JP2007021067A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium sorting device of a game machine capable of preventing fraudulent action by using a fraudulent implement. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine, game medium detection photosensors 24 and 25 for detecting the movement of game media are provided in a game medium path 14 for guiding the game media fed to a game medium feed part 4 and the game media fed from the game medium feed part 4 are received on the basis of detection signals output by the game medium detection photosensors 24 and 25. The game machine is provided with a control means for measuring a time interval between the preceding and succeeding detection signals output by the game medium detection photosensors 24 and 25, comparing the time interval with predetermined reference time and outputting error signals when the time interval is shorter than the reference time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a game medium to play a game.

A gaming machine such as a slot machine that uses a game medium such as a medal (including a coin) to play a game includes a medal sorting device that can determine the authenticity of the medal. In this medal sorting device, a pair of medal detection light sensors for detecting the insertion of medals are arranged in parallel along the moving direction of the medals in the medal passage following the medal insertion unit. When the medal detection optical sensor detects a medal, the medal is accepted and the credit number is incremented. In general, a medal detection light sensor is composed of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a light transmissive type that detects an object when an object such as a medal blocks light emitted from the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit does not receive light is used. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-248210 A

  However, in the medal sorting device of the gaming machine as described above, the medal passes by flashing the LED in a state where an illegal device having an LED or the like attached to the transparent celluloid plate is inserted into the medal passage from the medal insertion portion. If the medal detection light sensor is activated by simulating the same situation as above and a true medal is inserted, there is a risk that fraudulent acts such as raising the number of credits to the limit will be performed in a short time that is impossible There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent an illegal act using an unauthorized device.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
(1) A game medium detection light sensor that detects movement of a game medium and outputs a detection signal is provided in a game medium path that guides the game medium to be inserted into the game medium input unit. In the gaming machine configured to accept the game medium input from the game medium input unit based on the detection signal to be output, the time interval between the detection signals output by the game medium detection light sensor is measured and the time measured Control means for comparing an interval time with a predetermined reference time and outputting an error signal when the interval time is shorter than the reference time.

(2) A game medium detection light sensor that detects a movement of the game medium and outputs a detection signal is provided in a game medium passage that guides the game medium input to the game medium input unit, and the game medium detection light sensor In a gaming machine configured to accept a game medium input from the game medium input unit based on a detection signal to be output, the game medium detection light sensor outputs a detection signal and then times a predetermined set time. And a control means for outputting an error signal when the game medium detection light sensor outputs a next detection signal during the set time counting period.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) According to the invention described in claim 1, when the interval time between the detection signals output by the game medium detection photosensor is shorter than a predetermined reference time, an error signal is output. It is possible to prevent an illegal act such as operating the game medium detection light sensor at a speed that is impossible when a true medal is inserted.

(B) According to the invention described in claim 2, an illegal instrument is obtained by outputting an error signal when the game medium detection light sensor detects the next detection signal during a predetermined set time period. Can be used to prevent illegal acts such as operating the game medium detection light sensor at a speed that would not be possible if a true medal was inserted.

  Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention is described based on Drawings 1-7. FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine (slot machine) to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gaming machine with a front door opened. In the following description, the front side of the page in FIG. 1, the lower left side in FIG. 2 is “front or front”, the rear side in FIG. 1, and the upper right side in FIG. 2 is “rear or back side”. The left side in FIG. 1 and the upper left in FIG. 2 are “left”, the right in FIG. 1 and the lower right in FIG. 2 are “right”.

  In the gaming machine (1), the game medium is a disk-shaped medal (including coins), and the medal insertion part (game medium insertion part) provided on the right side of the front door (3) in the housing (2) ( By throwing in 4), a game as described later is played.

  In the present embodiment, the gaming machine (1) is described as a slot machine in which the game medium is a medal (including coins). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming machine (1) It may be a pachinko machine or slot machine in which the game medium is a pachinko ball.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the housing (2), there are three rotary reels (5) on the outer peripheral surface on which the identification information composed of a plurality of types of symbols, numbers, etc. is drawn, Based on the commands of the hopper unit (6) capable of storing and paying out medals, the main control board (control means) (7) for overall control of the entire game, and the main control board (7), the front door (3 ), A liquid crystal display unit (31) that can display various game information and effects, a speaker (32) that generates sound effects, a lamp (33) that enhances effect effects by light (see FIG. 1), etc. A sub-control board (8) capable of outputting a control signal and a power supply device (9) for supplying power to the main control board (7) and other electric devices are accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface of the front door (3), there is a game information display section (34) through which the game information and effects displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (31) can be seen through, and each rotary reel (5). The identification information display part (35) that can be seen through three pieces of identification information and the number of medals paid out and credits displayed on the central board (3a) (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the front door (3) An information display section (36) through which various information such as numbers can be seen through, the medal insertion section (4) into which medals are inserted when playing a game, and medals inserted into the medal insertion section (4) are described later. A reject button (3b) that is operated when the medal sorting device (10) is jammed, a switch operation part (37) in which various switches are arranged, and a tray (39) that can receive medals are provided. Yes. Note that the number of credits is the number of medals that are stored in the memory provided on the main control board (7) from medals previously inserted into the medal insertion unit (4).

  The switch operation unit (37) includes a settlement switch button (40) which is operated when a medal in the credit state is settled, and a one-bet switch button which is operated when investing one credit state medal into the game one by one. (41), a MAX bet switch button (42) operated when investing the maximum number of three medals in the game, a start switch lever (43) operated when rotating each rotary reel (5), In addition, a stop switch button (44) operated to stop the rotation of each rotary reel (5) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the front door (3), a medal positioned below the medal insertion part (4) and capable of determining the authenticity of the medal inserted into the medal insertion part (4). From a sorting device (game medium sorting device) (10), a medal chute (20) for guiding a true medal released from the medal sorting device (10) into the hopper unit (6), and a medal sorting device (10) A return duct (21) for guiding the fake medals to be discharged to the medal tray (39) of the front door (3) is provided.

  In the game of the gaming machine (1), after the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion section (4), the number of medals bet is set by the single bet switch button (41) or the MAX bet switch button (42). The operation is started by operating the start switch lever (43) to rotate all the rotating reels (5).

  After a predetermined time has elapsed after the rotating reel (5) has rotated, the three stop switch buttons (44) are operated in sequence to stop the rotation of each rotating reel (5), and the stopped three rotating reels The combination of identification information in (5) determines the number of medals to be paid according to the presence / absence of a prize and the size of the prize. When winning, the credit is incremented by the predetermined number of winnings. When the number of credits exceeds the limit number (for example, 50), the number of medals corresponding to the excess is paid out from the hopper unit (6) to the medal tray (39).

  3 is a rear view of the medal sorting device (10), and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. The medal sorting device (10) includes a synthetic resin selector base (11) fixed to the back side of the front door (3), and an open / close guide plate (12) pivotally supported on the rear surface of the selector base (11). And a solenoid (13) provided on the front surface of the selector base (11).

  On the rear surface of the selector base (11), a substantially L-shaped medal passage (game medium passage) (14) for guiding the medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion portion (4) is formed. The medal passage (14) is provided with first and second medal detection light sensors (game medium detection light sensors) (24) and (25) for detecting movement of medals. The width of the medal passage (14) is almost equal to the diameter of the medal, and only the true medal (M) is guided.

  The first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25) are juxtaposed along the moving direction of the medal (M), and the first and second light emitters (24a) and (25a) Each light emitter (24a) (25a) is formed by a light transmissive photomicrosensor comprising first and second light receivers (24b) (25b) capable of receiving light emitted from light emitters (24a) (25a). When the light receivers (24b) and (25b) receive light emitted from each of the light emitters), an OFF signal is output, and each light emitter (24a) (25a) is output by the medal (M) moving in the medal path (14). When the light emitted from) is blocked, an ON signal is output.

  The true medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) is guided by the medal passage (14), detected by the first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25), and then the medal passage ( Guided by the medal chute (20) from the outlet (14a) of 14) and discharged into the hopper unit (6).

  A block pin (22) capable of appearing and retracting in the medal passage (14) is provided slightly upstream (left side in FIG. 3) of the first medal detection sensor (24) in the medal passage (14). When the solenoid (13) is in the OFF state, the block pin (22) protrudes from the passage surface of the medal passage (14) and prevents the medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion portion (4) from being received. Further, when the solenoid (13) is in the ON state, the medal (M) can be received by being immersed in the medal passage (14).

  The solenoid (13) is controlled to be turned off when the gaming machine (1) is not in operation, when the number of credits reaches a limit, and when an error occurs in the gaming machine (1). When the machine (1) is in an operating state and a game is possible, it is controlled to be on.

  The open / close guide plate (12) is pivotally attached to the selector base (11) by a pin (18), and the torsion spring (19) allows the medal (M) to move in the medal passage (14). When the reject button (3b) is pushed and pressed against the rear surface of the selector base (11), the rear surface of the selector base (11) is resisted against the biasing force of the torsion spring (19). The medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion part (4) is dropped from the medal passage (14).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to the present embodiment. The main control board (7) controls the entire game in an integrated manner, and is configured as an integrated one-chip CPU together with a ROM storing a control program and data and a RAM functioning as a work area of the CPU. A series of control processes are executed by the stored control program.

  On the input port of the main control board (7), there are a settlement switch button (40), a single bet switch button (41), a MAX bet switch button (42), a start switch lever (43), a stop switch button (44), The first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25) are connected, and the output port includes a hopper unit (6), a sub control board (8), and a solenoid (13) of the medal sorting device (10). Connected. Further, the rotary reel motor (5a), the liquid crystal display unit (31), the speaker (32), and the lamp (33) are connected to the output port of the sub control board (8).

  When the first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25) receive a detection signal indicating that a true medal has passed, the main control board (7) increments the number of credits every time the detection signal is received. When an operation signal for the start switch lever (43) and the stop switch button (44) is received, a command is transmitted to the sub-control board (8), and the single bet switch button (41) or the MAX bet When the operation signal for the switch button (42) is received, the credit amount is decremented according to the number of bets, and when the settlement signal for the settlement switch button (40) is received, the accumulated credit is A control signal is transmitted to the hopper unit (6) so that medals corresponding to the number can be discharged from the hopper unit (6). Based on the command of the main control board (7), the sub-control board (8) sends a rotation control signal and a stop control signal for the rotary reel motor (5a), and a drive signal to the speaker (32) and the lamp (33), respectively. Send.

  FIG. 6 is a time chart when the first and second medal detection optical sensors (24) and (25) detect insertion of medals, and FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of medal detection. When the true medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion part (4) moves from the upstream toward the downstream side of the medal passage (14), first, the detection area part (M1) of the medal (M) is located upstream. The first medal detection light sensor (24) is turned on by crossing the first medal detection light sensor (24), and then the detection area (M1) of the medal (M) is the second medal on the downstream side. By traversing the detection light sensor (25), the second medal detection light sensor (25) is turned on. Subsequently, the detection area part (M1) of the medal (M) moves the first medal detection light sensor (24). By passing, the first medal detection light sensor (24) is turned off. Subsequently, the detection area (M1) of the medal (M) passes the second medal detection light sensor (25), A detection signal (a) of a pattern in which the 2-medal detection light sensor (25) is turned off is output to the main control board (7).

  The main control board (7) continuously outputs a detection signal (a) output from the first and second medal detection sensors (24) and (25) and a plurality of detection signals (a) (a1). At this time, it is determined whether or not a true medal (M) is inserted based on the interval time (x) between the preceding and succeeding detection signals (a) and (a1).

  Specifically, when a plurality of detection signals (a) (a1)... Are output, the time interval (x) between the preceding and subsequent detection signals (a) (a1) is timed and the time interval time ( x) is compared with a predetermined reference time (y) (for example, 1.5 msec), and if interval time (x)> reference time (y) (between detection signals (a) and (a1)) Assuming that a true medal (M) is inserted, the number of credits is incremented, and if interval time (x) <reference time (y) (between detection signals (a2) and (a3)), LED It is determined that a fraudulent act that actuates the first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25) using a fraudulent instrument attached with the.

  When it is determined that an illegal act has been performed, the main control board (7) outputs an error signal. Based on this error signal, the solenoid (13) is turned off to prevent the medal (M) from being received in the medal passage (14). The speaker (32) and the lamp (33) forming the error indicator are It operates to notify that it is in an abnormal state. At the same time, the central management computer of the amusement store is informed of the abnormal state.

  The reference time (y) is the result of an experiment when a plurality of true medals (M) are continuously inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) and the medals (M) before and after contacting each other as shown in FIG. When a true medal (M) is inserted into the medal insertion part (4) by calculation taking into consideration the gap (L) between the front and rear medals (M) in the state, it is impossible. A short time is set. Therefore, if the interval time (x) is shorter than the reference time (y), this is a phenomenon that cannot occur when a normal medal is inserted. It can be determined that the first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25) have been operated at a rapid speed.

  FIG. 8 is a time chart when the first and second medal detection optical sensors (24) and (25) according to another embodiment of the present invention detect insertion of medals. When the main control board (7) in this other embodiment receives the output of the detection signal from the first and second medal detection light sensors (24), (25), it has the same time as the reference time (y) in the above embodiment. When the timer has a timer for measuring the set time (T) and the next detection signal is output after the timer finishes measuring the set time (T) (for example, the detection signal (a) is output and then the detection is performed) In the process of outputting the signal (a1)), it is considered that a true medal (M) is inserted. Further, when the first and second medal detection light sensors (24) and (25) output a detection signal during the time set for the set time (T) in the timer (for example, the detection signal (a2) is output, and then In the process of outputting the detection signal (a3), an error signal is output.

It is a front view of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the gaming machine with the front door opened. It is a rear view of a game media sorter. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the IV-IV line in FIG. It is a block diagram of a control circuit. It is a time chart at the time of detecting medal insertion. It is a conceptual diagram of medal detection. It is a time chart at the time of detecting medal insertion concerning other embodiments.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Pachislot machines
(2) Housing
(3) Front door
(3a) Central board
(3b) Reject button
(4) Medal slot (game media slot)
(5) Rotating reel
(5a) Rotary reel motor
(6) Hopper unit
(7) Main control board (control means)
(8) Sub control board
(9) Power supply
(10) Medal sorting device (game media sorting device)
(11) Selector base
(12) Open / close guide plate
(13) Solenoid
(14) Medal passage (game media passage)
(14a) Exit
(18) Pin
(19) Torsion spring
(20) Medal Shoot
(21) Return duct
(22) Block pin
(24) First medal detection light sensor (game medium detection light sensor)
(24a) First light emitter
(24b) Second receiver
(25) Second medal detection optical sensor (game medium detection optical sensor)
(25a) Second light emitter
(25b) Second floodlight
(31) Liquid crystal display unit
(32) Speaker (Error indicator)
(33) Lamp (Error indicator)
(34) Game information display section
(35) Identification information display
(36) Information display section
(37) Switch operation section
(39) Medal tray
(40) Checkout switch button
(41) Single bet switch button
(42) MAX bet switch button
(43) Start switch lever
(44) Stop switch button
(M) Medal
(x) Interval time
(y) Reference time

Claims (2)

A game medium detection light sensor that detects a movement of the game medium and outputs a detection signal is provided in a game medium passage that guides the game medium inserted into the game medium input unit, and the detection output from the game medium detection light sensor In a gaming machine adapted to accept game media input from the game media input unit based on a signal,
The time interval between detection signals output by the game medium detection light sensor is timed, and the time interval measured is compared with a predetermined reference time. When the time interval is shorter than the reference time, an error signal is output. A gaming machine comprising control means for outputting. A game medium detection light sensor that detects a movement of the game medium and outputs a detection signal is provided in a game medium passage that guides the game medium inserted into the game medium input unit, and the detection output from the game medium detection light sensor In a gaming machine adapted to accept game media input from the game media input unit based on a signal,
After the game medium detection light sensor outputs a detection signal, it counts a predetermined set time, and when the game medium detection photo sensor outputs the next detection signal during the set time measurement period, an error signal is output. A gaming machine comprising control means for outputting.

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