JP2005124839A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of opposing the illegal action of inserting a thin and long metallic band plate from the gap of the outer frame and front surface panel of a slot machine or the like, accessing the connector of a power unit, short-circuiting a circuit and forcibly changing the setting of a winning rate. <P>SOLUTION: In the slot machine 1, the power unit 8 is installed on the back plate 2h of the outer frame 2. Thus, since a distance from an illegally acting person to the power unit 8 becomes long and components such as a pattern fluctuation device 5 become practical barricades, the illegal action to the power unit 8 is sufficiently opposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine using a game medium such as a medal.

Currently, there is a slot machine that uses medals as game media as one of the gaming machines. As shown in FIG. 19, the slot machine includes a box-shaped outer frame 102 composed of a side frame 100 framed in a square shape in front view and a back plate 101 provided on the back surface of the side frame 100. Although not displayed, a front panel rotatably attached to the front surface of the outer frame 102 as a single-open door, a game medium discharge device 103 that discharges game media to the player as a prize, and three pieces that can be individually rotated The symbol change device 104 having the reel as a main component, various switches (power switch 105, error release switch 106, key switch 107 for hit rate setting operated by a key for changing the probability setting, stop switch 108, A power supply device 110 provided with a settlement changeover switch 109 or the like. Among these components, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, the power supply device 110 is installed at a lower corner portion of the outer frame 102 corresponding to the hinge portion side of the front panel.
JP 2001-25525 A

As described above, since the power supply device 110 incorporates a game-related function such as a setting change of the hit rate, it is easily targeted by unauthorized persons.
As an unauthorized work on the power supply device 110, a slender metal strip is inserted through the gap between the outer frame 102 and the front panel to access the connector of the power supply device 110, and the circuit is short-circuited to forcibly set the hit rate. There is a trick to change. In the past, security measures such as covering the power supply device 110 with a security panel have been taken against such illegal acts, but there is almost no effect. On the contrary, by providing a panel around the power supply device 110, the power supply device 110 There was a demerit that reduced the heat dissipation performance.
In addition, as another illegal work on the power supply device 110, a fraudulent board with a receiver is installed in a cable connecting the power supply apparatus 110 and the control device, and the illegal board is activated by a specific radio wave transmitted by the unauthorized person, thereby hitting the hit rate. There is also a trick to forcibly change the setting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of combating the former unauthorized work in the above-described problem with respect to the power supply device.

  An outer frame composed of a side frame framed in a quadrangle in front view and a back plate provided on the back of the side frame, a front panel attached to the front surface of the outer frame, and a symbol change device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols And a power supply device, and a gaming machine in which the power supply device is installed on a back plate of an outer frame.

  When the power supply device is installed on the back plate of the outer frame, the distance from the unauthorized person to the power supply device is increased, and parts such as the symbol variation device become a substantial barricade, so that it is possible to sufficiently counter the illegal acts on the power supply device. Also, since the back plate of the outer frame is directly behind the gaming machine and cannot be tampered with by unauthorized persons, it is easy to take measures against heat generation of the power supply device, such as providing a heat radiation port in the back plate that leads from the inside of the outer frame to the back of the machine.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below by exemplifying a slot machine as a gaming machine. The following embodiments and the following description of Example 1 will be described with reference to embodiments and examples of technical ideas listed in the next paragraph. Also applies. 1 is a perspective view of the slot machine with the lower panel opened, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the slot machine, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slot machine, and FIGS. 4-A, 4-B, and 4-C. Is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a corner portion of the upper part of the back surface of the slot machine, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a connecting portion of the upper panel and the lower panel, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a slot machine showing another embodiment, FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a power supply device, FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device, and FIG. The perspective view of the slot machine which shows embodiment, FIG. 10 is a block diagram.

[Technical Thought 1]
An outer frame composed of a side frame framed in a quadrangle in front view and a back plate provided on the back surface of the side frame, a front panel attached to the front surface of the outer frame, and a symbol change device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols And a power supply device, and forms a space that reaches the back plate of the outer frame through the upper part of the symbol variation device, and on the other hand, is a switch attached to the upper portion of the back plate of the outer frame and manually inserted from the space A game machine characterized in that a power supply device is installed at a position where the device can be operated.
[Technical Thought 2]
The back plate is formed with a heat radiating port that penetrates through the back of the machine, while a heat sink is formed on the power supply unit, and the heat sink is exposed to the heat radiating port so as to dissipate heat outside the machine. A gaming machine described in Technical Idea 1.
[Technical Thought 3]
It has an outer frame consisting of a side frame framed in a frontal quadrangle and a back plate provided on the back of the side frame, a symbol variation device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, a power supply device, and a control device. The power supply device is installed on the upper part of the back plate of the outer frame, the control device is attached to the symbol change device itself or a unit including the design change device, and the power supply device and the control device are each provided with a connector. A gaming machine in which a connector of a power supply device and a connector of a control device are directly fitted together so that they are electrically joined.
[Technical Thought 4]
The gaming machine according to the technical idea 3, wherein the connector is a drawer connector.

  The slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped outer frame 2 having an open front surface, a front panel 3 rotatably attached to the front surface of the outer frame 2 in the form of a single-open door, and a game medium (hereinafter referred to as a prize). A game medium discharge device (hereinafter referred to as “medal discharge device”) 7 for discharging a medal), a medal storage tray 4 provided below the front panel 3, and three individually rotatable three It is schematically composed of a symbol change device 5 having the reels 5a, 5b and 5c as main components and a power supply device 8.

[Outer frame]
The outer frame 2 is made of wood and comprises a side frame 2g framed in a square shape in front view and a back plate 2h provided on the back surface of the side frame 2g, and a number of ventilation holes are formed at substantially the center of the height. A shelf-like partition plate 6 is provided. The medal discharge device 7 and the medal auxiliary storage box 9 are provided in a region below the partition plate 6 of the outer frame 2, and a power supply device 8 is provided on the back plate 2 h in the region above the partition plate 6.

  In the outer frame 2 of the embodiment, a metal plate 18 serving both as an electromagnetic wave countermeasure and a crime prevention countermeasure is attached to the upper surface of the bottom plate 2a. As shown in FIG. 6, the front edge of the metal plate 18 protrudes ahead of the front edge of the bottom plate 2a to form a flange 18a. The flange 18a aims at the joint between the front panel 3 and the outer frame 2. Prevents foreign objects (for example, thin synthetic resin or metal strip) from being inserted. The medal auxiliary storage box 9 is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the metal plate 18, and the medal discharge device 7 is slidable back and forth on the rail member 19 attached to the upper surface of the metal plate 18. It is attached.

  The medal releasing device 7 is a device main body 7a having a built-in driving means attached with a hopper 7b for storing medals, and a medal discharge port 7c is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 7a. The driving means sends out a medal one by one toward the discharge port 7c. The hopper 7b is provided with an overflow basket 7d for discharging overflowing medals, and the above-mentioned medal auxiliary storage box 9 faces below the protruding end of the overflow basket 7d. The medal releasing mechanism of the medal releasing device 7 may adopt any currently known mechanism, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the medal releasing device 7 is mounted on the rail member 19 attached to the upper surface of the metal plate 18 so as to be slidable back and forth as described above, and can be pulled forward when the medal is replenished to the hopper 7b. It is like that. At this time, if the handle 7e provided on the apparatus main body 7a of the medal releasing device 7 is grasped, the insertion and removal is smooth and the workability is good, and the horizontal action such as putting the hand on the edge of the hopper 7b and taking it in and out can be suppressed. Effective in preventing damage and deformation. Note that the handle 7e of the medal releasing device 7 does not have a protruding form as shown in the figure, but a hooking hole (for example, any number of fingers) that can accommodate one finger is formed on the front surface of the device main body 7a. It may be. Further, the medal discharging device 7 does not need to be fixed to the bottom plate 2a (metal plate 18), and it is sufficient that the medal discharging device 7 is constrained to freely move by hitting the closed front panel 3. In this way, the medal discharge device 7 can be pulled out immediately after opening the front panel 3. The means for movably supporting the medal releasing device 7 is not limited to the rail member 19. For example, a link is interposed between the bottom plate 2 a and the medal releasing device 7, and the movement of the medal releasing device 7 is performed by the link. You may make it guide.

  In the embodiment, the whole of the medal discharge device 7 including the device main body 7a is slid in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the device main body 7a is fixed to the bottom plate 2a, and the mouth of the hopper 7b. The part 7f or the entire hopper 7b may be slid in the front-rear direction. According to this method, the movement is light and the workability is good compared with the case where the entire medal discharging device 7 is slid, and the stability is high because the device main body 7a of the medal discharging device 7 is fixed to the bottom plate 2a. In addition, the cable connected to the apparatus main body 7a also has an effect that there is no risk of disconnection due to bending and stretching.

[Outer frame-back plate-power supply]
As shown in FIG. 8, the power supply device 8 installed on the back plate 2h of the outer frame 2 has a heat sink 8a for heat dissipation on the abdominal surface facing the back plate 2h, and a power switch 11 and an error release switch on the opposite surface. 12, a hit rate setting key switch 13 operated by a key for changing the probability setting, a stop switch 14, a valid / invalid changeover switch 16 for switching validity / invalidity of a joining detection sensor 15 described later, a settlement changeover switch 17, etc. Switches, a drawer connector 8b, and a connector 8c for connecting to the medal discharge device 7 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4A, the heat sink 8a of the power supply device 8 protrudes rearward from the abdominal surface of the power supply device 8, and is gently placed in the heat radiation port 2i opened on the back plate 2h of the outer frame 2. It comes to fit. Therefore, the heat of the power supply device 8 is discharged to the back side of the slot machine 1 through the heat sink 8a, and thus the temperature rise inside the outer frame 2 can be suppressed.
FIG. 4-B shows another heat dissipation structure of the power supply device 8. In this example, a large number of through holes (not shown) for heat dissipation are formed on the abdominal surface of the power supply device 8. A metal mounting base 8d that also serves as a heat radiating plate is attached to the heat radiating port 2i having a width of 8 so that heat of the power supply device 8 is discharged from the mounting base 8d to the outside of the apparatus. Of course, a large number of heat radiation ports 2i may be provided in the back plate 2h itself without providing the mounting base 8d, and the power supply device 8 may be directly attached. However, as shown in FIG. If the power supply device 8 is sunk, the amount of protrusion of the power supply device 8 into the outer frame 2 can be suppressed, and the inside of the outer frame 2 can be used widely.

[Outer frame-drawer frame]
The outer frame 2 is provided with a detachable synthetic resin drawer frame 2x. The drawer frame 2x is positioned on the partition plate 6 by engaging a hook piece 2b (see FIG. 2) formed below both side surfaces with a receiving piece 2c protruding from the inner surface of the outer frame 2. The Accordingly, the drawer frame 2x can be extracted from the outer frame 2 by releasing the engagement of the hook piece 2b with the receiving piece 2c. In addition to the engagement of the hook piece 2b and the receiving piece 2c, a set screw (not shown) is inserted into the through hole 2c formed in the upper part of both side surfaces of the drawer frame 2x and the female screw hole 2d formed in the inner side surface of the outer frame 2. ) To ensure the connection between the two.

  The depth of the drawer frame 2x is smaller than the depth of the outer frame 2, and a gap for inserting a cable is formed between the back plate 2h of the outer frame 2 and the drawer frame 2x in a state of being fitted into the outer frame 2. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2e denotes a spacer fixed to the rear surface of the drawer frame 2x in order to secure the gap (of course, such a spacer 2e may be provided on the outer frame 2 side), and reference numeral 2f denotes the drawer frame 2x. Springs, rubber, foam, and other elastic members attached to the back surface of the door, and urging the drawer frame 2x forward to apply pressure to the engagement between the key portion of the hook piece 2b and the receiving piece 2c. When the piece 2b is removed from the receiving piece 2c, the drawer frame 2x is slightly pushed forward to prevent re-engagement between the hook piece 2b and the receiving piece 2c.

  The control device 20 and the symbol variation device 5 are attached to the drawer frame 2x. The symbol changing device 5 has three reels 5a, 5b, 5c that can be individually rotated, and is a well-known device that plays a game by combining a plurality of symbols drawn on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 5a, 5b, 5c. The symbol changing device 5 is not limited to the one that rotates the reels 5a, 5b, and 5c, and may use a display device such as a liquid crystal. The control device 20 is installed in a large skylight 2j opened in the ceiling portion of the drawer frame 2x, and the drawer frame is provided on the rear surface of the control device 20 (the surface on the side facing the back plate 2h of the outer frame 2). A drawer connector 20a is provided so as to protrude from 2x. This drawer connector 20a is paired with the drawer connector 8b of the power supply device 8, and when the drawer frame 2x is fitted into the outer frame 2 and pushed in while sliding straight on the partition plate 6, the drawer connector 8b, 20a couple | bond together. Therefore, the power supply device 8 and the control device 20 in this case are in a state of being directly coupled by fitting the connectors directly.

As described above, the pattern change device 5 and the control device 20 are unitized in the drawer frame 2x, and the drawer frame 2x can be attached to and detached from the outer frame 2 at the same time. The control device 20 and the power supply device 8 are automatically connected and disconnected by simply inserting and removing the drawer connectors 8b and 20a. Since no cable is interposed in the connecting structure of the power supply device 8 and the control device 20 by the drawer connectors 8b and 20a, there is no possibility that an unauthorized board with a receiver is loaded.
The outer frame 2 is provided with guide means for guiding the drawer frame 2x in the front-rear direction and in a constant path, like the partition plate 6 of the embodiment, and this guide means stabilizes the path of the drawer frame 2x. The drawer connectors 8b and 20a can be inserted and removed without hindrance. In addition to the partition plate 6, the guide means may be provided with a rail for guiding the drawer frame 2x on the side frame 2g of the outer frame 2.
The drawer connectors 8b and 20a are examples of the connectors that are considered to be most preferable. Of course, the drawer connectors 8b and 20a need not be limited to this, and there is no reason to stick to the connector name and structure as long as the connectors can be easily fitted and removed.

[Front panel]
The front panel 3 is attached to the front surface of the outer frame 2 so as to be rotatable in the form of a single door. However, the front panel 3 of the embodiment is divided into an upper panel 3 a and a lower panel 3 b at a portion corresponding to the partition plate 6 of the outer frame 2, and the lower panel 3 b is a hinge member 24 attached directly to the outer frame 2. 24, and the upper panel 3a is rotatably supported by a hinge member (not shown) attached to the drawer frame 2x constituting a part of the outer frame 2. The upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b are detachable from the outer frame 2 or the drawer frame 2x. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a laterally concave keyway 25 on the lower edge of the upper panel 3a, while there is a straight rearward flange 26 on the upper edge of the lower panel 3b. The flange 26 of the lower panel 3b is fitted in the keyway 25. Accordingly, the upper panel 3a is locked by the lower panel 3b, and the upper panel 3a cannot be opened unless the lower panel 3b is opened. Even if a foreign object is inserted into the joint between the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b, the keyway 25 and the collar piece 26 are engaged with each other to prevent the foreign object from entering the interior.

[Front panel-Lower panel]
The lower panel 3b of the front panel 3 has a receiving tray 4 for storing medals on the lower side on the front side, and an operation unit 50 is provided on the upper side on the front side. As in the conventional slot machine, the operation unit 50 has a slot 27 for inserting medals and a one-sheet insertion button 28 for instructing insertion of only one of the medals stored as data in the memory of the control device 20. Similarly, a two-sheet insertion button 29 for instructing the insertion of only two cards, a MAX insertion button 30 for instructing the insertion of the maximum number (for example, three) that can be used in one game, and a medal selector 31 to be described later A medal return button 32 for returning a medal jammed in the tray 4 and a storage cancel switch for inputting a medal storage cancel command (release command by settlement) stored as data in the memory of the control device 20 33, a start lever 34 for operating the symbol variation device 5, and three reel stop buttons 35 for stopping the reels 5a, 5b, 5c of the symbol variation device 5. Has 35b, and 35c, and the fixed display unit 36 described game method and decorative patterns. Of course, the configuration of the operation unit 50 shown here is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The fixed display portion 36 has a transparent cover 36a that can be freely attached and detached, and the display sheet 36b in the inside can be exchanged in accordance with changes in game content.

  Further, a decorative panel 37 for displaying a model name and the like is provided between the operation unit 50 and the tray 4 of the lower panel 3b. The decorative panel 37 is detachably attached to the lower panel 3b, and by changing the decorative panel 37, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in model. Further, a locking device 38 that is opened and closed using a dedicated key (not shown) is provided on one side of the free end side of the lower panel 3b. Note that the model change is performed by replacing the drawer frame 2x with a unit, and the temporary fixing means for temporarily fixing the decorative panel 37 to the unit of the drawer frame 2x is replaced with the unit of the drawer frame 2x. It may be provided on one or both of the decorative panels 37. The temporary fixing means in this case is provided first with a locking part for locking the decorative panel 37 on the outer surface of the drawer frame 2x, and secondly with a locking part on the decorative panel 37 to place any place on the drawer frame 2x. And third, attaching a planar fastener to the decorative panel 37 and the drawer frame 2x to couple them together.

  Further, a metal plate 39 serving both as an electromagnetic wave countermeasure and a crime prevention measure is attached to the back side of the lower panel 3b, and a joint piece 39a formed by warping the tip of the metal plate 39 in a substantially horizontal manner at the bottom of the metal plate 39. And the joint piece 39a is brought into pressure contact with the upper surface of the bottom plate 2a of the outer frame 2, whereby the metal plate 18 of the bottom plate 2a and the metal plate 39 of the lower panel 3b are electrically connected to enhance the electromagnetic shielding effect and the outer frame 2 And blocking the insertion of foreign objects aimed at the joint of the front panel 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a medal selector 31 is provided on the back side of the insertion slot 27. A medal basket 40 is connected to the side of the medal selector 31, and a return basket 41 is connected to the bottom. . The medal selector 31 is a well-known one that switches the flow path by turning on and off the built-in solenoid 42. When the game state is waiting for the player to insert a medal, the medal selector 31 is placed on the medal basket 40 side or exceeds the prescribed number. In the gaming state where medals are refused to be inserted, such as the insertion of medals, a flow path is set on the return basket 41 side. When the lower panel 3b is in the closed position where the lower panel 3b covers the front surface of the outer frame 2, the tip of the medal jar 40 faces the hopper 7b of the medal discharge device 7 and passes through the medal selector 31 from the insertion port 27. Then, the medal that flows to the medal 樋 40 reaches the hopper 7b. On the other hand, the return basket 41 is connected to the front receiving tray 4, and medals flowing from the insertion slot 27 through the medal selector 31 to the return basket 41 return to the receiving tray 4. In addition, the return port 41 is provided with a connection port 41 a in the middle of the flow path, and the connection port 41 a is aligned with the discharge port 7 c of the medal discharge device 7 so that medals discharged from the medal discharge device 7 can be received in the tray 4. Lead.

[Front panel-Upper panel]
The upper panel 3a of the front panel 3 has a transparent window 43 corresponding to the three reels 5a, 5b, 5c installed in the drawer frame 2x, and a memory of the control device 20 is provided below the window 43, for example. In addition, various information display sections 44 that appropriately display the number of medals stored as data are displayed, and an image display device 45 such as a liquid crystal that displays a moving image or a still image is provided in the upper center of the window 43.

The upper panel 3a has a confirmation window through which the hook piece 2b and the receiving piece 2c are engaged (a positioning point when the hook piece 2b and the receiving piece 2c have a simple dowel-to-dowel hole relationship). In this embodiment, the window 43 serves as a confirmation window. When looking into the window 43 from above, the reels 5a, 5b, 5c and the upper panel 3a The hook piece 2b can be seen from the gap between them. Thus, if a part of the window 43 is used as a confirmation window, the hook piece 2b and the receiving piece 2c are engaged with each other with the upper panel 3a attached to the drawer frame 2x and closed (see FIG. 3) (or The drawer frame 2x can be accurately attached to the outer frame 2 while visually observing the alignment state.
On the other hand, when the upper panel 3a is opened with the drawer frame 2x attached to the outer frame 2, a space for operating switches with at least one hand passing between the switches of the power supply device 8 from the front of the symbol change device 5 S is provided on the symbol change device 5 so that the switches of the power supply device 8 in the back of the symbol change device 5 can be operated without inconvenience.

As is apparent from the above description, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the upper half of the component parts is unitized with the drawer frame 2x as a support base, and the drawer frame 2x is batched with respect to the outer frame 2. And can be removed. Such a drawer frame 2x can be provided not only in the upper half of the outer frame 2 but also in the lower half. In this case, the lower drawer frame (not shown) may have the same configuration as the upper drawer frame 2x, but the lower panel 3b and all components below the partition plate 6 such as the medal discharge device 7 are unitized. The In this way, two detachable drawer frames 2x are formed on the upper and lower sides of the outer frame 2, and the main components excluding the power supply device 8 are distributed and installed on the two drawer frames 2x, thereby forming a unit. If a slot machine is constituted by the two drawer frames 2x and the outer frame 2, the following specific effects can be obtained.
(1) Since most of the components are distributed to the two drawer frames 2x, the outer frame 2 becomes lighter and the assembly work to the gaming machine installation island becomes easy.
(2) A new stand can be replaced simply by exchanging the upper and lower drawer frames 2x while the outer frame 2 is attached to the gaming machine installation island. In addition, since most of the components are distributed to the two drawer frames 2x, each drawer frame 2x is relatively lightweight, and therefore the drawer frame 2x can be replaced by one person. The outer frame 2 does not need to be replaced once it is attached to the gaming machine installation island.
(3) If spares for the upper and lower drawer frames 2x are prepared in the management room one by one, even if the slot machine 1 installed on the gaming machine installation island breaks down immediately before the start of business or during business, the failed drawer frame It can be used immediately by simply replacing the 2x and the normal spare drawer frame 2x, and the business loss caused by the failure can be minimized. The failed drawer frame 2x may be prepared for the next failure after being repaired in a separate room. By the way, in the slot machine in which the medal releasing device 7 is directly attached to the outer frame 2, if the medal releasing device 7 breaks down, the slot machine cannot be used until the repair is completed, so that a large loss in business is incurred.

[Joint detection sensor]
Accordingly, the slot machine 1 of the present invention is provided with a joining detection sensor 15 for detecting the joining state of the connecting portion between the medal discharge device 7 and the tray 4. The joining detection sensor 15 is, for example, a microswitch that is on the front edge of the bottom plate 2a of the outer frame 2 and is turned on when it hits a part of the lower panel 3b and is turned off when the lower panel 3b is separated. The signal for detecting opening / closing of the lower panel 3b is transmitted to the control device 20 as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 10, and the control device 20 receiving the signal receives the medal releasing device when the lower panel 3b is in the open state. 7 and the receiving portion 4, that is, the joint state of the discharge port 7 c of the medal discharge device 7 and the connection port 41 a of the return basket 41 is determined to be defective, and the joint state is good when the lower panel 3 b is in the closed state. Judge. And the control apparatus 20 controls the medal | token discharge | release apparatus 7 as follows combining the information regarding the quality of the said joining state, and other information.
The problems to be solved in the control means described in the following paragraphs are as follows.
The slot machine stores medals inserted by a player in a hopper of a medal discharge device, and discharges the stored medals as a prize to a tray. Accordingly, when the number of medals released as a prize is larger than the number of medals inserted, the medals of the medal releasing device will eventually bottom out. At this time, the control device that has received an error signal indicating that the medal has expired automatically stops the medal discharge device and informs the employee that the medal is being supplied to the hopper instead of being automated. . The employee then opens the front panel, supplies medals to the hopper, and presses the error release switch to reset. At this time, if the medal to be released remains in the memory in the control device, the medal releasing device will be activated as soon as the error release switch is pressed. The medal releasing device is not in the joined state, and all the released medals appear in the air. Therefore, the employee waits for the medal releasing device to stop while receiving the falling medal, repeats the inefficient work of closing the front panel and returning the medal to the tray after the discharging is completed, and the medal to the hopper The efficiency of supply work is bad.

[Combination with error signal]
The medal releasing device 7 is provided with a payout medal sensor 46 for detecting a medal in the hopper 7b. When the payout medal sensor 46 detects that the medal has expired, an error signal is transmitted to the control device 20. If it does so, the control apparatus 20 will stop the operational medal discharge | release apparatus 7, and will notify that to an administrator and an employee. Upon receiving this, the employee opens the lower panel 3b, pulls the hopper 7b forward, and supplies medals. At this time, when the lower panel 3b is opened, the bonding detection sensor 15 transmits the bonding failure information to the control device 20.

  Next, the employee who has finished supplying medals pushes the hopper 7b to the original position, puts his hand in the back of the symbol change device 5 and presses the error release switch 12 in the power supply device 8 to reset the error state. However, at this stage, since the lower panel 3b is still open and the joining detection sensor 15 has not issued the joining goodness information, the medal is not released while the medal releasing device 7 is set to the inoperable state.

  Next, when the employee closes the lower panel 3b, the joining detection sensor 15 transmits joining goodness information to the control device 20, and the control device 20 that receives the information makes the medal releasing device 7 operable. At this time, if a medal to be released remains in the memory of the control device 20, the medal releasing device 7 operates to release the medal from the discharge port 7c through the connection port 41a to the tray 4.

Although the error canceling process has been described above, it is preferable that the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied. For example, the input buttons 28, 29, 30, the start lever 34, the reel stop buttons 35a, 35b, 35c, etc. Add a signal. That is, the resetting of the error state by the error release switch 12, the joining goodness information of the joining detection sensor 15, and the input signal of the operation unit 50 are satisfied, and the medal releasing device 7 is put into an operable state. By doing so, it is possible for the player to resume paying out medals. For example, even if the player stands temporarily using an error canceling process, the medal can be repaid until the player returns to the seat. Since the payout is not resumed, it is possible to improve the convenience such that the medal theft is effectively prevented.
The combination of the above three conditions is the most preferable example, and the condition of the good joint information of the joint detection sensor 15 can be omitted from these three conditions. In this case, when the error state reset by the error release switch 12 and the input signal of the operation unit 50 are satisfied, the medal releasing device 7 is put into an operable state, and the above-described benefits can be fully enjoyed by this alone. These technical ideas can be grasped as follows.
[Technical Thought A]
An outer frame,
A front panel attached to the front of the outer frame in the form of a single door,
A game and player operation unit provided on the front panel;
A game medium discharge device for releasing a game medium such as a medal to the player as a prize;
A tray for storing game media provided on the front panel;
An error release switch provided at a position to operate by opening the front panel,
A gaming machine in which an error release signal by the error release switch and an input signal of the operation unit are combined as a condition to make the game medium discharge device that has been made inoperable by an error signal into an operable state. "
[Technical Thought B]
A joining detection sensor for detecting the joining state of the connecting portion between the game medium discharge device and the tray is provided, and the good joint information by the joint detection sensor is added to the conditions described in the technical idea A for enabling the game medium discharge device. A game machine like this. "
[Technical Thought C]
The game medium discharge device is installed on the outer frame side, and the opening / closing of the front panel is detected by a bonding detection sensor. When the front panel is in the open state, the bonding state is determined to be defective, and the front panel is in the closed state. A gaming machine according to the technical idea B, wherein the joining state is judged to be good at some time.

  In addition to the above-mentioned medal shortage (hopper empty), the object to be processed as an error includes a malfunction of the medal discharge device 7, clogging of medals (hopper jam), backflow, or the medal auxiliary storage box 9 being full, In such a case, it is the same as above.

[Combination with storage release signal]
The slot machine 1 can store a player's medal in the memory of the control device 20 with an upper limit of 50, for example. In this case, the medal can be input by inputting the above-described 1-sheet insertion button 28 or the like. A game can be performed by instructing the insertion. In this case, the number of medals used for the game is withdrawn from the memory, and if a prize is given according to the game result, the number of medals is added to the memory, and if the number of memories exceeds 50 The surplus medals are actually released to the tray 4. Then, when the player presses the storage release switch 33 as an indication of payment intention, medals corresponding to the stored number in the memory of the control device 20 are released to the tray 4. In the present invention, the medal discharge device 7 is set to be in an operable state when both the storage release signal by the storage release switch 33 and the joining goodness information by the joining detection sensor 15 are combined.

  Thus, in the state where medals are stored in the memory of the control device 20, for example, the hopper 7b is clogged, or conversely, there are no more medals in the hopper 7b. You may need it. In this case, when the employee opens the upper and lower panels 3a and 3b, and the trouble is solved, when the upper and lower panels 3a and 3b are closed, the employee may touch the storage release switch 33 and input erroneously. Alternatively, a player who hits before the employee closes the upper and lower panels 3a and 3b may push the storage release switch 33. In these cases, in the conventional slot machine, the medal discharge device 7 is activated by the input of the storage release switch 33, and the medal discharge device 7 is operated, so that a maximum of 50 medals are pushed out one after another from the discharge port 7c. In the present invention, even if there is a storage release signal from the storage release switch 33, the medal until the joining detection sensor 15 issues the joining goodness information, that is, until the lower panel 3b is closed and the connecting portion between the medal discharge device 7 and the tray 4 is joined. The discharge device 7 is not activated.

  Next, when the employee closes the lower panel 3b, the joining detection sensor 15 transmits joining goodness information to the control device 20, and the control device 20 that receives the information makes the medal releasing device 7 operable. Then, the medal discharge device 7 is activated, and the medal is discharged from the discharge port 7c to the tray 4 through the connection port 41a.

  As an input process of the storage release switch 33 in the above-described poor connection state, there is a method of invalidating the input of the storage release switch 33 when the connection detection sensor 15 emits the connection failure information. Since the input of the storage release switch 33 in the state where the lower panel 3b is open is likely to be an erroneous operation, that is, an operation contrary to the player's will, the input of the storage release switch 33 in such a state is invalidated. The game is continued from the state immediately before the lower panel 3b is opened.

  Further, the opening information of the lower panel 3b by the joining detection sensor 15 is combined with the flow path switching means (solenoid 42) of the medal selector 31, and the flow path of the medal selector 31 is returned to the medal while the lower panel 3b is opened. You may set so that it may switch to the route (return basket 41) side. Then, when the player inserts a medal into the insertion slot 27 despite the lower panel 3b being opened, the medal can be returned to the tray 4 as it is. Incidentally, in a conventional slot machine, when a player inserts a medal into the slot when the front panel is open, the medal passes through the medal selector and falls from the tip of the medal bowl to the floor of the game hall.

  In the embodiment, a valid / invalid changeover switch 16 for invalidating the joint detection sensor 15 is provided. If the joint detection sensor 15 is invalidated by the valid / invalid changeover switch 16, an operation check at the time of an error can be performed with the upper and lower panels 3a and 3b (front panel 3) being opened or removed.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is of course not limited to the above embodiments.
For example, in the embodiment, the front panel 3 is divided into the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b.
In the embodiment, the detachable drawer frame 2x is provided on the outer frame 2. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 4-C, only the symbol variation device 5 is detachably installed on the partition plate 6 of the outer frame 2. The present invention can also be applied to the slot machine 1 configured as described above. In this case, the control device 20 may be fixed to the upper portion of the case body 50 of the symbol variation device 5. Alternatively, the control device 20 may be installed on the case body 50 so as to be slidable back and forth, and after the case body 50 is fixed first, the control device 20 is pushed in so that the drawer connectors 8b and 20a are coupled.
Further, in the embodiment, only one control device 20 is mounted. However, for example, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the sub-board 200 is provided with the same drawer connector 20a as the control device 20 to supply power. You may make it connect directly to the 2nd drawer connector 8b by the side of the apparatus 8. FIG. By doing so, the signals of the main control device 20 and the sub-board 200 can be exchanged via the power supply device 8, so that safety against unauthorized manipulation is improved. As for the arrangement of the control device 20 and the sub-board 200, the control device 20 and the sub-board 200 are arranged next to each other, or one of them is installed horizontally, in addition to the case where they are stacked vertically as shown in FIGS. The other may be set up vertically beside it.

  In the embodiment, the locking device 38 is provided only on the lower panel 3b. However, the locking device may be provided on the upper panel 3a. In general, since important parts such as the control device 20 are housed in the portion corresponding to the upper panel 3a, the keys of the locking device of the upper panel 3a and the keys of the locking device 38 of the lower panel 3b should be separated separately.

  In the embodiment, the number of divisions of the front panel 3 is two. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper panel 3a is further divided to separate the display panel 3c, and the number of divisions of the front panel 3 is three. Good. In this case, the connecting portion between the upper panel 3a and the display panel 3c is the same as the engagement of the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b shown in FIG. 5, and the display panel 3c is not opened unless the upper panel 3a is opened. Since the image display device 45 is attached to the display panel 3c, only the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b need to be replaced while leaving the display panel 3c. Then, since the expensive image display device 45 can be used repeatedly, an effect excellent in cost reduction is exhibited.

  In the embodiment, the medal discharge device 7 is fixed to the bottom plate 2 a of the outer frame 2, and the opening / closing of the lower panel 3 b is detected by the bonding detection sensor 15 to obtain the quality information of the bonding between the medal discharge device 7 and the tray 4. For example, an intermediate panel (not shown) that covers the lower panel 3b is installed in the shape of a door on the back side of the lower panel 3b (or at least the lower half of the front panel 3 when the front panel 3 has a single structure). When the medal releasing device 7 is fixed to the intermediate panel, the joining detection sensor 15 is provided on the lower panel 3b or the intermediate panel, and the opening / closing of the intermediate panel with respect to the lower panel 3b is detected by the joining detection sensor 15.

  Further, in the embodiment, medals are exemplified as the game medium, but the game medium may be a spherical shape, a tire shape, or the like. Further, the gaming machine is not limited to the slot machine 1. In addition, a medal is synonymous with a coin, and the slot machine 1 is also synonymous with a swivel type gaming machine.

  Next, an embodiment other than the above will be described as Example 1 below. In the drawings according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the above description indicate the same or the same function parts.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with an operation unit 50 on the upper panel 3 a of the front panel 3. Note that specific examples of the operation unit 50 are as described above in the section of “Front panel-lower panel”, but new examples to be added to the contents of the operation unit 50 include a trackball and a touch pad. There are input means for players.

In the slot machine 1 already described, the operation unit 50 is provided on the lower panel 3b side of the front panel 3, so that the unit replacement of the upper panel 3a and the drawer frame 2x is separated and is used continuously and used up. Yes. Of course, by doing so, it has the effect of being excellent in economic efficiency, but on the other hand, there are the following problems. That is,
(1) Since the operation unit 50 is a player's input unit and constitutes a part of the game, fixing the operation unit 50 to stop the change is a great obstacle to renewing the game contents. .
(2) Since the operation unit 50 is located at the boundary between the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b, it is necessary to design in consideration of interference between the panels, and design restrictions such as limiting the amount of protrusion on the upper surface of the operation unit 50 Will increase.
(3) Since the operation unit 50 does not change even if the unit of the upper panel 3a and the drawer frame 2x is replaced, the effect of renewing the unit of the upper panel 3a and the drawer frame 2x is reduced.
(4) Although the operation unit 50 and the control device 20 need to be electrically connected, the control device 20 is attached to the upper panel 3a side, and the operation unit 50 is attached to the lower panel 3b side and separated. If this is the case, the number of connectors to be inserted and removed when replacing the unit is large, so the amount of work is large and the possibility of poor connection is high.
(5) The operation unit 50 is a part that the player always touches and performs rough operations, and is most easily dirty and damaged. Therefore, long-term use is not preferable because it increases the risk of failure and stains such as hand stains become conspicuous.

Example 1 has the purpose of eliminating such problems, and as means for achieving the purpose,
“With the outer frame,
A front panel attached to the front of the outer frame in the form of a single door,
A symbol change device installed in the outer frame;
In a gaming machine having a gaming control device,
The front panel is divided into upper and lower panels divided into upper and lower parts,
On the other hand, the upper panel is mounted on a drawer frame that is detachable from the outer frame, and at least the symbol display device and the control device are incorporated in the drawer frame to form a replaceable unit.
Further, a gaming machine characterized in that a game operation unit provided mainly for a player is provided on the upper panel. "
I will provide a.
And this gaming machine
(1) Since the operation unit 50 is provided on the upper panel 3a, the operation panel 50 can be changed in accordance with the game content, so that the degree of freedom to change the game content is greatly improved.
(2) The operation unit 50 needs to be devised in the design of the upper surface, but the lower surface may be simply flat, so there is no need to consider interference between the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b. There are almost no design constraints.
(3) Since the operation unit 50 is changed together with the unit of the upper panel 3a and the drawer frame 2x, the effect of renewing the unit is enhanced.
(4) Since the operation unit 50 and the control device 20 are integrated into a single unit, electrical connection is facilitated, and the number of connectors that need to be inserted and removed when replacing the unit is kept to a minimum. Can be reduced, and there is less possibility of connection failure.
(5) Since the operation unit 50 is periodically replaced as a replacement unit, the risk of failure is drastically reduced, and dirt such as dirt does not accumulate.
There is an effect.

Further, the following items may be added to the gaming machine.
“Install the medal selector on the lower panel side and set the placement so that part of the medal selector protrudes higher than the upper edge of the lower panel.
On the other hand, a slot for medal insertion is provided in the operation part of the upper panel,
A gaming machine in which the slot and the medal selector communicate with each other with the upper panel and the lower panel connected. "
A slot machine 1 corresponding to this embodiment of the gaming machine is shown in FIG. The normal medal selector 31 is attached to the back side of the insertion slot 27 of the operation unit 50. In the first embodiment, the medal selector 31 is provided on the back side of the operation unit 50. Of course, that is acceptable, but the medal selector 31 is not necessarily included in the exchange target. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of FIG. 13, a medal selector 31 is protruded higher than the upper edge of the lower panel 3b to secure a route for communicating with the back side of the insertion port 27, while the medal is placed on the lower panel 3b which is a non-replaceable part. A selector 31 is provided to reduce the cost of the replacement unit.

  Now, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is almost applicable to the description of the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, but a characteristic configuration is added in addition to the items related to the operation unit 50 described above.

[Joint structure of front panel]
As described above, the front panel 3 is divided into the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b, and when the hopper 7b of the medal discharge device 7 is replenished with medals, only the lower panel 3b is opened and closed. The merit of opening and closing only the lower panel 3b as described above is as described in the section of the embodiment, but the workability at the time of replenishment of medals is divided into the front panel 3 having a single structure from the wide opening area at the time of opening. There is. In particular, when the operation unit 50 is provided on the upper panel 3a as in the first embodiment, the operation unit 50 protrudes like a bowl and obstructs the field of view to the hopper 7b more, which may interfere with the medal replenishment work. High nature.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the front panel 3 attached to the front surface of the outer frame 2 in the form of a single door is formed by two independent upper panels 3a and lower panels 3b, and the upper panel 3a and lower panel 3b. Is provided with a joint means 51 that can be integrally coupled and separated, and by connecting the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b attached to the outer frame 2 and opening and closing them integrally, The above-mentioned problem peculiar to the front panel 3 was solved.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15, the joint means 51 has a joint pin 51a protruding from the free end side (non-hinge side) of the lower panel 3b, while the free end of the upper panel 3a. A joint stopper 51b is provided on the side (non-hinge side) to prevent the joint pin 51a from moving backward. The joint pin 51a is formed with a circumferential groove 51a-2 and a truncated cone-shaped head 51a-3 at the tip of the shaft 51a-1, while the joint stopper 51b is a through hole 51b-1 through which the joint pin 51a passes. A swingable through hole 51b-2 that blocks a part of the through hole 51b-1, and an elastic member 51b-3 that biases the through hole 51b-2 toward the center of the through hole 51b-1. Consists of.
In the joint means 51 having such a configuration, when the joint pin 51a is inserted into the through hole 51b-1 from the state of FIG. 14A, the through hole 51b-2 follows the taper of the head 51a-3 of the joint pin 51a. When the joint pin 51a further enters and reaches the point where the circumferential groove 51a-2 and the through hole 51b-2 coincide with each other, the through hole 51b-2 is directed downward by the urging of the elastic member 51b-3. To fit in the circumferential groove 51a-2. Accordingly, since the joint pin 51a is locked by the joint stopper 51b, the two do not come together.

Since the joint pin 51a of the joint means 51 is attached to the upper panel 3a and the joint stopper 51b is attached to the lower panel 3b as described above, the unit of the drawer frame 2x and the upper panel 3a is removed as shown in FIG. After being assembled in the frame 2, when the opened lower panel 3b is closed and the lower edge of the upper panel 3a and the upper edge of the lower panel 3b are overlapped, the joint pin 51a and the joint stopper 51b are automatically coupled as described above. Therefore, since the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b are integrally coupled and can be handled thereafter in the same manner as the front panel 3 having a single structure, there is no possibility that the upper panel 3a becomes an obstacle when replenishing medals.
Since the joint means 51 can be unlocked by manually swinging the joint stopper 51b upward and removing it from the circumferential groove 51a-2 of the joint pin 51a, the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b can be separated at any time. .

Of course, the joint means 51 described above is merely an example, and any structure may be employed as long as the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b can be joined and separated.
For example, although not shown, the joint pin 51a is formed of a screw shaft, while the joint stopper 51b is formed of a nut, and the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b are integrally coupled by tightening the nut to the screw shaft. Good.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a key-type elastic hook 51c is fixed to the lower panel 3b, while a hook receiving hole 51d is formed in the upper panel 3a. The elastic hook 51c may be engaged with the hook receiving hole 51d as shown in FIG. The elastic hook 51c can be made of synthetic resin and integrally formed with the lower panel 3b.
Further, as shown in FIG. 17, an elevating lock piece 51e may be attached to the lower panel 3b. In this case, the lock piece 51e is overlapped with the lower edge of the upper panel 3a and the upper edge of the lower panel 3b in the lowered position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 17, and the lock piece 51e is raised as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Let Then, since the lock piece 51e is engaged with the edge of the upper panel 3a, when the lower panel 3b is opened, the upper panel 3a is also opened together. Note that the lower edge of the upper panel 3a and the upper edge of the lower panel 3b are originally engaged with the laterally concave keyway 25 and the collar piece 26 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. When closed, the upper panel 3a is also closed together. That is, the joint means 51 in this case is formed by the cooperative relationship of the lock piece 51e, the keyway 25, and the collar piece 26. The feature of the joint means 51 in this example is that the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b are coupled / separated by a manual switching operation, and the coupling / separation can be selected according to the situation of the game hall.

[Front panel locking device]
The locking device 38 according to the first embodiment is divided into an upper panel 3a or a lower panel so that the front panel 3 is divided into an upper panel 3a and a lower panel 3b, and the two are combined and handled together in use. A main lock 38a attached to one of the panels 3b and unlocked by a dedicated key, and a sub-lock 38b attached to the other panel and unlocked only in conjunction with the unlocking operation of the main lock 38a. And in combination.

Details of the locking device 38 will be described with reference to FIG. The main lock 38a is attached to the lower panel 3b, and has a base substrate 38c having an L shape in plan view fixed to the lower panel 3b, and a lifting plate slidably mounted on a standing wall 38d of the base substrate 38c. 38e, a spring 38f for urging the lift plate 38e downward, and a key that is pivotally attached to the standing wall 38d of the base substrate 38c and is pinned at the rear end to the lift plate 38e and has a hook-shaped tip. It consists of a piece 38g, a cam plate 38h that can be rotated only by a dedicated key, and a push-up shaft 38i provided at the tip of the elevating plate 38e.
On the other hand, the sub lock 38b is the same as the main lock 38a except that the cam plate 38h is not provided and a pressure receiving plate 38j is provided at the lower end of the lift plate 38e instead of the push-up shaft 38i of the lift plate 38e. . Accordingly, the same parts as those of the main lock 38a are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
The key pieces 38g of the main lock 38a and the sub lock 38b engage with a mooring piece (not shown) fixed to the outer frame 2 to lock the front panel 3 in the closed position.

Thus, the secondary lock 38b is attached to the upper panel 3a so that the pressure receiving plate 38j faces the push-up shaft 38i of the main lock 38a in a state where the upper panel 3a and the lower panel 3b are integrally coupled. The pressure receiving plate 38j receives the push-up shaft 38i that is lifted by the unlocking operation of the main lock 38a, and the unlocking operation is performed by the force received by the pressure receiving plate 38j.
As described above, in the slot machine 1 in which the split-type front panel 3 is used when the sub-lock 38b is unlocked, the sub-lock 38b is unlocked only in conjunction with the unlocking operation of the main lock 38a. 3 unlocking operation can be performed efficiently.

  The main lock 38a and the sub lock 38b may be attached to the upper panel 3a with the main lock 38a and attached to the lower panel 3b with the sub lock 38b. Further, the push-up shaft 38i of the main lock 38a is removed to form the key piece 38g at that portion, while the sub-lock 38b is changed to an electric type using a solenoid or a motor as a drive source to unlock the main lock 38a. The operation may be electrically detected and the electric sub-lock 38b may be interlocked.

The following technical idea can be grasped from the slot machine 1 provided with the lock device 38 as described above.
“A gaming machine in which the front panel is divided into an upper panel and a lower panel, and they are combined and handled together when used, and they are attached to either the upper panel or the lower panel and unlocked with a dedicated key. A gaming machine provided with a lock device that is a combination of a main lock that is locked and a sub-lock that is attached to the other panel and that is unlocked only in conjunction with the unlocking operation of the main lock. "

It is a perspective view of the slot machine shown by opening the lower panel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a slot machine. It is a perspective view of a slot machine. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the corner part of the back upper part of a slot machine. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the corner part of the back upper part of a slot machine. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the corner part of the back upper part of a slot machine. It is sectional drawing of the principal part which shows the coupling | bond part of an upper panel and a lower panel. It is a partially expanded sectional view which shows the corner part of the front lower part of a slot machine. It is a perspective view of the slot machine which shows other embodiment. (A) is a perspective view of a power supply device, (b) is an exploded perspective view of a power supply device. It is a perspective view of the slot machine which shows other embodiment. It is a block diagram. It is a perspective view of a slot machine. It is a perspective view of the slot machine shown by opening the lower panel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a slot machine. (A), (b) is sectional drawing of the principal part which shows a joint means. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows a joint means. (A), (b) is sectional drawing of the principal part which shows a joint means. It is a principal part expansion perspective view which shows the corner part of a lower panel. It is a perspective view which shows a locking device. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Slot machine (game machine)
2 ... Outer frame 2g ... Side frame 2h ... Back plate 3 ... Front panel 5 ... Symbol change device 8 ... Power supply

Claims (1)

  An outer frame composed of a side frame framed in a quadrangle in front view and a back plate provided on the back of the side frame, a front panel attached to the front surface of the outer frame, and a symbol change device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols And a power supply device, wherein the power supply device is installed on a back plate of an outer frame.

Images