Inter-machine

Abstract

To provide an inter-stand machine comprising a display unit which can be easily viewed or a panel which can be operated easily, without entering a dead angle of a player even when the inter-stand machine is installed at a depth part of a Pachinko machine from a front face, and suppressing hindrance to bill transport.SOLUTION: An inter-stand machine is coupled to a bill transport unit, and comprises: a movement main body part which can move at least a part of a device main body to a player side, and the movement main body part can be electrified even in a state of being moved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermediate machine installed between pachinko machines and performing processes such as lending out pachinko balls.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among intermediate machines installed between pachinko machines and performing processes such as lending out pachinko balls, some have a liquid crystal display unit. In the intermediate machine described in Patent Document 1, the orientation of the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit can be changed in the left - right direction so that a player can adjust the position to easily view the liquid crystal display unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in recent years, pachinko machines have begun to include movable parts not only on the game board but also on the frame of the machine, and some machines now have frames that bulge significantly forward. In Patent Document 1, the pachinko machine and the inter-machine unit are positioned on approximately the same plane when viewed horizontally, but this is only possible because the front of the pachinko machine is relatively flat. In the case of pachinko machines with frames that bulge significantly forward, the bulge on the front door of the pachinko machine and the inter-machine unit interfere with each other when the door is opened. To avoid this interference, the only option is to install the inter-machine unit in a recessed position when viewed from the front, but in that case, the display unit is placed in the player's blind spot by the bulge on the front door of the pachinko machine, and the player has to lean in to see the display contents (see Figure 6). Also, if the inter-machine unit is installed in a recessed position, the player has to reach further back to operate the necessary switches. In this regard, it is conceivable to configure the inter-machine unit to be movable to a position closer to the player, but as shown in Figure 3, the inter-machine unit is connected to the banknote transport device via a connector, so it is not easy to move it back and forth. In light of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an inter-machine machine that, even when installed behind the pachinko machine when viewed from the front, does not enter the player's blind spot, is equipped with an easily visible display unit or an easy-to-operate control panel, and does not interfere with the transport of banknotes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inter-table machine of the present invention comprises at least the following components. A machine connected to a banknote transport device, The device includes a movable body section, at least a part of the main body, which the player can move toward the player, and the movable body section can perform exactly the same operations and functions whether it is moved toward the player or not. Furthermore, the mobile body is a device portion located at least in the middle of the vertical direction, and includes a card slot but does not include a banknote slot. It is characterized by the following: Furthermore, the inter-table machine of the present invention may have at least the following configurations. The inter-machine machine connected to a banknote transport device is equipped with a movable main body that allows the player to move at least a part of the main body toward the player, and the movable main body can perform exactly the same operations and functions whether it is moved toward the player or not, and the movable main body is at least a part of the device located in the middle in the vertical direction, and although it includes a card slot, it does not include a banknote slot, so that even when the inter-machine machine is installed behind the pachinko machine when viewed from the front, it does not enter the player's blind spot and is easy to see and operate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an inter-machine machine and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a left side view of an inter-machine machine and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the island structure of a gaming arcade where inter-machine machines and pachinko machines according to the present invention are arranged. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged front view of the display unit of an inter-table machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of an inter-machine machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, a corresponding pachinko machine, and an adjacent pachinko machine, showing the front door of the adjacent pachinko machine in an open state. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of an inter-machine machine and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a left side view of an inter-machine machine and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the movable main body moved toward the player. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of an inter-machine machine and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the mobile main body has been moved toward the player. [Figure 9] This is a conceptual diagram showing the movement mechanism and electrical connection structure of a machine between units according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a front view of a machine-to-machine inter-machine unit and a corresponding pachinko machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the following drawings are conceptual diagrams created for illustrative purposes and do not necessarily represent the exact embodiments in which the invention is implemented.

[0008] (Overall configuration of the prerequisite inter-machine system) Figure 1 is a front view of a machine-to-machine inter-machine unit and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a left side view of a machine-to-machine inter-machine unit and a corresponding pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, a machine-to-machine inter-machine unit 2, called a "sand," is installed in a one-to-one correspondence with a pachinko machine 1. The inter-machine 2 is equipped with a banknote slot 22 above, a display unit 21 in the middle, and a card slot 23 below. A banknote identification unit is housed inside the section corresponding to the banknote slot 22, and the downstream part of this banknote identification unit is connected to the island equipment which will be described below.

[0009] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a structure called an "island" where multiple gaming machines are installed. Island 100 is equipped with a banknote transport device A, a banknote collection safe B, an inter-machine connection device C, etc., as equipment to enable the pachinko machines 1 and inter-machine machines 2 to function effectively. On one island 100, there are two rows of multiple pachinko machines 1 and inter-machine machines 2 arranged alternately back to back, and the banknote transport device A is installed along the rows between these two rows. Banknotes inserted into the inter-machine machines 2 are sent to the banknote transport device A, which then transports them to the banknote collection safe B installed on the end plate that forms the downstream end of island 100, where the banknotes are collected while necessary processing and identification are performed. While the inter-machine machines 2 are in operation, the connection between the inter-machine machines 2 and the inter-machine connection device C must be maintained, so the inter-machine machines 2 cannot be moved. The inter-machine machines 2 are moved only during maintenance.

[0010] Inside the section corresponding to the card slot 23 at the bottom of the inter-machine unit 2 is a card reader / writer unit that reads or writes information from inserted prepaid cards or membership cards. In addition, a control unit and a card stocker are housed in the remaining space inside the inter-machine unit 2. The control unit communicates with a host computer installed in the amusement parlor and with the pachinko machine 1 for which it is responsible for lending out gaming media, via a relay board (not shown).

[0011] At an intermediate position between the bill insertion slot 22 and the card insertion slot 23, a display unit 21 composed of a liquid crystal display unit is provided. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the display unit 21. The display unit 21 is rotatable left and right about a vertical axis, and the player P can arbitrarily adjust the orientation of the display unit 21 so that it is at an angle position that is easy for the player to view. The display unit 21 displays the lending information and operating state of the pedestal machine 2, displays the operating state of the pachinko machine 1, and performs display for effects in cooperation with the pachinko machine 1. Further, the display unit 21 also displays television images, advertisement images, etc. distributed from a host computer. The display unit 21 is provided with three switches: a lending switch 23A for receiving a lending of a gaming medium, a replay switch 23B for performing a replay using stored balls, and a return switch 23C for returning a card. Instead of these three switches, the display unit 21 may be configured as a touch panel so that various operations can be performed.

[0012] In such a pedestal machine 2, when a lending operation is performed, a signal is sent to the pachinko machine 1 via a relay board. Upon receiving the signal, the pachinko machine 1 lends out pachinko balls from its own prize ball payout device. For this reason, the pedestal machine 2 does not have a mechanism for paying out pachinko balls itself.

[0013] Incidentally, on the front surface of the pedestal unit 2, there are provided a cylinder key (not shown) for releasing the lock when pulling out the entire housing of the pedestal unit 2 forward to the maximum extent, and a hook portion (not shown) for facilitating the pulling out when pulling out the entire housing forward. These cylinder key and hook portion are not used during normal use of the pedestal unit 2, and are only used during maintenance of the pedestal unit 2 or when collecting paper money. And when the entire housing is pulled out, as will be described later, since the power line is configured to be structurally disconnected, the pedestal unit 2 is in a state where it cannot operate. Further, the cylinder key and hook portion (both not shown) of the present embodiment are for allowing a store clerk or the like, who is a person related to the amusement hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, to perform an unlocking operation to hook a pulling jig (not shown) and pull out the entire housing forward and the like.

[0014] (Characteristic configuration of the present invention) The characteristic configuration of the pedestal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention can be well understood by referring to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pedestal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, the corresponding pachinko machine, and the adjacent pachinko machine, showing a state where the front door of the adjacent pachinko machine is open. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pedestal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention and the corresponding pachinko machine. FIG. 7 is a left side view of the pedestal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention and the corresponding pachinko machine, showing a state where the moving main body portion is moved to the player side. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the pedestal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention and the corresponding pachinko machine, showing a state where the moving main body portion is moved to the player side.

[0015] As shown in Figure 5, the display unit 21 and the inter-machine unit 2 are positioned sufficiently recessed relative to the corresponding pachinko machine 1 and adjacent pachinko machines 1. Therefore, if the display unit 21 is oriented completely horizontally relative to the inter-machine unit 2, it will not interfere with the bulge on the front door of the pachinko machine 1, even if the front door is opened. On the other hand, with such a display unit 21, even if the display unit 21 is oriented vertically relative to the inter-machine unit 2, as shown in Figure 6, the blind spot created by the bulge on the front door of the pachinko machine prevents the player P from fully confirming the display content without peering into the display unit. At first glance, the blind spot area in Figure 6 may appear to be larger, but the foremost part of the pachinko machine 1 shown in Figure 6 is the upper and lower ends, which protrude the furthest forward, while the display unit 21 is positioned at approximately the midpoint of this height (see Figure 2). Therefore, the blind spot area can be considered to be roughly within the range shown.

[0016] If the inter-machine unit 2 only served to display rental information and operating status, this arrangement would probably function to some extent. However, as already mentioned, the inter-machine unit 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention also displays the operating status of the pachinko machine 1 and displays performance-related information in conjunction with the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, if the display unit 21 cannot be seen during gameplay, it will not be fulfilling its desired function.

[0017] To address this issue, the inter-machine machine 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention is structured so that at least the device portion located in the middle in the vertical direction moves toward the player. This does not mean that only parts such as operating switches can move, but that the entire device body is movable. In Figure 7, a portion of the device body is pulled forward by the area indicated by the hatching. Since the display unit 21 is provided in this portion, when it is pulled out, as shown in Figure 8, there is no blind spot, and the player P can fully see the display screen of the display unit 21 even while playing. This pulling operation is performed by grasping a knob (not shown) provided on the front of the inter-machine machine 2 and pulling it out manually. Alternatively, by providing sensors or a drive mechanism, a portion of the device body may be configured to automatically move forward. For example, a sensor is provided in the corresponding pachinko machine 1 or seat to detect when a player P is seated, and the device is configured to move forward only when it detects that a player P is seated and the door sensor of the adjacent pachinko machine 1 detects that the door is closed.

[0018] When the display unit 21 is pulled out, attempting to open the front door of the adjacent pachinko machine 1 will cause it to interfere with the inter-machine unit 2. Therefore, when opening the door, the display unit 21 should be pushed in. For automatic control, if the unlocking operation of the adjacent pachinko machine 1 is detected, this will be an indication that the door will open, so it is convenient to configure the device so that a part of the main body automatically moves to the rear.

[0019] (The present invention: a mobile mechanism and an electrical connection structure) Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram for understanding the movement mechanism and electrical connection structure of the inter-unit machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is intended to explain the mechanism and structure, and should be noted that the positional relationships of the components shown in Figures 1 and 2 may not necessarily be consistent.

[0020] As shown in Figure 9, even if the cylinder lock is not unlocked, the mobile unit can be pulled out from the housing, which is fixed to the holder, until a stopper on the top plate of the mobile unit abuts against the wall inside the housing. Furthermore, since the mobile unit and the main unit connector are connected by a flexible cable, power can be supplied to the mobile unit even when it is pulled out.

[0021] On the other hand, the entire casing cannot be pulled out of the holder unless the cylinder lock is unlocked. When the entire casing is pulled out of the holder, the main unit connection connector shown in Figure 9 is disconnected from the holder connection connector, thus interrupting the power line of the inter-unit 2.

[0022] Even with conventional inter-machine machines, a part of the main body could be pulled out, but this operation only occurred during maintenance or card retrieval, and naturally, power was not supplied to the inter-machine machine 2 at that time. On the other hand, in the present invention, power can be supplied to the display unit 21, etc., as long as a part of the device is pulled out. This feature can be understood as succinctly representing the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, with the present invention, a part of the main body of the device can be moved toward the player without performing an unlocking operation, and the present invention can also be understood from this perspective.

[0023] (Another example) Figure 10 is a front view of a machine-to-machine device and a corresponding pachinko machine according to another embodiment. Three switches are provided in the middle of the front of the machine-to-machine device 2: a lending switch 23A for receiving game media, a replay switch 23B for replaying using stored balls, and a return switch 23C for returning cards. This machine-to-machine device 2 does not have an LCD screen for displaying effects, etc., and is only equipped with pilot lamps for confirming lending operations, etc. However, even in this configuration, moving the device body towards the player makes it easier for the player P to perform various operations, so there is still significant value in applying the present invention.

[0024] Although the inter-table machines according to embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0025] 1... Pachinko machine 2……Inter-stand machine 21... Display Unit 22……Banknote slot 23...Card slot 23A... Loan switch 23B... Replay Switch 23C...Return switch 100...Island A... Banknote transport device B... Banknote collection vault C... Inter-machine connection device

Claims

1. A machine connected to a banknote transport device, The device includes a movable main body that allows the player to move at least a part of the main body towards the player, The aforementioned mobile unit can perform exactly the same operations and functions whether it is moving toward the player or not, and The aforementioned mobile body is a device portion located at least midway in the vertical direction, and includes a card slot but does not include a banknote slot. A machine with the following characteristics.

2. A machine connected to a banknote transport device, The device includes a movable main body that allows the player to move at least a part of the main body towards the player, The aforementioned mobile unit can perform exactly the same operations and functions whether it is moving toward the player or not, and The aforementioned mobile body is a device portion located at least in the middle in the vertical direction, and includes a card slot but does not include a banknote slot. Furthermore, even when the inter-machine machines are installed behind the pachinko machines when viewed from the front, they are designed so as not to be in the player's blind spot, and so as to be easily visible and operable. A machine with the following characteristics.

3. The mobile body has a display unit. The inter-machine machine according to feature 1 or 2.

4. The display unit is capable of changing the orientation of its display screen in the left-right direction. The inter-unit machine according to feature 3.

5. The mobile body has an operation panel. A machine for use between machines as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images