JP2005245746A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an illegal action illegally charging tokens. <P>SOLUTION: A second light receiving sensor 43 receives lights of LEDs 46a to 46c in the case that an instrument 46 is inserted into a guide path 40 such that the LED 46a to 46c and a first light receiving sensor 42 face by moving the LED 46a to 46c from under the first light receiving sensor 42b. A CPU 61 performs a game stop processing when a signal showing that the second light sensor 43 becomes ON is input. Thus it is prevented that tokens are illegally charged by the illegal action. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that prevents a medal from being illegally inserted.

  In this specification, a pachislot machine is described as an example of one of the gaming machines, so that explanation is given using medals as gaming media, but the gaming media includes other media such as coins and pachinko balls. Further, “inserting medals (game media)” includes betting a credited medal with a bet button or the like in addition to actually inserting a medal into the medal slot. In addition, the state where the symbols are aligned on the winning line is the winning state, and the state where the winning combination is drawn by lottery (hereinafter referred to as the winning combination lottery) to determine the winning combination in the state prior to winning. And

  Slot machines that are installed and used in amusement halls such as pachinko parlors are called pachislot machines. In such a slot machine, a game is generally performed by inserting 1 to 3 medals from a medal slot. In the slot machine, a medal selector for selecting inserted medals is provided. When the medal selection is performed by the medal selector, for example, medals having a different size from the regular medals or medals inserted at an inappropriate timing are discharged to the medal tray. The hopper device of the slot machine includes a storage tank that stores medals, and the medal selector includes a medal passage that guides medals to the storage tank and a photoelectric sensor that detects that a medal has passed. When a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot passes through the medal passage and is detected by the photoelectric sensor, the number of inserted medals is counted.

  By the way, in recent years, a so-called goto action, in which a medal is inserted by a method different from a regular method, may be performed. As one of the instruments used when performing a goto action for illegally inserting medals, for example, a plurality of LEDs are arranged in series on a plate-like member that can be inserted into a medal slot, and the plurality of LEDs are Those controlled to blink at different timings are known. When this instrument is inserted from the medal insertion slot and the LED faces the photoelectric sensor, it is possible to erroneously detect that the medal has passed through the photoelectric sensor by blinking the LED, thereby actually inserting the medal. It is possible to insert medals without any problems. A player who has inserted a medal using such a device can gain profits illegally by taking out a credited medal or playing a game with the inserted medal. The fact that some players gain profits illegally through Goto acts not only causes a loss in the profits of the game hall, but also causes the players to lose interest in games because they cannot play fair games. Adding a function to prevent slotting to a slot machine is one of the major challenges for slot machine manufacturers. However, the actual situation is that no thorough countermeasures have been taken against the goto action using the appliances as described above, and it is required to prevent this.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a goat act of illegally inserting medals.

  The gaming machine of the present invention includes a medal slot into which a medal is inserted, a storage tank that stores the medal inserted into the medal slot, and a guide that guides the medal inserted into the medal slot into the storage tank. A path, a light emitting element that projects light, and a light receiving element that receives the light projected by the light emitting element, and whether the light receiving element receives light projected from the light emitting element, A medal passage detection unit that detects that a medal has passed through the guide passage, and an input that counts the number of medals inserted from the medal slot in response to the medal passage detection unit detecting passage of the medal A number counting unit and a disturbance light receiving unit arranged at a position where light other than the light projected from the light emitting element can be received are provided. If the disturbance light receiving unit receives light, the game is disabled, the disturbance light receiving unit receives light, invalidates the operation of the operation unit for paying out medals, It is preferable to perform appropriate processing such as subtracting the number of credited medals.

  Since the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a disturbance light receiving unit disposed at a position where light other than the light projected from the light emitting element received by the light receiving element of the medal passage detection unit can be received. For example, when a go-to action for erroneously detecting that a medal has passed by the medal passage detection unit by performing blinking of the LED, the light from the LED can be received by the disturbance light receiving unit. For this reason, it is impossible to play a game when light is received by the disturbance light receiving unit, or it is possible to prevent the goto action by notifying this.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a front door 12 provided with a display window 11 is provided on the front surface of the slot machine 10. The first to third reels 13a to 13c are rotatably incorporated in the back of the display window 11 (see FIG. 2). Below the display window 11, a MAX bet button 15 in which three medals, which are the maximum number of coins to be inserted at once, are inserted at a time, and medals are inserted one by one each time the button is pressed. 1 bet button 16, stop buttons 17a to 17c for stopping rotating first to third reels 13a to 13c, start lever 18 for starting rotation of first to third reels 13a to 13c, and credit (reserved). Various operation buttons such as a payout button 19 for paying out medals, and a medal insertion slot 20 for inserting medals are provided. Since the function of the operation button is well known, the description thereof is omitted. In the slot machine 10, medals can be credited (stored) up to 50 sheets, and the number of credited medals is displayed on the credit number display 21. At the bottom of the front door 12, a medal payout slot 22 for paying out medals when a winning combination is won by playing a game with the slot machine 10, a medal tray 23 for storing the medals, music, A speaker 24 that emits sound is provided.

  A plurality of types of patterns are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer circumferences of the first to third reels 13a to 13c. When the first to third reels 13a to 13c are stopped, three patterns per reel are displayed through the display window 11. Becomes observable. As a result, a total of five straight winning effect lines, each of which is a combination of one reel pattern, are set, three laterally and two diagonally. Prior to the start of the game, when one medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 20, the winning line for the central one is activated, three for three and three for two, plus two diagonals. The book winning line is activated. In addition, it is possible to credit (store) up to 50 medals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a casing 10a includes a base case 25 in which a main board for controlling the operation of the slot machine 10 is housed, a reel unit 26 in which the first to third reels 13a to 13c are integrated, and a slot. A power supply box 27 for setting the power on / off of the machine 10 and setting a payout rate, a hopper device 28, and the like are provided. Further, on the rear surface of the front door 12, a medal selector 32 that selects inserted medals, a medal guide member 33 that changes the advancing direction of the inserted medals, and a passage cover 34 that covers a later-described guide passage 40 of the medal selector 32. A payout chute 35 for guiding medals from the medal selector 32 to the medal payout opening 22 is provided.

  The hopper device 28 includes a box-shaped storage tank 28a having an open upper surface, and a medal outlet 28b provided in front of the storage tank 28a. In the storage tank 28a, medals inserted from the medal slot 20 are stored. When a winning combination involving paying out medals is performed after playing a game, a motor (not shown) is driven, and the number of medals corresponding to the type of winning combination is paid out from the medal exit 28b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the medal selector 32 includes a guide passage 40 for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 20 to the storage tank 28a, a sorting device 41 for selecting medals to be stored in the storage tank 28a, and the medals passed. A medal passage detection unit 42 for detecting this, and a second light receiving sensor (disturbance light receiving unit) arranged so as to be able to receive light other than light projected from a light emitter (light emitting element) 42a described later. 43).

  The guide passage 40 is a groove having a width wider than the diameter of the medal 44. The front door 12 is formed with an insertion passage 45 for guiding the medal 44 inserted from the medal insertion slot 20 to the medal selector 32. The medal selector 32 is attached to the front door 12 so that the guide passage 40 and the insertion passage 45 communicate with each other. The medal 44 inserted from the medal insertion slot 20 passes through the insertion passage 45 and enters the guide passage 40 from the medal inlet 40 a of the guide passage 40.

  The guide passage 40 is formed to be bent in a substantially L shape. The medal 44 that has entered the guide passage 40 enters the guide passage 40 in a direction (direction indicated by arrow B in the drawing) substantially orthogonal to the direction (direction indicated by arrow A in the drawing) of the medal 44 entering the guide passage 40. The direction of travel changes. The medal 44 that has passed through the guide passage 40 enters the medal guide member 33 from the medal outlet 40b, passes through the medal guide member 33, and is stored in the storage tank 28a.

  The sorting device 41 is provided on the upper side of the guide passage 40 on the downstream side of the bent portion of the guide passage 40 as viewed from the medal inlet 40a (the portion where the medal 44 advances in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure). Yes. The distribution device 41 is formed of a thin metal plate and is substantially T-shaped, and is attached so that a part of the medal distribution portion 41a, which is a wide portion, enters the guide passage 40. The position where the sorting device 41 is attached is set such that the distance C between the edge of the medal sorting portion 41 a along the direction of movement of the medal 44 and the contact surface 40 c of the medal 44 of the guide passage 40 is smaller than the diameter of the medal 44. ing. Further, a gap through which one medal 44 can pass is formed between the inner surface facing the wall surface of the medal selector 32 of the medal sorting unit 41 a and the wall surface of the medal selector 32.

  When the medal 44 is a regular size, the direction in which the medal 44 rolls is regulated by the medal sorting unit 41a. Accordingly, the medal 44 can pass through the gap between the medal sorting unit 41 a and the wall surface of the medal selector 32, and the medal 44 passes through the guide passage 40. When the medal 44 is not a normal size, the direction in which the medal 44 rolls is not restricted by the medal sorting unit 41a. As a result, the medal 44 cannot pass through the gap between the medal sorting unit 41a and the wall surface of the medal selector 32, and the medal 44 is directed from the front side of the front door 12 toward the back side (in the direction of arrow D in the figure). Fall in the direction shown). The dropped medal 44 enters the payout chute 35 from between the passage cover 34 and the medal selector 32 shown in FIG. 2 and is paid out to the medal tray 23 from the medal payout opening 22.

  The sorting device 41 is connected to a solenoid (not shown) and a spring (not shown), and is attached so as to be swingable in a direction from the front side to the back side of the front door 12. Then, the sorting device 41 has a passing position that allows the medal 44 to pass through the guide passage 40 by the excitation action of the solenoid and the restoring force of the spring, and the direction indicated by the arrow D in the figure from the guide passage 40. It is controlled so as to swing between the discharge positions where it is dropped.

  And when the number of medals 44 stored reaches 50, or while playing a game (after operating the start lever 18 and rotating the first to third reels 14a to 14c, In a case where all the first to third reels 14a to 14c are stopped), the sorting device 41 is set to the discharge position, and in other cases, it is set to the passage position.

  The medal passage detection unit 42 includes two sets of light emitters 42a and a first light receiving sensor (light receiving element) 42b. The light emitter 42 a is attached to the passage cover 34, and the first light receiving sensor 42 b is attached to the wall surface of the medal selector 32. When the passage cover 34 is attached to the medal selector 32, a position where the light emitter 42a and the first light receiving sensor 42b are attached is set so that the light emitter 42a and the first light receiving sensor 42b face each other.

  The light emitter 42a is made of a light emitting element such as an LED, and projects light toward the first light receiving sensor 42a. The first light receiving sensor 42b is a photoelectric sensor capable of receiving the light projected from the light emitter 42a, and the first light receiving sensor 42b is advancing of the medal 44 at the upper end of the guide passage 40. Two are arranged side by side along the direction (the direction indicated by arrow B in the figure).

  When the first light receiving sensor 42b receives light from the light emitter 42a, the first light receiving sensor 42b is turned on. Thereby, it is detected that the medal 44 does not pass in front of the first light receiving sensor 42b. Further, when the first light receiving sensor 42b is not receiving light from the light emitter 42a, the first light receiving sensor 42b is turned off. Thereby, it is detected that the medal 44 passes through the guide passage 40.

  The two sets of medal passage detection units 42 are arranged so as to have an interval at which one medal 44 can be detected simultaneously by both medal passage detection units 42 when the medal 44 rolls in the guide passage 40. In addition, even when the medals 44 are continuously inserted (a state in which the medals 44 are inserted through the medal insertion slot 20 so that a plurality of medals 44 pass through the guide passage 40 in a row), one medal 44 is also provided. Are detected at the same time by both of the medal passage detection units 42, and then both medal passage detection units 42 are arranged at positions where the next medal 44 can be detected after the detection of the medals once.

  Similarly to the first light receiving sensor 42b, the second light receiving sensor 43 is composed of a photoelectric sensor capable of receiving the projected light, and is projected below the first light receiving sensor 42b and from the light emitting body 42a. It is provided at a position where light other than light can be received.

  Here, the example of the instrument 46 which is one of the instruments used for the goto action will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the instrument 46 is formed of a plate-like member that can be inserted into the medal slot 20, and LEDs 46a to 46c are provided at the tip thereof. The LEDs 46a to 46c are controlled to blink at different timings. When performing goto action using the instrument 46, the instrument 46 guides the LED 46a-46c and the first light-receiving sensor 42b to face each other by moving the LEDs 46a-46c from below the first light-receiving sensor 42b, for example. It is inserted into the passage 40. When the LEDs 46a to 46c face the first light receiving sensor 42b, the first light receiving sensor 42b detects the blinking light of the LEDs 46a to 46c and repeats on / off, so that the medal 44 has passed through the guide passage 40. Can be detected. Therefore, if the second light receiving sensor 43 is provided below the first light receiving sensor 42b, the light of the LEDs 46a to 46c can be detected before the LEDs 46a to 46c face the first light receiving sensor 42b.

  The second light receiving sensor 43 is provided, for example, in a hole formed in the wall surface of the medal selector 32, or provided on the side of the first light receiving sensor 42b, or between the two sets of medal passage detection units 42. It may be provided at an appropriate position as long as it can receive light other than the light emitted by the light emitter 42a, for example, arranged in series with the medal passage detection unit 42. The position where the second light receiving sensor 43 is provided is preferably a position where light can be received over a wide range, and is preferably a position where light from the light emitter 42a is not received. Further, the number of the second light receiving sensors 43 may be an appropriate number.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 is provided with a control unit 60 that controls basic operations of the slot machine 10. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a memory 62 storing a program processed by the CPU 61, a medal counter (inserted number counting means) 63 for counting the number of inserted medals, and a credit for storing the number of inserted medals. A storage unit 64 and the like are provided.

  The CPU 61 is connected to the first light receiving sensor 42 b and the second light receiving sensor 43, and receives a signal indicating on / off of the first light receiving sensor 42 b and the second light receiving sensor 43. In the CPU 61, the upstream first light receiving sensor 42 b is turned on → the two first light receiving sensors 42 b are turned on simultaneously → the upstream first light receiving sensor 42 b is turned off → the downstream first light receiving sensor 42 b is turned off. When a signal indicating ON / OFF of each sensor is input, the medal counter 63 is operated. In response to this, the medal counter 63 counts up the count value for one medal. The number of medals counted by the medal counter 63 is input to the credit storage unit 64. The credit memory unit 64 accumulates and writes the count values from the medal counter 63. Similarly, when medals 44 are continuously inserted, the medals 44 are detected one by one. The CPU 61 reads the number of medals written in the credit storage unit 64 and displays it from the credit indicator 21.

  Further, when a signal indicating ON is input from the second light receiving sensor 43, the CPU 61 stops the operation of the medal counter 63, and further, all the start levers 18, the MAX bet buttons 15, and the 1 bet buttons 16 A process that disables the operation and cannot be played (game stop process) is performed.

  When the start lever 18 is pressed, a game start signal indicating the start of the game is transmitted to the CPU 61. In response to this, the CPU 61 operates the reel drive controller 66 to start the game by rotating the first to third reels 13 a to 13 c of the reel unit 26. When the player presses the stop buttons 17a to 17c, the CPU 61 and the reel drive controller 66 perform stop control of the first to third reels 13a to 13c.

  When a signal indicating that the payout button 19 has been pressed is input, the CPU 61 drives the hopper device 48 to pay out the number of medals stored in the credit storage unit 64 to the payout port 22. .

  Next, the operation of the slot machine configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the medal 44 is inserted from the medal insertion slot 20, the inserted medal 44 enters the guide passage 40. Then, when a signal indicating that the first light receiving sensor 42b is turned on is input to the CPU 61 and the medal 44 is detected by the medal detector 42, the medal counter 63 is activated. Thereby, the number of inserted medals is counted. The count value at the medal counter 63 is written in the credit storage unit 64. The CPU 61 reads the number of medals written in the credit storage unit 64 and displays it from the credit indicator 21. Further, the operation of the MAX bet button 15 and the 1 bet button 16 is validated.

  For example, when the instrument 46 is inserted into the guide passage 40 such that the LEDs 46a to 46c and the first light receiving sensor 42b face each other by moving the LEDs 46a to 46c from below the first light receiving sensor 42b, the second light receiving is performed. The sensor 43 receives light from the LEDs 46a to 46c. When a signal indicating that the second light receiving sensor 43 is turned on is input, the CPU 61 performs a game stop process. Thereby, it is possible to prevent illegal insertion of medals due to the goto action. In order to cancel the game stop processing, it is preferable to cancel the game stop processing by an operation of an employee of the game hall, rather than automatically returning after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, it can be confirmed whether the game stop process was performed by the goto action.

  In the above embodiment, two sets of medal passage detection units 42 are provided, but the positions and the number of medal passage detection units 42 may be appropriately set. Further, as the medal passage detection unit, a reflection type sensor integrally including a light emitting element and a light receiving element may be used. In order to use the reflective sensor, it is only necessary to detect that the medal has passed when the light from the light emitting element is reflected by the medal and the light receiving element receives the light reflected from the medal.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the inside of the slot machine. It is an explanatory view of a medal selector provided in the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the instrument used in the case of a goto act was inserted in the medal selector. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which performs a process when a medal | token is inserted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 20 Medal insertion slot 28a Storage tank 32 Medal selector 40 Guide passage 42 Medal passage detection part 42a Light emitter (light emitting element)
42b First light receiving sensor (light receiving element)
43 Second light receiving sensor (disturbance light receiving part)
61 CPU
63 medal counter (counting number counting means)

Claims (1)

A medal slot for medal,
A storage tank for storing medals thrown into the medal slot;
A guide passage for guiding the medal inserted into the medal slot to the storage tank;
A light-emitting element that projects light and a light-receiving element that receives the light projected by the light-emitting element; A medal passage detection unit that detects that a medal has passed;
In response to the detection of the passage of medals by the medal passage detection unit, inserted number counting means for counting the number of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot,
A gaming machine comprising a disturbance light receiving unit disposed at a position where light other than light projected from the light emitting element can be received.

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