JP2006277540A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase player satisfaction by using game media themselves as means of presentation. <P>SOLUTION: The game medium 10 has a light emitter 12 including a fluorescent or phosphorescent material in part or whole. A game apparatus (such as a slot machine 100) comprises a light projection means 150 (such as a black light) over an outlet 130. The light projection means 150 is provided with a light shield cover 160. The light projection means 150 radiates ultraviolet light to game media 10 ejected from the outlet 130 or game media 10 stored in a tray 140. The game media 10 themselves then emit light. If the light emitter 12 is a phosphorescent material, the game media 10 continue emitting light even after the ultraviolet radiation from the light projection means 150 is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium used for gaming in a gaming machine, a game device installed in a game hall, and a game medium storage box in which a game medium is stored, and in particular, enables light emission from the game medium itself. The present invention relates to a game medium, a game device, and a game medium storage box that are suitable for obtaining a production effect that has never existed before.

In gaming machines represented by pachinko machines and slot machines, games are played using game media such as balls and medals, and a predetermined number of award game media (prize balls or awards medals) are selected according to the result of the game. It is to be paid out.
In this gaming machine, as a state of winning a prize in a game, there may be a big hit state in which a large amount of game media can be acquired in a short time. The player plays the game in anticipation of this big hit state.

In the case of winning a jackpot, the game medium is paid out, and a flashing lamp or an effect is produced by sound, thereby enhancing the satisfaction of the player.
In addition, as another effect, for example, an effect provided with a lighting unit above a payout opening on the front surface of a gaming machine has been proposed. Thereby, the effect of illuminating the game medium to be paid out with a flash can be realized (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Furthermore, as another effect, for example, a game medium storage box that stores paid-out game media is provided with an LED. Thereby, when a predetermined amount of game media is stored in the game media storage box, it is possible to produce an effect of lighting the game media by turning on the LED with a battery (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-175151 A JP 2001-224832 A

  However, as described above, the conventional effects include the effects of the lamps and sounds at the time of the big win, the effects of irradiating the game media to be paid out at the payout outlet or the game media stored in the game media storage box. However, there was no effect due to the fact that the acquired game medium, which is the object of the player's interest, itself emits light.

  In addition, since the game media paid out by the gaming machine and the game media stored in the game media storage box are game media acquired by the player, if the game media itself can be the target of production, Will also attract attention and further enhance the satisfaction of the player.

  The present invention has been considered in view of the above circumstances, and a game medium, a game device, and a game medium storage that can further enhance the satisfaction of the player by using the game medium itself as a means of presentation. The purpose is to provide a box.

In order to achieve this object, the game medium of the present invention is a game medium used in a game apparatus, and has a structure in which a light emitter is provided in part or in whole.
When the game medium has such a configuration, an unprecedented effect that the game medium itself emits light is possible. In addition, the game media to be paid out in large quantities is a so-called treasure mountain, and by making the game media itself a target of production, the satisfaction of the player can be further enhanced.
In particular, in the gaming space of the slot machine, since the lighting is relatively reduced, the light emission of the acquired gaming medium is conspicuous, and the effect of production is further enhanced.

Moreover, even when the acquired game medium is moved by hand (for example, when the game medium is inserted into the slot machine from the tray), the player can clearly see the medal.
Further, the design of the game medium can be remarkably improved by using the light emitter as a part of the game medium and forming the light emitter in an arbitrary shape.

  In addition, game media having light emitters are not used in other game venues (other stores), but when game media having light emitters are used in own game venues (own stores), Easily discover that game media has been brought in. Thereby, it is possible to prevent bringing in game media from other stores. This effect is also achieved when the shape of the light emitter (design of the game medium by the light emitter) is different for each game hall.

The game medium of the present invention is configured such that the game medium includes medals and / or balls.
If the game medium has such a configuration, it is possible to cause the medals and balls to emit light themselves. Therefore, it is possible to produce not only an effect on a gaming device that handles medals but also an effect on a gaming device that handles balls.

In the game medium of the present invention, the light emitter includes a phosphor and / or a phosphorescent material.
When the game medium has such a configuration, a game medium having only a phosphor among the light emitters, a game medium having only a phosphorescent body, and a game medium having both a phosphor and a phosphorescent body are possible.
In particular, in the case of a game medium having both a phosphor and a phosphorescent material, both the phosphor and the phosphorescent material can emit light while light is emitted from the light source. After the stop, only the phosphor can emit light. For this reason, a variation can be given to production.

In the game medium of the present invention, the light emitter is at least one of coating, coating, fusing, and welding, and the surface of the game medium main body (in the case of a medal, the front surface and the back surface). , Including any of the side surfaces).
If the game medium has such a configuration, the light emitter can be attached to the game medium by a method such as coating, coating, fusing, or welding.

In addition, the game medium of the present invention is configured to have an ultraviolet shielding film that covers a part of the surface of the light emitter.
When the gaming medium has such a configuration, the light emitting body does not emit light because the ultraviolet light is blocked by the ultraviolet shielding film on the surface of the light emitting body covered with the ultraviolet shielding film, whereas the light emitting body is covered with the ultraviolet shielding film. The part that is not exposed emits ultraviolet light because it reaches the light emitter.
Here, for example, if a star-shaped opening is formed in the ultraviolet shielding film, the light emitter emits light in the opening, but does not emit light in other portions. For this reason, the shape can be easily and freely formed by forming the ultraviolet shielding film into a shape desired to emit light. In this case, the light emitter itself does not need to be formed in a shape to emit light, and can have any shape.

In addition, the game medium of the present invention is configured to have a transparent or translucent protective member that covers the surface of the light emitter and / or the ultraviolet shielding film.
If the game medium has such a configuration, damage to the light emitter or the ultraviolet shielding film can be prevented.
Note that the protective member may cover only one of the light emitter and the ultraviolet shielding film, or may cover both.
Moreover, covering the surfaces of the light emitters includes covering the entire surface of the light emitters and covering a part of the surface of the light emitters.

The gaming device of the present invention is a gaming device that is installed in a game arcade and uses the game medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6 having a light emitter in part or in whole. The light emitting means for irradiating the game medium with light is provided.
When the gaming apparatus has such a configuration, the gaming medium can be emitted by irradiating light with the light projecting means. As a result, the game medium itself can be used as a means of presentation, and the satisfaction of the player can be further enhanced.
In addition, the lighting effect can be further enhanced by making it possible to control lighting / extinction of the light projecting means and light emission intensity according to the gaming state.

In addition, the gaming apparatus of the present invention is configured to include a light projecting control unit that controls the timing at which the light projecting unit is turned on or blinks, or controls the intensity of light emitted from the light projecting unit.
If the gaming device has such a configuration, the timing of lighting or blinking of the light projecting means and the intensity of light emitted from the light projecting means can be controlled according to the gaming state.
In particular, it is effective to turn on the light projecting means to emit the game medium when winning a regular bonus (RB) or a big bonus (BB).

  The player's interest is concentrated on acquiring a large amount of game media. Therefore, even if it is said that the game state of the gaming machine is aiming at an RB in which 480 or 2400 game media are paid out at a time or a BB in which this RB is generated three times in succession, It's not too much to say. In addition to the effects of fanfare and lamps, the game media to be paid out is strongly lit or flashed by the occurrence of these RBs and BBs. But it becomes a great sense of superiority, and excitement doubles. Therefore, it is possible to always emit light, but anyway, when RB or BB is a big hit, a great effect can be expected by controlling to emit light more strongly.

It is possible to light up with a weak light intensity when a regular bonus is won and to light with a strong light intensity when winning a big bonus. Thereby, a high performance effect can be expected especially when winning a BB.
Further, the light projecting control means may execute only one of “control of timing for turning on or blinking the light projecting means” and “control of intensity of light emitted from the light projecting means”. Moreover, you may perform both.
Specific examples of such lighting timing and light intensity control of the light projecting means will be described in detail later in “Control of light projecting means”.

In the gaming apparatus of the present invention, the light emitted from the light projecting means includes ultraviolet light.
When the gaming device has such a configuration, when all or part of the game medium is formed of a phosphor and / or phosphor, the phosphor emits light by irradiating ultraviolet light, and the phosphor In this case, light can be continuously emitted even after the irradiation is stopped.

  The gaming apparatus of the present invention includes a gaming machine including a gaming machine and / or a gaming medium lending machine, and a gaming machine and / or gaming medium lending machine that dispenses gaming media, and the dispensing apparatus. A discharge path for sending the game medium paid out from the game apparatus to the outside, a payout outlet for discharging the game medium at an opening on the downstream side of the discharge path, and a game medium paid out from the payout opening Receiving means, and the light projecting means is at least a part of the storage tank of the dispensing device or the vicinity thereof, at least a part of the discharge path or the vicinity thereof, at least a part of the dispensing outlet or the vicinity thereof, the receptacle or the vicinity thereof. It is the structure provided in one or more of at least one part.

If the gaming device has such a configuration, the game medium stored in the payout device, the game medium passing through the discharge path, the game medium paid out from the discharge passage to the tray, and the game medium stored in the tray are illuminated. It can be illuminated to emit light.
In particular, when all or a part of the game medium is formed of a phosphorescent material and / or a phosphor, and the light projecting means is installed on the payout device or the discharge path, the game medium is in a light-emitting state. To be paid out. For this reason, it is possible to produce an unprecedented performance, and the satisfaction of the player can be further enhanced.

The gaming apparatus according to the present invention includes a slot machine, the slot machine having a medal path through which medals pass, and the medal path illuminates a game medium to emit light. The light emitting means for emitting light, the light emission state detection sensor for detecting the light from the light emitter and outputting a detection signal, and the determination means for determining the authenticity of the medal based on the detection signal.
When the gaming device has such a configuration, the authenticity of the medal can be determined using the light emission state of the light emitter of the game medium.

As soon as a medal, which is a gaming medium of the slot machine, is inserted into the gaming machine, it passes through a medal selector (medal passage), and the authenticity of the medal is determined. Here, authenticity determination of a medal means determining whether it is a medal accepted at the own store (if true) or a medal at another store (if false). The determination method is such that the medal rolls up in the direction in which the medal rolls and passes through the ramp (medal passage), and the determination is simple based on the size of the medal, the speed of rolling, and the non-ferromagnetic material (brass). . Therefore, medals from other stores with different patterns can be easily passed. However, if a large number of medals from other stores are brought in, there is a problem in store management, and recently there has been a demand for detecting and excluding medals from other stores.
The medal selector, like a coin recognition device (coin selector for 100 yen, 500 yen, etc.) like the present, has no function of accurately detecting the shape material and recognizing the engraved pattern, and is inexpensive. It has become. Furthermore, game medals are not common throughout the country like coins, and it is impossible to provide a gaming machine equipped with a different medal selector for each store. A long-standing concern can be solved if an easy-to-install and inexpensive store-specific medal selector can be provided. This problem can be solved by using a store-specific light-emitting medal.

In the gaming apparatus of the present invention, the light emission state detection sensor has light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the light emitter of the game medium through the color filter, and the determination means is one or more light receiving means. It is configured to determine whether or not the medal emits light with a predetermined color based on the color detection signal from, and to determine that the medal is false when it does not emit light with the predetermined color.
If the gaming apparatus has such a configuration, the authenticity of the gaming medium can be determined based on the color emitted from the light emitter.

In the gaming apparatus of the present invention, the light emission state detection sensor includes light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the light emitter once or a plurality of times from one medal, and the determination means outputs a detection signal from the light receiving means. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the number of light received from one medal matches a predetermined number of times, and when the number does not match, it is determined that the medal is false.
When the gaming apparatus has such a configuration, when a plurality of light emitters are concentrically formed in a ring shape, the fixed light receiving means receives light from a single medal a plurality of times (number of rings × 2). Then, the authenticity of the medal can be determined based on the number of received light.

In the gaming apparatus of the present invention, the light emission state detection sensor includes an imaging unit that images the surface of the medal, and the determination unit performs pattern determination based on the image image signal from the imaging unit, so that the light emission portion of the medal When the shape does not match the predetermined shape, the medal is determined to be false.
If the gaming device has such a configuration, the authenticity of the medal can be determined based on the shape of the light emitting portion of the medal.

Further, the gaming apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the gaming apparatus includes a gaming medium counter, and the light projecting means is provided in at least a part of the slot into which the gaming medium is inserted or in the vicinity thereof. .
When the gaming device has such a configuration, the gaming medium thrown into the slot can be made to emit light. In addition, other store medals can be found by visually observing the emitted color and pattern.

The game medium storage box of the present invention is a game medium storage box for storing a game medium, a storage part for storing a game medium having a light emitter in part or in whole, and a storage part stored in the storage part. The light emitting means for irradiating the game medium with light is provided.
If the game medium storage box has such a configuration, it is possible to emit light by irradiating light from the light projecting means to the stored game medium.

The game medium storage box of the present invention is configured such that the light emitted from the light projecting means includes ultraviolet light.
When the game medium storage box has such a configuration, a game medium having a phosphorescent material and / or a phosphor in part or in whole can be made to emit light with ultraviolet light.

As described above, according to the present invention, part or all of a game medium is formed of a light emitter, and therefore the game medium itself can be caused to emit light by irradiating the game medium with light. Moreover, the game medium can be made to emit light not only at the time of irradiation but also after the irradiation is stopped by using the light emitter as a phosphorescent material and irradiating light including ultraviolet light from the light projecting means.
Therefore, an unprecedented effect that the game medium itself emits light is possible, and the satisfaction of the player can be further enhanced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a game medium, a game apparatus, and a game medium storage box according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Game media]
(Game media having a light emitter)
First, an embodiment of the game medium of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (i) and (ii).
FIG. 1 (i) is a plan view showing the appearance of a medal that is an example of the game medium of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 (ii) is a side sectional view of the medal (cross section AA in FIG. 1 (i)). Figure).

As shown in FIGS. 2 (i) and 2 (ii), the medal 10a includes a medal main body 11a, a light emitting member 12a, and a protective member 13a.
The medal body 11a is formed in a disc shape having a predetermined thickness and diameter, and has a concave portion 14 formed concentrically with the circular shape on each of the circular surfaces composed of two front and back surfaces.
The medal body 11a can be formed using any suitable material used for conventional medals, such as brass, stainless steel, and white and white.

The light emitting member 12 a is formed in a disc shape with a thickness smaller than the thickness of the medal body 11 a (or the depth of the recess 14), and is fitted into the recess 14.
The light emitting member 12a is formed of a light emitter. The illuminant refers to a substance, material, radiation source or the like having a property of emitting light (emitting light). Here, the light emission is distinguished from being shined by reflection. For example, conventional medals and pachinko balls appear to glow when irradiated with light because they are made of a metal material and the surface is polished to a mirror, so that the incident light is regularly reflected. is there. On the other hand, in the light emission, the inside of the light emitter is excited by irradiation with light or the like, and energy is emitted to the outside as light.
Luminescence includes luminescence, thermal radiation, and Cherenkov radiation. Furthermore, luminescence includes phosphorescence (phosphorescence) and fluorescence.

The phosphorescent material is represented by, for example, M 2 Al 2 O 4, and M is a compound composed of a metal element selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium, and barium, and has long-term phosphorescent characteristics.
Note that the phosphorescent substance refers to a substance that accumulates energy (for example, ultraviolet energy) from a light source and emits light by the accumulated energy not only when light from the light source is incident but also after the light source is turned off. In addition, light accumulation refers to light emission in which follow-up excitation continues for about 10 to 8 seconds or more after excitation is stopped.

In addition, ultraviolet light (ultraviolet light) herein means light having a wavelength shorter than that of violet light that is visible light, and generally refers to light having a wavelength in the region of 10 to 380 (or around 400) [nm]. .
And when a light-emitting body contains a luminous body, the light irradiated from a light source contains at least ultraviolet light. This causes the phosphor to emit light.

Examples of the fluorescent material include sulfide fluorescent materials and oxide-based fluorescent materials (perovskite-based, ZnO-based, etc.).
A phosphor absorbs light of a specific wavelength (excitation light) and emits energy as light (fluorescence) when returning from the excited state (excited state) to the original state (ground state). A substance with properties. It does not have afterglow and does not emit light when the light source is turned off. That is, fluorescence refers to luminescence that lasts about 10-8 seconds or less after excitation.

The protection member 13a is formed of a transparent or translucent resin or the like, and is fitted in the recess 14 so as to cover (cover) the surface of the light emitting member 12a.
In addition, the shape of the protection member 13a can be made the same as the shape of the light emitting member 12a. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 (i) and (ii), both can be formed in the same disk shape with the same diameter. However, the protective member 13a and the light emitting member 12a are not limited to the same shape, and may be different shapes. Also, the thickness of the protective member 13a can be the same as the thickness of the light emitting member 12a, or can be a different thickness.
Furthermore, the protection member 13a may cover the entire surface of the light emitting member 12a, or may cover a part thereof.

By the way, the medal 10 in the present embodiment is not limited to the structure shown in FIGS. 1 (i) and (ii), and may have various structures described below.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the medal body 11b of the medal 10b is formed with a through hole 15 penetrating the circular surface on the front and the circular surface on the back, and one (or two or more) through holes 15 are formed here. It can also be set as the structure which fits the disk-shaped light-emitting member 12b.
In this case, the protection member 13b is fitted into the through hole 15 so as to cover the front and back surfaces of the light emitting member 12b.

As another example of the structure, as shown in FIG. 3, a medal 10c is formed in a thin disc-like light emitting member 12c and a disc having a predetermined thickness and diameter. It can also be set as the structure which has the protection member 13c which encloses the light emitting member 12c inside.
In this case, the protection member 13c also functions as a medal body. For this reason, the medal 10c repeats collision and friction, for example, while moving inside the gaming device, when paying out, or when being inserted into the game medium counter. For this reason, it is necessary to form the protective member 13c from a material that can withstand these impacts.

Furthermore, as another example of the structure, as shown in FIG. 4, the entire medal 10d can be formed of the light emitting member 12d.
In this case, the light emitting member 12d can be formed of, for example, ceramic containing a phosphorescent material.

Up to this point, the structure of the medal 10 of the present embodiment has been described with reference to examples. In particular, the light emitting members 12a to 12c in the medals 10a to 10c shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are formed in a disc shape. Is. However, the light emitting member 12 is not limited to a disk shape, and may have a shape described below.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 (i) to (iv), the light emitting member 12 can be formed in an arbitrary shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a star shape, or a wave shape (light emitting members 12 e to 12 medal 10 e to 10 h). 12h).
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 (i) and (ii), the light emitting member 12 can be fitted to a plurality of portions on the front surface or the back surface of the medal 10, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, patterns, marks, etc. (For example, a smiley mark or the like) can be represented (light emitting members 12i to 12j in medals 10i to 10j).

Note that the shape of the light emitting member 12 fitted to the front surface and the shape of the light emitting member 12 fitted to the back surface of the single medal 10 may be different.
Furthermore, on one surface of one medal 10, a plurality of light emitting members 12 having different colors can be combined to form one picture.

(Composite pattern of phosphor and phosphor)
Next, still another embodiment of the game medium of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (i) to (iv).
(I)-(iv) is a plan view of a medal showing a specific example when a composite pattern is formed using both a phosphor and a phosphorescent material as light emitting members.

As shown in (i) to (iv) of the figure, it is possible to enhance the production effect by using a phosphor and a phosphor in combination with a unique pattern made of a light emitter on both sides or one side of a medal.
The phosphor emits light only during the period of irradiation with ultraviolet light, but the phosphor stores the light emission for a predetermined time. If irradiation is blinked using this action, the light emission of the phosphor portion blinks, the pattern changes, and the effect is enhanced.

A specific example will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6I, on the front and back surfaces or one side of the medal 10k, the sun portion of the pattern is formed by the phosphor 12-12k and the surrounding radiation portion is formed by the phosphor 12-2k. be able to. Thereby, while the light is irradiated, both the sun and the emitted light are emitted, but when the irradiation is stopped, only the sun emits light and the emission of the portion of the emitted light is stopped.
As this application, a pattern as shown in FIG. 8 can be formed on both the front and back sides or one side of the medal 10q. In this pattern, the contour of the sun and the contour of the radiated light are formed by the phosphor 12-1q, and the face in the sun and the filled portion of the radiated light are formed by the phosphor 12-2q. In this case, by repeatedly turning on and off the light source, the sun's face appears or disappears, and the emitted light is colored or not colored.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 (ii) to (iv), on the front and back sides or one side of the medals 10m, 10n, 10p, the portions such as eyes, nose, mouth, etc. of the picture are stored as phosphors 12-1m, 12-1n. 12-1p, and the inside of the mouth may be formed of phosphors 12-2m, 12-2n, 12-2p. In this case, by repeatedly turning on and off the light source, the mouth can be seen to open or close.
In addition, by superimposing a thin phosphor on the phosphor, the light emission can be changed by flashing irradiation.

(Use of UV shielding film)
Next, still another embodiment of the game medium of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (i) and (ii).
The figure (i) is a top view which shows the external appearance of the medal which the ultraviolet shielding film was affixed on the surface, The figure (ii) is side sectional drawing of this medal (BB sectional drawing of the figure (i)) It is.

  The pattern formed on both the front and back sides or one side of the medal 10 can be represented by the shape of the light emitter itself as described with reference to FIGS. However, the formation of the pattern is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the pattern can be formed using an ultraviolet shielding film. That is, a pattern that emits light can be created by attaching the ultraviolet shielding film 16 from which the pattern is cut out to the light emitting surface of the circular light emitter 12r. Of course, an ultraviolet shielding film can be formed on the translucent film to produce a light emitting pattern.

The ultraviolet shielding film (UV block filter) 16 is a film that reflects incident ultraviolet rays. Note that light other than ultraviolet rays contained in incident light may be reflected or transmitted.
Here, as described above, the phosphorescent body emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light. That is, it does not emit light unless irradiated with ultraviolet light. A pattern that emits light using the characteristics of the phosphor and the ultraviolet shielding film can be expressed in an arbitrary shape.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 (i) and 9 (ii), the ultraviolet shielding film 16 is affixed to both the front and back sides or one side of the medal 10 r, and the ultraviolet shielding film 16 has an opening 16-1. It is formed in an arbitrary shape (star shape in the figure).
In the opening 16-1, light from the light source is applied to the light emitter 12r. Here, when ultraviolet light is included in the light from the light source and the light emitter 12r is a phosphorescent material, this portion emits light.

On the other hand, in the part covered with the ultraviolet shielding film 16, since the ultraviolet rays are reflected, the ultraviolet rays do not reach the light emitter 12r. For this reason, the light emitter 12r does not emit light.
From this, by forming the opening 16-1 having an arbitrary shape in the ultraviolet shielding film 16, the light emitting portion 12r can emit light according to the shape of the opening 16-1 (in FIG. Light emitting in the mold).

  In FIG. 9, the protective member 13r covers both the ultraviolet shielding film 16 and the light emitting member 12r. However, the protective member 13r can cover only one of the ultraviolet shielding film 16 and the light emitting member 12r. Further, the protective member 13r can cover only a part of the ultraviolet shielding film 16 or the like.

As described above, medals have been described as an example of the game medium of the present embodiment, but the present invention can also be applied to a pachinko ball that is another example of the game medium.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the pachinko ball 20 may have a structure in which a light emitting member 22 is applied or coated (or fused or welded) on the surface of a pachinko ball main body 21 that is a sphere.
For example, by applying a paint containing the light emitting member 22 to the whole or a part of the surface of the pachinko ball main body 21, the pachinko ball itself can emit light as in the case of the medal 10 described above.
In addition, application | coating etc. of the light emission member 22 can also be given to the whole surface of the pachinko ball main body 21, and can also be given to one part. Further, letters, numbers, symbols, patterns, marks, and the like can be represented by the applied light emitting member 22.

[Game equipment]
Next, the gaming device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The gaming device is various devices installed in a game hall, and includes, for example, a gaming machine, a gaming medium lending machine, a gaming medium counter, and the like. Hereinafter, description will be made sequentially.

(Game machine)
A gaming machine is a device that performs a predetermined game using a game medium such as a pachinko ball or a medal, and pays out a certain amount of game medium when a predetermined game state such as a big hit is achieved.
Examples of the gaming machine include a slot machine, a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine, and a sparrow ball machine.
In this embodiment, a slot machine will be described as a representative example of a gaming machine.

The appearance and internal structure of the slot machine are shown in FIGS. 11 (i) and (ii).
FIG. 2 (i) is a left side view of the slot machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 (ii) is a front view of the slot machine.
As shown in (i) and (ii) of the figure, the slot machine 100 includes a hopper (dispensing device) 110, a discharge passage 120, a discharge port 130, a receiving tray 140, a light projecting means 150, and a light shielding cover 160. And.

The hopper 110 is a device that pays out a certain number of game media (award medals in the case of the slot machine 100) one by one when a predetermined gaming state is reached.
The discharge passage 120 is an inclined path that connects the discharge port 111 and the discharge port 130 of the hopper 110, and causes the game medium paid out from the hopper 110 to slide out toward the tray 140 by the inclination.
The tray 140 receives and stores the game medium discharged from the discharge port 130.

The light projecting means 150 is means for irradiating light to a game medium having a light emitter in part or in whole, and is composed of, for example, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, a black light (ultraviolet light emitting tube), a xenon lamp, or the like. it can. In this case, the irradiated light includes ultraviolet light.
The light projecting means 150 is, for example, a part of the outlet 130 or its vicinity, specifically, so as to irradiate the game medium discharged from the outlet 130 or the game medium stored in the tray 140. As shown in FIGS. 11 (i) and (ii), it can be attached above the outlet 130 or above the tray 140 (light projecting means 150a).

In addition, the light projecting means 150 irradiates the game medium passing through the discharge path 120 with light, for example, as shown in FIG. It can be provided on the way (light projection means 150b). Thereby, the game medium is paid out from the outlet 130 while emitting light.
Further, the light projecting means 150 is configured to irradiate the game medium stored in the hopper tank (storage tank) 112 with light, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (i). In addition, it can be provided above the hopper tank 112 (light projecting means 150c).
The light shielding cover 160 is a hood for preventing the ultraviolet light radiated from the light projecting means 150 from reaching the human body and adversely affecting the skin and eyes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the slot machine 100 includes a medal selector 170 and a control unit 190.
An embodiment of the medal selector 170 will be described in detail later in “Medal Selector”.

The control means 190 controls game operations performed in the slot machine 100.
The control means (light projection control means) 190 controls the timing at which the light projection means 150 is turned on or blinks, or controls the intensity of light emitted from the light projection means 150 (collectively these controls). This is referred to as “lighting control of the light projecting means 150”).
Furthermore, the control means 190 can perform lighting control of the light projecting means 150 according to the gaming state. For example, when a regular bonus (RB) or a big bonus (BB) is won, the light projecting means 150 is turned on to cause the game medium to emit light.

Up to this point, the slot machine, which is a representative example of a gaming machine, has been described. For example, the present embodiment can also be applied to a pachinko machine (not shown), which is another example of a gaming machine, similarly to the slot machine. .
In the case of a pachinko machine, a light projecting means is attached to at least a part of a prize ball passage from the outlet of the prize ball payout device to the prize ball outlet of the pachinko machine to irradiate the prize ball. Further, light projecting means may be provided and irradiated in the vicinity of a tray for storing the prize balls paid out from the prize ball discharge port of the pachinko machine. In this light projecting means, it is desirable to attach a light shielding cover so that the player does not receive ultraviolet light.

(Game media rental machine)
The game media lending machine 200 is a device that lends game media within the range of the number of game media corresponding to the amount of cash inserted. The game medium lending machine 200 includes, for example, a medal lending machine that lends medals and a ball lending machine that lends pachinko balls.
The external configuration of the game medium lending machine (medal lending machine) is shown in FIGS. (I) is a left side view of the medal lending machine, and (ii) is a front view of the medal lending machine.

  As shown in FIGS. (I) and (ii), a game medium lending machine (medal lending machine) 200 includes a hopper (dispensing device) 210, a discharge passage 220, a discharge port 230 (including a nozzle 231), A receiving tray 240, a light projecting means 250, and a light shielding cover 260 are provided.

  In the game medium lending machine 200, similarly to the game machine (slot machine) 100, the light projecting means 250 emits light to, for example, game media discharged from the outlet 230 and game media stored in the tray 240. As shown in FIG. 13 (i), (ii), for example, as shown in FIG. 250a).

Further, the light projecting means 250 irradiates the game medium passing through the discharge path 220 with light, for example, as shown in FIG. It can be provided on the way (light projection means 250b).
Furthermore, the light projecting means 250 is configured to irradiate the game medium stored in the hopper tank 212 with light, for example, as shown in FIG. 212 may be provided above (light projecting means 250c).
The light projecting means 250 can be provided with a light shielding cover 260.

(Game media counter)
The game medium counter 300 is a device that counts the acquired award game media (award medal or prize ball). This game medium counter includes, for example, a medal counter that counts prize medals, a ball counter that counts prize balls, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 14, the game medium counter 300 includes an insertion port 310 into which a prize game medium is inserted, a light projecting unit 320, and a light shielding cover 330.

  The light projecting means 320 irradiates the game medium thrown into the slot 310 with ultraviolet light. When a large amount of game media is thrown into the slot 310, the game medium stays in the slot 310 for a while. Here, by irradiating the staying game medium with ultraviolet light from the light projecting means 320, the game medium can emit light by itself, and the effect can be enhanced.

In the figure, the light projecting means 320 is provided above the rear side of the insertion port 310, but is not limited to the upper side of the rear side. For example, the light projecting means 320 is provided on the side of the insertion port 310 or above the front side. You can also. That is, the light projecting means 320 can be provided in at least a part of the inlet 310 or the vicinity thereof.
Further, the light projecting means 250 can be provided with a light shielding cover 260.

  As described above, according to the gaming apparatus of the present embodiment, the paid out (discharged) gaming medium has a light emitter in part or in whole, and the gaming medium is projected from the light projecting means. Light is irradiated. Therefore, it is possible to produce an effect that the game medium acquired by the player emits light by itself. Thereby, a player's satisfaction can be raised.

[Game media storage box]
Next, the game medium storage box of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This figure is an external perspective view showing the external structure of the game medium storage box.
The game medium storage box 400 is a container for storing the acquired game medium, and is also called a dollar box.
As shown in FIG. 15, the game medium storage box 400 includes a storage unit 410, a light projecting unit 420, a light shielding cover 430, and a power supply device 440.

The storage unit 410 is a container part that stores game media.
The light projecting means 420 irradiates the game medium stored in the storage unit 410 with light. Thereby, the game medium itself emits light, and the effect can be enhanced.
The power supply device 440 supplies power to the light projecting means 420.
In the figure, two light projecting means 420 are provided. However, the light projecting means 420 is not limited to two, and may be provided with one or three or more.

The lighting control of the light projecting means 420 can be performed by the following method.
For example, the light projecting means 420 can be turned on when a certain amount of game media is stored in the game media storage box 400.
This technique can be applied to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-224832 “Pachinko prize ball storage box”. That is, two pairs of electrodes are attached to different locations on the inner side surface of the storage portion 410 of the game medium storage box 400. When the game medium is stored in the storage unit 410 until it comes into contact with both electrodes, the light projecting means 420 can be turned on by energizing the game medium.

As another method, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-266723 “Game Media Storage Box System” can be applied.
That is, the game medium storage box 400 is provided with an electromagnetic coil (storage box side electromagnetic coil, electromotive force generating means) on the bottom surface thereof, and the electromagnetic coil and the light projecting means 420 are connected. On the other hand, a mounting table (not shown) on which the game medium storage box 400 is mounted includes an electromagnetic coil (mounting table side electromagnetic coil) and a power supply device (not shown) for supplying power to the electromagnetic coil. ing. When the game medium storage box 400 is placed on the mounting table, the storage box side electromagnetic coil and the mounting table side electromagnetic coil approach to a place where electromagnetic influences are generated, and an electromotive force is generated in the storage box side electromagnetic coil. Then, the light projecting means 420 is turned on.

  As described above, according to the game medium storage box of the present embodiment, a part of or all of the game medium having a light emitter is stored in the storage unit, and light is emitted from the light projecting means to the game medium. Since the game medium is emitted, it is possible to produce an effect that the game medium itself acquired by the player emits light. Thereby, the player can further enhance satisfaction.

[Medal selector]
Next, an embodiment of a medal selector provided in the slot machine (game device) will be described with reference to FIGS.
16 to 18 are a partial side view and a partial cross-sectional view of the medal selector 170 shown in FIG.

The medal selector 170 has a function of detecting the authenticity of the game medium inserted from the medal insertion slot 180 and removing it if it is false. In particular, the medal selector 170 of the present embodiment has a function of determining the authenticity of the medal 10 having the light emitter 12 and removing it when it is false.
Hereinafter, specific examples of the medal selector 170 will be described as first to third embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) Detection by light emission color of light emitting medal When a medal selector 170a is attached to the slot machine (game machine) 100, an inclined path (medal passage) 171 is provided upstream or downstream of the flow path, Attach a dedicated detection sensor. As shown in FIG. 16, a light projecting means 172 for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the phosphorescent body (light emitting pattern) 12-1 of the medal 10 that rolls upstream of the ramp 171 is provided.
Subsequently, two light receiving sensors 173-1 and 173-2 are provided at an interval downstream thereof. The two light receiving sensors 173-1 and 173-2 have filters (color filters) that transmit light of different wavelengths, respectively, and each of the light received by the luminous body 12-1 of the medal 10 that passes therethrough is received. The amount of light is measured and the luminescent color of the medal 10 passing through the combination is identified.

  That is, the light receiving sensor (light receiving means) 173 receives the light emitted from the light emitting member 12 of the medal (game medium) 10 through the color filter. Based on the color detection signals from one or more light receiving sensors 173, it is determined whether or not the medal 10 emits light with a predetermined color. If the medal 10 does not emit light with the predetermined color, the medal 10 is false. It is determined that

Thus, when it is determined that the medal 10 is false, the medal 10 is excluded by the medal selector 170.
For this reason, if the luminous color of the phosphor 12-1 is other than the own store, the medal 10 of another store can be identified and excluded.

As an exclusion method, when a medal 10 other than the own store is detected, the exclusion solenoid 174 is driven to switch to the return discharge passage.
That is, as shown in the figure, the rolling path of the medal 10 is slightly inclined in the vertical direction, and when a medal 10 is detected, the exclusion solenoid 174 is operated at the timing when the medal 10 passes. Then, the operating link 175 pushes down the medal 10 in the inclination direction and removes it from the normal path.
Note that the method of exclusion is not limited to this, and the lower part of the rolling passage can be opened and closed by a solenoid and excluded downward.

(Embodiment 2) Detection by light emitting ring of light emitting medal As shown in FIG. 17, the medal selector 170b is provided with an inclined path 171 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the luminous body of the medal 10 that rolls upstream of the inclined path 171 ( A light projecting means 172 for irradiating ultraviolet light to the (light emitting pattern) 12-1 is provided.
Subsequently, a light receiving sensor 173 is provided at an interval downstream thereof.
This light receiving sensor 173 identifies the number of pulses for detecting the light from the ring-shaped phosphor 12-1.

  That is, the light receiving sensor (light receiving means) 173 receives light emitted from the light emitting member 12 of the medal 10 from the single medal 10 once or a plurality of times. Then, based on the detection signal from the light receiving sensor 173, it is determined whether or not the number of light received from one medal 10 matches a predetermined number of times. If they do not match, it is determined that the medal 10 is false. .

Thus, when it is determined that the medal 10 is false, the medal 10 is excluded by the medal selector 170.
For this reason, if the number of rings of the phosphor 12-1 provided in concentric circles is dedicated to the store, the medals 10 of other stores can be identified and excluded. The exclusion method is the same as that in the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) Detection based on light emission image of light-emitting medal As shown in FIG. 18, the medal selector 170c is provided with an inclined path 171 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the luminous body of the medal 10 that rolls upstream of the inclined path 171 ( A light projecting means 172 for irradiating ultraviolet light to the (light emitting pattern) 12-1 is provided.
Subsequently, an image sensor 176 is provided with an interval downstream thereof, and a position sensor (light emitting / receiving reflection sensor) 177 is provided from the image sensor 176 with an interval of a medal radius.
The position sensor 177 includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit in one sensor, and can detect the tip (edge) of the medal 10. When the tip of the rolling medal 10 is detected, the center of the pattern of the phosphor 12-1 of the medal 10 is positioned at the imaging center of the image sensor 176. An image is detected at this timing, and the medals 10 of other stores with different images can be identified and excluded by comparing with an image of a picture dedicated to the store.

That is, the image sensor (imaging means) 176 images the surface of the medal 10. Then, pattern determination is performed based on the image image signal from the image sensor 176, and when the shape of the light emitting portion of the medal 10 does not match the predetermined shape, it is determined that the medal 10 is false.
Therefore, even if the resolution (resolution) of the image is rough, a characteristic pattern can be easily identified. The exclusion method is the same as in the first embodiment.

Each of the configurations of the three embodiments described above may be combined with each other, or of course, replaced with the medal selector 170 of the current gaming machine.
Furthermore, a medal from another store can be excluded by attaching a light-emitting medal detection sensor to the outlet of the game medium payout device of the game medium lending machine or the outlet of the game medium counter.

In the present embodiment, the light receiving sensor (light receiving means) 173 and the image sensor (imaging means) 176 are collectively referred to as “light emitting state detection sensor”.
Further, measurement of the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor 173 in the first embodiment, identification of the emission color, determination of authenticity of the medal 10 based on the emission color, input of pulses, identification of the number of pulses, and the number of pulses in the second embodiment. The authenticity determination of the medal 10, the input of the imaged image in the third embodiment, the analysis of the image, and the authenticity determination of the medal 10 based on the image can be executed by the control means 190 shown in FIG. Furthermore, the control unit 190 can also perform irradiation control of the light projecting unit 172, drive control of the exclusion solenoid 174, imaging control of the image sensor 176 based on detection by the position sensor 177, and the like.
However, these operations (such as measurement of the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor 173) can be executed by a control means provided separately from the control means 190 (control means related to the game).

The preferred embodiments of the game medium, game device, and game medium storage box of the present invention have been described above. However, the game medium, game device, and game medium storage box according to the present invention are limited to the above-described embodiments. It goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a gaming machine, a game medium lending machine, and a game medium counter are described as representative examples of the gaming apparatus. However, the gaming apparatus includes the gaming machine, the game medium lending machine, and the game medium counter. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes devices and devices that input and output game media.

  The present invention relates to a game medium having a light-emitting body including a phosphor or a phosphorescent body in part or in whole, a game apparatus including a light projecting means for irradiating light (including ultraviolet light) to the game medium, and a game medium Since it is an invention related to a storage box, it can be used for an apparatus or a device that performs predetermined processing using a game medium.

It is a figure showing the structure of the game medium of the present invention (the structure in which the medal body has a recess and the light emitter is fitted), (i) is a plan view of the game medium, (ii) is a side cross-sectional view FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure (structure where the medal main body has a through-hole, and the light-emitting body was fitted) of the game medium of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure (structure where the medal main body was formed with the protection member, and included the light-emitting body) of the game medium of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure (structure which formed the medal main body with the light-emitting body) of the game medium of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the game medium of the present invention, where (i) is a case where the light emitter is formed in a triangle, (ii) is a case where the light emitter is formed in a quadrangle, and (iii) is When the illuminant is formed in a star shape, (iv) shows the case where the illuminant is formed in a wave shape. It is a top view which shows the structure of the game medium of this invention, Comprising: (i) shows the case where a light-emitting body is formed in several numbers, (ii) shows the case where a light-emitting body is formed in the smiley mark, respectively. . It is a top view which shows the structure (structure using both the luminous body and the fluorescent substance as a light emitting member) of the game medium of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the game medium of the present invention (structure using both a phosphor and a phosphor as a light emitting member), and the pattern of the game medium in each of the case where the light source is turned off and the case where it is turned on Showing differences. It is a top view which shows the structure (structure which used the ultraviolet shielding film) of the game medium of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure (structure of a pachinko ball) of the game medium of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game apparatus (slot machine) of this invention, Comprising: (i) is a left view, (ii) is a front view. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the game device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game media rental machine (medal rental machine) of this invention, Comprising: (i) is a left view, (ii) is a front view. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the game media counter of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of the game media storage box of this invention. It is an external view which shows the structure (Example 1) of a medal selector. It is an external view which shows the structure (Example 2) of a medal selector. It is an external view which shows the structure (Example 3) of a medal selector.

Explanation of symbols

10a-10r Medals (game media)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Medal body 12 Light emitting member 13 Protection member 14 Recessed part 15 Through-hole 16 UV shielding film 20 Pachinko ball 21 Pachinko ball body 22 Light emitting member 100 Slot machine (game machine)
110 Hopper (dispensing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Discharge path 130 Discharge port 140 Receptacle 150 Light projection means 160 Light shielding cover 170 Medal selector 171 Inclination path 172 Light projection means 173 Light reception sensor 174 Exclusion solenoid 175 Operation link 176 Image sensor 177 Position sensor 200 Medal lending machine (game medium lending machine) )
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 250 Light projection means 260 Light-shielding cover 300 Game medium counter 310 Insertion slot 320 Light projection means 330 Light-shielding cover 400 Game medium storage box 410 Storage part 420 Light projection means 430 Light-shielding cover 440 Power supply device

Claims (17)

A game medium used in a game apparatus, wherein a part or all of the game medium has a light emitter. The game medium according to claim 1, wherein the game medium includes a medal and / or a ball. The game medium according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter includes a phosphor and / or a phosphorescent material. The light-emitting body is attached to the whole or a part of the surface of the game medium body by at least one of application, coating, fusion, and welding. The game medium described. The game medium according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet shielding film that covers a part of a surface of the light emitter. The game medium according to claim 5, further comprising a transparent or translucent protective member that covers a surface of the light emitter and / or the ultraviolet shielding film. A gaming apparatus that is installed in a game arcade and that uses the game medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6 having a light emitter in part or in whole,
A gaming apparatus comprising light projecting means for irradiating the game medium with light. The gaming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a light projecting control unit that controls a timing at which the light projecting unit is turned on or blinks, or controls the intensity of light emitted from the light projecting unit. . The gaming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the light emitted from the light projecting means includes ultraviolet light. The gaming device includes a gaming machine and / or a gaming media rental machine,
The gaming machine and / or gaming media lending machine is
A payout device for paying out the game medium;
A discharge path for sending game media paid out from the payout device to the outside of the gaming device;
A payout port that is an opening on the downstream side of the discharge path and pays out the game medium;
A receiving tray for receiving game media paid out from the payout exit,
The light projecting means
One or at least part of the storage tank of the dispensing device or the vicinity thereof, at least a part of the discharge path or the vicinity thereof, at least a part of the dispensing outlet or the vicinity thereof, or at least a part of the tray or the vicinity thereof The game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the game apparatus is provided in two or more. The gaming device includes a slot machine,
This slot machine has a medal passage through which medals pass,
This medal passage is
A light projecting means for irradiating the game medium with light to emit light from the light emitter;
A light emission state detection sensor that detects light from the light emitter and outputs a detection signal;
The game device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether the medal is true or false based on the detection signal. The light emission state detection sensor has light receiving means for receiving light emitted from a light emitter of the game medium through a color filter,
The determination means determines whether or not the medal emits light in a predetermined color based on a color detection signal from one or more of the light receiving means. The game device according to claim 11, wherein the medal is determined to be fake. The light emission state detection sensor includes light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the light emitter once or multiple times from one medal,
Based on the detection signal from the light receiving means, the determination means determines whether or not the number of times received from one medal matches a predetermined number of times, and if it does not match, the medal is false The game device according to claim 11, wherein the game device is determined. The light emission state detection sensor includes an imaging unit that images the surface of the medal,
The determination unit performs pattern determination based on an image signal from the imaging unit, and determines that the medal is false when the shape of the light emitting portion of the medal does not match a predetermined shape. The gaming device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The gaming device includes a gaming media counter,
The gaming device according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the light projecting means is provided in at least a part of the slot into which the game medium is inserted or in the vicinity thereof. A game media storage box for storing game media,
A storage section for storing a game medium having a light emitter in part or in whole;
A game medium storage box, comprising: light projecting means for irradiating light to the game medium stored in the storage unit. The game medium storage box according to claim 16, wherein the light emitted from the light projecting means includes ultraviolet light.

Images