JP2007037812A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the fraudulent play of a game or fraudulent settlement of the game. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine includes an upstream-side counter 71 counting detecting signals of an upstream-side game medium detecting sensor 26, and a downstream-side counter 72 counting detecting signals of a downstream-side game medium detecting sensor 27; when game start operation means 41, 42 and 43 or a game settlement operation means 40 is operated, compares the counted value of the upstream-side counter 71 with the counted value of the downstream-side counter 72 and when the mutual counted values are not accorded with each other, executes an error process. <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 passage of medals are arranged in parallel along the moving direction of the medals in a medal passage following a medal insertion portion into which medals are inserted. When the passage of medals is detected, the number of credits (the number of medals that electrically stores the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit) is incremented by counting the detection signals (for example, patents). Reference 1).
JP 2002-248210 A

  However, in the gaming machine as described above, the medal detects the medal detection light sensor by flashing the LED in a state where an unauthorized device having an LED or the like attached to the transparent celluloid plate is inserted into the medal passage from the medal insertion portion. Creates the same situation that passed, increases the number of credits illegally, and the game is played in that state, or credits are settled and illegal acts such as illegally acquiring game media May be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine capable of preventing an illegal game from being played or an illegal game being settled. It is aimed.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
(1) A game medium input unit into which a game medium is input, a game start operation unit operated when starting a game, a game settlement operation unit operated when adjusting a game, and the game medium input unit A game medium passage that guides the game medium to be inserted into the gaming machine, and detects and detects the passage of the game medium input from the game medium input section on the upstream side and the downstream side of the game medium path. In a gaming machine having an upstream game medium detection sensor and a downstream game medium detection sensor capable of outputting a signal, an upstream counter for counting a detection signal of the upstream game medium detection sensor, and the downstream game medium detection sensor A downstream counter that counts a detection signal, and when the game start operating means or the game settlement operating means is operated, the count value of the upstream counter and the lower counter Comparing the count value of the side counter, if the mutual count do not match, and having a control means for executing an error process.

(2) In the above item (1), the control means performs control to stop the game start or the game settlement based on the execution of the error process.

(3) In the above item (1) or (2), the control means transmits an error signal to an external centralized management computer provided in the amusement store based on execution of error processing.

(4) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the control means transmits an error signal to the notifying means provided in the gaming machine based on the execution of the error processing.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if an illegal act of illegally outputting a detection signal from the upstream game medium detection sensor or the downstream game medium detection sensor is performed, the game start operation means or the game checkout operation means During the operation of, cheating can be reliably detected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when error processing is executed, the start of the game or the settlement of the game is stopped, so that the game is illegally performed or the game is prevented from being settled illegally. 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.

  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) through which three pieces of identification information can be seen through, and the number of medals paid out and credits displayed on the middle 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 return button (3b) that is pushed in when the medal sorting device (10) is jammed, a switch operation unit (37) in which various switches are arranged, and a tray (39) that can receive medals are provided. ing.

  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 in the medal insertion unit (4) are electrically stored in a memory provided on the main control board (7). The number of medals.

  The switch operation unit (37) has a settlement switch button (40) which is a game settlement operation unit operated when the medals in the credit state are settled, and is operated when investing the medals in the credit state one by one. A single bet switch button (41), a MAX bet switch button (42) operated when investing the maximum number of three medals in the game, and a game operated when rotating each rotating reel (5) A start switch lever (43) serving as a start operation means, a stop switch button (44) operated when stopping the rotation of each rotary reel (5), and the like are provided.

  In this embodiment, the game start operation means is the start switch lever (43), but it may be a single bet switch button (41) or a MAX bet switch button (42) instead.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the front door (3), a medal that is located below the medal insertion part (4) and that can determine the authenticity of the medal inserted into the medal insertion part (4). Sorting device (10), medal shooter (20) for guiding true medals released from medal sorting device (10) into hopper unit (6), and fake medal discharged from medal sorting device (10) And a return duct (21) for guiding the to the medal tray (39) of the front door (3).

  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 (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. Formed by a proximity sensor or mechanical limit switch that reacts to the passage of a metal medal (M) on the upstream side of the medal passage (14) but does not react to the blinking of the LED attached to an unauthorized device. An upstream medal detection sensor (upstream game medium detection sensor) (26) is provided. Similarly, on the downstream side, a light transmission type downstream medal detection sensor (downstream game medium detection sensor) (27) for detecting passage of medals is 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 upstream medal detection sensor (26) uses a sensor that does not respond to blinking of the LED, and the downstream medal detection sensor (27) uses a sensor that reacts to blinking of the LED, so that the LED attached to the illegal instrument blinks. This makes it extremely difficult to simulate the same situation that a medal has passed.

  The downstream medal detection sensor (27) includes downstream first and second sensors (24) and (25) arranged in parallel along the moving direction of the medal (M). The downstream first and second sensors (24) and (25) are the first and second light emitters (24a) and (25a) and the first and second light emitters (24a) and (25a) capable of receiving light emitted from the first and second light emitters (24a) and (25a). Each light receiver (24b) (25b) receives light emitted from each light emitter (24a) (25a). An OFF signal is output when the light is on, and an ON signal is output when the light emitted from each light emitter (24a) (25a) is blocked by the medal (M) moving in the medal passage (14) To do.

  The true medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) enters the medal passage (14), and the downstream first medal detection sensor (26) and the downstream medal detection sensor (27) are first downstream. After the two sensors (24) and (25) are detected in this order, they are guided by the medal chute (20) from the outlet (14a) of the medal passage (14) 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). Is included.

  The block pin (16) is provided slightly upstream (left side in FIG. 3) of the downstream first sensor (24) in the medal passage (14), and when the solenoid (15) is in the OFF (demagnetization) state, The medal (M) inserted in the medal insertion portion (4) is prevented from passing by being held in a projecting position protruding from the passage surface of the medal passage (14) by an urging force (not shown), and a solenoid When (15) is in the ON (excited) state, the medal (M) is allowed to pass by being held in the immersive position where it is immerged in the medal passage (14) against the biasing force of the spring.

  The solenoid (15) is OFF-controlled 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), and the gaming machine (1) ) Is ON and is controlled when a game is possible.

  The open / close guide plate (12) is pivotally attached to the selector base (11) by a pin (18) and urged toward the rear surface of the selector base (11) by a torsion spring (19). The medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion portion (4) is held in the closed position (solid line position shown in FIG. 4) where the rear side of the medal passage (14) is closed so that it does not fall from the medal passage (14). When the return button (3b) is pushed in, the medal passage (14) is swung to the open position (imaginary line position shown in FIG. 4) against the urging force of the torsion spring (19). The medal (M) jammed in the medal passage (14) 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 RAM that can be read, an upstream counter (71) that counts the detection signal of the upstream medal detection sensor (26), a downstream counter (72) that counts the detection signal of the downstream medal detection sensor (27), A comparison circuit section (73) for comparing count values of the upstream counter (71) and the downstream counter (72) is included.

  When the downstream counter (72) receives the detection signal from the downstream medal detection sensor (27), the first three medals (M) inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) are used as insertion medals and the upper limit “ When the insertion medal counter capable of counting up to 3 ”and the insertion medal counter count and store the upper limit“ 3 ”, when the detection signal of the downstream medal detection sensor (27) is received, the medal insertion unit ( The medal (M) inserted in 4) is divided into a credit counter that counts up to the upper limit “50” as credits. The upstream counter (71) is also divided into an insertion medal counter and a credit count, like the downstream counter (72). Note that the count value of each counter (71) (72) is the sum of each insertion medal counter and the credit count.

  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), Downstream first and second sensors (24) and (25) of the upstream medal detection sensor (26) and the downstream medal detection sensor (27) are connected, and the hopper unit (6) and sub-control are connected to the output port. The board (8), the external centralized management computer (50) installed in the gaming machine store, and the solenoid (15) are connected. Further, the rotary reel motor (5a), the liquid crystal display unit (31), the speaker (32), and the lamp (33) for rotating the rotary reel (5) are connected to the output port of the sub control board (8). The

  The main control board (7) transmits a command to the sub control board (8) when an operation signal of the start switch lever (43) or the stop switch button (44) is received. Also, when an operation signal for the single bet switch button (41) or the MAX bet switch button (42) is received, the medal counter for insertion or the credit for each counter (71) (72) depending on the number of bets When the counter is decremented and the settlement signal of the settlement switch button (40) is received, the number of medals corresponding to the number of credits stored in each memory corresponding to each counter (71) (72) A control signal is transmitted to the hopper unit (6) so that it can be discharged from (6). When a medal is discharged from the hopper unit (6), the count values of the counters (71) and (72) are decremented based on the discharge signal. Therefore, in normal cases, the count values of the upstream counter (71) and the downstream counter (72) always coincide.

  The sub-control board (8) sends a control signal to the rotation control signal and stop control signal of the rotary reel motor (5a), and the control signal to the speaker (32) and the lamp (33) based on the command of the main control board (7). Send.

  The main control board (7) increments the upstream counter (71) and the downstream counter (72) every time it receives detection signals from the upstream medal detection sensor (26) and the downstream medal detection sensor (27). At the same time, when an operation signal of either the game start operation by the start switch lever (43) or the game settlement operation by the settlement switch button (40) is received, the count value of the upstream counter (71) and the downstream counter ( 72) is compared with the count value of the comparison circuit unit (72), and as a result of the comparison, if the count values match each other, it is determined that the medal has been inserted normally, the game starts, Or allow the checkout process. However, if the count values at that time do not match, it is determined that there is a possibility that an illegal act has been performed, and error processing is executed to stop the start of the game or the checkout process, and an error signal Send.

  FIG. 6 shows a time chart of medal detection at normal time. When the medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the medal passage (14), the upstream side medal detection sensor (26) is first switched from OFF to ON to OFF. After outputting the detection signal, the downstream first and second sensors (24) and (25) sequentially output a detection signal that is switched from OFF to ON to OFF within a predetermined time. In this case, when the start switch lever (43) or the settlement switch button (43) is operated, the number of detection signals of the upstream medal detection sensor (26) and the downstream medal detection sensor (27) is the same. It can be determined that a normal medal is inserted. Therefore, when the start switch lever (43) is operated, the game is started, and when the settlement switch button (40) is operated, the number according to the number of credits stored in each memory. Medals (M) are paid back from the hopper unit (6).

  FIG. 7 shows a time chart of medal detection at the time of abnormality. In this case, the detection signal from the upstream medal detection sensor (26) is not output, whereas there are a plurality (three) of detection signals from the downstream medal detection sensor (27), and the upstream medal detection sensor ( The number of detection signals 26) is different from the number of detection signals of the downstream medal detection sensor (27). This state is, for example, a state in which the opening / closing guide plate (12) is moved to the open position by operating the return button (3b) (a state where detection by the upstream medal detection sensor (26) becomes impossible) It is probable that the cheating was performed by inserting the medal passage (14) and blinking the LED attached to the cheating instrument. In such a case, when the start switch lever (43) or the settlement switch button (40) is operated, an error process is executed to stop the game start or the settlement process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for medal detection. First, when the medal (M) is inserted into the medal insertion unit (4), in step (S1) shown in FIG. 8, whether or not the upstream medal detection sensor (26) is ON, that is, the upstream medal detection sensor ( It is determined whether or not 26) has detected the passage of the medal (M). If yes, then go to step (S2), if no, go to step (S3).

  In step (S2), the insertion medal counter or credit counter of the upstream counter (71) is incremented based on the medal passage detection signal (OFF-ON-OFF) of the upstream medal detection sensor (26). Then, the process proceeds to step (S3).

  In step (S3), whether the medal (M) moving in the medal passage (14) has passed the downstream medal detection sensor (27), and has the downstream medal detection sensor (27) detected normal medal passage? It is determined whether or not. If yes, then go to step (S4), if no, end. In step (S4), based on the medal passage detection signal of the downstream medal detection sensor (27), the downstream counter (72) is incremented and the medal detection is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the error check processing procedure. First, in step (S5), it is determined whether or not the start switch lever (43) has been operated to start the game. If YES, the process proceeds to step (S7). If NO, step Proceed to (S6).

  In step (S6), it is determined whether or not the settlement switch button (40) has been operated to settle the game. If YES, the process proceeds to step (S7), and if NO, the process ends. .

  In step (S7), the count value of the upstream counter (71) is compared with the count value of the downstream counter (72), and the process proceeds to step (S8). In step (S8), as a result of the comparison process in step (S7), it is determined whether or not the respective count values match.If YES, the process proceeds to step (S9) and the normal process is executed. If NO, the process proceeds to step (S10) to execute error processing.

  In the normal process in step (S9), when the start switch lever (43) is operated in step (S5), a drive signal for the rotary reel motor (5a) is transmitted to rotate the rotary reel (5). Let the game start. When the settlement switch button (40) is operated in step (S6), medals corresponding to the number of credited medals are paid out from the hopper unit (6).

  In the error processing in step (S10), when the start switch lever (43) is operated in step (S5), the operation signal of the start switch lever (43) is invalidated and the start of the game is stopped. If the settlement switch button (40) is operated in step (S6), the operation signal is invalidated and the refund of the credited medal is stopped.

  At the same time, an error signal is transmitted to the sub control board (8) and the external centralized management computer (50) installed in the game store. Based on the error signal, the sub-control board (8) causes at least one of the liquid crystal display unit (31), the speaker (32), and the lamp (33) serving as a notification means provided in the gaming machine (1) to error. A control signal that operates so as to notify that the occurrence 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.

  The error is canceled based on the operation of a reset button (not shown) provided on the gaming machine (1) by a game store clerk. When the error is released, the count values of the upstream counter (71) and the downstream counter (72) are cleared, or the count values of the counters (71) and (72) are set to the counters ( 71) Unify the smaller count value of (72).

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the medal insertion part (4) into which medals are inserted, the start switch lever (43) operated when starting the game, and the operation when adjusting the game And a medal passage (14) for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion section (4) into the gaming machine (1), and an upstream side of the medal passage (14) and A gaming machine (1) having an upstream medal detection sensor (26) and a downstream medal detection sensor (27) that can detect the passage of a medal inserted from the medal insertion unit (4) and output a detection signal on the downstream side. ) Includes an upstream counter (71) for counting the detection signal of the upstream medal detection sensor (26) and a downstream counter (72) for counting the detection signal of the downstream medal detection sensor (27). Switch lever (43) or checkout switch button ( During the operation of 40), the count value of the upstream counter (71) is compared with the count value of the downstream counter (72), and if the count values do not match, the start of the game or the settlement of the game is stopped By including the main control board (7) for executing the error processing, an illegal act of illegally outputting a detection signal from the upstream medal detection sensor (26) or the downstream medal detection sensor (27) was performed. Even when the start switch lever (43) or the checkout switch button (40) is operated, an illegal act can be detected with certainty. Also. At the same time, the start of the game or the game settlement process is stopped, so that it is possible to prevent the game from being played illegally or the game from being settled illegally.

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 medal sorting device. 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 figure at the time of normal. It is a time chart figure at the time of abnormality. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process sequence of medal detection. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process sequence of an error chuck | zipper.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Pachislot machines
(2) Housing
(3) Front door
(3a) Central board
(3b) Return 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
(11) Selector base
(12) Open / close guide plate
(13) Medal 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) Downstream first sensor
(24a) First light emitter
(24b) First receiver
(25) Downstream second sensor
(25a) Second light emitter
(25b) Second receiver
(26) Upstream medal detection sensor (upstream game media detection sensor)
(27) Downstream medal detection sensor (downstream game media detection sensor)
(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 (game checkout operation means)
(41) Single bet switch button (game starting operation means)
(42) MAX bet switch button (game start operation means)
(43) Start switch lever (game starting operation means)
(44) Stop switch button
(71) Upstream counter
(72) Downstream counter
(73) Comparison circuit
(M) Medal

Claims (4)

A game medium input unit into which a game medium is inserted, a game start operation unit operated when starting a game, a game settlement operation unit operated when adjusting a game, and a game medium input unit A game medium passage for guiding the game medium into the gaming machine and detecting the passage of the game medium input from the game medium input section on the upstream side and the downstream side of the game medium path and outputting a detection signal In a gaming machine having a possible upstream game medium detection sensor and a downstream game medium detection sensor,
An upstream counter for counting a detection signal of the upstream game medium detection sensor and a downstream counter for counting a detection signal of the downstream game medium detection sensor, the game start operation means or the game checkout operation means A gaming machine comprising control means for comparing a count value of the upstream counter with a count value of the downstream counter during operation and executing an error process when the count values do not match each other.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control for stopping the start of the game or the settlement of the game based on execution of the error processing.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means transmits an error signal to an external centralized management computer provided in the game store based on execution of the error processing.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits an error signal to a notification unit provided in the gaming machine based on execution of the error processing.

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