JP2007029616A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of preventing a fraudulent action using a fraudulent implement. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine provided with a game medium blocker 13 capable of being displaced to an opening state for permitting the passing of game media and a closing state for blocking it on the basis of the control of a control means and a game medium detection sensor for detecting the movement of the game media and outputting detection signals in a game medium path for guiding the game media fed into a game medium feeding part provided on the front surface of the game machine, the control means recognizes the closing state of the game medium blocker 13 and outputs error signals with the input of the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor as a trigger. <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 plays games using game media such as medals (including coins) includes a medal sorting device that can determine the authenticity of medals. The medal sorting device includes a medal detection sensor that detects insertion of a medal in a medal passage following the medal insertion unit, a medal blocker that can be displaced in an open state that allows passage of a medal and a closed state that blocks passage of a medal by actuation of a solenoid. Is provided.

  The medal blocker is disengaged when the gaming machine is not in operation, when the number of credits reaches the limit, or when an error occurs in the gaming machine, and the solenoid is turned off to control the game. When the machine is in an operating state and a game is possible, the solenoid is turned ON to displace it into an open state.

The medal detection sensor generally includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a light transmission 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. Used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-248210 A

  However, in the gaming machine as described above, the medal passage monitoring process is performed only when the medal blocker is in the open state and the insertion of the medal is permitted, and when the medal blocker is in the closed state. The program for monitoring medal passage is set to sleep. For this reason, when the medal blocker is in the closed state, an illegal instrument with an LED or the like attached to the transparent celluloid plate is inserted into the medal passage from the medal insertion part, and the LED is blinked, so that the medal passes. There is a possibility that fraudulent acts that create a situation in a pseudo manner and illegally increase the number of credits may be performed.

  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) An open state that allows passage of game media and a closed state that blocks passage of the game media, based on the control of the control means, in the game media path that guides the game media input to the game media input unit provided on the front surface of the gaming machine In a gaming machine provided with a displaceable game medium blocker and a game medium detection sensor that detects the movement of the game medium and outputs a detection signal, the control means recognizes the closed state of the game medium blocker, and An error signal is output when the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor is input.

(2) In the above item (1), the control means recognizes the closed state of the game medium blocker based on the control for closing the game medium blocker.

(3) In the above item (1) or (2), the control means outputs an error signal to an external centralized management computer provided in the game store.

(4) In any of the above items (1) to (3), the notification means provided in the gaming machine is operated so as to notify that an error has occurred.

(5) In any one of the above items (1) to (4), when the control means recognizes the open state of the game medium blocker, it counts the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor, and the game medium blocker When the closed state is recognized, the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor is not counted.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means recognizes the closed state of the game medium blocker and outputs an error signal to the notification means when the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor is input. Based on operation, fraud can be detected immediately.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means can easily recognize the closed state of the game medium blocker by recognizing the closed state of the game medium blocker based on the control for setting the game medium blocker to the closed state. Can do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a clerk at a game shop can easily find fraud based on an external centralized management computer.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an illegal act can be reliably detected based on the operation of the notification means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the game medium blocker is in the closed state, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act that illegally increases the number of credits.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 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”.

  The gaming machine (1) uses a disk-shaped medal (including coins) as a game medium, and a medal slot (game medium slot) provided on the front right side of the front door (3) in the housing (2). By putting 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. The number of credits means that the number of medals awarded as a prize when the game is won and the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) are electrically stored in a counter memory provided on the main control board (7). The number that is accumulated.

  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 number is incremented by a 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 medal blocker (game medium blocker) (13).

  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. In the medal passage (14), first and second medal detection sensors (game medium detection sensors) (24) and (25) for detecting movement of medals are provided. 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 sensors (24) and (25) are juxtaposed along the movement direction of the medal (M), and the first and second light emitters (24a) and (25a) are connected to the first and second light emitters. Each light emitter (24a) (25a) is formed by a light transmission type photomicrosensor comprising first and second light receivers (24b) (25b) capable of receiving light emitted from the light emitters (24a) (25a). When each of the light receivers (24b) and (25b) receives light emitted from the light source, 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 sensors (24) and (25), and then the medal passage (14 ) From the exit (14a) and guided by the medal chute (20) and discharged into the hopper unit (6).

  The medal blocker (13) includes a solenoid (15) disposed on the front surface of the selector base (11), and a block pin (16) that can be moved into and out of the medal passage (14) following the operation of the solenoid (15). have.

  The block pin (16) is provided slightly upstream (left side in FIG. 3) of the first medal detection sensor (24) in the medal passage (14), and when the solenoid (15) is in an off (demagnetization) state, When the medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion portion (4) is prevented from passing through and protrudes from the passage surface of (14), and when the solenoid (15) is in the on (excitation) state, the medal passage (14) Immerse inside and allow medal (M) to pass.

  The state in which the solenoid (15) is off and the block pin (16) blocks the passage of the medal (M) corresponds to the closed state of the medal blocker (13), and the solenoid (15) The state in which the block pin (16) permits the passage of the medal (M) in the on state corresponds to the opened state of the medal blocker (13).

  The solenoid (15) is controlled to be 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 1) is active and a game is possible, it is turned 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 a centralized manner, a CPU capable of executing control operations in a predetermined procedure, a ROM storing a CPU operation program, writing of necessary data and It includes a readable RAM, a inserted medal counter, and a credit counter.

  When the inserted medal counter receives the medal passage detection signal output from the first and second medal detection sensors (24) and (25), the first three medals (M) inserted in the medal insertion unit (4) are received. ) Are counted up to the upper limit “3” as insertion medals and stored in the insertion counter memory.

  If the counter memory stores the upper limit “3”, the credit counter receives a medal passage detection signal output from the first and second medal detection sensors (24) and (25) and receives a medal insertion unit ( The medal (M) inserted in 4) is counted as a credit up to the upper limit “50” and stored in the credit counter memory.

  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 sensors (24) and (25) are connected, and the output port includes a hopper unit (6), a sub control board (8), a solenoid (15) of a medal blocker (13), and a game store An external centralized management computer (50) installed in is 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 main control board (7) receives a detection signal indicating that a true medal output from the first and second medal detection sensors (24) and (25) has passed, the number of credits every time the detection signal is received. When the operation signal of 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 When the operation signal of the MAX bet switch button (42) is accepted, the credit amount is decremented according to the number of bets, and further, when the settlement signal of the settlement switch button (40) is accepted, each memory is stored. A control signal is transmitted to the hopper unit (6) so that a number of medals corresponding to the number of accumulated credits 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.

  Next, the flow of medal detection in the sensor signal monitoring program of the main control board (7) according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step (S1), it is determined whether or not a medal can be inserted into the medal insertion unit (4), that is, whether the medal blocker (13) is in an open state or a closed state. When it is in the open state, the process proceeds to step (S2), and when it is in the closed state, the process proceeds to step (S6). The open state of the medal blocker (13) is recognized based on the control for turning on the solenoid (15), and the closed state is recognized similarly based on the control for turning off the solenoid (15).

  When the process proceeds to step (S2), that is, when the main control board (7) recognizes the opened state of the medal blocker (13), the credit counter displays the first and second medal detection sensors (24). When the detection signal of (25) is counted and the process proceeds to step (S6), that is, when the main control board (7) recognizes the closed state, the first and second medal detection sensors (24) Even if (25) outputs the detection signal, the credit counter may not count the detection signal. In this way, when the medal blocker (13) is in the closed state, it is possible to more reliably prevent an illegal act that illegally increases the number of credits using an unauthorized device.

  When the process proceeds to step (S2), it is determined from the detection order of the first and second medal detection sensors (24) and (25) and the time difference between the detections whether or not the medal has been normally inserted. If a true medal passage detection signal is output from the medal detection sensors (24) and (25), the process proceeds to step (S3), and if an abnormal medal passage detection signal is output, step (S7 ).

  In step (S3), it is determined whether or not the number of inserted one game has been reached, that is, whether or not the inserted medal counter has reached MAX “3”. ), If not MAX, the process proceeds to step (S5).

  If the process proceeds to step (S5), the credit counter is incremented and returned, and if the process proceeds to step (S5), the inserted medal counter is incremented and returned.

  When the process proceeds to step (S6) in step (S1), it is determined whether or not at least one of the first or second medal detection sensors (24) and (25) has output a detection signal. In the normal state, when the medal blocker (13) is in the closed state, the first or second medal detection sensor (24) (25) cannot output a detection signal. Is output, it is determined that a fraudulent act is performed using a fraudulent instrument to create the same situation as the medal passed, and the process proceeds to step (S7).

  In step (S7), the main control board (7) transmits an error signal to the sub control board (8) and the external centralized management computer (50) installed in the amusement store, and then returns. Based on the error signal, the sub-control board (8) has an error in at least one of the liquid crystal display unit (31), the speaker (32), and the lamp (33), which is a notification means provided in the gaming machine (1). A control signal that operates so as to notify that it has occurred is transmitted. For example, the liquid crystal display unit (31) displays an error, the speaker (32) generates a sound effect different from that during the game, and the lamp (33) is different from that during the game. Lights up or flashes. Also, the external centralized management computer (50) informs the staff of the amusement store that it is in an abnormal state based on the error signal. Based on this notification, an attendant at the amusement store can easily find out that there is a risk of fraudulent activity. If no detection signal is output from the first or second medal detection sensor (24) or (25) in step (S6), the process directly returns.

  As described above, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the sensor signal monitoring program of the main control board (7) is operated even when the medal blocker (13) is in the closed state, thereby providing the medal blocker. It is possible to reliably detect fraudulent acts performed when (13) is in a closed state.

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 flowchart which shows the flow of medal detection.

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) Medal blocker (game media blocker)
(14) Medal passage (game media passage)
(14a) Exit
(15) Solenoid
(16) Block pin
(18) Pin
(19) Torsion spring
(20) Medal Shoot
(21) Return duct
(24) First medal detection sensor (game medium detection sensor)
(24a) First light emitter
(24b) Second receiver
(25) Second medal detection sensor (game medium detection sensor)
(25a) Second light emitter
(25b) Second floodlight
(31) Liquid crystal display unit (notification means)
(32) Speaker (notification means)
(33) Lamp (notification means)
(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
(50) External central management computer
(M) Medal

Claims (5)

Based on the control of the control means, the game medium passage for guiding the game medium input to the game medium input portion provided on the front surface of the gaming machine can be displaced into an open state that allows the passage of the game medium and a closed state that blocks the game medium. In a gaming machine provided with a game medium blocker and a game medium detection sensor for detecting a movement of the game medium and outputting a detection signal,
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means recognizes a closed state of the game medium blocker and outputs an error signal when a detection signal of the game medium detection sensor is input.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means recognizes a closed state of the game medium blocker based on a control for closing the game medium blocker.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means outputs an error signal to an external centralized management computer provided in the gaming store.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a notification means provided in the gaming machine is operated based on an error signal of the control means so as to notify that an error has occurred.   The control means counts the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor when recognizing the open state of the game medium blocker, and detects the detection signal of the game medium detection sensor when recognizing the closed state of the game medium blocker. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is not counted.

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