JP2007082740A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of timely detecting the input of a token lent out in another game parlor or put out by another game machine. <P>SOLUTION: When a token is slotted in a token insertion slot, a data reading device provided on the rear surface of a selector 30 reads out game parlor identification information and game machine identification information from an IC tag embedded in the token. When both of the information is appropriate, the token is received in the token tank 37a of a hopper 37 from the selector 30 through a game machine storage route 31. When the game parlor identification information is not appropriate, the token is retrieved to a token storage box 33 from the selector 30 through the retrieval route 32b of a token return/retrieval route 32. In addition, when the game machine identification information is not appropriate, the token is returned to a token catch pan 20 from the selector 30 through the return route 32a of the token return/collection route 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a game by inserting a game medium in which a storage medium such as an IC tag is embedded.

  Generally, in order to play a game with a slot machine or a pachinko machine installed in a game hall, borrow a medal or pachinko ball, which is a game medium of these game machines, from the game hall for a fee, and throw the game medium into the game machine. There is a need. In other words, the game hall is profitable by renting game media to the player, and therefore, it is prohibited to play games using game media lent out at other game halls. Also, some game halls prohibit the use of game media paid out from a certain game machine to play a game on another game machine (hereinafter referred to as “move table”).

  In view of this, a gaming system that can detect violations of the prohibited items has been proposed for the game halls that define the prohibited items described above. For example, a gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a slot machine, a CR sand installed corresponding to the slot machine, and a server connected to these via a communication line. The number of medals inserted into the machine, the number of medals paid out in the slot machine, and the number of medals lent out in the CR sand are managed, and when data relating to these is transmitted, (medal rented number) + (medal paid out number) − ( The number of medals inserted is calculated. If the result of the calculation exceeds a predetermined allowable range, it is considered that an illegal act such as the use of a medal at another amusement hall or the movement of a table has been performed, and the alarm lamp provided in the slot machine and the CR sand is turned on. At the same time, a device is disclosed that transmits a message to the effect that fraud has occurred to a mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) owned by an employee of a game hall.

  The gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a slot machine and a CR sand for exchanging various data with the slot machine. The CR sand is a number of medals lent (the number of medals rented) by itself. When the number of medals inserted into the slot machine and the number of medals paid out by the slot machine are managed and data relating to the number of inserted medals or the number of medals paid out is transmitted from the slot machine, (medal rented number) + (medal paid out number) -Calculate (number of medals inserted). If the result of the calculation exceeds a predetermined allowable range, it is considered that an illegal act such as the use of a medal at another amusement hall or the movement of a table has been performed, and the alarm lamp provided in the slot machine and the CR sand is turned on. For example, a device for informing a game hall employee of the occurrence of fraud has been disclosed.

JP2004-73497 JP 2004-97685 A

  However, in the gaming systems disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, fraud occurred when the calculation result of (medal rental number) + (medal payout number) − (medal insertion number) exceeded the allowable range. Therefore, violations of the prohibited items mentioned above could not be detected in a timely manner. For example, if a medal lent out at another amusement hall is inserted into the slot machine, even if it can be detected, the inserted medal is lent out at the own amusement hall, for example, in a hopper medal tank. Since it was stored together with valid medals, it was complicated to separate medals lent out later at other amusement halls.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of timely detecting when a medal lent out at another game hall or a medal paid out from another gaming machine is inserted. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a gaming machine that is installed in a game arcade and can play when a game medium is inserted by a player, and is embedded in the inserted game medium. Reading means for reading information recorded on a storage medium, determination means for determining whether information read by the reading means satisfies a predetermined condition, and the determination means for the predetermined condition And an abnormal signal generating means for generating an abnormal signal based on the determination that the condition is not satisfied.

  Here, examples of the above-described storage medium include an IC tag and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that exchange and store data wirelessly with an external reader / writer.

  According to the gaming machine described above, if the information read from the storage medium embedded in the inserted game medium does not satisfy a predetermined condition, an abnormal signal is generated. For this reason, for example, in a storage medium embedded in a game medium, identification information unique to the game room where the storage medium has been rented, identification information unique to the gaming machine from which the game medium has been paid out, or both identification information When stored, if the identification information does not satisfy a predetermined condition, for example, the identification information unique to the game hall in which the gaming machine of the present invention is installed or the identification unique to the gaming machine of the present invention When it does not match the information, it can be detected that an abnormality has occurred.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention further includes a counting unit that counts the number of times that the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied among the determinations made by the determination unit in the gaming machine described above. The generating unit generates the abnormal signal when the counting unit continuously counts a predetermined number of times that the determining unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. .

  According to the above gaming machine, an abnormal signal is generated when a gaming medium that does not satisfy the above-described predetermined condition is continuously inserted into the gaming machine a predetermined number of times. For this reason, for example, because the reading unit failed to read information from the storage medium due to some sudden cause, it should be determined that the above-mentioned predetermined condition is originally satisfied, but an abnormal signal may be erroneously generated. Can be lowered. Also, only obvious violations such as intentionally continuously throwing in game media that do not satisfy the predetermined condition described above can be detected.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention includes, in each of the above gaming machines, a game hall identification information storage unit that stores game hall identification information unique to the game hall, and the determination unit is read by the reading unit. When the information does not match the game hall identification information, it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

  According to the above gaming machine, if the information read from the storage medium embedded in the gaming medium by the reading means is not identification information unique to the gaming hall where the gaming machine of the present invention is installed, an abnormal signal The generating means generates an abnormal signal. For this reason, for example, if identification information specific to the game hall is stored in advance in a storage medium in a game medium lent out in a game hall where the game machine of the present invention is installed, the game machine of the present invention This can be detected when a game medium rented from the game hall is inserted.

  Further, in the gaming machine of the present invention, in the gaming machine described above, a storage member that stores the inserted gaming medium, and information that is read by the reading unit from the gaming medium that is input by the determination unit, Storage means for storing the inserted game medium in the storage member when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied as a result of the mismatch with the game hall identification information. And

  According to the above gaming machine, for example, when a gaming medium lent out by another gaming hall is inserted into the gaming machine of the present invention, the gaming medium lent out by the other gaming hall is stored in a dedicated storage member. Can do. For this reason, it becomes easy to distinguish the game medium satisfying the above-mentioned predetermined conditions, and it is possible to prevent such game medium from being used in its own game hall.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is the gaming machine described above, wherein the storage means stores the gaming medium stored in a gaming medium storage member that stores the gaming medium input to discharge the gaming medium to the outside. A storage path that guides the inserted game media to the storage member, and a path switching means that guides the input game media to either the storage path or the storage path. Thus, when the determination means determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the path switching means causes the inserted game medium to be guided to the storage path.

  Here, the game medium storage member described above corresponds to, for example, a hopper medal tank.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a gaming machine identification information storage unit that stores unique gaming machine identification information assigned to the gaming machine in each of the above gaming machines, and the determination unit reads by the reading unit. When the received information does not match the gaming machine identification information, it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

  According to the above gaming machine, if the information read from the storage medium embedded in the game medium by the reading means does not match the unique identification information given to the own machine, the abnormal signal generating means is abnormal. Output a signal. For this reason, for example, if the storage medium in the game medium stores identification information unique to the gaming machine that has paid out the gaming medium, the gaming machine of the present invention has a game paid out from another gaming machine. When a medium is inserted, this can be detected.

  Further, in the gaming machine of the present invention, in the above gaming machine, as a result of the judgment unit not matching the information read by the reading unit from the inserted gaming medium and the gaming machine identification information, It is characterized by having return means for returning the inserted game medium to the player when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

  According to the above gaming machine, for example, when a gaming medium paid out from another gaming machine is inserted into the gaming machine of the present invention, the gaming medium paid out by the other gaming machine is returned to the player. That is, since the insertion of the game medium is not accepted, it is possible to prevent the game from being played by the game medium paid out by another gaming machine.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when a medal lent out at another game hall or a medal paid out from another gaming machine is inserted, it can be detected in a timely manner.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a slot machine for playing a game using medals as a gaming machine.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The casing of the gaming machine 1 includes a box and a front door that is attached to the box so as to be freely opened and closed. A reel unit panel 2 is provided substantially at the front center of the front door. Reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R are formed at substantially the center of the reel unit panel 2 so as to correspond to the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided inside the box. The reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R are transparent areas that allow the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the corresponding reels to be visually recognized before and after the game is started. -A total of three symbols are formed in a size that can be visually recognized along the rotation direction of the reel, one each in the lower stage.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the rotation of the three reels is stopped, a winning line is determined as a reference for determining success or failure of winning based on the symbols displayed in the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Yes. As the winning lines, there are provided a lower right line L1, an upper line L2, a middle line L3, a lower line L4, and a right upward line L5. The winning line to be validated, that is, the valid line changes in accordance with the number of medals inserted. The medals are inserted by inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 12 described later, and the maximum number of medals that can be inserted in one game is three. Also, depending on the number of medals inserted, for example, one (middle line L3) for one, three for two (in addition, upper line L2 and lower line L4), and five for three ( In addition, the winning line of the lower right line L1 and the upper right line L5) is validated.

  BET lamps 6a, 6b, 6b ', 6c, 6c' are provided on the left side of the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. These BET lamps indicate the number of medals inserted in one game according to the number of lighting. Only one BET lamp 6a is lit when one medal is inserted, and the BET lamp 6a when two medals are inserted. , 6b, 6b ′ are turned on, and when three pieces are inserted, all the BET lamps 6a, 6b, 6b ′, 6c, 6c ′ are turned on.

  On the right side of the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, there are provided five lamps: a hit display lamp 7a, a re-game display lamp 7b, a game standby display lamp 7c, a start lamp 7d, and an insert lamp 7e. The player is notified of the current gaming state according to the lighting state of these lamps. The winning display lamp 7a is turned on when a bonus combination is won by internal lottery. The bonus combination is the possibility of winning more than the normal game (general game) from the game after the game in which the symbol combinations corresponding to the bonus combination are aligned on the active line (that is, winning the bonus combination) This is a role capable of playing a game that increases (ie, a bonus game). This bonus game is continued until a predetermined end condition is satisfied in accordance with the number of games played during the bonus game or the number of winnings in the meantime. The bonus games include a regular bonus game (hereinafter referred to as an RB game) and a big bonus game (hereinafter referred to as a BB game) having different game contents and end conditions, and can generally be obtained by one RB game. The number of medals that can be acquired by one BB game is larger than the number of medals.

  The re-game display lamp 7b lights up when the next game to be started is a re-game. The game standby display lamp 7c indicates that the game is impossible when the start lever 16 described later is operated when 4.1 seconds have not elapsed since the start of the previous game (operation of the start lever). To light up. When 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the start of the previous game, the game standby display lamp 7c is turned off, and the reels 3L, 3C, 3R start to rotate. The start lamp 7d is turned on when a medal is inserted and the game can be started. The insert lamp 7e blinks when the previous game ends and a medal for the next game can be inserted.

  Below the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a stored number display unit 8, a bonus count display unit 9, and a payout number display unit 10 are arranged from the left in FIG. The stored number display unit 8 is a two-digit 7-segment display, and indicates the number of medals stored in the gaming machine 1. The bonus count display section 9 is a three-digit 7-segment display, and displays the number of games and winnings performed during the BB game and the RB game. The payout number display unit 10 is composed of a two-digit 7-segment display, and displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning as a result of the game.

  A pedestal portion 11 is formed on the lower side of the reel portion panel 2. The above-described medal slot 12 is provided on the upper right side of the pedestal 11 in the drawing, and the valid line is determined as described above according to the number of medals inserted into the medal slot 12. In addition, after three medals are inserted, if medals are subsequently inserted, up to 50 medals inserted after the fourth are stored in the gaming machine 1, and the number of stored medals is: It is displayed on the stored number display section 8 described above.

  Here, the structure of a medal used as a game medium of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the entire medal M, and schematically shows a part of the internal structure. The main body of the medal M is obtained by molding a synthetic resin into a disk shape, and an IC tag IT in which various information such as identification information is recorded is embedded therein. The IC tag IT is connected with an antenna ANT arranged with a single stroke so as to draw a concentric circle by bending a copper or iron wire having a thickness of about 1 mm. The IC tag IT performs wireless data communication with an unillustrated data reading device or data writing device via the antenna ANT without contact. Further, the IC tag IT receives a radio wave generated by the data reading device or the data writing device, and obtains a power source by generating a current by a mechanism such as electromagnetic induction. Further, it is assumed that at least the game hall identification information is recorded in advance in the above-described IC tag IT.

  Returning to FIG. 1, various BET switches 13 and 14 for inserting medals from medals stored in the gaming machine 1 are provided on the upper left side of the pedestal 11. When the MAX-BET switch 13 is operated once in a state where three or more medals are stored in the gaming machine 1, three medals are stored in the gaming machine 1 from the stored medals during a general game or a BB game. In the RB game, one medal is inserted. Further, when the 1-BET switch 14 is operated, every time it is operated, one medal is inserted from the stored medals, and a maximum of three medals are inserted into the gaming machine 1 in a general game or a BB game. The Thus, by operating the various BET switches 13 and 14, medals are inserted into the gaming machine 1 in the same manner as when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 12, and according to the number of inserted medals. The aforementioned effective line is determined.

  Stop switches 15L, 15C, and 15R are arranged at substantially the center of the vertical surface of the pedestal portion 11 so as to correspond to the lower portions of the reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R, respectively. These stop switches 15L, 15C, and 15R correspond to the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively. For example, when the stop switch 15L is pressed, the left reel 3L stops. Similarly, when the stop switch 15C is pressed, the middle reel 3C is stopped, and when the stop switch 15R is pressed, the right reel 3R is stopped.

  On the left side of the stop switches 15L, 15C, and 15R, when a player performs a tilting operation when a medal is inserted into the gaming machine 1 and the game can be started, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are moved all at once. And a start lever 16 for starting the movement of the symbols displayed on the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Further, on the left side of the start lever 16, a medal discharge switch 17 for discharging medals stored in the gaming machine 1 is provided.

  Below the pedestal 11, a waist panel 18 on which a model name given to the gaming machine 1 and a pattern such as a character in accordance with the concept of the gaming machine 1 is arranged. A medal payout port 19 is provided on the lower side of the waist panel 18. As a result of playing a game on the gaming machine 1, when a prize is won, the medal is paid out from the medal payout port 19 and stored in the medal tray 20. The Here, winning is a state in which a predetermined symbol combination is stopped and displayed along the above-described effective line. Further, when the medal discharge switch 17 is pressed while medals are stored in the gaming machine 1, the stored medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 19 to the medal tray 20.

  At the top of the gaming machine 1, there is provided an upper lamp 21 that emits light with a light emission pattern according to the game situation, and performs production and notification. The upper lamp 21 blinks differently when a medal lent out at another game hall is inserted into the medal slot 12 and when a medal paid out from another gaming machine is inserted. Lights with a pattern. Below the upper lamp 21, a right speaker 22R and a left speaker 22L that output sound corresponding to an operation performed by the player, effect sound or notification sound according to the game situation, and the like are disposed. .

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the back surface of the front door of the gaming machine 1 and the structure inside the box will be described. FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the front door of the gaming machine 1 is opened. In this figure, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the housing of the gaming machine 1 includes the front door 1a and the box 1b. On the back side of the front door 1a, there is provided a selector 30 for selecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 shown in FIG. 1 into an appropriate one and an inappropriate one. When the selector 30 determines that the inserted medal is appropriate, it is guided to the medal storage path 31 and guided to the medal tank 37a of the hopper 37 described later through the medal storage path 31. That is, the medal storage path 31 corresponds to a storage path for guiding the inserted game medium to the game medium storage unit (medal tank 37a).

  If it is determined by the selector 30 that the inserted medal is not appropriate, the medal is returned to the medal return / collection path 32. The medal return / recovery path 32 includes a path (hereinafter referred to as a return path) 32a for returning the inserted medal to the medal tray 20 according to information read from the IC tag embedded in the medal, and a medal storage box. It is possible to switch to a route (hereinafter referred to as a collection route) 32b leading to 33. The medal storage box 33 is detachably attached to the back surface of the front door 1a, and stores medals that have passed through the recovery path 32b of the medal return / recovery path 32. That is, the medal storage box 33 corresponds to a storage member that stores the inserted game media, and the collection path 32b leading to the medal storage box 33 corresponds to a storage path.

  Inside the box 1b, a main controller 50 that controls the game of the gaming machine 1 is detachably attached above the back plate of the box 1b. In addition, a middle board 34 is provided almost in the center of the box 1b, and a reel unit 35 that rotatably supports the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is placed on the middle board 34. A hopper 37 is installed at substantially the center of the bottom plate 36 of the box 1b. The hopper 37 is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 and stored in the medal tank 37a for storing medals that have passed through the selector 30 and the medal storage path 31, and when the medals are discharged or when the medal discharge switch 17 is operated. A hopper main body portion 37b for paying out the medals to the player, and a base 37c for supporting the hopper main body portion 37b. On the right side of the hopper 37 of the bottom plate 36, a medal auxiliary storage 38 for storing medals overflowing from the medal tank 37a is detachably installed. On the left side of the hopper 37, a power supply device 39 that supplies power to each part of the gaming machine 1 is installed.

  Next, the structure of the selector 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, (a) shows a front view when the selector 30 is viewed from the back side of the front door 1a as shown in FIG. 3, and (b) and (c) are both A in FIG. It is a figure which shows -A cross section. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the data reader (described later) shown in FIG. 4A is not shown.

  The medal selector 30 includes an outer frame body 301 and a medal passage 302 provided inside the outer frame body 301. The medal passage 302 communicates with the medal insertion slot 12 shown in FIG. 1, and in FIG. 4A, the medal insertion portion 302a located at the upstream end of the medal flow direction indicated by the arrow A, and the medal flow direction The medal discharge unit 302b located at the downstream end, the medal return unit 302c located upstream of the medal discharge unit 302b and continuing to the medal return / collection path 32 shown in FIG. 3, and the medal return unit 302a to the medal return unit Between 302c, it has the bending part 302d which bent the flow path of the medal.

  Between the medal discharge unit 302b and the medal return unit 302c, a first medal insertion switch 303a and a second medal insertion switch 303b are disposed adjacent to each other, and the first medal insertion switch 303a is a second medal insertion switch 303a. It is provided on the upstream side of the input switch 303b. The first medal insertion switch 303a and the second medal insertion switch 303b detect passage of medals. For example, a photocoupler having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion opposed to each other and formed in a U-shaped cross section. Is used. Further, the medal passage direction and passage speed can be detected from the medal passage detection order and detection time difference by the first medal insertion switch 303a and the second medal insertion switch 303b. It is also possible to detect medals that flow backward due to cheating. Furthermore, the first medal insertion switch 303a and the second medal insertion switch 303b are provided in the immediate vicinity of the medal discharge unit 302b, that is, at a position away from the medal insertion unit 302a, thereby making it difficult to perform an illegal act.

  The medal return unit 302c is provided with a path switching mechanism 304 that switches whether the passing medal flows as it is to the medal discharge unit 302b or the medal return / collection path shown in FIG. The passage switching mechanism 304 includes a passage switching solenoid, which will be described later, and a switching plate 305 having an L-shaped cross section whose bottom surface portion is swingably supported. The passage switching solenoid enables the switching plate 305 to swing by excitation and non-excitation, and the swing direction of the medal can be switched by this swinging operation. When the passage switching solenoid is in a non-excited state, the switching plate 305 is in a position inclined to the right in FIG. 4B, and causes the medal M to flow down to the medal return / recovery route 32. When the passage switching solenoid is in an excited state, the switching plate 305 is in an upright position in FIG. 4C, and the medal M rolls on the upper surface of the vertical portion of the switching plate 305. Then, it flows down to the medal discharger 302b. The medal M that has flowed out of the selector 30 from the medal discharger 302b is stored in the medal tank 37a of the hopper 37 through the medal storage path 31 shown in FIG.

  The medal M inserted into the medal slot 12 shown in FIG. 1 enters the medal passage 302 from the medal slot 302a. Then, when passing through the bent portion 302d, the data recorded in the IC tag IT (see FIG. 2) embedded in the medal M is read by the data reading device 100 provided on the back surface of the selector 30. That is, the data reading device 100 can be said to be a reading unit that reads information recorded on a storage medium embedded in a game medium. The processing based on the read data will be described in detail later. Further, a third medal insertion switch 303c is provided on the upstream side of the data reading device 100, similar to the first medal insertion switch 303a and the second medal insertion switch 303b described above.

  Here, the medal slot 12 and the above-described selector 30 may be formed integrally, or may be formed individually and assembled to the selector 30 with a member including the medal slot 12. Good.

  Next, the structure of the medal return / collection path 32 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a front view when the medal return / recovery path 32 is viewed from the back side of the front door 1a, and a part thereof is shown in cross section.

  Inside the medal return / recovery path 32, the medal discharged when the switching plate 305 of the selector 30 is at the position shown in FIG. 4B is received, and the medal is returned to the return path 32a and the recovery path described above. A path switching member 321 for distributing to 32b is rotatably provided. The path switching member 321 is shown by a position indicated by a solid line and a broken line in FIG. 5 by a path switching solenoid described later according to data read from the IC tag IT embedded in the medal M by the data reading device 100 described above. Switch to the indicated position. Here, when the path switching solenoid is in a non-excited state, the path switching member 321 is in a position indicated by a solid line, and when it is in an excited state, it is rotated to a position indicated by a broken line.

  As a result, when the path switching member 321 is at the position indicated by the solid line, the medals discharged from the medal return unit 302c of the selector 30 flow down to the return path 32a, and the medal payout opening 19 indicated by the broken line (see FIG. 1). ) And is discharged to the medal tray 20. On the other hand, when the path switching member 321 is at the position indicated by the broken line, it is stored in the medal storage box 33 through the recovery path 32b. From the above, the passage switching solenoid, the switching plate 305, and the above-described route switching member 321 constituting the passage switching mechanism 304 of the selector 30 shown in FIG. This corresponds to route switching means that leads to either the route 31) or the storage route (recovery route 32b).

  The medal passage hole 322 formed in the middle of the return path 32a is a hole for allowing the medals paid out from the hopper 37 shown in FIG. 3 to jump into the return path 32a. Through the medal passage hole 322, the medals paid out from the hopper 37 are paid out from the medal payout opening 19 to the medal tray 20 through the return path 32a. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the medal storage box 33 is formed with engaging pieces 33a to 33d to be engaged with engaging portions 101a to 101d formed on the back surface of the front door 1a. Thus, it is detachably attached from the front door 1a.

  Next, the structure of the hopper 37 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the hopper 37. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as the respective portions of the hopper 37 shown in FIG. 3, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 6, the hopper 37 includes a medal tank 37a, a main body portion 37b, and a base 37c. The medal tank 37a is detachably attached to the main body portion 37b by attachment screws 370. The base 37c is composed of a frame body whose upper part is obliquely formed with an appropriate angle (for example, 25 degrees), and a substrate 371 that is a rectangular metal plate forming a part of the main body part 37b is inclined on the upper part. It is attached in the state. The main body 37b is mounted on the above-described substrate 371, the top surface of the substrate 371, a rectangular metal plate slightly thicker than the thickness of the medal, and a medal guide plate 372 in which a medal discharge port 372a is formed, and the top surface thereof The cover 373 is covered. A rotating disk 374 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the cover 373. The rotating disk 374 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 6 by a motor (not shown) attached to the back surface of the substrate 371.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the mounting position of the data writing device for writing the unique gaming machine identification information previously given to the gaming machine 1 to the IC tag IT of the medal M shown in FIG. 2 will be described. . FIG. 7 is a plan view of the main body 37b as viewed from above with the medal tank 37a and the cover 373 of the hopper 37 removed, and a part of the rotating disk 374 is shown to show the mounting position of the data writing device. Is shown in a broken state.

  The medal guide plate 372 has notches 372b and 372c for forming the above-described medal discharge port 372a, and a circular opening 372d continuously drilled in the notches 372b and 372c. The diameter of the opening 372d is smaller than that of the rotating disk 374 described above. Further, a counter roller 375 is provided at a location from the notch 372b to the opening 372d. The rotating shaft of the counter roller 375 moves in the direction of the arrow in the figure when the medal is ejected, and this movement is provided on the back surface of the substrate 371. By detecting by a medal detection unit (described later), the main control unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 recognizes that one medal has been paid out. The counter roller 375 is urged to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 by a spring or the like, and moves in the direction of the arrow when the medal is ejected. After the medal M is ejected, the counter roller 375 is again moved to the position illustrated in FIG. Return. On the other hand, a position fixing roller 376 is rotatably provided at a fixed position at a position from the notch 372c to the opening 372d.

  The rotating disk 374 is provided with eight openings 374a for receiving medals stored in the medal tank 37a one by one. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a part of the rotating disk 374 is broken, so that only four openings 374a are shown. Further, on the back side of the rotating disk 374, a toothed wheel-shaped medal delivery guide plate 377 that rotates integrally with the rotating disk 374 is attached. Further, on the back surface of the substrate 371, from the gap between the notches 372b and 372c to between the counter roller 375 and the position fixing roller 376, as shown by the broken line in FIG. A data writing device 150 for writing unique game machine identification information previously assigned to 1 is attached.

  The medal M entering the opening 374a from the medal tank 37a is received by the medal delivery guide plate 377 that rotates integrally with the rotating disk 374 when the rotating disk 374 rotates clockwise in FIG. 7 by a motor (not shown). It is moved along the opening edge of the opening 372d in the direction of the discharge port 372a. Then, the medal M that has come to the position facing the medal discharge port 372a comes into contact with the counter roller 375 at the position shown in FIG. 7, and is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  At this time, a specific storage area of the IC tag IT embedded in the medal M is stored with the unique gaming machine identification information previously given to the gaming machine 1 by the data writing device 150 provided on the back surface of the board 371. Is written to. The medal M is further pushed out in the direction of the medal discharge port 372a by the medal delivery guide plate 377, and eventually the medal discharge port 372a from between the counter roller 375 and the position fixing roller 376 by the return force of the spring of the counter roller 375. It is urged toward the exit side. As a result, the medal M is ejected vigorously from the outlet of the medal discharge port 372a, and jumps into the medal passage hole 322 drilled in the return path 32a of the medal return / recovery path 32 shown in FIGS. 1 is paid out from the medal payout opening 19 shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the structure of the control part which performs control regarding the game and effect in the gaming machine 1 will be described. The control unit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 50 and a sub control unit 70. The main control unit 50 mainly performs control related to games performed in the gaming machine 1 such as insertion of medals, rotation / stop of reels, and payout at the time of winning. The sub-control unit 70 performs control related to effects such as sound and light that are mainly executed with games.

  The main control unit 50 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 51 disposed on a circuit board as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 51 includes a main CPU 52 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a program ROM 53 and a control RAM 54 that are storage means.

  The main CPU 52 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 55 that generates a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 56 that divides the reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 57 that generates a random number within a predetermined numerical range (for example, 0 to 16383). And a sampling circuit 58 for sampling the generated random number. Further, the main CPU 52 exchanges signals with various input / output devices to be described later via the I / O port 59.

  Note that random number sampling may be executed on the operation program of the main CPU 52 as means for random number sampling. In this case, the random number generator 57 and the sampling circuit 58 can be omitted. However, the random number generator 57 and the sampling circuit 58 can be left as they are for backup of the random number sampling operation without being omitted.

  The main CPU 52 performs processing based on the reference clock pulse generated by the clock pulse generation circuit 55 and performs interrupt processing and the like at regular intervals based on the pulse signal generated by the frequency divider 56.

  In the program ROM 53 of the microcomputer 51, in addition to the program for performing the game control in the gaming machine 1, the game hall identification information unique to the game hall where the gaming machine 1 is installed, and the game machine 1 given in advance to the gaming machine 1 Game machine identification information is stored. Thereby, it can be said that the program ROM 53 is not only a game hall identification information storage unit but also a gaming machine identification information storage unit. Further, the program ROM 53 stores various tables such as a symbol table, a plurality of probability lottery tables, a stop table group, and a symbol combination table.

  The symbol table associates each step of the stepping motors 25L, 25C, and 25R corresponding to the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R with each symbol drawn on each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R and the type of the symbol. It is. The main control unit 50 refers to the symbol table and performs stop control of each reel and recognition of symbols stopped and displayed on the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R.

  The probability lottery table defines the correspondence between each numerical value and various roles in the numerical value range of the random number generated by the random number generator 57. When performing internal lottery based on the result of random sampling performed by the sampling circuit 58 described above. Is referred to.

  The types of roles determined by the internal lottery can be broadly classified into winning combinations and replaying roles. The winning combination is a combination that grants a privilege to the player, and there are a plurality of types of winning combinations depending on the content of the privilege to be granted. For example, a small combination is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out to a player. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of types of small combinations depending on the number of payouts. The BB combination or the RB combination (collectively, the bonus combination) is a combination that pays out a predetermined number of medals and starts the BB game or RB game from the next game. The replay role is a role in which the next game becomes a re-game, although no medals are paid out. If the result of the internal lottery does not correspond to any of the various combinations described above, the game is lost.

  As the probability lottery table, a plurality of tables having different winning probabilities for the respective combinations described above are prepared, and a unique number is assigned to each probability lottery table. And, when performing internal lottery, which number of probability lottery tables are used can be set by a staff of a game hall or the like.

  The stop table group is composed of a plurality of stop tables corresponding to the result of the internal lottery and the reel to be stopped, and each stop table has a number of sliding symbols (up to 4 symbols for each symbol on the reel). Min)). Here, the number of sliding symbols is the number of symbols to be moved further from the symbol position when a stop switch is operated when a symbol on the reel comes to a predetermined position (for example, middle stage) in the reel display window. Is shown. For example, if the number of sliding symbols “1” is associated with a certain symbol and the stop switch is operated when the certain symbol comes to the middle in the reel display window, the next symbol following the certain symbol The reel stops when reaches the middle in the reel display window. This stop table is referred to when the reel stop control is performed in accordance with the operation of the stop switches 15L, 15C, 15R.

  The symbol combination table is a table in which the various winning combinations and replay combinations described above, the symbol combinations in which these combinations are established, and the medal payout numbers corresponding to the various winning combinations are associated with each other. Here, the symbol combination is a combination constituted by symbols of the right reel 3L, the middle reel 3C, and the left reel 3R that are stopped and displayed along the above-mentioned effective lines when the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped. Say.

  Various information generated during the process of the main CPU 52 is set in the control RAM 54. For example, setting values for setting a probability lottery table that is referred to when performing internal lottery, information on the result of internal lottery, the type of winning combination, various game states, and the like are set. These pieces of information are transmitted to the sub control unit 70 via the sub control unit communication port 60. Various information exchanges between the main control unit 50 and the sub control unit 70 are performed in one direction from the main control unit 50 to the sub control unit 70, and there is some kind of communication from the sub control unit 70 to the main control unit 50. No information is sent.

  The main output device whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 51 includes various indicators provided on the reel unit panel 2 (see FIG. 1) and the hopper 37 described above (including a drive unit for payout). ), Stepping motors 25L, 25C, and 25R for rotationally driving the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  The microcomputer 51 is connected to the BET lamps 6a, 6b, 6b ', 6c, 6c' provided on the reel unit panel 2b via the lamp driving circuits 61, a win display lamp 7a, a re-game display lamp 7b, and a game standby display lamp. 7c, start lamp 7d, and insert lamp 7e are driven and controlled. Further, the microcomputer 51 drives and controls the 7-segment display units of the stored number display unit 8, the bonus count display unit 9, and the payout number display unit 10 through the display unit drive circuits 62.

  Further, the microcomputer 51 controls the drive of the hopper 37 via the hopper drive circuit 63 and the passage switching solenoid 71 for swinging the switching plate 305 of the selector 30 shown in FIG. The path switching solenoid 72 for switching the position of the path switching member 321 provided in the medal return / recovery path 32 shown in FIG. The microcomputer 51 drives and controls the stepping motors 25L, 25C, and 25R via the motor drive circuit 65. The various drive circuits described above are connected to the main CPU 52 via the I / O port 59, and each receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the main CPU 52 to control the operation of the corresponding output device. .

  Next, as a main input device that generates an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 51 to generate a control command, first, medal insertion switches 303a, 303b, and 303c (for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 12). 4), BET switches 13, 14, stop switches 15L, 15C, 15R, a start switch 16S for detecting that the start lever 16 has been operated, and a medal discharge switch 17. Signals output from these switches are output to the main CPU 52 via the I / O port 59. For the stop switches 15L, 15C, and 15R, a stop signal corresponding to the stop switch pressed by the player is output from the reel stop signal circuit 73 and output to the main CPU 52 via the I / O port 59. .

  In addition to the switches described above, the main CPU 52 also receives signals output from photocouplers (not shown) provided corresponding to the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, respectively. These photocouplers are connected to a reel position detection circuit 66 in the main control unit 50. When a reference position provided on each corresponding reel is detected, the reference position signal corresponding to that reel is output from the reel position detection circuit 66. Is output and transmitted to the main CPU 52 via the I / O port 59.

  Further, the main CPU 52 also receives a signal output from a medal detection unit 74 that detects medals paid out by the hopper 37. The medal detection unit 74 detects the movement of the counter roller 375, which fluctuates every time the hopper 37 discharges one medal, and outputs the detection signal to the payout signal generation circuit 67 in the main control unit 50. Further, the detection signal output from the medal detection unit 74 is also output to the data writing device 150 shown in FIG. 7, and the data writing device 150 that has received the detection signal outputs the medal M to be discharged. The unique gaming machine identification information given to the gaming machine 1 is written in a predetermined storage area of the embedded IC tag IT. The payout signal generation circuit 67 outputs the detection signal output from the medal detection unit 74 to the main CPU 52 via the I / O port 59.

  The sub control unit 70 receives various information transmitted from the main control unit 50 via the sub control unit communication port 60. Then, the content of the effect to be executed based on the received information and the content of the notification notifying that an abnormality relating to the inserted medal has occurred are determined, and the drive control of the upper lamp 21 according to the determined content of the effect or the content of notification, and Audio output control from the speakers 22L and 22R is performed.

  Next, the contents of the game control in the main control unit 50 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the main CPU 51 first initializes the storage contents of the control RAM 54, initializes transmission data to the sub-control unit 70, and reads setting values set by an attendant at the game hall. The initialization process at the start of the game is performed (step S1). Then, in the process of performing the control related to the previous game, initialization at the end of the game such as erasing various data stored in the control RAM 54 (for example, the result of the internal lottery in the previous game machine) is performed (step S2). ). In the initialization at the end of the game, in order to accept the insertion of medals, in order to displace the switching plate 305 of the selector 30 shown in FIG. 4 to an upright position (see FIG. 4C), The passage switching solenoid 71 is turned on via the solenoid drive circuit 64. At this time, the path switching solenoid 72 is OFF, and the path switching member 321 shown in FIG. 5 is in a position indicated by a solid line.

  Next, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 or when the BET switches 13 and 14 are operated, a medal insertion process corresponding to each operation is performed (step S3), which is required for one game. It is determined whether or not the number of medals has been inserted and the start lever 16 has been operated (step S4). If it is determined that a medal necessary for one game is not inserted or the start lever 16 is not operated, the determination result is NO and the medal insertion process in step S3 is performed again. The processes in steps S3 and S4 are repeated until the start lever 16 is operated.

  Then, when the start lever 16 is operated by the player and the start switch 16S is turned on, the determination result in step S4 becomes YES, the process proceeds to reel rotation processing, and the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotated all at once (step) S5) A random number for internal lottery is extracted by the sampling circuit 58 (step S6). Next, the gaming state in the current game is confirmed by executing the gaming state monitoring process (step S7). Here, the gaming state in the gaming machine 1 includes three types of gaming states: a general gaming state, an RB game state, and a BB game state.

  When the game state of the current game is confirmed, the probability lottery process based on the probability lottery table described above is performed, and the internal lottery of the winning combination corresponding to the game state confirmed in step S7 is performed (step S8), and it is won. The winning combination information is transmitted to the sub-control unit 70. When the winning combination is determined by the internal lottery, a stop table group selection process for selecting a stop table from the stop table group stored in the program ROM 53 according to the determined winning combination is executed (step S9). When any one of the stop switches 15R, 15C, 15R is operated, a reel rotation stop process is executed based on the selected stop table (step S10). Thereafter, when all of the reels 3R, 3C, and 3R are stopped, the symbols that are stopped and displayed along each active line in the symbols that are stopped and displayed on the reel display windows 4L, 4C, and 4R by the winning determination (winning search). The combination and the symbol combination table stored in the program ROM 53 are compared to identify whether or not a winning combination has been established (step S11). At this time, if the BB combination or the RB combination is established, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 becomes the BB game state or the RB game state according to the established bonus combination.

  When a winning combination is established, medals are paid out according to the established winning combination. Here, when the number of medals stored in the gaming machine 1 has not reached 50, the medals paid out to the player when the winning combination is established are stored in the gaming machine 1. When the number of stored sheets exceeds 50, the hopper 37 is driven via the hopper drive circuit 63 to pay out medals to the medal tray 20. At this time, the medal M is paid out after the data writing device 150 shown in FIG. 7 writes the unique gaming machine identification information given to the gaming machine 1 to the IC tag IT embedded in the medal M ( Step S12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a BB game state or an RB game state (step S13). If the game state is not the BB game state or the RB game, the determination result is NO and the process returns to the initialization process at the end of the game in step S2. On the other hand, if the game state is the BB game state or the RB game state in step S13, the determination result is YES, and it is determined whether the end condition for the BB game or the RB game is satisfied (step S14). Here, as a case where the end condition of the BB game and the RB game is satisfied, for example, when the number of medals paid out during the BB game or the RB game exceeds the number determined in accordance with each game, A case where the number of games of the BB game or the RB game exceeds a predetermined number, or a case where the number of winnings in the BB game or the RB game exceeds a predetermined number is considered. Furthermore, it is possible to determine that the BB game or RB game end condition is satisfied when the above-mentioned end conditions are appropriately combined and the end condition is satisfied first.

  If it is not determined in step S14 that the end condition is satisfied, the determination result is NO, and the process returns to the initialization process at the end of the game in step S2 while maintaining the BB game state or the RB game state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, the determination result is YES, and after the bonus end signal is output to the sub-control unit 70 (step S16), the gaming state is returned to the general gaming state, Return to the initialization process at the end of the game.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the detailed flow of the medal insertion process in step S3 of the main flow shown in FIG. 9 will be described. When the initialization at the end of the game is completed in step S2 in FIG. 9 and the process proceeds to the medal insertion process in step S3, it is first determined in FIG. 10 whether the MAX-BET switch 13 or the 1-BET switch 14 has been operated. (Step S20). If any BET switch is operated, the determination result is YES and a medal recognition process described later is performed. On the other hand, if the BET switch is not operated, the determination result is NO, and it is determined whether or not a medal has been inserted from the medal insertion slot 12. That is, it is determined whether or not a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 and the third medal insertion switch 303c is turned on (step S21).

  If the third medal insertion switch 303c is not ON, the determination result is NO, it is considered that no medal has been inserted from the medal insertion slot 12, and the medal insertion process shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if the third medal insertion switch 303c is ON, the determination result is YES, the game hall identification information read from the medal inserted by the data reading device 100, and the game stored in the program ROM 53 It compares with field identification information, and it is judged whether the game field identification information read from the medal is appropriate (step S22). If the two do not match or the game hall identification information cannot be read from the medal, the determination result is NO and the passage switching solenoid 71 provided in the selector 30 is turned OFF (step S23). ). Further, the path switching solenoid 72 provided in the medal return / recovery path 32 shown in FIG. 5 is turned ON (step S24).

  That is, the process of step S22 is a determination unit that determines whether or not the information read by the data reading unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and the information read by the data reading unit is stored in the game hall identification information storage. It can be said that it is a judging means for judging that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when it does not match the game hall identification information stored in the means.

  As a result, the passage switching solenoid 71 that was turned on in step S2 of FIG. 9 is turned off and the switching plate 305 of the selector 30 is displaced to the inclined position (see FIG. 4B). The medals flow down to the medal return / collection path 32. Further, when the path switching solenoid 72 is turned on, the flow path switching member 321 is displaced from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 to the position indicated by the broken line, so that the medal flowing down to the medal return / recovery path 32 is It flows down to the collection path 32b and is collected in the medal storage box 33.

  That is, the medal storage box 33 is a storage member, and the processes of steps S23 and S24 and the path switching solenoid 71, the path switching solenoid 72, the switching plate 305, and the flow path switching member 321 driven by these processes are: It can be said that the storage means stores the inserted game media in the storage member.

  Next, a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 70 so that the upper lamp 21 blinks in a mode (hereinafter referred to as abnormality notification pattern 1) indicating that the game hall identification information does not match (step S25). Thereby, the sub-control unit 70 drives the upper lamp 21 to blink with the abnormality notification pattern 1 and notifies the surroundings that medals lent out at other game halls have been thrown into the gaming machine 1. Therefore, the command for driving and controlling the upper lamp 21 corresponds to an abnormal signal, and the process of step S25 for generating the command corresponds to an abnormal signal generating means. Then, when the process of step S25 ends, the main CPU 52 ends the process without returning to the main flow shown in FIG. Thereby, the gaming machine 1 is disabled until a reset operation is performed by an attendant of the game hall.

  On the other hand, if the game hall identification information read from the medal matches the game hall identification information stored in the program ROM 53 in step S22, the game hall identification information stored in the medal is regarded as appropriate. The determination result is YES, and it is next determined whether or not the gaming machine identification information read from the medal matches the gaming machine identification information stored in the program ROM 53 (step S26). If the two do not match, or if the gaming machine identification information cannot be read from the medal, the gaming machine identification information stored in the medal is regarded as inappropriate, the determination result is NO, and the selector 30 is informed. The provided passage switching solenoid 71 is turned off (step S27).

  That is, the process of step S26 corresponds to a determination unit that determines whether or not the information read by the data reading unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and the information read by the data reading unit is the gaming machine identification information. When it does not match the gaming machine identification information stored in the storage means, it corresponds to a determination means for determining that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Also,

  Then, a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 70 so that the upper lamp 21 blinks in a mode (hereinafter referred to as an abnormality notification pattern 2) indicating that the gaming machine identification information does not match (step S28). When the process of step S28 ends, the main CPU 52 ends the process without returning to the main flow shown in FIG. Thereby, the gaming machine 1 is disabled until a reset operation is performed by an attendant of the game hall.

  As described above, when it is determined that the gaming machine identification information is not appropriate, only the passage switching solenoid 71 is turned OFF and the route switching solenoid 72 is not turned ON by the processing in step S27. The flow path switching member 321 in the path 32 remains at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the medal that has flowed into the selector 30 flows down from the medal return / collection path 32 to the return path 32 a and is returned from the medal payout opening 19 to the medal tray 20. That is, the process of step S27 and the passage switching solenoid 71, the switching plate 305, and the flow path switching member 321 driven by the process correspond to return means for returning the inserted game medium to the player.

  In addition, by the processing in step S28, the sub-control unit 70 notifies that the upper lamp 21 blinks with the abnormality notification pattern 2 and the medals paid out from other gaming machines are thrown into the gaming machine 1 to the surroundings. To do. Therefore, the command for driving and controlling the upper lamp 21 corresponds to an abnormal signal, and the process of step S28 for generating the command corresponds to an abnormal signal generating means.

  In step S22 and step S26, when it is determined that both the game hall identification information and the gaming machine identification information stored in the medal inserted from the medal slot 12 are appropriate, medal recognition processing is performed (step S29). That is, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12, when the medal flow direction and flow speed are determined based on the operating states of the first medal insertion switch 303a and the second medal insertion switch 303b, an abnormality is recognized. Transmits a command for notifying the sub-control unit 70 that an abnormality has occurred. If no abnormality is recognized, the number of inserted medals is counted and a medal insertion signal is output to the sub-control unit 70. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the BET switches 13 and 14 have been operated, it is determined whether or not medals are stored in the gaming machine 1, and if they have been stored, the operated BET switches are set. A corresponding medal insertion signal is output to the sub-control unit 70. When the medal recognition process ends, the medal insertion process shown in FIG. 10 ends, and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG.

  In the above-described medal insertion process, when it is determined that the game hall identification information or the gaming machine identification information is not appropriate, the notification is performed by turning on / off the upper lamp 21 in a corresponding pattern. Corresponding warning sounds may be generated from 22R and 22L, respectively. In addition, when it is determined that the game hall identification information or the gaming machine identification information is not appropriate, the fact may be notified to a management computer that manages each gaming machine in the gaming hall. Further, in step S12 of FIG. 9, the gaming machine identification information written on the medal by the data writing device 150 is, for example, a counting device used by the player to count the number of medals after the game is finished, or What is necessary is just to delete in the medal lending machine used when lending the medals collected after counting again.

  According to the gaming machine 1 described above, when the game hall identification information unique to the gaming hall where the gaming machine 1 is installed is not recorded in the IC tag embedded in the medal, in other words, in other gaming halls. When the lent medal is inserted, it is collected in the gaming machine 1 separately from the medal lent out at its own game hall. Therefore, when a medal lent out at another amusement hall is inserted, the medal is not easily mixed in the medal tank 37a of the hopper 37 with the medal of the own amusement hall. Rather, it is possible to prevent such medals from being used in their own game halls. In addition, although medals lent out at their own game halls, when medals paid out from other gaming machines are inserted, the medals are returned to the player as they are. For this reason, it is easy to comply with the rules at game halls where table movement is prohibited, and for the player, the returned medal can be used on the gaming machine that has been paid out. Will not be affected.

  Next, another form of the medal insertion process shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The medal insertion process shown in FIG. 11 shows the detailed flow of the medal insertion process shown in step S3 of FIG. 9, as in the medal process shown in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to the medal insertion process of FIG. 11, first, it is determined whether or not the MAX-BET switch 13 or the 1-BET switch 14 is operated (step S40). If any BET switch is operated, the determination is made. The result is YES and medal recognition processing described later is performed. On the other hand, if the BET switch is not operated, the determination result is NO, whether or not a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 and the third medal insertion switch 303c is turned on, that is, the medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12. It is determined whether or not is inserted (step S41).

  If the third medal insertion switch 303c is not ON, the determination result is NO, it is considered that no medal has been inserted from the medal insertion slot 12, and the medal insertion process shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if the third medal insertion switch 303c is ON, the determination result is YES, the game hall identification information read from the medal inserted by the data reading device 100, and the game stored in the program ROM 53 It is compared with the field identification information, and it is determined whether or not the game hall identification information read from the medal is appropriate (step S42). If they do not match or if the game hall identification information cannot be read from the medal, the determination result is NO and the value of the game hall identification information mismatch count V1 (hereinafter simply referred to as variable V1). Is incremented by "1" (step S43). That is, the process in step S43 corresponds to a counting unit that counts the number of times that the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. The value of the variable V1 is stored in a predetermined storage area of the control RAM 54, and is cleared by the initialization process at the end of the game in step S2 of FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable V1 exceeds “10” (step S44). If it exceeds, the passage switching solenoid 71 provided in the selector 30 is turned off (step S45), and FIG. The path switching solenoid 72 provided in the medal return / collection path 32 shown is turned ON (step S46). As a result, the inserted medals flow down to the medal return / collection path 32, and further flow down to the recovery path 32b to be collected in the medal storage box 33. Next, a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 70 so that the upper lamp 21 is driven with the abnormality notification pattern 1 as in the medal insertion process shown in FIG. 10 (step S47). The sub-control unit 70 drives the upper lamp 21 with the abnormality notification pattern 1 and notifies the surroundings that a medal lent out at another game hall has been inserted into the gaming machine 1. Accordingly, the processing in steps S44 and S47 corresponds to an abnormal signal generating means for generating an abnormal signal when the number of times that the predetermined condition is determined not to be satisfied by the counting means is counted continuously a predetermined number of times. When the process of step S47 ends, the main CPU 52 ends the process without returning to the main flow shown in FIG. Thereby, the gaming machine 1 is disabled until a reset operation is performed by an attendant of the game hall.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the game hall identification information read from the inserted medal is appropriate, the determination result is YES and the variable V1 is cleared, that is, the value of the variable V1 is set to “0” ( Step S48). Next, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine identification information read from the medal matches the gaming machine identification information stored in the program ROM 53 (step S49). Here, also when it is determined in step S44 described above that the value of the variable V1 does not exceed “10”, the process proceeds to step S49 described above. If the gaming machine identification information read from the medal does not match the gaming machine identification information stored in the program ROM 53, or if the gaming machine identification information cannot be read from the medal, it is stored in the medal. It is assumed that the gaming machine identification information is not appropriate, the determination result is NO, and the value of the gaming machine identification information mismatch count V2 (hereinafter simply referred to as variable V2) is incremented by “1” (step S50). That is, the processing in step S50 corresponds to a counting unit that counts the number of times that the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Similar to the variable V1, the value of the variable V2 is stored in a predetermined storage area of the control RAM 54, and is cleared by the initialization process at the end of the game in step S2 of FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable V2 exceeds “10” (step S51). If it exceeds, the determination result is YES and the passage switching solenoid 71 provided in the selector 30 is turned off. (Step S52). Then, a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 70 so that the upper lamp 21 blinks in the abnormality notification pattern 2 (step S53). As described above, when it is determined that the gaming machine identification information is not appropriate, only the passage switching solenoid 71 is turned off and the route switching solenoid 72 is not turned on. 321 remains at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the medal that has flowed into the selector 30 flows down from the medal return / collection path 32 to the return path 32 a and is returned from the medal payout opening 19 to the medal tray 20. Further, the sub-control unit 70 causes the upper lamp 21 to blink with the abnormality notification pattern 2 to notify the surroundings that a medal paid out from another gaming machine has been inserted into the gaming machine 1. Therefore, the processing of steps S51 and S53 corresponds to an abnormal signal generating unit that generates an abnormal signal when the number of times that the predetermined condition is determined not to be satisfied by the counting unit is continuously counted a predetermined number of times. When the process of step S53 ends, the main CPU 52 ends the process without returning to the main flow shown in FIG. Thereby, the gaming machine 1 is disabled until a reset operation is performed by an attendant of the game hall.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S49 that the gaming machine identification information read from the medal is appropriate, the determination result is YES, and after the variable V2 is cleared (step S54), it is shown in step S29 of FIG. The same process as the medal recognition process is performed (step S55). That is, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 12, when the medal flow direction and flow speed are determined based on the operating states of the first medal insertion switch 303a and the second medal insertion switch 303b, an abnormality is recognized. Transmits a command for notifying the sub-control unit 70 that an abnormality has occurred. If no abnormality is recognized, the number of inserted medals is counted and a medal insertion signal is output to the sub-control unit 70. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the BET switches 13 and 14 have been operated, it is determined whether or not medals are stored in the gaming machine 1, and if they have been stored, the BET switches corresponding to the operated BET switches are determined. A medal insertion signal is output to the sub-control unit 70. When the medal recognition process ends, the medal insertion process shown in FIG. 11 ends, and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG.

  As described above, in the medal insertion process shown in FIG. 11, when it is determined that the game hall identification information or the gaming machine identification information read from the medal is not appropriate for a predetermined number of times (in the above case, 10 times), thereafter Inappropriate medals are collected or returned. For this reason, for example, it is possible to flexibly cope with a reading error of the data reading apparatus 100. Also, only obvious violations such as intentional continuous insertion of inappropriate medals can be detected.

  The gaming machine 1 described above has been described by taking a slot machine using a medal as a game medium as an example. However, if an IC tag can be embedded in the game medium, a slot machine or a ball game machine that uses a pachinko ball as the game medium. It is applicable to.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the game medium used for the same gaming machine. It is a front view which shows the state which opened the front door of the game machine. It is the front view and AA sectional view which show the structure of the selector provided in the gaming machine. It is a front view including the partial cross section which shows the structure of the medal return / collection | recovery path | route provided in the same gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the hopper installed in the inside of the same gaming machine. It is a top view which shows the upper surface of a hopper main-body part in the state except the medal tank of the hopper. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control part of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process regarding the game control performed by the main control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the detailed process of the medal insertion process performed by the main control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the medal insertion process different from the medal insertion process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 12 medal slot 30 selector 32 medal return / recovery path 32a medal return path 32b medal recovery path 33 medal recovery box 50 main controller 52 main CPU
53 Program ROM
54 Control RAM
64 Solenoid drive circuit 71 Path switching solenoid 72 Path switching solenoid 100 Data reading device 150 Data writing device 304 Path switching mechanism 305 Switching plate 321 Channel switching member

Claims (7)

A gaming machine installed in a game arcade and capable of playing when a game medium is inserted by a player,
Reading means for reading information recorded on a storage medium embedded in the inserted game medium;
Determining means for determining whether the information read by the reading means satisfies a predetermined condition;
A gaming machine comprising: an abnormal signal generating means for generating an abnormal signal based on the fact that the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Of the determinations made by the determination means, the counter has a counting means for counting the number of times it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied,
The abnormal signal generating means generates the abnormal signal when the determining means determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied and the counting means continuously counts a predetermined number of times. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is characterized. A game hall identification information storage means for storing game hall identification information unique to the game hall;
The determination means includes
3. The game according to claim 1, wherein when the information read by the reading unit does not match the game field identification information, it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Machine. A storage member for storing the inserted game medium;
When the determination means determines that the information read by the reading means from the inserted game medium and the game hall identification information do not match, and therefore does not satisfy the predetermined condition, 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, further comprising storage means for storing the inserted game medium in the storage member. The storage means includes
A storage path for guiding the input game medium to a game medium storage member for storing the game medium input to discharge the game medium to the outside;
A storage path for guiding the inserted game medium to the storage member;
Path switching means for guiding the inserted game medium to either the storage path or the storage path;
5. The game according to claim 4, wherein, when the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the route switching unit causes the inserted game medium to be guided to the storage route. 6. Machine. A gaming machine identification information storage means for storing unique gaming machine identification information given to the own machine;
The determination means includes
The information read by the reading means and the gaming machine identification information are not matched, and it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied. 6. The gaming machine according to item 1. When the determination means determines that the information read by the reading means from the inserted gaming medium and the gaming machine identification information do not match, and therefore does not satisfy the predetermined condition, The gaming machine according to claim 6, further comprising a return means for returning the inserted game medium to the player.

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