JP2007061333A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the accurate judgment of abnormality in the putting out of tokens from a hopper by reducing burden on the main control means. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a sub control means for controlling the operation of a performance means for carrying out performance for games and the first and second put-out detection sensors 65 and 66 which can detect the tokens to be put out from the hopper to transmit the detection signals respectively to the main control means and the sub control means. The main control means transmits put-out starting and ending commands corresponding to put-out signals and a put-out completion signal C from the detection signal P1 of the first put-out detection sensor 65 separately to the sub control means. The sub control means starts to compare the number of the put-out completion signals C with the number of detection signals P2 of the second put-out detection sensor 66 counted during the put-out period between the put-out starting and ending commands responding to the transmission of the put-out ending command by the main control and outputs an error signal when both do not coincide. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a hopper capable of paying out game media when a game is in a predetermined mode.

In a gaming machine such as a slot machine in which a predetermined game is played using a game medium such as a medal (including coins), the game is in a predetermined mode, for example, a predetermined symbol drawn on a rotating reel is at a predetermined position. When the player stops and wins, the number of medals corresponding to the winning mode is credited or paid out from the hopper (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-46373 A (paragraph 0063)

  However, in a conventional gaming machine equipped with a hopper, the medal is illegally paid out by forcibly driving the hopper motor, even though the prize is not won due to an illegal act such as shorting the hopper wiring. There is a risk of being.

  In addition, the detection signal of medals paid out from the hopper is transmitted to the main control means that controls the entire game in an integrated manner, and this main control means determines whether or not the medals have been paid out correctly. . For this reason, when an illegal act is performed on the main control means side, it may not be possible to determine whether the medal payout is illegal. Also, since the main control unit performs various processes in a manner that controls the entire game, if the medal payout is accurately monitored, the burden on the main control unit increases, and the processing speed of the game progress may be reduced. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. A game in which the burden on the main control means is reduced and an abnormality in payout of game media paid out from the hopper can be accurately determined. The purpose is to provide a machine.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
(1) Sub-control means that controls the operation of the effect means that produces a game in a gaming machine that operates based on the payout signal of the main control means that controls the game and is capable of paying out game media; A first payout detection sensor capable of detecting a game medium paid out from the hopper and transmitting the detection signal to the main control means; and a second payout detection sensor capable of transmitting the detection signal to the sub control means. , A payout start signal and a payout end signal corresponding to the payout signal, and a payout completion signal based on the detection signal of the first payout detection sensor, respectively, to the sub control means, and the sub control means When the control means transmits a payout end signal, the number of payout signals counted in the payout period between the payout start signal and the payout end signal and the detection signal of the second payout detection sensor Comparing the door, and outputs an error signal when they do not match.

(2) In the above item (1), the sub-control means operates the effect means in a manner different from that during the game, based on the output of the error signal.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the abnormality in the payout of the game medium is determined based on the number of paid-out signals counted by the sub-control means within the payout period and the number of detection signals of the second payout detection sensor. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the main control means and accurately determine an abnormality in paying out game media.

(B) According to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormality based on the operation of the rendering 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 throws the medal into a medal slot (4) provided on the front right side of the front door (3) in the housing (2). Thus, a game as described later is performed.

  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 (6) capable of storing and paying out medals, the main control board (main control means) (7) for overall control of the whole game, and the main control board (7), the front door (3 ) Provided for producing games, specifically, a liquid crystal display unit (31) capable of displaying various game information and effects, a speaker (32) for generating sound effects, and a lamp that enhances the effect by light (33) (see FIG. 1) etc. Sub-control board (sub-control means) (8) capable of outputting control signals, etc., and power supply device (9) for supplying power to the main control board (7) and other electrical devices And is housed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface of the front door (3), a game information display section (34) through which the game information and effect information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (31) can be seen through, and each rotary reel (5 ) Identification information display section (35) through which three pieces of identification information can be seen through, and the number of medals to be 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 the number of credits 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. Return button (3b) that is pushed in when the medal selector (10) is jammed, a switch operation part (37) with various switches, and a tray (39) that can receive medals. ing.

  The number of credits is electrically stored in a memory provided on the main control board (7) such as the number of medals awarded as a prize when the game is won or the number of medals inserted into the medal insertion unit (4). The number of medals.

  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 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). The selector (10), the medal shoot (20) for guiding the true medal released from the medal selector (10) to the hopper (6), and the fake medal discharged from the medal selector (10) (3) And a return duct (21) for guiding to a medal tray (39).

  In the game of the gaming machine (1), a medal is inserted into the medal insertion unit (4) to enter a credit state, and the bet number of medals 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). At this time, when the single bet switch button (41) is operated, the credit number is decremented by 1, and when the MAX bet switch button (42) is operated, the credit number is decremented by 3.

  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 a prize, the number of credits is added by a predetermined number of winning prizes. When the number of credits exceeds the limit number (for example, 50), the number of medals corresponding to the excess amount is paid out from the hopper (6) to the medal tray (39).

  FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the hopper (6). The hopper (6) includes a housing (61) fixed to the housing (2), a rotating disk (62) rotatably attached to the upper surface of the housing (61), and a box attached to the upper surface of the housing (61). And a payout motor (64) (see FIG. 4) which is housed in the housing (61) and rotates the rotating disk (62).

  The housing (61) is provided with a medal payout outlet (61a) for paying out medals. At the entrance side of the medal payout exit (61a), a medal immediately before payout is detected, a first payout detection sensor (65) capable of transmitting a detection signal to the main control board (7), and a medal payout exit ( On the exit side of 61a), second payout detection sensors (66) capable of detecting medals paid out from the medal payout outlet (61a) and transmitting the detection signal to the sub-control board (8) are provided. ing.

  The rotating disk (62) is provided with a plurality of medal holes (62a) that can accommodate medals stored in the medal tank (63) at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, the medal hole (62a) is formed in a substantially circular shape, and is formed so as to penetrate from the front surface to the back surface of the rotating disk (62) so that the medal can be stored.

  When a medal payout signal is output from the main control board (6) as described later, the rotating disk (62) rotates based on the drive of the payout motor (64). Then, the medals accommodated in the medal hole (62a) are paid out to the medal tray (39) so as to jump out from the medal payout opening (61a) as the rotating disk (62) rotates.

  The medals paid out from the medal payout outlet (61a) are first detected by the first payout detection sensor (65), and then detected by the second payout detection sensor (66).

  The medal selector (10) has a medal passage (not shown) for guiding the true medal (M) inserted into the medal insertion portion (4) to the medal tank (63) of the hopper (6). Includes a medal passage detection sensor (11) (see FIG. 4) that detects the passage of medals, and a solenoid that drives the medal passage to prevent passage of medals when an error occurs (1). 12) (see FIG. 4) is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to this embodiment. The main control board (7) controls the entire game in a centralized manner, and can execute a control operation in a predetermined procedure, a ROM for storing an operation program of the CPU, and write and read of necessary data. RAM.

  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 medal passage detection sensor (11) and the first payout detection sensor (65) are connected, and the output port includes a sub control board (8), a payout motor (64), and a solenoid (12) of the medal selector (10). The external central management computer (50) installed in the amusement store is connected. The output port of the sub control board (8) includes a rotating reel motor (5a) for rotating the rotating reel (5), a liquid crystal display unit (31), a speaker (32), and a lamp (33). The second payout detection sensor (66) is connected to the input port.

  When the main control board (7) receives the operation signal of the start switch lever (43) (or the stop switch button (44)), the main control board (7) sends a rotation reel rotation command (or rotation reel stop command) to the sub control board (8). When the game is won, a payout signal corresponding to the win is sent to the payout motor (64), and a payout start command (or signal) and payout end command (or signal) corresponding to the payout signal are transmitted. In addition, a paid-out command (or signal) based on the detection signal of the first payout detection sensor (65) is transmitted to the sub control board (8).

  The sub-control board (8) transmits a rotation / stop control signal to the rotary reel motor (5a) based on a command from the main control board (7), and the liquid crystal display unit (31) and speaker (32). Various control signals are transmitted to the lamp (33).

  Next, medal payout detection will be described based on the time chart shown in FIG. When the game is won, the main control board (7) transmits a medal payout signal (ON signal) to the payout motor (64) to perform the medal payout control in the hopper (6) and the sub control board (8). ) Dispensing start command corresponding to the start of payout signal output (when the payout motor (64) starts rotating), and payout end command corresponding to the end of payout signal output (when the payout motor (64) ends rotation) Respectively.

  If no payout signal is transmitted from the main control board (7), the payout motor (64) is not driven and the rotating disk (62) does not rotate, so that medals are not paid out from the hopper (6).

  Based on the payout signal of the main control board (7), when the medal is paid out from the medal payout opening (61a) of the hopper (6) by the rotation of the rotating disk (62) accompanying the rotation of the payout motor (64), The first payout detection sensor (65) detects a medal and transmits a detection signal (P1) to the main control board (7). Subsequently, the second payout detection sensor (66) detects a medal and transmits a detection signal (P2) to the sub-control board (8).

  The main control board (7) counts the detection signal (P1) and receives each detection signal (P1) every time it receives the detection signal (P1) of the first payout detection sensor (65) during transmission of the payout signal. When the payout command (C) is transmitted to the sub-control board (8) so as to correspond to (P1) and no payout signal is output, the detection signal (P1) of the second payout detection sensor (65) Is received, the delivery motor (64) of the hopper (6) is stopped and an error signal is transmitted to the external centralized management computer (50).

  The sub-control board (8) counts the paid-out command (C) every time the paid-out command (C) of the main control board (7) is inputted, and the detection signal (66) of the second pay-out detection sensor (66). Every time P2) is input, the detection signal (P2) is counted.

  When the number of detection signals (P1) of the first payout detection sensor (65) counted by the main control board (7) reaches the number of medals to be paid out according to the winning, the main control board (7) The transmission is terminated, the rotation of the dispensing motor (64) is stopped, and a dispensing end command is transmitted to the sub control board (8).

  The secondary control board (8) receives the number of paid-out commands received during the payout period between the payout start command and the payout end command and the second payout when the main control board (7) transmits the payout end command. The number of detection signals of the detection sensor (66) is compared. If they match, it is determined as normal, and if they do not match, it is determined as abnormal and an error signal is output. Further, when the detection signal (P2) of the second payout detection sensor (66) is received outside the payout period, it is determined as abnormal and an error signal is output.

  If the sub-control board (8) determines that an error has occurred, an error has occurred in at least one of the liquid crystal display unit (31), the speaker (32), or the lamp (33) in a manner different from that during the game. A control signal that operates so as to be notified is transmitted. For example, the liquid crystal display unit (31) displays that an error has occurred, the speaker (32) generates a sound effect different from that during the game, and the lamp (33) differs from that during the game. Lights up or flashes when. Based on these operations, an attendant at the amusement store can easily find out that there is a possibility that an abnormality, that is, fraud is being performed. If the main control board (7) determines that there is an abnormality, the main control board (7) transmits an error signal to the external centralized management computer (50) installed in the amusement store. Based on the error signal, the external centralized management computer (50) notifies the attendant at the amusement store that it is in an abnormal state. Based on this notification, an attendant at the amusement store can easily find out that there is a risk of fraudulent activity.

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 disassembled perspective view of a hopper. It is a block diagram of a control circuit. It is a time chart which shows game media payout detection.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Pachislot machines
(2) Housing
(3) Front door
(3a) Central board
(3b) Return button
(4) Medal insertion part
(5) Rotating reel
(5a) Rotary reel motor
(6) Hopper
(61) Housing
(61a) Medal payout exit
(62) Rotating disc
(62a) Medal hole
(63) Medal tank
(64) Discharge motor
(65) First payout detection sensor
(66) Second payout detection sensor
(7) Main control board (main control means)
(8) Sub control board (sub control means)
(9) Power supply
(10) Medal selector
(11) Medal passage detection sensor
(12) Solenoid
(20) Medal Shoot
(21) Return duct
(31) Liquid crystal display unit (production means)
(32) Speaker (Directing means)
(33) Lamp (Direction)
(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

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine equipped with a hopper that operates based on a payout signal of a main control means for controlling a game and can pay out game media,
Sub-control means for controlling the operation of the effect means for producing the game;
A game medium to be paid out from the hopper, and a first payout detection sensor capable of transmitting the detection signal to the main control means and a second payout detection sensor capable of being transmitted to the sub-control means,
The main control means transmits a payout signal to the sub-control means based on a payout start signal and a payout end signal corresponding to the payout signal, and a detection signal of the first payout detection sensor,
The sub-control means, when the main control means has transmitted a payout end signal, counts the number of payout signals counted in the payout period between the payout start signal and the payout end signal and the second payout A gaming machine characterized by comparing the number of detection signals of a detection sensor and outputting an error signal when they do not match.   2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sub-control means operates the effect means in a manner different from that during the game based on the output of the error signal.

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