JP2003180924A - Medal game machine and slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medal game machine and a slot machine capable of arranging a plurality of hoppers without any complication of a device, increase in a cost, nor laborious maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: In this slot machine having display parts for variably displaying a plural kinds of patterns, a prize is won when the patterns indicated in the respective display parts are aligned on one of prize winning lines in a combination of predetermined generator patterns, and medals are paid out according to the won generator. The slot machine is provided with two medal feeding parts individually having one-way clutches 32 and 36 arranged to be rotationally driven in different directions on a single driving shaft 30, and in the two medal feeding parts, one medal feeding part 21 receives the medal, while the other medal feeding part 42 discharges the medal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medal game machine provided with a medal payout device for paying out medals such as a slot machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a medal game machine such as a slot machine, a game is started by a player betting a predetermined number of medals. As a result of the game, when a predetermined winning combination is won, a predetermined number of medals are paid back to the player. Normally, the number of medals that a player can bet is up to the player's choice within a predetermined range, and the higher the number of medals bet at the start of play, the higher the expected number of medals to be refunded is set. There are many cases.

For example, in the case of a pachi-slot game, there are five lines for which the symbols should be aligned, and 1 bet for one medal
The winning line of books is activated, the betting of two medals activates the three winning lines, and the betting of three medals activates the five winning lines. That is, when one bet is bet, one line can be activated for one medal, and when two bets are bet, 1.5 lines can be set for one medal. The line can be activated, and when three medals are bet, 1.7 lines can be activated for one medal. Therefore, the higher the number of bet medals, the higher the probability of winning. Therefore, in many cases, the player desires to insert the maximum bet number of medals into the game machine at the start of each game.

In addition, the normal slot machine has a so-called credit function, so that a predetermined number of medals can be inserted into the machine side in advance, and bets for medals to be used in the game can be betted. It is currently allowed to store up to 50 credits. Therefore, for the player to start the game, put 50 medals into the machine,
It is convenient to advance the game using the credit function.

In such a case, it is more convenient for the medal insertion slot to be inserted all at once than to be inserted one by one, which is also preferred by the player. By providing a medal receiving device in such a medal insertion slot in addition to the medal payout device normally used for medal payout, even if the medals are collectively put in at one time, it can be accepted smoothly.

[0006]

However, if a medal receiving device is provided in addition to the ordinary medal payout device as described above, each device requires a drive source and a drive shaft, which complicates the device and increases the cost. However, there is a problem in that maintenance is complicated. Further, when a plurality of types of medals are used in one game machine, a number of medal payout devices corresponding to the types of medals are required, and in this case, there is a problem similar to the above.

Therefore, in the present invention, even if a medal receiving device is provided in addition to the medal payout device or a plurality of medal payout devices are provided, the device becomes complicated, the cost increases, and the maintenance becomes complicated. No medal game machine,
An object is to provide a slot machine.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention will be described below. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

The first aspect of the present invention is one drive source (3
8) and two medal sending parts (21, 42) driven by a driving source and each equipped with one-way clutches (32, 36), each one-way clutch being a rotating part provided in the two medal sending parts. (31, 33a,
33b; 35, 37a, 37b) are arranged so as to rotate in opposite directions.

According to the medal game machine of the first aspect,
The two medal sending units can be driven by one driving source. Therefore, the configuration of the game machine can be simplified, which can contribute to reduction of manufacturing cost and simplification of maintenance.

In the medal game machine of the above aspect, the two medal sending units may be configured to receive or pay out medals of different shapes.

According to this structure, in the medal game machine using two types of medals, the two medal sending parts for paying out these medals can be driven by one driving source. The configuration can be simplified, which can contribute to reduction of manufacturing cost, simplification of maintenance, and the like.

In the medal game machine of the above aspect,
Of the two medal sending units, one medal sending unit may accept medals and the other medal sending unit may pay out medals.

With this structure, the player does not need to insert medals into the game machine one by one. That is, since many medals can be inserted at one time, the player can be released from the complicated medal insertion work.

In the case of the above-mentioned structure, the two medal sending units can be further structured so as to share the drive shaft (30).

According to this structure, the drive shaft as well as the drive source can be shared by the two medal sending units. Therefore, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the game machine, which contributes to reduction of manufacturing cost and simplification of maintenance.

A second aspect of the present invention is provided with a display unit for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, and the symbols displayed on each display unit are arranged in a combination of symbols of predetermined winning combinations on any of the pay lines. In the slot machine (1) for paying out medals according to the winning combination, two one-way clutches are arranged on one drive shaft (30) so as to be rotatable in different directions. (32, 36)
Of the two medal sending units, one medal sending unit (21) accepts medals and the other medal sending unit (42) pays out medals. It is a slot machine characterized by.

According to the slot machine of the second aspect,
In a slot machine provided with a medal sending unit for accepting medals and a medal sending unit for paying out medals, the drive source and the drive shaft of the two medal sending units can be shared. In particular, in the slot machine, since it is not necessary to accept and pay out medals at the same time in principle, the merit of the above configuration is great.

In the slot machine according to the second aspect,
The one medal sending unit may include a hopper (20) on the medal receiving side to configure a medal receiving device (22), and the medal receiving device may be configured to receive a plurality of medals.

With this arrangement, the player can appropriately pick up a desired number of medals from the medal tray and throw them into the medal slot without swinging his line of sight. Compared with the conventional case where one medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot, the work amount and attention required for inserting a medal can be significantly reduced, and a comfortable game can be provided to the player.

The operation and the advantage of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing of the slot machine 1 includes a main body 2 and a front door 3 attached to the front surface of the main body 2. The front door 3 is composed of three parts of upper, middle and lower stages, and a liquid crystal display device 9 for presenting predetermined information to the player is provided on the upper stage of the front door 3. Also, in the middle row,
A panel display unit 11 and an operation unit 12 are provided. Further, a medal payout opening 10a for paying out medals as a dividend to the player and a medal tray 10 for storing the paid out medals are provided in the lower stage.

The panel display section 11 in the middle of the front door 3 is provided with three vertically long rectangular display windows 4a, 4b, 4c. 3 horizontally on the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c.
Book, two pay lines L1 to L5 are provided obliquely. Inside the panel display unit 11, there are three rows of left, middle and right reels R1 and R each having a plurality of kinds of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
2 and R3 are rotatably provided. Display windows 4a, 4
b and 4c are formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin. Therefore, the player is
The symbols on the right reels R1, R2, R3 are displayed on the display windows 4a, 4
It can be observed through b and 4c.

Each reel R1, R2, R3 has seven types
21 symbols are displayed. In the game using the slot machine 1, when specific symbols are aligned on the pay lines L1 to L5 that are activated by inserting medals or the like, the number of medals corresponding to the aligned symbols is paid out. The medals are inserted into the slot machine 1 when starting the game, and are necessary for the player to continue the game.

Below the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c shown in FIG. 1, there is provided an operation section 12 in which various operation members for a player to execute a game are arranged. Operation part 1
2 is a medal slot 5, a start lever 6, left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, a credit settlement button 8, a count display section 14, and a BET button 15a.
~ 15c. A medal slot 5 is provided on the left side (right side in the figure) of the operation portion 12. The medal insertion slot 5 has a large opening on the upper side, and is configured so that the player can insert a plurality of medals at the same time. It is possible to insert medals when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and in such a case, a medal insertable display lamp 18 provided in front of the medal insertion slot 5 is provided.
Is lit.

When the player starts one game and throws one medal as the bet number, the pay line L1 is activated. If one more coin is added and a total of two medals are thrown in, in addition to the winning line L1, the winning line L
2 and L3 are also enabled. If one coin is added, and a total of three medals are inserted, the winning line L1
All winning lines from L5 to L5 are valid. The medals thrown in beyond the number of activated all the pay lines are stored in the RAM 61 described later. The number is 5
Up to 0 sheets can be stored. On the count display unit 14, a game medal accumulated number display 14a, a game number display 14b, and a game medal payout number display 14c are arranged from the left. Then, the number of medals stored in the RAM 61 is displayed on the game medal accumulated number display 14a. When the number of stored memories reaches 50 and more medals are inserted, the inserted medals are not accepted, and the medals are returned to the player from the medal payout outlet 10a and stored in the medal tray 10.

BET buttons 15a to 15c are provided on the right side (the left side as viewed in the drawing) of the operating section 12. It is possible to bet on the game by designating the number of medals for one by using the one bet button 15a and using the number of medals stored in the RAM 61 as the bet number. Also 2 BET
Use the button 15b to specify the number of medals for 2
The number of medals stored in M61 can be used as a bet number to bet on the game. Further, it is possible to bet on the game by designating the number of medals of three with the MAXBET button 15c and using the number of medals stored in the RAM 61 as the number of bets.

By pushing the 1-BET button 15a, 2-BET button 15b, and MAX-BET button 15c into the player, "1MEDAL lamp" 16a and "2MEDALS lamp" in the panel display section 11 adjacent to these BET buttons 16b, "3M
The "EDALS lamp" 16c is turned on, and the number of bets selected by the player is confirmed.

By operating the BET buttons 15a to 15c, a predetermined one of the pay lines L1 to L5 within the range of the number of medals stored in the RAM 61 is activated and used to activate the pay line. A value corresponding to the number of medals played is subtracted from the RAM 61. In addition, it is possible to activate a predetermined number of pay lines by using the medal insertion and the BET buttons 15a to 15c together.

When at least one pay line is activated, the start lamp 17 provided close to the start lever 6 is turned on, and the player can operate the start lever 6 described below. Is shown.

The start lever 6 is a BET button 15a
It is provided below 15c and is used by the player to instruct the start of the game. When the player pushes down the start lever 6, the reels R1, R2, R3
Are simultaneously started to rotate, and the symbols displayed on the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 in the display windows 4a, 4b, 4c are in a variable display state. At the same time, a plurality of lamps (not shown) arranged around the panel display unit 11 are rotationally moved and displayed,
In addition to displaying that the reels are spinning, the player is informed that the operation of the stop button described below is enabled. Left / middle / right reel stop button 7
The a, 7b, and 7c are provided on the right side of the start lever 6. Left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c
Is used to stop the three rows of left, center, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 that rotate in the display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c, respectively.

On the right side of the stop button 7c, a credit settlement button 8 for paying out medals stored in the slot machine 1 is provided. When there are no medals stored, the player can select whether to make the credit valid or invalid by operating the credit settlement button 8. In a predetermined case, medals are paid out to the player from the medal payout opening 10a and stored in the medal tray 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a medal acceptance device 22 and a medal payout device 23 provided inside the slot machine 1. FIG. 3 shows the medal acceptance device 22 and the medal payout device 23. It is a figure which expands and shows. Further, in both figures, (a) is a front view point, and (b) is a side view point.
And represents. The medal receiving device 22 and the medal payout device 23 provided in the slot machine 1, which are characteristic parts of the present embodiment, will be described below with reference to both drawings.

The slot machine 1 is provided with a medal receiving device 22 which communicates with the medal insertion slot 5 via a medal carrying slope 24, and a medal payout device 23 which communicates with the medal payout opening 10a. The medal receiving device 22 includes a funnel-shaped hopper 20 for temporarily storing the received medals, and a medal sending unit 21 as a drive unit. Further, the medal payout device 23 includes a funnel-shaped hopper 41 for storing medals to be paid out, and a medal sending section 42 as a drive section. A motor 38 is attached to the lower surface of the medal payout device 23. The medal receiving device 22 and the medal paying-out device 23 are respectively provided with disks 31 and 35 that share the shaft 30, and the shaft 30 is driven by a motor 38 directly or via a power transmission device. Medal receiving device 22
On the side, the disc 31 has a one-way clutch 32,
Bearings 33 arranged above and below the one-way clutch 32
The a and 33b are attached to the shaft 30 so as to be rotationally driven only in the counterclockwise rotation direction to form the medal sending portion 21. On the other hand, on the medal payout device 23 side, the disc 3
5 is attached to the shaft 30 by the one-way clutch 36 and the bearings 37a and 37b arranged above and below the one-way clutch 36 so as to be rotationally driven only in the right rotation direction to form the medal sending portion 42. There is. The motor 38 is configured to be capable of both right rotation and left rotation in response to an operation command from the CPU 51 described later. Therefore, when the motor 38 rotates clockwise, only the medal payout device 23 is driven, and when the motor 38 rotates counterclockwise, only the medal receiving device 22 is driven.

The medal receiving device 22 has a role of sending the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 5 by the player to the medal selector 25. The medal selector 25 is disposed obliquely below the medal receiving device 22 and near the front surface of the slot machine 1 and adjacent to the medal receiving device 22. The medal selector 25 is inserted into the medal insertion slot 5 by the player, and the medal receiving device 22 is inserted.
From the medals discharged from the regular game medals,
It is provided for the purpose of selecting other medals. Here, medals are rolled in a predetermined passage (trough), medals having no predetermined diameter or thickness are dropped from the passage, and sorting is performed. In principle, among the selected medals, a regular game medal is distributed to the medal payout device 23, and other medals are directly distributed to the medal payout outlet 10a. Further, the medal selector 25 is provided with a medal block solenoid 19. In response to an instruction from the CPU 51, the medal block solenoid 19 is activated, the passage to the medal payout device 23 is blocked, and the medal payout opening 10 is used.
It is distributed to the a side and dropped. For example, when an attempt is made to insert more medals than the number of creditable credits, the medal payout device 23 does not take the medal, but the medal payout opening 10a is controlled.

Immediately below the medal selector 25, a medal acceptance counter 27 is provided. The medals selected by the medal selector 25 as regular game medals are displayed on the slot machine 1 by the medal acceptance counter 27.
It is counted as the number of regular game medals inserted into the medal payout device 23. This count information is also transmitted to the CPU 51. Then, it is recorded in a predetermined area of the RAM 61.

Below the medal selector 25,
A medal payout device 23 is provided. By operating the medal sending unit 42 of the medal payout device 23, the medals in the hopper 41 are paid back to the player from the medal payout opening 10a. A shaft 30 for transmitting drive from the motor 38
Are shared by the medal acceptance device 22 and the medal payout device 23.

The disc 31 of the medal receiving device 22 is provided with a predetermined number of medal insertion holes 34, 34, ....
Further, the disc 35 of the medal payout device 23 is also provided with a predetermined number of medal insertion holes 39, 39, 39, .... By rotating these discs in a predetermined direction, the medals in the hoppers 20 and 41 are ejected one by one to the outside of the apparatus. That is, the medals in the medal receiving device 22 are discharged to the medal selector 25, and the medals in the medal payout device 23 are discharged to the medal payout outlet 10a.

A medal insertion sensor 26 is provided in the middle of the medal transportation slope 24. The medal insertion sensor 26 is composed of, for example, a photo sensor, and when a player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 5, the passage or presence of the medal is sensed and a predetermined detection signal is sent to the CPU described later.
Send to 51. With this as a trigger, the medal receiving device 22 is driven in a predetermined case. As described above, the medal insertion sensor 26 is a sensor necessary for operating the medal acceptance device 22 when a player inserts a medal through the medal insertion slot 5. By driving the medal receiving device 22, the medals in the hopper 20 are successively sent to the medal selector 25, and the medals selected as the regular game medals are counted by the medal receiving counter 27. Even if the medal acceptance device 22 is driven, if the medal acceptance counter 27 does not detect a medal for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) or more, the hopper 20.
The CPU 51 determines that there is no medal in the motor 38
Emits a control signal to stop.

A medal full sensor 40 is provided above the hopper 41 of the medal payout device 23. The medal full sensor 40 is a sensor for detecting that the medal payout device 23 is full of medals. The medal full sensor 40 is configured as a conduction sensor including, for example, two poles 40a and 40b. In this case, when the medal becomes full in the hopper 41, the two poles 40a, 40
The medals are conducted between b and the full medal state is sensed. This information is also transmitted to the CPU 51, and in this case, it is determined that there is an error state and the game machine is stopped.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device for controlling game processing operations in the slot machine 1 and a circuit configuration including peripheral devices related to the present invention, which constitute the slot machine 1.

The control device has the game control board 50 as a main component. The game control board 50 is a CPU 51, RO
M60, RAM61, input port 52 and output port 5
Equipped with 3.

The CPU 51 is connected to each component of the game control board 50 via a bus (not shown). CP
The U51 executes the control program of the ROM 60 to control each component. The control program describes how to operate the entire slot machine 1.
Therefore, the CPU 51 functions as a control center of the slot machine 1. The RAM 61 functions as a work area of the CPU 51 and stores an intermediate result of arithmetic processing, data generated as necessary, and the like. The ROM 60 stores control programs and the like.

The input port 52 is an input interface for signals supplied from various sensors. On the other hand, the output port 53 is an output interface for supplying a control signal to each motor, various indicators and the like.

The main input signal generating means connected to the input port 52 for generating various input signals are as follows. "1 BET button" 15a, "2 BE
"T button" 15b and "MAX BET button" 15
Reference numeral c is an input unit for designating the number of medals of one, two, and three among the credits stored in the RAM 61 as the number of bets. Each button is equipped with a sensor, detects a pressing operation by the player, and transmits the information to the CPU 51 via the input port 52.

The "start lever" 6 is pushed down by the player when the player can start the game by inserting medals or inputting the bet number. The start lever 6 is also provided with a sensor for detecting the pressing operation, and the information is transmitted to the CPU 51 via the input port 52. With this as an opportunity, the left, right, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 start to rotate.

The "left stop button" 7a, the "middle stop button" 7b, and the "right stop button" 7c respectively rotate the rotating left, middle and right reels R1, R2, R3 at any timing of the player. A sensor that is a button for stopping and that detects a pressing operation by the player is provided. Sensing information is sent to the CPU 51 via the input port 52.
Be transmitted to. Based on this, the CPU 51 issues a stop command signal to the motor that drives each reel.

The "credit payment button" 8 is the RAM 6
When the player presses the "credit settlement button" 8 with the button for settlement of the number of medals stored in 1, the information is transmitted to the CPU 51 via the input port 52, and the CPU 51 stores this information. Based on this, a drive control signal is issued to the motor 38 so that a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the medal payout device 23.

As described above, the "medal insertion sensor" 26 is provided on the downstream side of the medal transport slope 24. When the medal insertion sensor 22 detects the insertion of a medal, the medal receiving device 22 is started to rotate in a predetermined case. It On the other hand, the “medal acceptance counter” 27 is a means for counting the number of medals when the medals selected by the medal selector 25 as regular game medals are dropped into the medal payout device 23 side. "Medal acceptance counter" 27
A passing medal is detected, and one output pulse is generated for one medal. Therefore, the CPU 51
By counting the output pulses, the number of inserted medals can be detected. This count number is treated as the bet number for the one game, or is recorded in the RAM 61 as the credit number.

"Medal full sensor" 40 (40a, 40
b) is provided above the hopper 41 of the medal payout device 23 as described above. "Medal full sensor" 40
Detects that he is full of medals, the information is CP
It is transmitted to U51. The CPU 51 issues an operation control signal to the medal block solenoid 19 to cut off the passage from the medal selector 25 to the medal payout device 23. As a result, the medal is directly dropped into the medal payout opening 10a and is not sent to the medal payout device 23. On the other hand, the “medal empty sensor” 40c is provided below the hopper 20 of the medal receiving device 22. When the "medal empty sensor" 40c detects that there is no medal in the hopper 20, the information is transmitted to the CPU 51. CPU
51 issues a control signal for stopping the motor 38 in a predetermined case, and the operation of the medal receiving device 22 is stopped.

On the other hand, the CPU connected to the output port 53
The main actuators whose operation is controlled by the control signal from 51 are as follows. "Motor" 3
Based on the operation control signal from the CPU 51, 8 drives the medal acceptance device 22 by rotating counterclockwise and drives the medal payout device 23 by rotating clockwise. The “motor” 38 is constituted by a DC motor in this embodiment.

"1MEDAL lamp" 16a, "2ME
The "DALS lamp" 16b and the "3MEDALS lamp" 16c respectively have a "single BET button" 15a and a "two BET button" 1 when the credit function is enabled.
When 5b and the "MAX BET button" 15c are pressed, and when the credit function is disabled, when one, two, and three medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 5 as the bet number, respectively. , Is turned on based on a control signal from the CPU 51.

The "START lamp" 17 is the "1 sheet BET button" 15a, when the credit function is effective,
"2 BET button" 15b or "MAX BE
When the "T button" 15c is pressed, or when one to three medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 5 by the player when the credit function is invalid, the light is turned on based on a signal from the CPU 51. "START lamp" 17
When is lit, the player's pressing operation of the start lever 6 is detected as being effective, and the information is transmitted to the CPU 51.

The "medal insertion possible display lamp" 18 does not detect that the medal full sensor 40 has filled the medal payout device 23 when the previous one game and the associated medal payout have been completed. In case of CP
It is turned on by a control signal from U51. On the other hand, when the start lever 6 is pushed down and when the medal full sensor 40 senses that the medal payout device 23 is full of medals, the control signal from the CPU 51 turns off the light.

The "game medal accumulated number display" 14a displays the number of credit medals stored in the RAM 61 as described above. The "game number display" 14b displays, for example, the number of games during a big bonus game and the number of remaining regular bonuses that can be played three times during a big bonus. The "game medal payout display" 14c is used when a predetermined number of medals are to be paid out due to the establishment of a prize.
When the credit settlement button 8 is operated and the medals of the number stored in the RAM 61 are to be refunded, the number of medals to be paid out is displayed. During payout, the subtraction process is performed by the number of paid-out medals counted by the above-mentioned medal payout sensor 28, and the subtracted number of medals is displayed in real time on the game medal payout display 14c.

In the "medal block solenoid" 19, the medal full sensor 40 is provided in the hopper 4 of the medal payout device 23.
When it is sensed that 1 is full of medals, an operation control signal from the CPU 51 is received based on the information. When the medal block solenoid 19 operates, the passage from the medal selector 25 to the medal payout device 23 is blocked, and the medals are paid out directly to the medal payout outlet 10a. In this case, the medal payout sensor 28 does not detect a medal.

Using the control device as described above, operation control relating to the exchange of medals in the entire slot machine 1 is performed. Basically, in a slot machine, it is not necessary to pay out medals and receive medals at the same time. Therefore, by configuring the medal acceptance device 22 and the medal payout device 23 to be driven in opposite directions via the one-way clutch, it is possible to perform both medal acceptance and payout by the single motor 38. . However, for example, the player may insert a medal into the medal insertion slot 5 during the medal payout, so that the medal acceptance (driving the medal acceptance device 22: rotation counterclockwise) and the medal payout (medal medal) are performed. When the operation control signals from the CPU 51 for both the driving of the payout device 23 and the clockwise rotation are overlapped, it is necessary to determine in advance which one is to drive the motor 38.

In this embodiment, priority processing is performed by CPU processing. That is, when the medal insertion is detected during the payout processing, the CPU 51 does not immediately shift to the insertion processing, but starts the insertion processing and starts the medal receiving device after the payout processing is completed. Run. When the credit settlement button is pressed while the medal receiving device is activated (during the taking-in process), the taking-in process may be interrupted and the medal payout process may be started.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of payout of medals. When a winning result is established as a result of the game and a predetermined number of medals are to be paid out, or when the credit settlement button 8 is pressed and the number of medals stored in the RAM 61 is to be paid out. The control will be described below.

First, the CPU 51 determines whether or not it is necessary to pay out a predetermined number (X) of medals (step S1). When a negative determination is made, the processing is repeated, and when a positive determination is made, the number of sheets to be paid out (X sheets)
Is displayed on the game medal payout display 14c (step S2). Next, the CPU 51 issues an operation command to rotate the motor 38 to the right (step S3). As a result, the medal payout device 23 is rotationally driven. Then, it is determined whether or not the medal payout sensor 28 has detected the passage of one medal (step S4). When a negative determination is made in step S4, the process of step S4 is repeated. If an affirmative decision is made in step S4, a process of subtracting 1 from X is performed (step S
5). This subtraction process is performed in the RAM in case of payout by winning.
61 or a subtraction process from the number of remaining payouts stored in the CPU 51 itself. When the credit settlement button 8 is operated, the subtraction process is performed from the maximum number of remaining credits 50 stored in the RAM 61. is there. In a succeeding step S6, it is determined whether or not X has become 0.
When a negative determination is made in step S6, the process is returned to step S2, and the display of the number of paid-out coins subtracted by one, the next one medal payout, and the further subtraction process are performed (steps S2 to S5 ), And this process is repeated until X = 0. When it is determined in step S6 that X = 0, the CPU 51 stops the operation command to the motor 38, the clockwise rotation of the motor 38 is stopped (step S7), and the payout process ends.

6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the control of medal acceptance. This process is started in response to the player's act of inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot 5.
First, it is determined whether or not the medal insertion sensor 26 detects a medal (step S12). Step S12
If the determination is affirmative, it is determined whether the motor 38 is rotating clockwise (step S13). When a negative determination is made in step S12 and when an affirmative determination is made in step S13, the respective processes are repeated.

If a negative determination is made in step S13, that is, if it is determined that the motor 38 is not rotating to the right, the CPU 51 issues a control signal to the motor 38 to rotate it counterclockwise. As a result, the medal sending unit 21 of the medal receiving device 22 is rotationally driven, the medals inserted by the player are sent to the medal selector 25, and a predetermined sorting operation is performed.

In the following step S15, it is determined whether or not the credit settlement button 8 is operated and the credit function is valid. If an affirmative decision is made in step S15, that is, if the credit function is valid, then in step S16, whether or not the medal empty sensor 40c senses that there is an empty medal in the hopper 20 of the medal receiving device 22. It will be judged.
This determination is affirmative when no medals are detected within a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). When a negative determination is made in step S16, it is determined whether or not the number of credits stored in the RAM 61 is 50 (step S17). If an affirmative decision is made in step S17, no further credit addition is permitted, so the CPU 51 issues an operation command to the medal block solenoid 19. The medal block solenoid 19 that has received the operation command operates to block the passage from the medal selector 25 to the medal payout device 23 (step S20). In this state, the medal selector 25
All medals passing through are directly paid out to the medal payout opening 10a. The medal receiving device 22 is rotationally driven by the counterclockwise rotation of the motor 38, the medals inserted by the player from the medal insertion slot 5 are sent to the medal selector 25, and the medal block solenoid 19 passes through the passage to the medal payout device 23. Since it is blocked, medals are paid out directly to the medal payout opening 10a.

In a succeeding step S21, it is determined whether or not the medal empty sensor 40c has not detected medals for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), that is, whether all the medals remaining in the hopper 20 of the medal receiving device 22 have been paid out. . When a negative determination is made, the process of step S21 is repeated. If an affirmative decision is made in step S21, the motor 38 is stopped (step S22), and the processing ends.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S16, there is no need to continue the rotation of the motor 38 anymore, and therefore the processing jumps to step S22 and the motor 38
Is stopped, and the process ends. When a negative determination is made in step S17, the medal acceptance counter 2
It is determined whether or not 7 has detected one medal (step S18). If an affirmative decision is made in step S18, a process of adding "1" to the number of credits stored in the RAM 61 is carried out (step S1).
9). When a negative determination is made in step S18, the process is returned to step S14. When the process of step S19 ends, the process returns to step S14.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 7, step S1
Processing when a negative determination is made in 5 will be described. First, it is determined whether the inside of the hopper 20 is empty (no medals) (step S30). This determination is affirmative (the hopper is empty) unless the empty medal sensor 40c detects the presence of a medal for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), as described above. When a negative determination is made in step S30, it is subsequently determined in step S31 whether or not there is a medal count by the medal acceptance counter 27. If an affirmative decision is made in step S31, the bet number is counted (step S32), and the lamp (16a, 16b or 16c) corresponding to the bet number is turned on (step S33). Then the number of bets is 3
It is determined whether or not the number is a sheet (step S34), and when the determination is affirmative, the medal block solenoid 19 is operated and the passage to the medal payout device 23 is cut off (step S35). Next, it is again determined whether or not the hopper 20 is empty (no medals) (step S36). This judgment is also affirmative (the hopper is empty) if the medal empty sensor 40c does not detect the presence of the medal for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), as described above. When a positive determination is made in step S36, the left rotation of the motor 38 is stopped (step S37), and the process ends.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S30, the process ends immediately. Steps S31 and S
If the negative determination is made in step S34, the processing is step S.
Returned to 30. If a negative determination is made in step S36, the process of step S36 is repeated.

The slot machine 1 configured as described above
In (1), the medals thrown in exceeding the predetermined bet number or the credit number are judged by the slot machine 1 side and automatically paid out to the medal payout outlet 10a. Therefore, the player can collectively insert the medals into the medal insertion slot 5 without paying too much attention to the number of medals to be inserted. Therefore, the medal acceptance device 22 and the medal payout device 23 driven by one motor 38 can smoothly exchange the medals between the player and the slot machine 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the player with a comfortable game environment.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 8 is a view showing a medal payout device according to the second embodiment. This medal payout device 1
00 is used for a medal game machine that uses medals of two different sizes. Medal payout device 100
Is a first payout unit 101a for paying out small-sized medals.
And a second payout unit 101b in charge of paying out a large-diameter medal. First payout unit 101a and second payout unit 10
1b are hoppers 120a and 120b, respectively.
Is equipped with. These two hoppers are provided adjacent to each other on substantially the same plane. A drive box 130 is attached to the lower part of the first payout part 101a and the second payout part 101b. The disk 11 in which the first payout portion 101a and the second payout portion 101b are provided with a predetermined number of holes each for gently fitting a plurality of medals.
0a and 110b are provided. The rotating shafts 109a and 109b of the respective disks are rotatably mounted in the housing of the dispensing device in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, in the drive box 130, the motor 10
2 is attached. A gear 104 is attached to the shaft 103 of the motor 102. Further, the rotating shaft 1 described above
Gears 105a and 105b are also attached to 09a and 109b, and the gear 104 is meshed with the gears 105a and 105b. Here, the gear 105a is attached to the rotating shaft 109a via a one-way clutch 106a. Further, the gear 105b is the one-way clutch 10.
It is attached to the rotating shaft 109b via 6b. Bearings 108a and 107a are mounted above and below the rotary shaft 109a to ensure stable rotation of the rotary shaft 109a. Further, the bearings 108 are also provided above and below the rotary shaft 109b.
b and 107b are attached to ensure stable rotation of the rotary shaft 109b. One-way clutch 106a
The rotary shaft 109a and the disk 110a are the motor 10
2 is driven in the counterclockwise rotation direction in the figure. On the other hand, the one-way clutch 106
In b, the rotary shaft 109b and the disk 110b are the motor 1
It is configured to receive the drive of 02 in the clockwise direction (clockwise in the figure).

In the above structure, the drive box 130
Internal gear 105a, one-way clutch 106a, bearings 107a, 108a, shaft 109a, and hopper 12
The disc 110a exposed on the bottom surface of the 0a constitutes the medal sending portion 140a in the first payout portion 101a. On the other hand, the gear 105b in the drive box 130, the one-way clutch 106b, the bearings 107b and 108b,
The shaft 109b and the disc 110b exposed on the bottom surface of the hopper 120b form a medal sending portion 140b in the second payout portion 101b.

According to the medal payout device 100 of the second embodiment having such a configuration, the small-diameter medals can be paid out by rotating one motor 102 to the left, and the large-diameter medals can be paid by rotating it to the right. Can be paid out. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to simplification of the device, reduction of manufacturing cost, and reduction of maintenance cost.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 9 is a view showing a medal payout device according to the third embodiment. This medal payout device 2
00 is similar to the medal payout device 100 of the second embodiment,
It is used in a medal game machine that uses medals of two different sizes. The medal payout device 200 includes a first payout unit 201a in charge of payout of small-diameter medals, and a second payout unit 201b in charge of payout of large-diameter medals. The first payout unit 201a and the second payout unit 201b are
The hoppers 220a and 220b are provided, respectively. These two hoppers are provided vertically with the hopper 220a as the upper part. The drive box 230 is attached to the lower portion of the second payout unit 201b. The first payout portion 201a and the second payout portion 201b are provided with disks 210a and 210b each having a predetermined number of holes into which a plurality of medals are gently fitted. Each disk shares the rotating shaft 209. The rotary shaft 209 is rotatably attached to the housing of the dispensing device in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, in the drive box 230, the motor 20
2 is attached. A pulley (not shown) is attached to the tip of the shaft 203 of the motor 202. On the other hand, a pulley (not shown) is also attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 209, and these two pulleys are engaged by a belt 204. Here, the upper disk 210a is attached to the rotary shaft 209 via a one-way clutch 206a. Bearings 205a and 206a are arranged above and below the one-way clutch 206a to ensure stable rotation of the rotary shaft 209. Also, the lower disk 21
0b is the rotary shaft 20 via the one-way clutch 206b.
It is attached to 9. Bearings 205b and 206b are arranged above and below the one-way clutch 206b to ensure stable rotation of the rotary shaft 209. In the one-way clutch 206a, the disk 210a is the motor 202.
Is driven in the clockwise direction (clockwise in the figure). On the other hand, one-way clutch 206b
Is configured so that the disk 210b receives the drive of the motor 202 in the counterclockwise rotation direction in the figure.

In the above structure, the one-way clutch 206a, the bearings 205a and 207a, the shaft 209, and the disk 210a exposed on the bottom surface of the hopper 220a.
Is the medal sending unit 240a in the first payout unit 201a.
Are configured. On the other hand, the one-way clutch 206b in the drive box 230, the bearings 205b and 207b, the shaft 209, and the disc 210b exposed on the bottom surface of the hopper 220b constitute a medal sending portion 240b in the second payout portion 201b.

According to the medal payout device 200 of the third embodiment configured as described above, the small diameter medals can be paid out by rotating one motor 202 to the right, and the large diameter medals can be paid by rotating it to the left. Can be paid out. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to simplification of the device, reduction of manufacturing cost, and reduction of maintenance cost.
Furthermore, the number of rotating shafts can be reduced as compared with the medal payout device 100 of the second embodiment.

In the medal receiving device and the medal payout device of the first to third embodiments described above, the effective drive direction of the one-way clutch that determines the drive direction of the disc is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and two discs are used. It suffices to set so that the rotational driving directions of are opposite to each other.

[0079]

Embodiments (1) An overseas game machine is an actual example of handling two types of coins in a slot machine. In these game machines, cash may be directly handled instead of lending coins rented out at the game arcade, so it is necessary to properly use two medal payout machines depending on the denomination. Specifically, for example,
This is a case where the medal payout machines corresponding to 5 cent coins and 25 cent coins are used properly. If one bet is treated with 5 cent coin, 25 cent coin will be 5 bet. In this case, according to the present invention, for example, when paying out 70 cents, it is possible to pay out such as 2 coins of 25 cents and 4 coins of 5 cents.

(2) In yet another example, for example, in a casino place near the border, currency coins having different value standards of two countries may be used, and in such a case, application of the present invention can be considered. In this case, it is desirable to pay out with the same coin type as the inserted coin type. More specifically, it has a common coin slot and is provided with a coin selector capable of discriminating between two types of coins and others. The slot machine is equipped with two types of credit functions in advance,
When two types of coins are inserted at the same time, they are separately stored in the credit function corresponding to each coin. When a game is played with one of the coins and coin payout is required as a result of the game, payout is performed with coins of the same kind as the coin type inserted in the game.
In the case of a game machine that does not have a credit function, a button or switch for selecting coins to be used in the game is provided in advance in the slot machine. Then, before the player starts playing the game, the player arbitrarily selects which coin to use. By doing so, the game can be played by switching the medal block solenoid provided in the coin selector and inserting the coin into the hopper corresponding to the coin to be used.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the presently most practical and preferred embodiments, the present invention is limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. However, the present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a medal game machine and a slot machine accompanied by such modifications are also technical aspects of the present invention. It must be understood to be within the scope.

[0082]

As described above, one drive source and two medal sending parts each driven by the drive source and provided with a one-way clutch are provided, and each one-way clutch has two medal sending parts. According to the medal game machine, which is characterized in that the rotating unit provided in is arranged so as to rotate in the opposite direction, the two medal sending units can be driven by one drive source. Therefore, the configuration of the game machine can be simplified, which can contribute to reduction of manufacturing cost and simplification of maintenance.

In the medal game machine of the above aspect, when the two medal sending units are configured to receive or pay out medals of different shapes, in the medal game machine using two types of medals, Since the two medal sending units for paying out medals can be driven by one drive source, the structure of the game machine can be simplified, which can contribute to reduction of manufacturing cost, simplification of maintenance, and the like.

In the medal game machine of the above aspect,
In the case where one of the two medal sending units receives the medals and the other medal sending unit pays out the medals, the player inserts the medals into the game machine one by one. No need. That is, since many medals can be inserted at one time, the player can be released from the complicated medal insertion work.

In the case of the above-mentioned structure, if the two medal sending units share the driving shaft, the driving shaft can be shared by the two medal sending units in addition to the driving source. . Therefore, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the game machine, which contributes to reduction of manufacturing cost and simplification of maintenance.

Further, a display unit for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is provided, and when the symbols displayed on each display unit are a combination of symbols of a predetermined winning combination on any of the winning lines, a prize is won and the prize is won. A slot machine for paying out medals according to winning combinations, comprising two medal sending parts each having two one-way clutches arranged so that they can be rotationally driven in different directions on one drive shaft, According to the slot machine, one of the two medal sending units receives a medal, and the other medal sending unit pays out medals.
In a slot machine provided with a medal sending unit for accepting medals and a medal sending unit for paying out medals, the drive source and the drive shaft of the two medal sending units can be shared. In particular, in the slot machine, since it is not necessary to accept and pay out medals at the same time in principle, the merit of the above configuration is great.

In the above description, if one medal sending unit is provided with a hopper on the medal receiving side to form a medal receiving device, and the medal receiving device is configured to receive a plurality of medals, the player does not have to shake his or her sight line. It is possible to appropriately pick up the desired number of medals from the medal tray and insert them into the medal insertion slot. Compared with the conventional case where one medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot, the work amount and attention required for inserting a medal can be significantly reduced, and a comfortable game can be provided to the player.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a medal receiving device and a medal payout device provided inside a slot machine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a medal receiving device and a medal payout device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system relating to the exchange of medals in a slot machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of payout of medals.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control of medal acceptance.

FIG. 7 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a medal payout device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a medal payout device according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 slot machine 20 hopper 21 medal sending section 22 Medal receiving device 23 Medal payout device 30 axes (driving axis) 32 one-way clutch 36 one-way clutch 38 Motor (drive source) 42 medal sending section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A rotary unit provided with one drive source and two medal sending units driven by the drive source and each having a one-way clutch, and each one-way clutch provided in the two medal sending units. A medal game machine, which is arranged so as to rotate in the opposite direction. 2. The medal game machine according to claim 1, wherein the two medal sending units receive or pay out medals of different shapes. 3. The medal game according to claim 1, wherein one of the two medal sending units receives a medal and the other medal sending unit pays out medals. Machine. 4. The medal game machine according to claim 1, wherein the two medal sending units share a drive shaft. 5. A display unit for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is provided, and when the symbols displayed on the display unit are a combination of symbols of a predetermined combination on any of the winning lines, a prize is won and the prize is won. A slot machine for paying out medals according to a role, comprising two medal sending parts each having two one-way clutches arranged so that they can be rotationally driven in different directions on one drive shaft, Of the two medal sending units, one medal sending unit receives medals,
The slot machine characterized in that the other medal sending section is for paying out medals. 6. The medal receiving unit comprises a hopper on a medal receiving side to form a medal receiving device, and the medal receiving device receives a plurality of medals. Slot machine.