53 of the transfer unit 200 is stopped. Then, the output of the replenishment signal D to the slot machine 1 is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to next Step 147.
In step 147, the closing shutter 310 is opened, and the receiving input unit 48 is opened. Then, the control of the medal lending machine 2 in the replenishment system 7 ends.
If it is determined in step 140 that the replenishment signal A is not input, the process returns to step 140.
If it is determined in step 144 that the replenishment end signal C has not been input, the process returns to step 144.

If it is determined in step 145 that the transfer of the game medal in the transfer unit 200 has not been completed, the process returns to the step before step 145.
The replenishment preparation process in step 141 of FIG. 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step 170, the receiving input unit 48 is closed with the closing shutter 310. Specifically, the closing shutter 310 of the closing means 300 moves above the receiving input unit 48 to place the receiving input unit 48 in a closed state. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 171.
In step 171, the shutter (not shown) of the bill insertion slot 21 is closed, and bill insertion from the bill insertion slot 21 is prohibited. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 172.

In step 172, it is determined whether or not the transfer process of game medals remaining in the transfer unit 200 has been completed. Specifically, during the rotational driving of the belt 53, the game medals in the transfer unit 200 are subject to the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the passage sensor 231 stops detecting any game medals. Whether or not the transfer process has ended is determined. In other words, for 10 seconds after the passage sensor 231 detects a game medal, the rotation of the belt 53 is continued on the assumption that there is a remaining game medal. If it is determined that the remaining medal transfer process is completed, the process proceeds to the next step 173.
In step 173, game medal discharge processing is performed. Specifically, the open / close plate 82 is opened by the solenoid 81 of the discharge mechanism 80, and the game medals remaining in the medal storage unit 44 are dropped onto the medal tray 90 via the cancel passage 49. During the game medal discharging process, the belt 53 performs reverse rotation (rotation in the direction opposite to the black arrow in FIG. 1). Then, when a predetermined time elapses (for example, 10 seconds), the game medal discharging process is completed, the opening / closing plate 82 is closed by the solenoid 81, and the reverse rotation of the belt 53 is also stopped. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 174.

In step 174, it is determined whether or not the remaining game medals have been discharged. Specifically, as in step 172, if the next game medal is not detected for 10 seconds after the passage sensor 231 detects the game medal, it is assumed that the discharge of the game medal in the transfer unit 200 is completed. Determined. If a game medal has been discharged, it is determined that the discharge has been completed if no next game medal is detected for 10 seconds after the passage sensor 231 detects the discharge. When it is determined that the game medals remaining in the transfer unit 200 have been discharged, the replenishment preparation process ends.
If it is determined in step 172 that the remaining medal transfer process has not ended, the process returns to step 172.

If it is determined in step 174 that the discharging of game medals remaining in the transfer unit 200 has not been completed, the process returns to step 174.
(Function)
In the replenishment system 7 of this embodiment, when the storage amount of game medals stored in the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the storage amount detection means 400 detects this and generates an empty signal. Then, the slot machine 1 outputs a replenishment request signal for requesting correction to the medal lending machine 2. The medal lending machine 2 that has input the replenishment request signal and the predetermined replenishment signal inputs the game medal stored in the lending storage unit 25 to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 via the transfer unit 200. Replenish.

  This replenishment system 7 transfers game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 from the medal discharge port 66 of the medal lending machine 2 to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 via the transfer unit 200. Can be replenished. For this reason, game medals can be replenished smoothly into the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 without opening the lower door, the upper door, or the special opening / closing door on the front side. It can be carried out. In this way, game medals can be replenished without opening any door on the slot machine 1 side, and the risk that the internal parts of the slot machine 1 are exposed to fraud can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to supply game medals to the medal tank 5 without opening any doors of the slot machine 1. Therefore, in order to replenish game medals, the player does not have to move his body from the front of the slot machine 1 to remove the seat or open the place, and the player is sitting in the seat. Even if it remains as it is, the door etc. cannot be opened, so the risk of being exposed to fraud can be reduced.

Note that the empty signal is output directly to the medal lending machine 2 only by the generation of the empty signal without inputting the supply signal (the supply signal A as the supply request signal or the supply start signal B as the supply signal). Thus, even if it is set to replenish game medals, the above-described functions and effects can be achieved.
The medal lending machine 2 receives the supply request signal from the slot machine 1 (specifically, the supply signal A in step 121 in FIG. 15) and receives a predetermined supply signal (specifically, the step in FIG. 15). When the supply start signal B) 122 is input, the game medals stored in the lending storage unit 25 are supplied to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 via the transfer unit 200. Therefore, the medal lending machine 2 does not replenish the medal tank 5 from the lending storage unit 25 unless a replenishment signal is input in addition to the replenishment request signal. As a result, it is possible to prevent replenishment from being performed only when the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 falls below a predetermined amount and a replenishment request signal is output. In other words, when the player is playing, it is possible to prevent replenishment from being started immediately when the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 falls below the predetermined amount. It is possible to avoid the start of replenishment when it is inconvenient if replenishment is started immediately, such as when the machine 2 is not ready for replenishment.

In this embodiment, the predetermined supply signal is set to the supply start signal B output in step 142. Since the supply start signal B is output on condition that the replenishment preparation process shown in FIG. 17 has been completed, the receiving input unit 48 is closed by the closing shutter 310 so that a new game medal cannot be inserted. The game medal remaining in the transfer unit 200 has been discharged through a process such as opening the opening / closing plate 82 and dropping the remaining medal to the medal tray 90 via the cancel passage 49. become. Therefore, even if the player is in the middle of the game, the game medal can be replenished without any problem.
In this embodiment, in the replenishment preparation process, before the game medals in the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 are replenished to the slot machine 1, the opening / closing plate 82 located between the medal storage unit 44 and the cancel passage 49 is opened. Thereby, the game medals remaining in the medal storage unit 44 can be dropped to the medal tray 90 via the cancel passage 49. Thereby, even when the game medals that are being played remain in the medal storage unit 44 when the player refills the medal tank 5 in the middle of the game, The game medals remaining in the medal storage unit 44 can be discharged from the cancel passage 49 to the medal tray 90. As a result, the game medals remaining in the medal storage unit 44 and used for the game can be reliably separated from the game medals to be supplied to the medal tank 5, and the confusion between them can be avoided.

In this embodiment, when game medals are replenished from the medal lending unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1, the game medals inserted from the medal slot 10 for replenishment are used as the conditions for starting the game. As a game medal, do not count. Thereby, the count of game medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 10 can be handled separately for the game medals inserted as a game start condition and the game medals for replenishment to the medal tank 5.
In this embodiment, when the game medals are supplied from the lending storage unit 25 to the slot machine 1, the closing unit 300 closes the receiving and inserting unit 48. Thereby, even if the player inserts a game medal as a condition for starting the game from the accepting input unit 48 during the supply of the game medal, the inserted game medal does not enter the medal storage unit 44, It is possible to avoid mixing game medals for replenishment with game medals as game start conditions.

In this embodiment, when the game medals are replenished from the lending storage unit 25 of the medal lending machine 2 to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1, the opening / closing plate 82 is made unopenable, so that the replenishment game medals are It is possible to prevent the medal tray 90 from falling through 49. As a result, it is possible to prevent the replenishment game medals from reaching the player's hand.
In the present embodiment, even when a player or the like is picking up a game medal passing through the side transfer passage 12 and acquiring it as his own game medal while the game medal is being supplied, the passage cover plate 421 of the passage cover means 420 is used. Protrudes toward the front side and covers the top of the medal slot 10 and the side transfer passage 12 and cannot hold the game medal being supplied. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a game medal being supplied from being stolen by a player or the like. Further, since the game medals being replenished can be blocked from the outside by the passage cover plate 421, it is possible to replenish stably and reliably without being obstructed from the outside. It should be noted that, instead of the passage cover plate 421, the rotation cover plate 432 of the passage cover means 420 shown in FIG.

In addition, when replenishing game medals from the lending storage unit 25 to the medal tank 5, if credits that can be credited in advance up to 50 in the slot machine 1 remain, even during replenishment It may be set so that a normal game can be performed. Specifically, while receiving the replenishing signal D, the empty error is canceled, and the input to the operation unit 16 such as the start switch and the stop switch is validated. A game can be performed. In this case, the game can be performed within the credit range even during replenishment.
(Other forms)
In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration, operation, and effect of the above-described embodiment, a manual operation for replenishment of game medals can be performed by the player's own convenience. A game stored in the lending storage unit 25 by a manual operation when at least one of the slot machine 1 or the medal lending machine 2 has a predetermined amount of game medals stored in the medal tank 5. A manual replenishing means 450 capable of replenishing medals to the medal tank 5 of the slot machine 1 via the transfer unit 200 is provided. Specifically, a manual replenishment switch 451 is provided as manual replenishment means 450 as shown by the dotted line at the bottom of the medal lending machine 2 in FIG. When the player depresses the manual supply switch 451 as the manual supply means 450, when the upper limit of the storage amount of the medal tank 5 is between the B position and the D position in FIG. Game medals are replenished from the lending storage unit 25 to the medal tank 5 through the transfer unit 200 up to the position. In other words, in the above-described form, when the stored amount of the medal tank 5 is equal to or lower than the D position, an empty signal is generated and replenishment is possible. The height is higher than the D position and is manually operated without generating an empty signal. The specific control procedure is, instead of “Is an empty signal generated?” In step 120 of the flow of FIG. 15 in the flow of FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. Is the manual replenishment switch 451 depressed while the amount stored in the medal tank 5 is within a predetermined range? In step 120, it is determined whether or not the manual replenishment switch 451 is depressed when the medal storage amount in the medal tank 5 is between the B position and the D position in FIG. . Then, there are no empty error warning and cancellation items in FIG. 15. Specifically, in step 121, there is no “empty error warning”, and in step 127, there is no “empty error cancellation”. It is. The other flow steps are the same as those shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17.

  In this embodiment, the manual supply switch 451 as the manual supply means 450 is provided, so that when the stored amount of game medals in the medal tank 5 is within a predetermined range, the player can freely play the game medals by manual operation. Can be replenished. Thereby, the player can replenish the medal tank 5 at his own convenience in accordance with the tone and rhythm of his game content. Therefore, when the player's own game content is in good condition, it is avoided by his own operation that the medal in the medal tank 5 falls below a predetermined amount and the game is suddenly interrupted by replenishment of medals. The game can be advantageously advanced in accordance with the player's own convenience.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which is a form of this invention and shows a batch loading apparatus. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a slot machine and a medal lending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a batch insertion device and a medal insertion slot according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the vicinity of a batch loading device in a state in which the passage cover plate is extended to the near side according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which is a form of this invention and shows a medal feeder. It is a form of the present invention, and is a longitudinal section perspective view showing a medal feeder. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a partial exploded perspective view which shows the state which opened the cover member of the medal feeder. It is a form of the present invention, and is a partial longitudinal section showing the state where the cover member of the medal feeder is opened. It is a form of the present invention, and is a partial longitudinal section showing the state where the opening and closing plate of the medal feeder is opened. It is an external appearance front view which is a form of this invention and shows a channel | path part. It is a form of the present invention, and is an appearance perspective view showing an acceptance slot. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which is a form of this invention and shows a medal tank. It is a form of the present invention, and is a longitudinal section showing the state where the blocking means of the medal feeder is opened. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which is the form of this invention and shows the state which closed the closure means of the medal feeder. It is a form of the present invention, and is a flow showing control relating to medal supply of the slot machine. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a flow which shows the control regarding medal supply of a medal lending machine. It is a form which is the form of this invention, and shows the supply preparation process of a medal lending machine. It is another form of this invention, Comprising: It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which used the rotation cover board for the passage cover means.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 2 medal lending machine
3 Batch input device 4 Lending input port
5 Medal tank 6 Medal selector
7 Supply system 10 Medal slot
11 Upper opening 12 Side transfer passage
13 Front door 14 Symbol display window
15 Lower pan 16 Operating section
20 Outer box 21 Bill slot
22 Bill counter 23 Lending medal dispensing device
24 Bill sensor 25 Lending storage part
26 Lending medal tank 27 Lending disk
30 Main unit cover 31 Collective opening
32 Overhang section 40 Medal feeder
41 Body block 42 Dispensing passage
43 Movement adjustment valve 43A Rotating plate
43B Support part 43C Stopper
44 Medal storage 45 Medal return
46 pin 47 medal ejector
48 Acceptance input part 49 Cancel passage
50 Conveyor 51 Roller
51A Front roller 51B Back roller
52 Reverse roller 53 Belt
54 Delivery gap 55 Drive motor
56 Transmission means 58 Stirring groove
60 Inlet introduction path 61 Cover member
62 Base member 62A Curved part
63 Hinge 65 Passage
66 Medals outlet 67 Medals receiver
68 Clogged medal outlet 80 Discharge mechanism
81 Solenoid 82 Open / close plate
83 Movable shaft 84 Fixed shaft
85 Opening and closing hole 90 Medal tray
93 Discharge storage 95 Plate hinge
100 Divider 200 Transfer section
210 Visible part 220 Light emitting part
230 Clogging detection means 231 Passing sensor
240 Rotation display 241 Blue light emitting part
242 Red light emitting unit 250 Movable plate
251 Fixed plate 252 Projection
253 Movable plate rotating shaft 260 Clogging release button
271 Drop hole 272 Standing part
273 Belt actuation switch 274 U-shaped contact sensor
275 Rectangular contact sensor 280 Drive control means
290 Locking means 291 Locking part
292 Non-locking part 293 Unlocking hole
294 Insert piece opening 300 Blocking means
310 Block shutter 311 Block solenoid
312 Block advance / retreat rod 400 Storage amount detection means
410 detection sensor 411 A position detection sensor
412 B position detection sensor 413 C position detection sensor
414 D position detection sensor 415 K position detection sensor
420 Passage cover means 421 Passage cover plate
422 Storage opening 431 Rotary solenoid
432 Rotating cover plate 440 Supply signal generating means
441 Supply signal automatic generation means 442 Supply signal manual generation means
443 Keyhole 450 Manual supply means
451 Manual refill switch

Claims (8)

Slot machines that can be played on condition that game medals are inserted,
A game medal replenishment system comprising a medal lending machine that lends a game medal adjacent to the slot machine and capable of replenishing a game medal from the medal lending machine to the slot machine,
The medal lending machine
A lending slot capable of inserting game medals for replenishing the slot machine,
A lending storage unit for storing game medals inserted from the lending slot;
A batch loading device capable of batch loading game medals into the slot machine;
The batch loading device is:
An acceptance input unit that can input game medals in a batch;
A medal storage unit for temporarily storing game medals inserted from the receiving input unit and game medals transferred from the lending storage unit;
A transfer unit for transferring game medals stored in the medal storage unit;
A medal discharge port for discharging game medals from the transfer unit and inserting them into the slot machine;
The slot machine includes a medal tank for storing game medals,
The medal tank includes a storage amount detecting means for detecting that a storage amount of game medals stored therein has become a predetermined amount or less,
The storage amount detection means is formed to be able to generate an empty signal when the storage amount of game medals becomes a predetermined amount or less,
The slot machine is configured to be able to output a supply request signal for requesting supply of game medals to the medal lending machine due to the occurrence of the empty signal,
When the medal lending machine receives the replenishment request signal output from the slot machine, the game medals stored in the lending storage unit are transferred to the medal tank of the slot machine via the transfer unit. A game medal supply system characterized by being configured to be replenishable. Replenishment for replenishing the slot machine with game medals stored in the lending storage section of the medal lending machine on condition that at least one of the slot machine or the medal lending machine satisfies a predetermined condition Comprising replenishment signal generating means capable of generating a signal;
When the medal lending machine inputs the replenishment request signal and detects the occurrence of the replenishment signal, the game medal stored in the lending storage unit is replenished to the slot machine via the transfer unit. The game medal supply system according to claim 1, wherein the game medal supply system is configured to be possible. The batch loading device is:
A cancellation path that allows the game medals in the medal storage part to fall toward the lower side of the medal storage part,
An opening / closing plate that is located between the medal storage part and the cancellation passage and is capable of opening and closing the cancellation passage;
A medal tray that is positioned below the cancellation passage and receives a game medal that has fallen through the cancellation passage;
Before the game medals in the lending storage unit of the medal lending machine are replenished to the slot machine, the game medals in the medal storage unit are dropped to the medal tray through the cancellation passage by opening the opening / closing plate. 3. A game medal supply system according to claim 1, wherein the game medal supply system is configured as described above. The slot machine is
A medal insertion slot that opens to the front of the game and can accept game medals,
A medal selector that is located inside the medal slot, discriminates the inserted game medals, and counts regular game medals as game start conditions;
The medal selector is
When a game medal stored in the lending storage part of the medal lending machine is replenished to the slot machine, a game medal inserted from the medal slot for replenishment is used as a game medal as a game start condition. The game medal supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game medal supply system is not counted. The medal lending machine includes a closing unit that closes the receiving input unit and refuses to accept a game medal,
When the gaming medals stored in the lending storage unit of the medal lending machine are replenished to the slot machine, the receiving and closing unit of the batch loading device is blocked by the closing unit. The game medal supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   4. The game medal replenishment system according to claim 3, wherein the medal lending machine makes the opening / closing plate unopenable when replenishing the slot machine with game medals stored in the lending storage unit. The slot machine is
A medal slot for inserting a game medal as a game start condition and a game medal for replenishing the medal tank;
A side transfer passage for guiding game medals discharged from the medal discharge port of the medal lending machine to the medal insertion port;
A passage cover means capable of covering the medal slot and the side transfer passage during replenishment of the game medal to the medal tank;
7. The passage cover means is formed so as to be able to replenish game medals into a medal tank in a state of covering the medal slot and the side transfer passage. The game medal supply system according to any one of the above. At least one of the slot machine and the medal lending machine has a game that is stored in the lending storage unit by a manual operation when the storage amount of game medals stored in the medal tank is within a predetermined range. The game medal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising manual supply means capable of supplying medals to the medal tank of the slot machine through the transfer unit. Supply system.

Images