JP2015202297A - Token detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a token detector capable of producing natural movements of enclosed tokens.SOLUTION: Respective enclosed tokens M held by both token movably holding bodies 110 and 120 in inner token passages 111 and 121 in which the tokens can go round in the enclosed state, are driven by feed rollers 114 and 124 rotatingly driven by a drive part 130, and move in the token passages 111 and 121. Further, an enclosed token M passing through a prescribed detection position P set at the token passages 111 and 121 is detected by the respective sensors 115 and 125, then, a token detection signal is output, and the number of times when the enclosed token M passes through the detection position P is counted by each token counter part on the basis of the token detection signal. Therefore, different from the conventional configuration, the respective enclosed tokens M slidingly move the token passages 111 and 121, and the movements of the respective enclosed tokens M are natural. This configuration can thus provide an insertion/putout device 100 capable of producing the natural movements of the respective enclosed tokens M.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal detection device provided in a slot machine that performs pseudo insertion and pseudo payout using an enclosed medal.

  Conventionally, in order to eliminate the hassle of inserting medals for each game, up to a predetermined number (for example, 50) of medals is inserted in advance into the medal insertion slot, and the number of inserted medals is stored in a storage means such as a memory. The medal insertion operation is performed by storing medals in the body as data (credit medals), and setting the number of bets by pulling a predetermined number of data from the number of credit medals stored in the storage means by button operation. There has been provided a slot machine having a credit function that allows a player to play a game. However, when using the credit function, it is possible to save time and effort to insert a medal into the medal slot for each game. When a medal is lent from the medal lending machine, one medal is inserted into the medal slot. There is a problem that it is troublesome because it must be put in one by one.

  In order to solve this problem, a method of adding the number of credit medals stored in the storage means directly with a signal from a medal lending machine into which cash is inserted or a prepaid card is inserted can be considered. However, due to legal restrictions, slot machine games must be played through medals, so this method cannot be actually used.

  Therefore, the following medal detection devices have been proposed. That is, for example, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, a medal detection device including a disk-shaped medal holding means in which three concave portions for holding medals are formed at equal intervals on one main surface in the casing. Is arranged. And a medal is arrange | positioned at each recessed part, and three medals are hold | maintained by a medal holding means. In addition, each medal held by the medal holding means is enclosed in each recess so that it cannot be taken out (hereinafter, the medal enclosed in the casing of the slot machine is referred to as “enclosed medal”). .

  Further, the medal holding means is configured to be rotationally driven by a driving means such as a pulse motor with the disk-shaped center as a rotation center. Then, when the disk-shaped medal holding means is rotationally driven by the driving means, each enclosed medal held in each recess of the medal holding means moves so as to pass through a predetermined path set in a circumferential shape. In addition, a medal detection sensor is arranged at a predetermined position on a predetermined path through which each enclosing medal passes, and the enclosing medal passing through the predetermined position is detected by the sensor.

  When cash is inserted into the medal lending machine or when a prepaid card is inserted, a signal corresponding to the amount of money is output from the medal lending machine to the driving means of the slot machine, and the medal holding means by the driving means Is driven to rotate. Then, the number of times each sealed medal held by the medal holding means passes the predetermined position where the sensor is arranged is added to the number of credit medals stored in the storage means. Therefore, since the enclosed medal moving along the predetermined route is directly detected by the sensor and the number of credit medals is added, the statutory condition that the game is played through the medal is satisfied and the medal is inserted when storing the medal. Can be eliminated.

  In the above-described credit function of the slot machine, it is possible to play a game without using a medal by pulling a predetermined number of pieces of data from the number of credit medals stored in the storage means by a button operation. Therefore, the upper limit number (for example, 50) of the number of credit medals that can be stored by the storage unit is strictly limited by law and the number of medals exceeding the upper limit number of credit medals is paid out by winning. On the other hand, the surplus medals are paid out to the slot machine tray. Therefore, the slot machine described above is configured so that a game can be performed even if one medal is inserted into the medal slot, so that the player can play using the paid-out medal. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-279012 (Claim 1, paragraphs 0012 to 0019, FIGS. 1 to 6, abstract, etc.).

  In recent years, with the aim of reducing the annoyance of medal insertion, improving security such as countering counterfeit medals, and preventing fraud related to medals, There is a need for a so-called enclosed slot machine that allows a player to play without touching any medals. In the enclosed slot machine, for example, a game is performed as follows. That is, in an enclosing type slot machine, the number of times that each enclosing medal held by the medal holding means passes a predetermined position where the sensor is arranged using the medal detecting device as described above is pseudo-insertion or pseudo-payout. It is counted as the number of medals awarded.

  Specifically, using a medal detection device, when a predetermined condition is satisfied by performing pseudo insertion using an enclosed medal in a housing, a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of symbols arranged start to rotate. . Then, each rotary reel is stopped by operating the stop switch, and pseudo payout using the enclosed medal is performed using the above-described medal detection device according to the display result of the stop symbol.

  By the way, in the conventional slot machine described above, a player inserts a medal into an insertion slot, performs a game, and wins a medal when the player wins. This enhances the player's interest and increases interest in the game. It was one of the reasons why I could keep the person holding it. However, in the enclosing type slot machine, the player cannot directly touch the medal, so an effect using the enclosing medal has been proposed in order to enhance the interest of the player. For example, the following effects using the disk-shaped medal holding means of the medal detection device provided in the above-described conventional slot machine have been proposed.

  That is, when pseudo insertion or pseudo payout is performed, the disk-shaped medal holding means is rotationally driven by the driving means, but each medal held in each recess of the medal holding means is set to be circumferential. An effect has been proposed in which a player is shown to move along a predetermined route. With this effect, the player can actually see how the enclosed medal moves so as to pass through the predetermined route, so that the player can experience that the medal has been pseudo-inserted or pseudo-paid out. Can enhance interest in

  On the other hand, however, the enclosed medal is held by the disk-shaped medal holding means, and the enclosed medal held by the medal holding means is rotated together with the medal holding means when the medal holding means is rotated by the driving means. Since it moves, the movement of the enclosed medal is unnatural and there is a need for improvement in technology.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medal detection device capable of producing a natural movement of an enclosed medal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the medal detection device according to the present invention rotates a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of symbols arranged when a predetermined condition is satisfied by performing pseudo insertion using an enclosed medal. In a medal detection device provided in a slot machine that starts and stops each rotary reel by operating a stop switch and performs pseudo payout using the enclosed medal according to the display result of the stop symbol, at least one encapsulated medal A medal holder that holds the internal medal passage that can be circulated in a sealed state, drive control means that drives the sealed medal to move the medal passage, and a predetermined set in the medal passage A medal detection means for detecting the enclosed medal passing through the detection position and outputting a medal detection signal; It is characterized in that it comprises a medal counting means for counting the number of times the encapsulation medal has passed (claim 1).

  Further, the medal passage has two longitudinal passage portions arranged in parallel, and the enclosed medal driven by the drive control means moves upward in one longitudinal passage portion and the other longitudinal portion. It is preferable that the medal detection means detects the sealed medal passing through the detection position set in the other vertical passage portion by dropping the passage portion downward and moving the medal passage in one direction. (Claim 2).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one encapsulated medal held by the medal holder in an encapsulated state so as to be able to move in an internal medal path that can make a round is driven by the drive control means to move in the medal path. To do. In addition, the enclosing medal that passes a predetermined detection position set in the medal passage is detected by the medal detecting means and a medal detection signal is output, and the medal counting means indicates the number of times the enclosing medal has passed through the detection position from the medal detection signal. Is counted. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration described above, since the enclosing medal moves in the medal passage, the medal detecting apparatus can provide a natural movement of the enclosing medal and the natural movement of the enclosing medal can be provided.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the medal passage has two longitudinal passage portions arranged in parallel, and the enclosed medal driven by the drive control means moves upward in one longitudinal passage portion and the other The vertical path portion of the sword is dropped downward to move the medal path in one direction. Then, the medal detection means detects a sealed medal that passes the detection position set in the other vertical passage portion. Therefore, by showing the player the enclosed medal that falls in the other vertical passage portion, it is possible to produce an effect using the enclosed medal that moves more naturally.

It is a figure showing a slot machine system provided with an enclosing type slot machine concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a slot machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a front view of a charging / dispensing device. It is a figure which shows the medal holder for pseudo | simulation insertion with which an insertion / dispensing apparatus is equipped, Comprising: (a) is a front view, (b) is the sectional view on the AA line of (a), (c) is (a). It is BB sectional view taken on the line. It is a state transition diagram showing the state of each part when a game is played in the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows a rental / return process. It is a flowchart which shows a rental / return process. It is a flowchart which shows a main control process. It is a flowchart which shows a main control process. It is a flowchart which shows a maximum bet process. It is a flowchart which shows a bet process. It is a flowchart which shows an input adjustment process. It is a flowchart which shows a payout process. It is a figure for demonstrating the insertion and withdrawal apparatus with which the slot machine concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention is provided, Comprising: (a) is a front view, (b) is a bottom view. It is a front view for demonstrating the modification (1) of a charging / discharging apparatus. It is a front view for demonstrating the modification (2) of a charging / discharging apparatus. It is a figure which shows a slot machine system provided with the enclosure-type slot machine concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Slot machine system)
First, the slot machine system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a view showing a slot machine system including a sealed slot machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine system includes a sealed slot machine 1 and a medal lending unit 200. In the slot machine 1, a bet is set and a game is executed by pseudo-inserting a medal lent to a player in the form of number data from the medal lending unit 200.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the slot machine system, the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used in the game is held in the medal lending unit 200. Then, as will be described in detail later, when medals are pseudo inserted into the slot machine 1 and a predetermined number of bets are set, the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the medal lending unit 200 The number-of-sheets data for a predetermined number of bets is subtracted from the number-of-sheets data. When a predetermined payout number of medals is given as a predetermined profit from the slot machine 1 to the player by winning, in this embodiment, instead of paying out medals, the medal lending unit 200 Is added to the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the game, and the medals are virtually paid out to the player. In the following, first, the medal lending unit 200 will be described in detail, and then the slot machine 1 will be described in detail.

(Medal rental unit)
As shown in FIG. 1, the medal lending unit 200 lends medals that can be used in a game to a player in the form of the number data, and includes a medal number display device 210, a cash balance display device 211, a medal card device 220, A cash card device 230 and a unit control device 240 are provided.

  The medal number display device 210 displays the number of medals that can be used in the game based on the number data held in the unit control device 240. The medal number display device 210 is composed of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs (not shown) or a liquid crystal display (not shown).

  The cash balance display device 211 displays the balance of cash inserted into the medal lending unit 200 (cash card device 230) for borrowing medals. The cash balance display device 211 is composed of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs (not shown) or a liquid crystal display (not shown).

  The medal card device 220 is for discharging a medal card (not shown) formed by an IC card or the like, and records medal number data on the medal card. When the medal number data is recorded on the medal card, the medal number may be displayed on the surface of the medal card so that the medal number based on the recorded number data can be visually recognized.

  The cash card device 230 is for inserting cash such as banknotes or borrowing a cash card (not shown) formed by an IC card or the like to borrow a medal from the medal lending unit 200. Detected cash or cash cards. The cash card is used for recording the balance of cash input to the cash card device 230 for borrowing medals, and a plurality of unrecorded cash cards are built in the cash card device 230 in advance.

  Then, when cash is inserted into the cash card device 230 in order to start a game, the inserted amount is recorded on one of a plurality of unrecorded cash cards, so that a medal can be lent out. It becomes possible. When medals are lent out, the amount of lent medal is subtracted from the amount recorded on the cash card. Thereafter, when further cash is inserted into the cash card device 230, the amount inserted into the cash card is added.

  Further, when a cash card in which an amount usable for borrowing a medal is recorded instead of cash is inserted into the cash card device 230, a medal can be lent out. When medals are lent out, the amount of lent medal is subtracted from the amount recorded on the cash card. Thereafter, when further cash is inserted into the cash card device 230, the amount inserted into the cash card is added. In addition, when the balance is recorded on the cash card when the game is finished, the cash card is returned to the player.

  The unit control device 240 controls the entire medal lending unit 200, and when cash is inserted into the cash card device 230, or a cash card in which an amount that can be used for borrowing a medal is recorded is inserted. In this case, medals are lent out to the player in the form of number data. Further, when the player finishes the game in the slot machine 1, if the number of medals that can be used in the game still remains, the unit control device 240 sends the number data relating to the remaining number of medals to the medal card device 220. It is recorded on the inserted medal card. The unit control device 240 includes a data holding unit 241, a lending unit 242, a subtracting unit 243, an adding unit 244, and a returning unit 245.

  The data holding means 241 holds the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used in the game.

  The lending unit 242 lends out a medal that can be used in the game to the player in the form of a number data by holding the number data of a predetermined lending number in the data holding unit 241. Further, when medals are lent to the player (slot machine 1) by the lending means 242, a lending fee corresponding to a predetermined lending number (for example, 50) is inserted into the cash card device 230. Is subtracted from the amount recorded on the cash card. In the present embodiment, the output of the lending switch sensor 12a is mounted on the relay board of the slot machine 1 by operating the lending switch 12 mounted on the slot machine 1 (see FIG. 2). When input to the medal lending unit 200 via an I / O port (not shown), the lending means 242 lends medals to the player in the form of number data.

  The subtracting means 243 subtracts from the data holding means 241 the number-of-sheets data corresponding to the pseudo number of medals inserted into the slot machine 1. Further, the adding means 244 adds the number data of the medals from the slot machine 1 to the data holding means 241. Note that the number data regarding the pseudo inserted number and the pseudo payout number is output from the slot machine 1 to the medal lending unit 200.

  The return means 245 returns the medals to the player in the form of the number data by recording the number data relating to the number of medals usable for the game held in the data holding means 241 on the medal card. When the return means 245 returns the medal to the player in the form of the number data, the number data held in the data holding means 241 is initialized. In this embodiment, the output of the return switch sensor 13a is mounted on the relay board of the slot machine 1 by operating the return switch 13 mounted on the slot machine 1 (see FIG. 2). When input to the medal lending unit 200 via an I / O port (not shown), the return means 245 returns medals to the player in the form of number data. If the balance is recorded on the cash card, the cash card is returned to the player together with the medal card.

(Slot machine)
An outline of the configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 while also referring to FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine.

  In the enclosed slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the pseudo insertion of medals using the enclosed medals in the housing in order to establish a predetermined condition for starting the game by operating the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8. Is done. Further, when the player operates the start switch 9 on condition that a predetermined number of bets are set by pseudo insertion of medals and a predetermined condition is satisfied, a plurality of symbols each having a plurality of symbols arranged therein are arranged. The rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R start to rotate. Further, if the stop symbol display result when each of the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R is stopped by the operation of each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R is a predetermined winning mode, medals for a predetermined predetermined number of payouts. When the pseudo payout is performed using the enclosed medal in the housing, one game is completed.

  The slot machine 1 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, in this slot machine 1, the front surface of the box-shaped housing whose front surface is opened is closed by the front panel 2 so that it can be opened and closed, and the operation plate 3 is disposed at a substantially central height position of the front panel 2. In addition, a front plate 4 is disposed above the operation plate 3. The front plate 4 is provided with a horizontally-long rectangular display window 5. Inside the display window 5, left, middle and right rotating reels 6L, 6M and 6R for variably displaying a plurality of kinds of symbols in a predetermined order are arranged.

  A predetermined number of symbols are provided in a predetermined arrangement on the peripheral surfaces of the left, middle and right rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R. The plurality of symbols provided on the peripheral surfaces of the left, middle, and right rotating reels 6L, 6M, and 6R include a plurality of different types of symbols. Each rotary reel 6L, 6M, 6R is formed by affixing a reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols are printed on the peripheral surface of the rotary reel. When each rotating reel 6L, 6M, 6R rotates, a plurality of types of symbols provided on the peripheral surfaces of each rotating reel 6L, 6M, 6R are variably displayed on the display window 5 in a predetermined order. Further, when the rotation of each of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R is stopped, a total of three symbols, one for each of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display window 5, are provided for each of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R. It is set to be displayed. That is, when all the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R are stopped, a total of nine symbols arranged in three columns and three rows are stopped and displayed on the display window 5.

  In addition, each rotary reel 6L, 6M, 6R is connected to a motor for a rotary reel constituted by a stepping motor so that each rotary reel 6L, 6M, 6R can be driven to rotate independently. In addition, a support frame that supports each of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, and 6R is fixed to a rear wall in the housing, and each of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, and 6R is supported by the support frame and is installed in the housing. It is arranged.

  The operation plate 3 is provided with a bet switch 7, a maximum bet switch 8, a lever-shaped start switch 9, and left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R. The bet switch 7 is used to instruct the insertion / withdrawal device 100 described later to pseudo-insert one medal from the number data held in the data holding unit 241 of the medal lending unit 200. The maximum bet switch 8 is set to a maximum insertion number per game (game) (specified number: 3) from the number data held in the data holding means 241 of the medal lending unit 200 in the later-described insertion / dispensing device 100. Is for instructing the pseudo insertion of medals). The bet switch 7 and the maximum bet switch 8 are effective when the number of medals indicated by the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding unit 241 of the medal lending unit 200 is one or more. It is set to be In addition, when the maximum bet switch 8 is operated, if the number of medals indicated by the number data held in the data holding means 241 is less than a prescribed number (for example, 3), the player is allowed to lend medals. A notification for prompting may be performed, or a game may be performed with a predetermined number less than a prescribed number (for example, three).

  The start switch 9 rotates each of the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R and starts variable display of each symbol. The left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R stop the variable display of each symbol by stopping the rotation of the left / middle / right rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R, respectively. Note that the start switch 9 is set to be activated when a predetermined number of medals are pseudo-inserted by an insertion / dispensing device 100 described later. Further, the left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R are configured to rotate at a constant speed after a predetermined acceleration period has elapsed in the respective reels 6L, 6M, and 6R that have started rotating by the operation of the start switch 9. It is set to be activated later.

  Further, the operation panel 3 is provided with a settlement switch 11, a rental switch 12, and a return switch 13. The settlement switch 11 causes the adding / dispensing device 100, which will be described later, to perform a pseudo payout of medals for the number of pseudo-inserts, thereby causing the adding means 244 of the medal lending unit 200 to provide the number of pieces of data for the pseudo-inserts. Is added to the data holding means 241 and returned to the medal lending unit 200 to initialize the bet number once set. The lending switch 12 is for causing the medal lending unit 200 to lend medals by causing the lending means 242 of the medal lending unit 200 to add data for a predetermined number of sheets to the data holding means 241. The return switch 13 causes the return means 245 of the medal lending unit to record the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding means 241 on the medal card inserted in the medal card device 220. The medal lending unit 200 causes the player to return medals in the form of number data. If the balance is recorded on the cash card inserted into the cash card device 230 when the return switch 13 is operated, the cash card is returned to the player together with the medal card.

  The settlement switch 11 is set to be activated when the number of medals inserted is one or more. In the present embodiment, three types of betting numbers (predetermined number) necessary for one game (one game) are set to 1, 2, and 3. In addition, a variable display row for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is formed by each of the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R, and each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R is provided on each of the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R. Correspondingly provided.

  In addition, a video or the like is displayed in the approximate center above the front plate 4 to notify the player of winning or winning, or to provide an effect of notifying the operation mode of each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R. A liquid crystal display 14 is provided. The liquid crystal display 14 includes a liquid crystal control board 14a (see FIG. 3) provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) drive circuit, and various images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 by being driven by the liquid crystal control board 14a. The

  In addition, a loading / dispensing device 100 is disposed adjacent to the left side of the liquid crystal display 14 as viewed in the drawing. The configuration of the input / output device 100 will be described later in detail.

  In addition, on the left and right above the front plate 4 are provided upper speakers 15 for performing effects such as music and voice. In addition, a lower panel 18 on which a decorative image or the like is displayed is provided below the operation panel 3, and lower speakers 16 are provided on the left and right of the lower panel 18 for performing effects such as music and voice. Yes.

  Further, an upper lamp portion 21 is provided on the upper peripheral portion of the front panel 2, and lower lamp portions 22 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower panel 18 of the front panel 2. Each of the lamp units 21 and 22 includes light emitting elements such as a light emitting diode and an organic EL, and a general light bulb, and performs effects such as notifying a player of winning and winning.

(Outline of electrical configuration of slot machine)
An outline of the electrical configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 while also referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine.

  The bet switch 7, the maximum bet switch 8, the stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, the settlement switch 11, the lending switch 12, and the return switch 13 are each arranged inside a button-like operation unit and an operation unit and operated by a player. And a sensor for detecting a detection piece that moves in accordance with the operation of the unit. That is, the bet switch 7 includes a bet switch sensor 7a, the maximum bet switch 8 includes a maximum bet switch sensor 8a, and the left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R are for left / middle / right stop switches, respectively. Sensors 10La, 10Ma, and 10Ra are provided. Further, the settlement switch 11 includes a settlement switch sensor 11a, the lending switch 12 includes a lending switch sensor 12a, and the return switch 13 includes a return switch sensor 13a.

  In addition, the button-like operation unit is constantly biased by a spring in a direction opposite to the pressing direction of the operation unit by the player so that the sensor does not detect the detection piece when the button is not operated by the player. . When the operation unit of each button-like switch such as a “bet switch” having a button-like operation unit is pushed in by the player, the operation state of each button-like switch such as the “bet switch” becomes a pressed state. Further, the detection piece moves as the player pushes the operation unit, and the detected detection piece is detected by the sensor. After that, when the player releases his / her hand and the pressing state of each button-like switch such as “Bet Switch” is released, the button-like operation part is moved back to the initial position by the biasing force of the spring. Since the piece is not detected by the sensor, the detection state of the detection piece by the sensor is released.

  The start switch 9 includes a lever-like operation unit and a start switch sensor 9a that detects a detection piece that moves in accordance with the operation of the operation unit by the player. The start switch 9 is substantially the same as the button switch such as the “bet switch” described above except for the relationship between the operation state of the lever-like operation unit by the player and the detection state of the detection piece by the start switch sensor 9a. It has the composition of.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the lever-like operation portion of the start switch 9 is pushed downward by the player, the operation state with respect to the start switch 9 becomes a pressed state. Then, the detection piece moves as the player pushes the lever-shaped operation unit, and the detected detection piece is no longer detected by the start switch sensor 9a, and the detection state of the detection piece by the start switch sensor 9a is released. The After that, when the player releases his / her hand, the pressing state of the start switch 9 is released, and the lever-like operation portion is returned to the initial position by the biasing force of the spring, so that the detection piece is the start switch sensor 9a. Is detected.

  The relationship between each sensor and the detection piece is not limited to the above example. That is, the relationship between each sensor and the detection piece is such that when the operation unit provided in each switch is operated by the player, the detection state of the detection piece by the sensor is different from that when the operation unit is in the initial position. I just need it. If it does in this way, it can detect that the operation part of each switch was operated by the player. Therefore, the relationship between the sensor and the detection piece can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, in the slot machine 1, a main control board 32 on which a main CPU 31 that controls at least the progress of the game is mounted, and effects are controlled in accordance with the progress of the game based on information transmitted from the main control board 32. A sub control board 42 on which the sub CPU 41 is mounted is provided separately, and various data are transmitted from the main control board 32 to the sub control board 42 in one-way in a command format.

  The RAM 33 of the main control board 32 temporarily stores data related to the game of the slot machine 1, and various storage areas for storing various data such as the number data relating to the pseudo insertion number and the pseudo payout number are provided in the RAM 33. Formed. The ROM 34 of the main control board 32 stores various data in advance, and stores a game machine program (a program for the slot machine 1) including preset data such as a lottery table. Therefore, the game machine program stored in the ROM 34 is executed by the CPU 31 to realize various functions on the main control board 32.

  Further, the main CPU 31 of the main control board 32 has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and executes a game machine program stored in the ROM 34 to perform processing related to the progress of the game. In addition, the main CPU 31 stores main data such as data relating to a lottery result in a winning lottery process by a lottery means 60 (see FIG. 1), which will be described later, and data relating to operation of an operating instrument operated by a player such as the bet switches 7 and 8. Various data indicating information relating to the progress of the game on the control board 32 and the operation status of the switches and sensors are transmitted to the sub CPU 41 of the sub control board 42 in a command format.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the number data relating to the number of medals pseudo-inserted into the slot machine 1 and the number data relating to the number of medals pseudo-paid out from the slot machine 1 by driving an insertion / dispensing device 100 described later. Then, it is output from the main control board 32 to the medal lending unit 200 via an I / O port (not shown). In the medal lending unit 200, the subtracting means 243 subtracts the number data of the pseudo inserted number from the data holding means 241 based on the number data regarding the pseudo inserted number output from the main control board 32, and Based on the number data relating to the output pseudo payout number, the adding means 244 adds the number data corresponding to the pseudo payout number to the data holding means 241.

  It should be noted that at the timing of timer interrupt processing executed in the main CPU 31 approximately every 1.8 milliseconds, various data are command-formatted from the main control board 32 via the I / O port and the sub control board 42 and medal lending. Transmitted to the unit 200. In the present embodiment, the outputs of the lending switch sensor 12a and the return switch sensor 13a are output to the medal lending unit 200 without passing through the main control board 32. However, after the outputs of the lending switch sensor 12a and the return switch sensor 13a are once input to the main control board 32, the operation of the lending switch 12 and the payout switch 13 from the main control board 32 via the I / O port. The data related to the medal lending unit 200 may be transmitted.

  The RAM 43 of the sub-control board 42 temporarily stores various data, and various storage areas for storing various data are formed in the RAM 43. The ROM 44 of the sub-control board 42 stores various data for production, various programs, and the like. Further, the sub CPU 41 of the sub control board 42 has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and various data relating to the slot machine 1 transmitted from the main CPU 31 (the lottery result in the lottery process by the lottery means 60, each stop) By executing a program stored in the ROM 44 on the basis of data relating to whether operating devices such as the switches 10L, 10M, 10R and the start switch 9 are operated, etc., it is related to a game executed for the player Determine the content of the production.

  Also, various effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 14 (liquid crystal control board 14 a), the speakers 15 and 16, and the lamp units 21 and 22 are connected to the sub control board 42 through the I / O port of the sub control board 42. It is connected to the. Then, a control signal (effect command) based on the content of the effect determined in the sub CPU 41 is output to each effect device. Then, in accordance with the effect command output from the sub control board 42, effects based on the contents determined by the sub CPU 41 are executed in each effect device.

  It should be noted that the effect command set in the output buffer of the sub control board 42 based on the content determined in the sub CPU 41 at the timing of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 41 approximately every 1.2 milliseconds. It is output from the control board 42 to each effect device via the I / O port.

(Input / output device)
The configuration of the loading / dispensing device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 while also referring to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a front view of the loading / dispensing device. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a pseudo insertion medal holder provided in the insertion / dispensing device, where FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 and 5, the front plate 101 is not shown. In FIGS. 5B and 5C, the enclosed medal M is not shown.

  The insertion / withdrawal device 100 (corresponding to the “medal detection device” of the present invention) uses the enclosed medal M to perform pseudo insertion of medals into the slot machine 1 and pseudo withdrawal of medals from the slot machine 1. It is a device. As shown in FIG. 1, the loading / dispensing device 100 is disposed on the left side of the liquid crystal display 14 of the front panel 2 so that the player can visually recognize the front plate 101 from the front side of the slot machine 1. The insertion / dispensing device 100 also includes a pseudo insertion medal holder 110 (corresponding to the “medal holder” of the present invention) and a pseudo payout medal holder 120 (corresponding to the “medal holder” of the present invention). ing. Each of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 and the pseudo payout medal holder 120 can move through the internal medal passages 111 and 121 where at least one encapsulated medal M (7 in the present embodiment) can be taken. Hold in an enclosed state. Further, on the front plate 101, a pseudo-inserted medal visualizing window 102 and a so-called medal-inserted medal visualizing window 102 and so that the player can visually recognize the enclosed medal M passing (dropping) through the medal paths 111 and 121 at positions indicated by dotted lines in FIG. A pseudo payout medal viewing window 103 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 and the pseudo payout medal holder 120 is substantially the same except that the medal paths 111 and 121 are arranged so as to be substantially line symmetric in a front view. In order to provide the same configuration, in the following description, the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5C, and the pseudo payout medal holder 120 will be described. The description of the structure is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting an equivalent code | symbol.

  In the medal passage 111 of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110, the outer peripheral wall surface 111a and the inner peripheral wall surface 111b, and the outer peripheral wall surface 111a and the inner peripheral wall surface 111b, which are opposed to each other with a width that allows the outer peripheral surface of the enclosed medal M to slide and slide. And an annular bottom surface 111c disposed on the back side of the sheet of FIG. 4 and FIG. The outer peripheral wall surface 111a is disposed along the outer periphery of the annular bottom surface 111c, and the inner peripheral wall surface 111b is disposed along the inner periphery of the annular bottom surface 111c. A medal passage 111 is formed. The front side of the medal passage 111 facing the same figure is closed by a front plate 101 not shown. As a result, each enclosed medal M is held in a sealed state by the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 so that it can slide in the medal passage 111.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the medal passage 111 includes two vertical passage portions 112a and 112b extending in the vertical direction and arranged substantially in parallel, and upper ends of the two vertical passage portions 112a and 112b. The upper side passage part 112c which connects the side and the lower side passage part 112d which connects the lower end side of both the vertical passage parts 112a and 112b are provided. In addition, one vertical passage portion 112a is formed to be longer in the vertical direction than the other vertical passage portion 112b, and the upper end sides of both the vertical passage portions 112a and 112b are arranged at the same height so that the upper passage The part 112c is arranged substantially horizontally. Further, the lower passage portion 112d is disposed in an inclined state so as to form a monotonous inclination from the other end side of the other vertical passage portion 112b toward the lower end side of the one vertical passage portion 112a. .

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, two long holes extending in the vertical direction are formed on the bottom surface 111c of the lower end portion (the connecting portion with the lower passage portion 112d) of one vertical passage portion 112a. 113 are arranged in parallel. In addition, a feed roller 114 formed in a substantially cross shape in a side view is disposed in each of the long holes 113. Each of the feed rollers 114 is arranged such that the rotation shaft 114a thereof is substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction (vertical direction) of one vertical passage portion 112a, which is the moving direction of the enclosed medal M, in a front view. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, each of the two feed rollers 114 rotates the four cross-shaped tip portions 114b in order when rotating in one direction around the rotation shaft 114a. Are arranged so as to rotate in one direction while projecting to the bottom surface 111 c side through the long holes 113.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the two feed rollers 114 are connected by the rotating shaft 114a so that the phase angles about the rotating shaft 114a are substantially the same. Thereby, both the feed rollers 114 are arrange | positioned so that it may overlap in a side view. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), each of the tip end portions 114b protruding from the two long holes 113 of the both feed rollers 114 has one longitudinal passage portion 112a provided with the two long holes 113. It is provided so as to engage with the lower end edge of the enclosed medal M located at the lower end portion. In addition, each upper end side of each feed roller 114 is formed in an arc shape so that it can be reliably engaged with the lower end edge of the enclosed medal M.

  Therefore, in the right side view shown in FIG. 5B, when the double feed roller 114 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 114a, the enclosing medal M located at the lower end portion of the one vertical passage portion 112a is next. Move like. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the leading end portions 114b of the feed rollers 114 projecting from the long holes 113 are engaged with both sides of the lower edge of the enclosed medal M. Therefore, when the double feed roller 114 rotates in the clockwise direction around the rotation shaft 114a, the enclosing medal M is lifted upward by the tip end portion 114b of the double feed roller 114 that rotates, and thereby, one vertical passage portion 112a. Move upward. Further, as the enclosed medal M located at the lower end portion of the one vertical passage portion 112a moves upward, it is connected to the vertical passage portion 112a above the enclosed medal M and the upper end side of the vertical passage portion 112a. The enclosing medals M closely arranged in the upper passage portion 112c sequentially move in one direction (counterclockwise direction toward the paper surface of FIG. 5A) in the medal passage 111.

  Further, each enclosing medal M sequentially moves in one direction in the medal passage 111, whereby the enclosing medal M located at the left end of the upper passage portion 112c is pushed out to the other vertical passage portion 112b, and the other vertical passage The part 112b falls downward. The encapsulated medal M that has dropped down the other vertical passage portion 112b moves along the inclination of the lower passage portion 112d, whereby the one vertical passage after the enclosed medal M is lifted by the feed roller 114. It reaches the lower end portion of the portion 112a. At this time, the enclosing medal M that falls down the other vertical passage portion 112b is visually recognized by the player by passing through the position of the pseudo inserted medal visualizing window 102 indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, since the enclosed medal M falls down the other vertical passage portion 112b at every predetermined time interval, each enclosed medal M passing through the pseudo inserted medal viewing window 102 is intermittently a player. Is visually recognized. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the enclosed medal M that has passed through the pseudo-inserted medal visualizing window 102 is pseudo-inserted into the slot machine 1. Only M is visually recognized by the player in the pseudo-inserted medal visualizing window 102. In addition, a locking portion for preventing an unexpected fall of the enclosed medal M located at the left end of the upper passage portion 112c of the medal passage 111 from the other vertical passage portion 112b due to vibration or the like is a rubber or The medal passage 111 may be formed of rubber, resin, or the like.

  An insertion sensor 115 for detecting an enclosed medal M passing through a predetermined detection position P set at a position immediately after passing through the pseudo insertion medal visual recognition window 102 of the other vertical passage portion 112b of the medal passage 111 is provided. It is arranged.

  The throwing sensor 115 has a light emitting part and a detecting part, and is normally disposed by passing an enclosed medal M that falls between the light emitting part and the detecting part through the other vertical passage part 112b. In the state, the light from the light emitting unit reaches the detection unit. Then, as each enclosed medal M moves in one direction, the enclosed medal M located at the left end of the upper passage portion 112c is pushed out to the other vertical passage portion 112b, and falls down the other vertical passage portion 112a. When the enclosed medal M passes through the position of the insertion sensor 115, the light from the light emitting unit that has reached the detection unit is blocked by the falling medal M. Therefore, since it is possible to detect that the enclosed medal M has passed between the light emitting unit and the detecting unit, the enclosed medal M passing the detection position P can be detected by the insertion sensor 115. When the inserted medal M passing the detection position P is detected by the insertion sensor 115, a medal detection signal is output from the detection unit of the insertion sensor 115 to the main control board 32.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, similarly to the pseudo insertion medal holder 110, the lower passage portion 122d, which is the lower end portion of one vertical passage portion 122a of the medal passage 121 of the pseudo payout medal holder 120, is connected. Two long holes 123 extending in the vertical direction are provided on the bottom surface 121c of the connecting portion so as to be arranged substantially in parallel. Then, in the left side view of the pseudo insertion medal holder 120 shown in FIG. 4, when the feed roller 124 provided in each of the long holes 123 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 124a, one vertical passage The enclosing medal M located at the lower end portion of the portion 122a moves as follows.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the leading ends 124b of the feed rollers 124 protruding from the long holes 123 are engaged with both sides of the lower end edge of the enclosed medal M. Therefore, when the double-feed roller 124 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 124a, the enclosed medal M is lifted upward by the leading end portion 124b of the double-feed roller 124 that rotates, and thus one vertical passage portion 122a is moved upward. Further, as the enclosed medal M positioned at the lower end portion of one vertical passage portion 122a moves upward, it is connected to the inside of the vertical passage portion 122a above the enclosed medal M and the upper end side of the vertical passage portion 122a. The enclosing medals M closely arranged in the upper passage portion 122c sequentially move in one direction (clockwise direction toward the paper surface of FIG. 4) through the medal passage 121 between the outer peripheral wall surface 121a and the inner peripheral wall surface 121b.

  Further, each enclosing medal M sequentially moves in one direction in the medal passage 121, whereby the enclosing medal M located at the right end of the upper passage portion 122c is pushed out to the other vertical passage portion 122b, and the other vertical passage The part 122b falls downward. The encapsulated medal M that has dropped down the other vertical passage portion 122b moves along the inclination of the lower passage portion 122d, so that one of the vertical passages after the enclosed medal M is lifted by the feed roller 124. It reaches the lower end portion of the portion 122a. At this time, the enclosed medal M that falls down the other vertical passage portion 122b passes through the position of the pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4 and is visually recognized by the player.

  Similar to the above-described pseudo insertion medal holder 110, in the present embodiment, the enclosed medal M drops down the other vertical passage portion 122b at every predetermined time interval, so that the pseudo payout medal viewing window is displayed. Each enclosed medal M passing through 103 is visually recognized by the player intermittently. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the enclosed medal M that has passed through the pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 is pseudo-paid out of the slot machine 1. Only M is visually recognized by the player in the pseudo payout medal viewing window 103. Further, similarly to the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 described above, it is anticipated that the enclosed medal M located at the right end of the upper passage portion 122c of the medal passage 121 will not fall into the other vertical passage portion 122b due to vibration or the like. A locking portion for preventing the falling may be formed of rubber, rubber, resin or the like and provided in the medal passage 121.

  Also, a payout sensor 125 for detecting an enclosed medal M passing through a predetermined detection position P set at a position immediately after passing through the pseudo payout medal viewing window 103 of the other vertical passage portion 122b of the medal passage 121. Is arranged.

  The payout sensor 125 has a light emitting part and a detection part, and is normally disposed by passing an enclosed medal M that falls downward between the light emitting part and the detection part through the other vertical passage part 122b. In the state, the light from the light emitting unit reaches the detection unit. Then, as each enclosed medal M moves in one direction, the enclosed medal M located at the right end of the upper passage portion 122c is pushed out to the other vertical passage portion 122b and falls down the other vertical passage portion 122a. When the enclosed medal M passes through the position of the payout sensor 125, the light of the light emitting unit that has reached the detection unit is blocked by the falling medal M. Accordingly, since it is possible to detect that the enclosed medal M has passed between the light emitting unit and the detecting unit, the enclosed medal M passing through the detection position P can be detected by the payout sensor 125. When the enclosed medal M passing the detection position P is detected by the payout sensor 125, a medal detection signal is output from the detection unit of the payout sensor 125 to the main control board 32.

  As described above, the insertion sensor 115 and the payout sensor 125 function as the “medal detection means” of the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a drive unit 130 having a motor such as a stepping motor is provided in the vicinity of the feed rollers 114 and 124 between the two medal holders 110 and 120. A rotation shaft 131 of the motor of the drive unit 130 is connected to the rotation shafts 114a and 124a of the feed rollers 114 and 124, respectively. The drive unit 130 is configured so that the rotation shaft 131 of the motor and the rotation shafts 114a and 124a of the both feed rollers 114 and 124 are connected via a gear mechanism such as a clutch, whereby the both feed rollers 114 and 124. Only one of them can be driven to rotate. Therefore, each enclosed medal M is driven by the feed rollers 114 and 124 that are rotationally driven by the drive unit 130 and moves in one direction along the medal paths 111 and 121.

  As described above, the feed rollers 114 and 124 and the drive unit 130 function as the “drive control unit” of the present invention that drives the enclosed medal M to move the medal paths 111 and 121. Further, the loading / dispensing device 100 is driven and controlled by the loading control means 140 and the dispensing control means 150 of the main control board 32. The input control means 140 and the payout control means 150 will be described in detail in the next item.

  The drive unit 130 may include two motors individually connected to the respective rotation shafts 114a and 124a so that the both feed rollers 114 and 124 can be individually rotated.

(Main control board functions)
The function of the main control board 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 while also referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.

(1) Game control means 50
The game control means 50 is for controlling a game executed in the enclosed slot machine 1. In the game of the slot machine 1, when the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8 is operated to instruct the pseudo insertion of medals, the insertion / payout device 100 performs a pseudo insertion to set the bet number. When the start switch 9 is operated after a predetermined number of bets are set, first, a random number lottery is performed by the lottery means 60 for determining whether or not to win, almost simultaneously, all three reels 6L , 6M, 6R starts to rotate.

  Thereafter, when one of the three stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R is operated, the rotation of any one of the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped. . Then, when the operation on all three stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R is completed, the rotation of all three rotary reels 6L, 6M, and 6R is stopped. At this time, when a predetermined symbol stops at a predetermined position, a prize is awarded, and a pseudo-payout of a predetermined number of medals to the player by the insertion / dispensing device 100, and possession of the player held in the data holding means 241 of the medal lending unit 200 A predetermined benefit such as replay capable of executing the next game without subtracting the number data relating to the number of medals is given to the player.

(2) Input control means 140
When the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8 is operated, the insertion control means 140 allows the insertion / dispensing device 100 to pseudo insert a medal into the slot machine 1 and perform a pseudo insertion of a predetermined number of medals. The number of bets is set by, and a predetermined condition for starting a game is established. Further, the insertion control means 140 transmits information relating to the number data for the number of medals virtually inserted into the slot machine 1 to the medal lending unit 200. In the medal lending unit 200, when the number data relating to the pseudo insertion number is received from the insertion control unit 140, the subtraction unit 243 subtracts the number data corresponding to the pseudo insertion number from the data holding unit 241. The input control means 140 has the following functions.

(2-1) Pseudo-throwing operation control unit 141
When the signal from the bet switch sensor 7a or the maximum bet switch sensor 8a is input to the main control board 32, the pseudo throwing operation control unit 141 drives the motor of the driving unit 130 of the throwing / dispensing device 100. By actuating the double feed roller 114 of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110, the enclosed medal M is driven to move the medal path 111 in one direction (counterclockwise direction toward the paper surface of FIG. 4).

(2-2) Inserted medal counting unit 142
The inserted medal counting unit 142 (corresponding to the “medal counting unit” of the present invention) is detected by the inserted sensor 115 when the enclosing medal M that falls down the other vertical path portion 112b of the medal path 111 passes the detection position P. Based on the number of outputs of the output medal detection signal, a predetermined condition is satisfied, that is, the number of times each encapsulated medal M passes the detection position P is a pseudo number of medals inserted into the slot machine 1, that is, a predetermined number of sheets. Count until the number of bets placed is set. Note that the pseudo inserted number counted by the inserted medal counting unit 142 is set as the bet number for playing the game of the slot machine 1.

  Further, in the present embodiment, every time the number of medals pseudo inserted by the inserted medal counting unit 142 is counted, that is, every time a medal detection signal is output from the insertion sensor 115, one medal is simulated. Information that it has been inserted is transmitted from the insertion control means 140 to the medal lending unit 200. Therefore, every time a medal detection signal is output from the insertion sensor 115 when each enclosing medal M moving in one direction through the medal passage 111 passes the detection position P, the betting number is added in the slot machine 1 and In the medal lending unit 200, the number data for one sheet is subtracted from the data holding unit 241 by the subtracting unit 243.

  Further, the pseudo insertion operation control unit 141 is configured such that the pseudo insertion number counted by the insertion medal counting unit 142 is the pseudo insertion number set for each of the bet switches 7 and 8 (one for the bet switch 7 and the maximum bet switch). When the number data of the data holding means 241 reaches 0, the rotation of the motor of the drive unit 130 of the insertion / dispensing device 100 is stopped, so that each enclosed medal M in the medal path 111 is stopped. Stop moving in one direction.

(3) Lottery means 60
In the present embodiment, the lottery means 60 is for performing a lottery for winning or losing any of a plurality of roles when the start switch 9 is operated. The lottery means 60 includes a random number generation means, a random number extraction means, a lottery table, and a lottery determination means. The random number generation means generates a random number for lottery within a predetermined range (in this embodiment, for example, 0 to 16383 in decimal number). The random number generating means is constituted by an oscillation circuit and a counter circuit that counts clock signals generated by the oscillation circuit. The random number extraction means extracts the random number generated by the random number generation means, and extracts the random number generated by the random number generation means in response to the operation of the start switch 9. Since the random number generating means is constituted by a counter circuit or the like, the numerical value generated by the random number generating means is not strictly a random number. However, since the timing at which the start switch 9 is operated is considered to be random, the numerical value extracted by the random number extraction means can be practically handled as a random number. A random number may be generated by a random number generator.

  In the lottery table, whether each random number within the range generated by the random number generation means corresponds to one of the lottery results set in advance is determined in advance. The lottery determination unit is configured to collate the random number extracted by the random number extraction unit with the lottery table and determine which of the plurality of lottery results the extracted random number corresponds to.

(4) Stop control means 70
The stop control means 70 performs stop control of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R based on the operation mode for the stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R by the player and the lottery result of the lottery means 60. In the present embodiment, when the lottery result by the lottery means 60 is a winning of any of a plurality of roles, the stop control means 70 has an appropriate timing when the player operates the stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. Then, stop control of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, and 6R is performed so that it is determined that the winning combination is won by the determination unit 80 described later. The operation mode of the stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R by the player is not limited to the above-described operation timing, and may be an operation order such as which stop switch 10L, 10M, or 10R is operated first. . Further, depending on the type of winning combination, no matter what timing the stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R is operated by the player, each rotation is performed so that the stop symbol is displayed in a winning manner corresponding to the winning combination. The arrangement positions of the symbols on the reels 6L, 6M, 6R are set.

(5) Determination means 80
The determination means 80 determines the display pattern of the stop symbols when all the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R are stopped by operating the stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. In the present embodiment, the determination means 80 determines whether or not the symbol display result when the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R are stopped is in a predetermined winning mode. In addition, the display mode determined as winning is determined in advance for a different display mode for each winning combination.

(6) Dispensing control means 150
The payout control means 150, when the determination means 80 determines that the stop symbol display result is a predetermined winning or when the checkout switch 11 is operated, the payout / payout device 100 is made to simulate the medal from the slot machine 1. The payout is permitted, and a pseudo payout of medals of a predetermined payout number is performed. Further, the payout control means 150 transmits information related to the number data for the number of medals pseudo-paid out from the slot machine 1 to the medal lending unit 200. In the medal lending unit 200, when the number data relating to the pseudo payout number is received from the payout control means 150, the number data for the pseudo payout number is added to the data holding means 241 by the adding means 244. The payout control means 150 has the following functions.

(6-1) Pseudo-dispensing operation control unit 151
When the determination symbol 80 determines that the stop symbol display result is a predetermined winning or the signal from the adjustment switch sensor 11a is input to the main control board 32, the pseudo payout operation control unit 151 is turned on / off. The motor of the drive unit 130 of the payout device 100 is driven to operate the feed roller 124 of the pseudo payout medal holder 120, thereby driving the enclosed medal M and the medal path 121 in one direction (on the paper surface of FIG. 4). (Clockwise direction).

(6-2) Payout medal counting unit 152
The payout medal counting unit 152 (corresponding to the “medal counting means” of the present invention) is removed from the payout sensor 125 when the enclosed medal M that falls down the other vertical passage portion 122b of the medal passage 121 passes the detection position P. Based on the number of outputs of the output medal detection signal, the number of times each encapsulated medal M passes the detection position P is counted as a pseudo payout number of medals from the slot machine 1 until a predetermined payout number is reached. As a predetermined payout number, if the determination means 80 determines that a winning is made, a predetermined number of winnings is set according to the type of winning, and if the settlement switch 11 is operated, it is inserted The number set as the betting number by counting by the medal counting unit 142 is set.

  Further, in the present embodiment, every time the number of medals paid out by the payout medal counting unit 152 is counted, that is, every time a medal detection signal is output from the payout sensor 125, one medal is simulated. Information indicating the payout is transmitted from the payout control means 150 to the medal lending unit 200. Therefore, each time the medal detection signal is output from the payout sensor 125 when each enclosing medal M moving in one direction in the medal passage 121 passes the detection position P, one piece is stored in the data holding unit 241 in the medal lending unit 200. The number-of-sheets data is added by the adding means 244.

  Further, in the pseudo payout operation control unit 151, the pseudo payout number counted by the payout medal counting unit 152 reaches a predetermined payout number (a payout number corresponding to the type of winning in winning, a bet number in the checkout switch 11). For example, by stopping the rotation of the motor of the drive unit 130 of the insertion / dispensing device 100, the movement of each sealed medal M in the medal passage 111 in one direction is stopped.

(Operation)
Next, an example of the operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram showing the state of each part when a game is played in the slot machine.

  The operations described below are omitted from the various functions and means described above, but the main CPU 31 of the main control board 32 and the CPU of the unit controller 240 of the medal lending unit 200 execute various programs. This is a process executed by other functions realized by the above. In addition, various processes executed in the following processes are set to ON (ON) or OFF (OFF), values are set to various flags, and processes for updating counter values are well-known techniques. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

1. Lending / Returning Process The lending / returning process will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the lending / returning process, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart following FIG. The lending / returning process is a process repeatedly executed in the medal lending unit 200.

  Further, when the lending switch 12 of the slot machine 1 is operated while the lending / returning process is being executed, medals that can be used for the game in the slot machine 1 are lent out to the player in the form of the number data. Further, when the return switch 13 of the slot machine 1 is operated while the lending / returning process is being executed, the number of medals that can be used for the game in the slot machine 1 held in the data holding means 241. Is recorded on the medal card, so that the medal is returned to the player in the form of the number data. If the balance is recorded on the cash card inserted into the cash card device 230 when the return switch 13 is operated, the cash card is returned to the player together with the medal card.

  In the lending / returning process, it is first determined whether or not cash has been inserted into the cash card device 230 or whether or not a cash card has been inserted (step S1). Is inserted until NO is inserted (NO in step S1). When cash is inserted into the cash card device 230 or a cash card is inserted (YES in step S1), it is determined whether or not cash is inserted (step S2). When cash (for example, A yen) is inserted into the cash card device 230 (YES in step S2), the balance of the cash inserted into the cash card device 230 (A yen) is recorded on the cash card in the cash card device 230. (Step S3). After the balance is recorded in the cash card in step S3, or if NO (insertion of the cash card into the cash card device 230) in step S2, it is recorded in the cash card inserted in the cash card device 230. It is determined whether or not the balance is 0 yen (step S4). If it is determined that the balance of the cash card is not 0 yen (NO in step S4), the operations of the lending switch 12 and the return switch 13 are validated (step S5).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the lending switch 12 of the slot machine 1 has been operated (step S6). If the lending switch 12 has been operated (YES in step S6), the cash card device 230 performs a predetermined lending. A rental fee (for example, B yen) of medals for the number (for example, 50) is collected (step S7). Then, by adding the predetermined number of pieces of data to the data holding means 241 (virtual lower plate) by the renting means 242, the medals are lent to the player in the form of the number of pieces of data (step S8). The processing from S4 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if the lending switch 12 is not operated in step S6 (NO in step S6) or YES in step S4 (the balance of the cash card is 0 yen), the return switch 13 of the slot machine 1 is operated. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S9). At this time, if the balance of the cash card is 0 yen, the operation of the lending switch 12 is invalidated. If the return switch 13 has not been operated (NO in step S9), it is determined whether or not cash has been inserted into the cash card device 230 (step S10), and if no cash has been inserted (NO in step S10). The process from step S4 is repeatedly executed. If cash has been inserted (YES in step S10), the amount inserted into the balance of the cash card is added (step S11), and the processing from step S4 is repeatedly executed.

  If it is determined that the return switch 13 has been operated (YES in step S9), it is determined whether or not the number data usable for the game held in the data holding means 214 is zero (step S9). S12). If the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding means 241 is not 0 (NO in step S12), the number of pieces of data relating to the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding means 241. However, the return means 245 records the token in the medal card inserted in the medal card device 220, so that the medal is returned to the player in the form of the number data (step S13). Then, the medal card inserted in the medal card device 220 is returned (step S14). At this time, the number data held in the data holding means 241 is initialized.

  Then, after the medal card is returned in step S14, or if YES in step S12 (the number of medal data usable in the game held in the data holding means 241 is 0), then the cash It is determined whether or not the balance of the cash card inserted into the card device 230 is 0 yen (step S15). If the balance of the cash card is not 0 yen (NO in step S15), the cash card in which the balance is recorded is returned from the cash card device 230 to the player (step S16). Then, after the cash card is returned to the player in step S16, or if YES in step S15 (the balance of the cash card is 0 yen), the process proceeds to step S17 to operate the lending switch 12 and the return switch 13. Is invalidated, the process returns to step S1 and waits until cash is inserted again or a cash card is inserted (NO in step S1).

  The player can borrow a medal corresponding to the balance recorded on the cash card by inserting the cash card on which the balance returned in step S16 is recorded into the cash card device 230 again.

2. Main Control Processing Main control processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the main control process, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. The main control process is a process executed on the main control board 32.

  When the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on, the state of the RAM 33 provided in the main control board 32 is checked, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the memory, and various initial settings are performed.

  Next, the check of each memory is completed, and if there is no abnormality, whether or not the number data of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding unit 241 (virtual lower plate) of the medal lending unit 200 is zero. Is determined (step S101), and the system waits until a medal is lent out to the data holding unit 241 (YES in step S101). When medals are lent to the data holding means 241 (NO in step S101), the operation of the bet switch 7 is validated (step S102), and the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is validated (step S103). ).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the maximum bet switch 8 has been operated (step S104). If the maximum bet switch 8 has been operated (YES in step S104), whether or not the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 has been validated. It is determined whether or not (step S105). If the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is validated (YES in step S105), a maximum bet process (see FIG. 11) described later is executed (step S106).

  Then, after the maximum bet processing is executed in step S106, or NO in step S104 (when the maximum bet switch 8 is not operated), NO in step S105 (when the maximum bet switch 8 is not activated). If so, it is determined whether or not the bet switch 7 has been operated (step S107). If the bet switch 7 has been operated (YES in step S107), it is determined whether or not the operation of the bet switch 7 has been validated (step S108). If the operation of the bet switch 7 has been validated (YES in step S108), a bet process (see FIG. 12) described later is executed (step S109).

  Then, after the betting process is executed in step S109, or NO in step S107 (when the bet switch 7 is not operated), or NO in step S108 (when the operation of the bet switch 7 is not activated). If there is, it is determined whether or not the settlement switch 11 has been operated (step S110). If the settlement switch 11 has been operated (YES in step S110), it is determined whether or not the operation of the settlement switch 11 has been validated (step S111). If the operation of the settlement switch 11 is validated (YES in step S111), a later-described settlement settlement process (see FIG. 13) is executed (step S112).

  Then, after the input settlement process is executed in step S112, or NO in step S110 (when the settlement switch 11 is not operated), NO in step S111 (when the operation of the settlement switch 11 is not activated). If so, it is determined whether or not the start switch 9 has been operated (step S113). If the start switch 9 is not operated (NO in step S113), the processing from step S104 is repeatedly executed. If the bet number corresponding to the predetermined number is not set by the operation of the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8, the operation of the start switch 9 is invalidated and it is determined as NO in Step S113. In the present embodiment, as described above, the operation of the start switch 9 is validated if one, two, or three bets are set.

  On the other hand, if the start switch 9 is operated (YES in step S113), the bet switches 7, 8, the start switch 9, and the settlement switch 11 are invalidated, and the game process is executed (step S114). In the game process of step S114, the winning lottery process by the lottery means 60 is executed, and the plurality of rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R each having a plurality of symbols arranged thereon start to rotate. Then, in accordance with the operation of each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R, the stop symbol display result when each rotary reel 6L, 6M, 6R is stopped by the stop control means 70 is determined by the determination means 80.

  When the game process of step S114 is completed, it is determined whether or not the determination result by the determination means 80 is a prize for replay (re-gamer) (step S115). If the replay is won (YES in step S115). ) In a state where the operation of the start switch 9 is validated and the operation of the bet switch 7 and the maximum bet switch 8 is invalidated, that is, in a state where a predetermined number of bets are set, step S113. The processing from is repeatedly executed. Note that when a replay is won, a predetermined number of bets are set, but since a medal is not pseudo-inserted, the pseudo-insert number counted by the inserted medal counting unit 142 is zero. The operation of the settlement switch 11 is invalidated. Next, if the determination result by the determination means 80 is not a winning for replay (NO in step S115), it is determined whether or not the determination result by the determination means 80 is a winning for a predetermined winning combination ( Step S116).

  If the determination result by the determination means 80 is a winning of a predetermined winning combination (YES in step S116), a payout number preset corresponding to the winning combination is a payout medal as a pseudo payout number of medals. The counting unit 152 is set (step S117), and a payout process (see FIG. 14) described later is executed (step S118). The number of payouts is set in advance corresponding to the type of winning combination (winning combination). Then, after the payout process is executed in step S118, or if NO in step S116 (if the determination result by the determination means 80 is not a prize), the process from step S101 is repeatedly executed.

3. Maximum bet processing The maximum bet processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the maximum bet process.

  First, it is determined whether or not the current bet number of medals set by pseudo insertion is 0 (step S201). If the set bet number is not 0 (NO in step S201), that is, if one or more medals are pseudo-inserted by operation of the bet switch 7, an after-settlement process described later is executed. (Step S202), pseudo payout of medals for the number of pseudo-inserts is performed, and the set bet number is initialized once.

  Then, in step S202, the settlement process is executed to initialize the bet number, or if it is YES in step S201 (if the bet number is not set), the pseudo-throttle operation control unit 141 inserts. When the motor of the drive unit 130 of the payout device 100 is driven and the rotation of the double feed roller 114 starts, the enclosing medal M arranged in the medal path 111 of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 in one direction The movement is started (step S203). Subsequently, it waits until the medal detection signal is output from the insertion sensor 115 of the insertion / dispensing device 100 (NO in step S204). If the medal detection signal is output (YES in step S204), one medal is determined. The inserted medal counting unit 142 counts that the pseudo insertion has been performed, and the subtracting unit 243 subtracts the number of pieces of sheet data that is pseudo inserted from the data holding unit 241 (virtual lower plate) of the medal lending unit 200. (Step S205).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number data held in the data holding means 241 is zero (step S206). If the number data held is not zero (NO in step S206), the input is performed. It is determined whether or not the pseudo number of medals counted by the medal counting unit 142 is a specified number (for example, 3) (step S207). If the pseudo insertion number has not reached the prescribed number (NO in step S207), the processing from step S204 is repeatedly executed.

  Then, if the pseudo-inserted number has reached the prescribed number (YES in step S207) or YES in step S206 (if the number data stored in the data holding unit 241 is 0), the pseudo-insertion number The operation control unit 141 stops the rotation of the motor of the drive unit 130 of the charging / dispensing device 100, and the operation of the start switch 9 is validated (step S208). Subsequently, the operation of the settlement switch 11 is validated (step S209), the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is invalidated (step S210), and the process returns to the original process.

4). Bet Process A bet process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the betting process. In the present embodiment, as shown in the state transition diagram of FIG. 6, when the bet switch 7 is operated, the maximum bet switch 8 is already operated and medals are pseudo-inserted to set the number of bets. In this case, the set number of bets is once initialized by performing pseudo payout of medals for the number of pseudo-inserts.

  First, by determining whether or not the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is validated (step S301), it is determined whether or not the maximum bet process of FIG. 11 has already been executed. That is, if the maximum bet process of FIG. 11 has already been executed, the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is invalidated in step S210, and therefore it is determined whether or not the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is enabled. Thus, it can be determined whether or not the maximum bet processing of FIG. 11 has already been executed.

  If the maximum bet process of FIG. 11 has already been executed and the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 has been invalidated (NO in step S301), the payout adjustment process described later is executed (step S302), and pseudo A pseudo payout of medals for the number of inserted coins is performed, and the set bet number is initialized once. Then, in step S302, the settlement process is executed to initialize the bet number, or if it is YES in step S301 (when the maximum bet switch 8 is not operated), the pseudo-insertion operation control unit 141 is executed. As a result, the motor of the drive unit 130 of the insertion / dispensing device 100 is driven and the rotation of the feed roller 114 is started, whereby one direction of each enclosed medal M arranged in the medal path 111 of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 Is started (step S303).

  Subsequently, it waits until the insertion medal detection signal is output from the insertion sensor 115 of the insertion / dispensing device 100 (NO in step S304), and if the insertion medal detection signal is output (YES in step S304), it is for pseudo insertion. The operation control unit 141 stops the rotation of the motor of the drive unit 130 of the charging / dispensing device 100 and the operation of the start switch 9 is validated (step S305). The inserted medal counting unit 142 counts that one medal is pseudo-inserted, and the number of sheets that are pseudo-inserted from the data holding means 241 (virtual lower plate) of the medal lending unit 200. Data is subtracted by the subtracting means 243 (step S306).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number data held in the data holding means 241 is zero (step S307). If the number data held is not zero (NO in step S307), the input is performed. It is determined whether or not the pseudo insertion number of medals counted by the medal counting unit 142 is a prescribed number (for example, three) (step S308). If the pseudo-inserted number has not reached the specified number (NO in step S308), the operation of the settlement switch 11 is validated (step S310), and the process returns to the original process.

  Further, if the pseudo inserted number has reached the specified number (YES in step S308) or YES in step S307 (the number data stored in the data holding means 241 is 0), the operation of the bet switch 7 is performed. Is invalidated (step S309), the operation of the settlement switch 11 is validated (step S310), and the process returns to the original process.

5. Input settlement process The input settlement process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the input settlement process.

  First, the pseudo inserted number of medals set as the bet number is set as a payout number in the payout medal counting unit 152 (step S401), and a payout process described later is executed (step S402). Subsequently, the operation of the settlement switch 11 is invalidated (step S403), the operation of the bet switch 7 is validated (step S404), the operation of the maximum bet switch 8 is validated (step S405), and the original process Return to.

6). Payout Process The payout process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the payout process.

  First, the pseudo-dispensing operation control unit 151 drives the motor of the driving unit 130 of the loading / dispensing device 100 to start the rotation of the both-feed rollers 124, so that the pseudo-payout medal holder 120 is arranged in the medal passage 121. The movement of each sealed medal M in one direction is started (step S501). Subsequently, it waits until a payout medal detection signal is output from the payout sensor 125 of the insertion / dispensing device 100 (NO in step S502). If a pseudo payout medal detection signal is output (YES in step S502), one sheet The payout medal counting unit 152 counts that the medals have been pseudo-paid out, and also adds the number of pieces of the number of pieces of data pseudo-paid out to the data holding means 241 (virtual lower plate) of the medal lending unit 200 It is added by 244 (step S503).

  In the present embodiment, before the payout process of FIG. 14 is executed, in step S117 of FIG. 10 or step S401 of FIG. Is set. When a single medal is paid out (when the medal detection signal is output once), in step S503, 1 is subtracted from a preset payout number, thereby pseudo-taking one medal. The payout medal counting unit 152 counts that the payout has been made.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a pseudo payout corresponding to a preset payout number has been performed (step S504). If the pseudo payout number has not reached the preset payout number (NO in step S504), a step is performed. The processing from S502 is repeatedly executed. Then, if the pseudo insertion number reaches the preset number of payouts (YES in step S504), the pseudo-dispensing operation control unit 151 stops the rotation of the motor of the drive unit 130 of the insertion / dispensing device 100 (step S505). ), Return to the original process.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the enclosing medals M held by the two medal holders 110 and 120 while being movably enclosed in the internal medal passages 111 and 121 that can make a round are rotationally driven by the drive unit 130. Driven by the feed rollers 114 and 124, the medal paths 111 and 121 are moved. In addition, the enclosed medal M passing through the predetermined detection position P set in the medal passages 111 and 121 is detected by the sensors 115 and 125 and a medal detection signal is output, and the detection position P is determined from the medal detection signal. The number of times M has passed is counted by each medal counting unit 142,152. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration, each enclosed medal M moves while sliding along the medal passages 111 and 121, so that the movement of each enclosed medal M is natural, and the natural movement of each enclosed medal M can be produced. An input / output device 100 that can be provided can be provided.

  Each medal passage 111, 121 has two longitudinal passage portions 112a, 112b, 122a, 122b arranged side by side, and each enclosure driven by feed rollers 114, 124 driven to rotate by the drive portion 130. The medal M moves upward in one of the vertical passage portions 112a and 122a, drops downward in the other vertical passage portions 112b and 122b, and moves in the one direction in the medal passages 111 and 121. Then, the enclosed medal M passing through the detection position P set in the other vertical passage portions 112b and 122b is detected by the sensors 115 and 125, respectively. Therefore, by using the enclosed medal M that falls in the other vertical passage portions 112b and 122b to the player, it is possible to perform an effect using the enclosed medal M that moves more naturally.

  Further, in order to start the rotation of each of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R in which a plurality of symbols are arranged, the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8 for setting a predetermined number of bets is operated. Then, pseudo insertion is performed by the insertion / dispensing device 100 (injection control means 140) for setting the number of bets. Further, a pseudo insertion of medals by the insertion / dispensing device 100 is performed, and a subtraction unit 243 subtracts a predetermined number of pieces of data from the data holding unit 241 that holds the number of pieces of medal data that can be used in the game, When the start switch 9 is operated on the condition that a predetermined number of bets are set, the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R start to rotate.

  Further, the determination means 80 determines whether or not the display result of the symbols when the rotary reels 6L, 6M, 6R are stopped by operating the stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R is in a predetermined winning mode. Further, when the determination means 80 determines that the stop symbol display result is a predetermined winning mode, the payout / payout device 100 (payout control means 150) performs pseudo payout. Further, pseudo payout is performed by the insertion / payout device 100, and the number data corresponding to a predetermined payout number preset corresponding to the type of winning mode is added to the data holding unit 241 by the adding unit 244.

  By the way, when pseudo insertion by the insertion / withdrawal device 100 is permitted according to the operation of the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8, the pseudo medal holder 110 is movably enclosed in the internal medal passage 111 that can make a round. At least one sealed medal M held in the state starts to move in one direction as the motor of the drive unit 130 is driven to rotate by the pseudo-insertion operation control unit 141 and the feed roller 114 rotates. Then, the enclosed medal M passing the detection position P is detected by the insertion sensor 115, and an insertion medal detection signal is output.

  In addition, the number of times that the enclosed medal M passes the detection position P, that is, the number of outputs of the medal detection signal is counted as the pseudo inserted number by the inserted medal counting unit 142 until a predetermined number of bets is set. Then, the subtracting means 243 subtracts the number-of-sheets data corresponding to the number of outputs of the medal detection signal counted by the inserted medal counting section 142 from the data holding means 241 that holds the number-of-sheets data as a pseudo inserted number.

  Further, if the pseudo-payout by the insertion / payout device 100 is permitted in accordance with the determination result that the stop symbol display result by the determination means 80 is a predetermined winning mode, the circuit of the pseudo-payout medal holder 120 can be completed. At least one encapsulated medal M held in an encapsulated state so as to be movable in the medal path 121 is rotated by the pseudo-dispensing operation control unit 151 so that the motor of the drive unit 130 is rotated and the feed roller 124 is rotated. Start moving in one direction. Then, the enclosed medal M passing through the detection position P is detected by the payout sensor 125, and the inserted medal detection signal is output.

  Further, the payout medal counting unit 152 counts the number of times that the enclosed medal M has passed through the detection position P, that is, the number of outputs of the payout medal detection signal, as a pseudo payout number until the predetermined payout number set according to the winning mode is reached. Counted. Then, the number of pieces of data corresponding to the number of outputs of the medal detection signal counted by the payout medal counting unit 152 is added as a pseudo payout number by the adding unit 244 to the data holding unit 241 that holds the number of pieces of data.

  As described above, by pseudo insertion through the enclosed medal M held in the pseudo insertion medal holder 110, the predetermined number of pieces of data is subtracted as the pseudo insertion number from the data holding means 241 that holds the number data. You can set the number of bets on the game. Further, by pseudo payout via the enclosed medal M held in the pseudo payout medal holder 120, the number of pieces of data corresponding to a predetermined payout number is added as a pseudo payout number to the data holding means 241 for holding the number data. A predetermined profit can be given to the person. For this reason, unlike the conventional credit function, the upper limit number of sheets of data held by the data holding unit 241 is not restricted by laws and regulations. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sealed slot machine 1 that allows a player to play a game without touching a medal by playing the game through the number data held in the data holding means 241. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness of inserting medals, improve security such as countermeasures against counterfeit medals, and prevent fraud related to medals. In addition, since a medal, which is a consumable item that has conventionally been required in large quantities for playing games, is unnecessary, an eco-friendly slot machine can be provided.

  In addition, the movement state of the enclosed medal M that moves in the medal passage 111 of the pseudo insertion medal holder 110 at the time of pseudo insertion can be visually recognized through the pseudo insertion medal visual recognition window 102. Further, the movement state of the enclosed medal M that moves in the medal passage 121 of the pseudo payout medal holder 120 at the time of pseudo payout can be visually recognized through the pseudo payout medal visualizing window 103. Therefore, the player can realize that the pseudo-throwing is being performed and that the profits from the winning are given. Therefore, the interest of the player in the game can be enhanced.

  In this embodiment, a pseudo insertion medal holder 110 is prepared for pseudo insertion and a pseudo payout medal holder 120 is prepared for pseudo payout. It may be used in common for both payouts. In this case, both the pseudo insertion number and the pseudo payout number may be counted based on the medal detection signal of one sensor (medal detection means) that detects the enclosed medal M passing the detection position P. . Also, two sensors (medal detection means) for detecting the enclosed medal M passing the detection position P are prepared, the number of pseudo-inserts is counted based on the medal detection signal of one sensor, and the medal detection signal of the other sensor The pseudo payout number may be counted based on the above.

  Further, the enclosed medal M may be configured to be visible through the pseudo inserted medal visualizing window 102 and the pseudo payout medal visually confirming window 103 at all times. M may be visible, and the enclosed medal M may be visible only from the pseudo payout medal visualizing window 103 at the time of pseudo payout. Further, the medal passage is not limited to the shape of the present embodiment as long as the enclosed medal M can go around and there is a place where the enclosed medal M falls. In addition, a member that suppresses wear and breakage of the encapsulated medal M due to a falling sound when the encapsulated medal M falls or an impact at the time of dropping may be disposed in the medal passage.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for explaining the loading / dispensing device provided in the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 15A is a front view and FIG. 15B is a bottom view. In FIG. 15B, the feed roller 314 is not shown.

  The insertion / dispensing device 300 of this embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment as shown in FIG. 15 in that a medal holder 310 that is commonly used for both medal pseudo insertion and medal pseudo payout. It is a point equipped with. Further, at the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 15, the medal so that the player can visually recognize the enclosed medal M passing through the medal passage 311 both when the medal is pseudo-inserted and when the medal is pseudo-payout. A viewing window 104 is provided. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above, and configurations and operations similar to those in the first embodiment described above. With respect to, the description is omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

  In this embodiment, the medal holder 310 holds eight enclosed medals M in a sealed state so that the internal medal passage 311 that can make a round is movable. As shown in FIG. The passage 311 is formed in a track shape when viewed from the front. A track-shaped guide hole 313 is formed on the bottom surface 311 c of the medal passage 311 so as to pass through a substantially central position in the width direction of the medal passage 311. Further, a projection Ma is provided at a substantially central position on the back side of each encapsulated medal M. Then, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), each encapsulated medal M is inserted along the guide hole 313 by being inserted into the guide hole 313 so that the projection Ma protrudes to the back side of the medal holder 310. The medal passage 311 is arranged in a movable state.

  In addition, the enclosed medals M are arranged in close contact with each other in the medal passage 311. Therefore, when one of the plurality of encapsulated medals M held by the medal holder 310 is driven to move in one direction in the medal passage 311, each encapsulated medal M is pressed by the moving encapsulated medal M. The medal passage 311 moves in one direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, a feed roller 314 formed in a substantially cross shape in a plan view is disposed at a substantially central position on the back side of the medal holder 310. Further, the feed roller 314 is arranged so that the rotation shaft 314a thereof is substantially orthogonal to a predetermined plane on which each enclosed medal M moves. Accordingly, in the front view shown in FIG. 15A, the medals of the encapsulated medals M arranged above and below the feed roller 314 by the feed roller 314 rotating, for example, counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 314a. The leading end 314b of the feed roller 314 is locked to the protrusion Ma that protrudes to the back surface side of the holding body 310.

  Then, the feed roller 314 further rotates counterclockwise while the projection Ma of the enclosed medal M and the tip portion 314b of the feed roller 314 are locked, so that the projection Ma is pressed by the tip portion 314b of the feed roller 314. Thus, the enclosed medal M moves in the medal passage 311 in one direction. Note that all the enclosed medals M arranged in the medal path 311 move in one direction by being pushed by the feeding roller 314 by the enclosed medal M that moves in the medal path 311 in one direction. Although not shown, the feed roller 314 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 130 by connecting the rotary shaft 131 of the motor of the drive unit 130 to the rotary shaft 314a of the feed roller 314, as in the above-described embodiment. The

  Further, the enclosing medal M that is driven by the feed roller 314 and moves in the medal passage 311 passes through the position of the medal visualizing window 104 indicated by a dotted line in FIG. In the present embodiment, the enclosed medal M moves the position of the medal visualizing window 104 in the same direction both when the medal is pseudo-inserted and when the medal is pseudo-payout.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the insertion medal M for detecting the enclosing medal M passing through the predetermined detection position P1 set at the left end position in the long axis direction of the track-shaped medal passage 311. A sensor 115 is provided. Then, when each enclosed medal M moves in one direction and passes the position of the insertion sensor 115 arranged at the predetermined detection position P1, the number of pseudo insertions of medals is counted from the detection unit of the insertion sensor 115. A medal detection signal is output to the main control board 32.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the enclosing medal M that passes through a predetermined detection position P2 set at the right end position in the major axis direction of the track-shaped medal path 311 is detected. A payout sensor 125 is provided. Then, when each enclosed medal M moves in one direction and passes the position of the payout sensor 125 arranged at the predetermined detection position P2, the number of pseudo payouts of medals is counted from the detection unit of the payout sensor 125. A medal detection signal is output to the main control board 32.

  In the present embodiment, both detection positions P1 and P2 and the medal viewing window 104 are arranged apart from each other. However, the two detection positions P1, P2 and the medal viewing window 104 indicate that the other enclosed medal M is used for viewing the medal at the timing when the enclosed medal M is detected by the two sensors 115, 125 at the two detection positions P1, P2, respectively. Positioned to pass through the window 104. Therefore, the enclosed medal M passes through the medal visualizing window 104 as many times as the enclosed medal M is detected by either of the sensors 115 and 125.

  It should be noted that the direction of movement of each enclosed medal M may be different between the pseudo insertion and the pseudo payout. Further, both the pseudo insertion number and the pseudo payout number may be counted based on the medal detection signal of one sensor (medal detection means) that detects the enclosed medal M passing through a predetermined detection position.

(Modification)
1. Modification (1)
A modification (1) of the loading / dispensing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a front view for explaining a modification (1) of the loading / dispensing device. 16 differs from the loading / dispensing device 300 shown in FIG. 15 in the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 16, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, a pseudo-insertion medal visualizing window 102 is provided so that the player can visually recognize the enclosed medal M passing through the medal passage 311 when the medal is pseudo-inserted, and passes through the medal passage 311 when pseudo-paying the medal. A pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 is provided so that the player can visually recognize the enclosed medal M. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described input / output device 300, the description of the configuration is omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

  Further, in this modified example (1), the detection position P1 and the pseudo inserted medal visual recognition window 102 are arranged apart from each other, and the detection position P2 and the pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 are arranged apart from each other. The positional relationship between the position P1 and the pseudo inserted medal visual recognition window 102 and the positional relationship between the detection position P2 and the pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 are the detection positions P1 and P2 and the medal visual recognition window 104 shown in FIG. It is set in the same manner as the arrangement relationship. Accordingly, the enclosed medal M passes through the pseudo-inserted medal visualizing window 102 as many times as the enclosed medal M is detected by the inserting sensor 115. Further, the enclosed medal M passes through the pseudo payout medal viewing window 103 as many times as the enclosed medal M is detected by the payout sensor 125.

  Further, in the modified example (1), the enclosed medal M that is driven by the feed roller 314 and moves in the medal path 311 in one direction is the pseudo inserted medal visual recognition window 102 or the pseudo payout medal visually identified by a dotted line in FIG. By passing through the window 103, it is visually recognized by the player. Therefore, in this modification (1), the enclosed medal M that passes through the pseudo-inserted medal visualizing window 102 when the medal is pseudo-inserted, and the encapsulated medal that passes through the pseudo-paid medal visible window 103 when the medal is pseudo-paid out. It moves in a direction different from the medal M.

  It is to be noted that the pseudo inserted medal is visually recognized at the time of pseudo insertion of the medal by switching the moving direction of the enclosed medal M by switching the rotation direction of the feed roller 314 between the pseudo insertion of the medal and the pseudo payout of the medal. The enclosing medal M passing through the window 102 and the enclosing medal M passing through the pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 may be moved in the same direction at the time of pseudo payout of the medal. Further, the enclosed medal M may be configured to be visible through the pseudo inserted medal visual recognition window 102 and the pseudo payout medal visual recognition window 103 at all times. M may be visible, and the enclosed medal M may be visible only from the pseudo payout medal visualizing window 103 at the time of pseudo payout.

2. Modification (2)
A modification (2) of the loading / dispensing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a front view for explaining a modification (2) of the loading / dispensing device. 17 differs from the loading / dispensing device 300 shown in FIG. 17 in that the loading / dispensing device 300a is similar to the first embodiment described above. A feed roller 314 is provided that includes two medal holders 310 for insertion and pseudo payout, and each enclosed medal M held by each of the two medal holders 310 is rotationally driven by a motor provided in the drive unit 130. It is a point driven by. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described input / output device 300, the description of the configuration is omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

  In this modification (2), the feed roller 314 may be rotated in the same direction or may be rotated in a different direction by pseudo insertion and pseudo payout. Further, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the feed rollers 314 may be individually provided for each of the two medal holders 310. Further, in this case, each of the feed rollers 314 may be rotationally driven by a single motor provided in the drive unit 130 via a gear mechanism such as a clutch, or each of the feed rollers 314 is provided in the drive unit 130. The two motors may be individually driven to rotate via a gear mechanism such as a clutch. In addition, the enclosed medal M may be configured so that it can always be seen through both the medal viewing windows 104, or when the pseudo medal is inserted, the encapsulated medal M is only inserted from the medal visualizing window 104 of the pseudo medal holding body 310. The enclosed medal M may be visible only from the medal viewing window 104 of the pseudo payout medal holder 310 at the time of pseudo payout.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a view showing a slot machine system including a sealed slot machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The slot machine system of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the data holding means 190 holds the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used in the game, and the number data corresponding to the number of pseudo-inserts from the data holding means 190. The subtracting means 191 for subtracting and the adding means 192 for adding the number of pieces of pseudo-payout number data to the data holding means 190 are provided in the casing of the slot machine 1a. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above, and configurations and operations similar to those in the first embodiment described above. With respect to, the description is omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

(Medal rental unit)
As shown in FIG. 18, the lending means 242 provided in the unit control device 240 of the medal lending unit 200a receives the number data of a predetermined lending number when the lending switch 12 mounted on the slot machine 1a is operated. By transmitting to the main control board 32 of the slot machine 1a via the / O port, medals that can be used in the game are lent out to the player in the form of number data. The number data transmitted to the main control board 32 of the slot machine 1a is held by the data holding means 190.

  The return means 245 also displays the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding means 190 of the slot machine 1a when the return switch 13 mounted in the slot machine 1a is operated. By receiving it through the / O port and recording it on the medal card, the medal is returned to the player in the form of number data. When the return means 245 returns medals to the player in the form of number data, the number data held in the data holding means 190 of the slot machine 1a is initialized.

  The output of the return switch sensor 13a may be output to the main control board 32. In this case, when the detection signal of the return switch sensor 13a is input to the main control board 32, the number data held in the data holding means 190 is transmitted to the medal lending unit 200a via the I / O port. You can do so.

(Slot machine)
As shown in FIG. 18, a data holding unit 190, a subtracting unit 191, and an adding unit 192 are configured on the main control board of the slot machine 1a.

  The data holding unit 190 holds number data relating to the number of medals that can be used in the game, and holds number data relating to the number of rents transmitted from the medal renting unit 200a. Further, when medals for the number of data held in the data holding means 190 by the return means 245 are returned to the player in the form of the number of pieces of data, the number data held in the data holding means 190 is initialized. The

  The subtracting means 191 subtracts from the data holding means 190 the number of pieces of data equivalent to the number of medals inserted into the slot machine 1a. Further, the adding means 192 adds the number of pieces of data corresponding to the pseudo payout number of medals from the slot machine 1a to the data holding means 190.

  The control board including the data holding unit 190, the subtracting unit 191, and the adding unit 192 may be configured separately from the main control board 32 and mounted on the slot machine 1a.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. Further, compared with the configuration of the first embodiment, the frequency of communication between the slot machine 1a and the medal lending unit 200a can be reduced, thereby preventing the goto action of rewriting the communication signal between the slot machine 1a and the lending unit 20a. be able to.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the operation of the start switch 9 is set to be validated on the condition that a predetermined number of pseudo-inserts for playing a game are completed. However, for example, the operation of the start switch 9 may be validated at the timing when the maximum bet switch 8 is operated or the bet switch 7 is operated. In this case, random numbers are acquired in the lottery means 60 at the timing when the start switch 9 is operated, and lottery using the random numbers extracted until the respective rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R rotate at a constant speed must be performed. In order to satisfy the legal regulation that does not become necessary, for example, the following control may be performed.

  That is, when the predetermined number of pseudo-inserts for playing a game are not completed when the start switch 9 is operated, a role lottery using random numbers is performed after the predetermined number of pseudo-inserts is completed. After the lottery is performed, the rotation reels 6L, 6M, and 6R may be started to rotate. Further, the rotation of the reels 6L, 6M, 6R is started by operating the start switch 9, but the reels 6L, 6M, 6R are fixed until the predetermined number of pseudo-inserts are completed and the lottery is finished. In order not to rotate at high speed, the initial rotation speed may be slowed or the rotational acceleration may be reduced. Further, in order to shorten the time until the predetermined number of pseudo-inserts are completed, the moving speed of the enclosed medal used for the pseudo-insertion may be increased.

  In addition, when the player operates the bet switches 7 and 8 with the intention of betting two or three, the start switch 9 before the player completes the pseudo-insertion for two or three. When the button is operated, a winning lottery may be performed based on the number of pseudo-inserts at the timing when the start switch 9 is operated. In this case, the pseudo turn-on after the timing when the start switch 9 is operated may be invalidated. In addition, when the player operates the start switch 9 before completing the pseudo-insertion for two or three cards, the player draws a role lottery based on the two bets or three bets as intended by the player. But of course.

  In addition, the above-described charging / dispensing device 100 is configured to be able to perform both pseudo-throwing and pseudo-paying, but the loading device that performs pseudo-throwing and the paying-out device that performs pseudo-payout are individually provided in the slot machine. It may be installed. Further, the control board provided with the input control means 140, the control board provided with the payout control means 150, or the control board provided with both the input control means 140 and the payout control means 150 is configured separately from the main control board 32. Then, it may be mounted on a slot machine. The medal lending units 200 and 200a may perform drive control of at least one of the medal holders 110, 120, and 310.

  Further, at least one of the lending switch 12 and the return switch 13 may be mounted on the medal lending units 200 and 200a.

  In addition, only the insertion sensor 115 may be validated to invalidate the payout sensor 125 at the time of pseudo-injection, and only the payout sensor 125 may be validated to invalidate the input sensor 115 in the case of pseudo-payout. Further, the functions of both the pseudo insertion medal detection means and the pseudo payout medal detection means may be realized by one sensor.

  The shape of the medal path is not limited to the above example. In addition, the movement direction of each enclosed medal at the time of pseudo insertion or pseudo payout is not limited to the above-described example, and each enclosed medal moves in the same direction in both cases of pseudo insertion and pseudo payout. Alternatively, each enclosed medal may move in different directions. In addition, the movement speed of each enclosed medal may be different in each of pseudo insertion and pseudo payout, or each enclosed medal may move at the same speed. Further, each of the pseudo insertion medal holder, the pseudo payout medal holder, and the medal holder need only hold at least one enclosed medal, and the number of enclosed medals held by each medal holder is the same. May be different or different.

  Further, in the maximum betting process shown in FIG. 11, when a medal has already been pseudo inserted and the bet number has been set, the payout process is once performed (step S202 in FIG. 11), and the bet number (pseudo inserted number). Is initialized to zero, and then pseudo-insertion is performed again (steps S203 to S208 in FIG. 11). However, in this case, it is also possible to perform pseudo insertion so as to add to the already set bet number within a range not exceeding the maximum bet number (pseudo-insertion number) without performing the input settlement process. .

  In the betting process shown in FIG. 12, when the bet switch 7 is operated and the pseudo inserted number (the number of bets) has reached a specified number (for example, 3) (YES in step S308 in FIG. 12), the player In consideration of the fact that the bet number of the specified number is set with the intention of, the operation of the bet switch 7 is invalidated in order to prohibit further change of the bet number (step S309 in FIG. 12). However, in this case, the bet number (pseudo-insertion number) may be changed without invalidating the operation of the bet switch 7.

  In the above-described embodiment, a slot machine in which a plurality of bets (for example, 1, 2, 3) are set as the betable number (pseudo-insertion number) that can be played is described as an example. However, it may be a slot machine in which only a prescribed number of bets (for example, three) is set. In this case, as described above, the operation of the start switch 9 may be validated at the timing when the prescribed number of medals are virtually inserted. Alternatively, the operation of the start switch 9 may be validated when the pseudo insertion of one medal is detected, and the winning lottery may be performed at the timing when the pseudo insertion of the prescribed number of medals is detected.

  Further, the settlement switch 11 (the settlement switch sensor 11a) may not be provided. In this case, for example, when the return switch 13 is operated, medals are temporarily paid out for the number of quasi-inserted sheets, and the data for the number of quasi-inserted sheets is stored in the data holding means 190, It may be added to 241. Then, the medal lending unit return means 245 records the number data relating to the number of medals that can be used for the game held in the data holding means 190, 241 on the medal card inserted in the medal card device 220, thereby The rental unit 200 may return the medal to the player in the form of the number data.

  In the embodiment described above, the insertion / dispensing device 100, 300, 300a is arranged in the housing of the slot machine. However, the enclosed medal M is securely enclosed in the insertion / dispensing device 100, 300, 300a. In this case, the loading / dispensing devices 100, 300, and 300a may be disposed so that a part of the loading / dispensing devices 100, 300, and 300a protrudes from the casing of the slot machine or may be disposed outside the casing of the slot machine.

  The present invention can be widely applied to slot machines in which a game is executed on condition that a predetermined number of medals are pseudo inserted.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a ... Slot machine, 6L, 6M, 6R ... Rotary reel, 10L, 10M, 10R ... Stop switch, 100, 300, 300a ... Inserting / dispensing device (medal detection device), 110 ... Pseudo-inserting medal holder ( Medal holder), 115 ... insertion sensor (medal detection means), 120 ... pseudo payout medal holder (medal holder), 125 ... payout sensor (medal detection means), 111, 121, 311 ... medal path, 112a, 112b, 122a, 122b ... vertical passage portion, 114, 124, 314 ... feed roller (drive control means), 130 ... drive portion (drive control means), 142 ... inserted medal counting portion (medal counting means), 152 ... payout medal Counting unit (medal counting means), 310: medal holder, M: enclosed medal, P, P1, P2: detection position

Claims (2)

When a predetermined condition is established by performing pseudo insertion using an enclosed medal, a plurality of rotating reels each having a plurality of symbols arranged thereon start rotating, and the rotating reels are stopped by operating a stop switch, In the medal detection device provided in the slot machine that performs pseudo payout using the enclosed medal according to the display result of the stop symbol,
A medal holder that holds at least one encapsulated medal in an encapsulated state so as to be movable in an internal medal passage that can make a circuit;
Drive control means for driving the sealed medal to move the medal passage;
Medal detection means for detecting the sealed medal passing through a predetermined detection position set in the medal passage and outputting a medal detection signal;
A medal detection device comprising: medal counting means for counting the number of times that the enclosed medal passes through the detection position from the medal detection signal. The medal passage has two longitudinal passage portions arranged side by side,
The sealed medal driven by the drive control means moves one vertical passage portion upward, falls the other vertical passage portion downward, and moves the medal passage in one direction,
The medal detection device according to claim 1, wherein the medal detection unit detects the sealed medal that passes through the detection position set in the other vertical passage portion.

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