JP2007167442A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably determine credit fraudulence with a light emitting element by reliably determining the fraudulence using the light emitting element without increasing sensors for detecting tokens more than necessary. <P>SOLUTION: A slot machine 1 includes a token throw-in route for guiding the token thrown-in from the token throw-in port 11 of the machine 1 to the inner part of the machine; a first medal passage sensor 26 which has at least two pairs of light emitting part and light receiving part and where the respective light emitting parts are arranged so as to make light beams which are emitted from the light emitting parts be crossed on the medal throw-in route; and a means for determining the fraudulence in throwing the medal, on the basis of detection signals from the respective light receiving parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine having a credit function, and more particularly to a slot machine that can effectively prevent an act of illegally increasing the number of credits by inserting a light emitting element from a medal slot.

  A slot machine that starts a game after medals are bet and pays out a predetermined number of medals according to the winning contents of the game has become widespread. In this type of slot machine, there are usually two methods for betting medals: a method for inserting medals from the medal slot for each game, and a method for betting medals stored by the credit function. Can be selected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The credit function described above is a function that stores (stores) medals inserted from the medal slot and medals that should be paid out according to the winning contents as credits in the machine. Displayed in the section.
The medals stored as credits can be bet on the game by operating the BET switch or the MAXBET switch, and can be paid out by operating the credit settlement switch.
This credit check is usually performed only once when leaving the platform.

By the way, in recent years, fraudulent acts that abuse the credit function of slot machines are increasing.
For example, a resin-made special instrument having a light emitting element at the tip is inserted from the medal slot, and the tip reaches the medal passage sensor (for example, photo interrupter) of the medal selector, and then the light emitting element blinks. It is known that the medal passing sensor is erroneously operated to illegally increase the number of credits instantaneously to a maximum value (for example, 50).

Since this type of fraud is performed in a short time, it is extremely difficult to detect, and the act of raising the number of credits to the maximum value and paying it out with credit settlement is repeated. The medal may be pulled out and cause great damage.
So far, a slot machine has been proposed in which multiple medal detection sensors are arranged in a rhombus shape in the medal selector, and by combining the respective outputs, it is possible to discriminate between proper medal insertion and fraudulent acts by special equipment. (See Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-360778 JP 2005-81016 A

However, in the slot machine shown in Patent Document 2, a plurality of medal detection sensors are simply installed. If an instrument equipped with a light emitting element corresponding to each of the plurality of sensors is used, illegal acts can be easily performed. There was a problem of becoming possible.
Specifically, by inserting a special instrument in which a light emitting element is arranged so as to match each position of the plurality of sensors described above from the medal insertion slot, and flashing each light emitting element in synchronization with a regular medal passage timing. It was possible to pass a regular medal.
In addition, increasing the number of sensors in the slot machine not only increases the cost, but also has a risk of impairing reliability, such as a complicated program and a design error such as a bug.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems of the conventional technology, and ensures credit fraud using a light-emitting element without increasing the number of sensors for detecting medals more than necessary. It is an object to provide a slot machine capable of determining and effectively preventing this.

  In order to achieve the above object, the slot machine of the present invention stores medals inserted from the medal slot and medals to be paid out according to the winning contents of the game as credits, and the stored medals are stored as predetermined credits. The slot machine that pays out in accordance with the settlement operation has a medal insertion path for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion slot to the inside of the apparatus, and at least two sets of light emitting units and light receiving units. A first medal passage sensor in which each light emitting unit is arranged so that rays intersect on the medal insertion path, and an illegal act determination unit that determines an illegal act of medal insertion based on a detection signal from each light receiving unit; Are provided.

According to the slot machine of the present invention having such a configuration, a medal is detected by the first medal passage sensor including at least two sets of light emitting units and light receiving units. The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so that the light beams necessary for detecting the medal intersect on the medal insertion path.
For this reason, it is possible not only to detect fraud using a light emitting element, but also to prevent this. Specifically, in order to establish an illegal act, a light emitting element having a minimum and constant output is required, and two light emitting elements must be installed in different directions within a minimum range on a special instrument. Because realization is very difficult.
Therefore, while suppressing the number of sensors, it is possible to reliably discriminate between the passing of a regular medal and an illegal act using a light emitting element, and to prevent such an illegal act.

  In the slot machine of the present invention, when the fraud determination means inputs a detection signal from the other light receiving unit without inputting a detection signal from one light receiving unit of the first medal passage sensor, the medal insertion It is the structure which judges the fraudulent act.

According to the slot machine of the present invention having such a configuration, when a detection signal is input from one light receiving unit, a simple process is performed to check whether the detection signal is input from the other light receiving unit. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the regular medal is inserted.
For this reason, a program related to fraud determination is simplified, and not only the speed of fraud determination processing is improved, but also a design machine such as a bug can be prevented and a highly reliable slot machine can be provided.

  Furthermore, the slot machine of the present invention further includes a second medal passage sensor disposed on the upstream side or the downstream side of the first medal passage sensor, and the cheating determination means includes the first medal passage sensor and the first medal passage sensor. It is configured to determine the illegal act of inserting a medal based on the detection signal pattern from the two-medal passage sensor.

According to the slot machine of the present invention having such a configuration, the first medal passage sensor and the second medal passage sensor are arranged along the medal insertion route. It is also possible to determine whether the flow of rolling medals is correct.
For this reason, even if one sensor cannot detect fraudulent activity, the other sensor can not only compensate for this, but it can also detect backflow of medals, etc. It is also possible to discover fraudulent credit acts by inserting.

The slot machine of the present invention is configured such that at least the first medal passage sensor detects a medal by detecting light blocking by the passage of the inserted medal.
The slot machine of the present invention may be configured such that at least the first medal passage sensor detects a medal by detecting reflected light generated by the passage of the inserted medal.

As described above, by employing a transmissive optical sensor or a reflective optical sensor, it can be applied to various slot machines.
For example, according to the transmissive optical sensor, the distance and angle between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be freely set.
In addition, according to the reflection type optical sensor, not only the detection of an object but also the distance can be measured, so that it is possible to more accurately determine a legitimate medal and an illegal act using a foreign object.
Thus, by making use of the characteristics of each sensor, it is possible to provide a slot machine that can ensure optimal security according to the case and can effectively prevent fraud.

Further, the slot machine of the present invention is configured to give a predetermined alarm when the fraud determination means determines that the medal insertion is fraud.
According to the slot machine of the present invention having such a configuration, it is possible to notify the store clerk of the hall and the surrounding players of the illegal activity, so that the effect of suppressing the illegal activity can be enhanced.

As described above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, since at least two sets of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so that the light beam used for medal detection intersects the medal insertion path, the sensor is more than necessary. Without increasing, it is possible to reliably determine credit fraud using a light emitting element and effectively prevent this.
Further, it is possible to further increase the accuracy of fraud determination by arranging a plurality of sensors for detecting medals along the medal insertion path.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a slot machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the slot machine of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine.

  As shown in these drawings, the slot machine 1 includes a medal slot 11, a credit display unit 12, a credit settlement switch 13, a BET switch 14, a MAXBET switch 15, and a start on the front side of the front door 10. A lever 16, a plurality of stop buttons 17 (17 a to 17 c), a medal payout port 18, a medal return button 19, a speaker SP, and a display L are provided, and a medal is provided on the rear side of the front door 10. A selector unit 20 is provided, and a drum unit 30, a hopper device 40, and a control unit 50 are further provided inside the machine body.

The medal slot 11 accepts medals bet on the game. The slot machine 1 has a medal insertion mode in which medals bet on a game are inserted from the medal insertion slot 11 for each game, and a credit mode in which a medal stored internally as credits is bet on the game. The player can select.
In the credit mode, medals inserted from the medal slot 11 and medals to be paid out in accordance with the contents of the game winning are stored inside up to a maximum credit number (for example, 50), and the number is displayed in the credit display section. 12 is displayed.

The credit settlement switch 13 is a switch for paying out medals stored as credits. In this embodiment, the credit settlement switch 13 is also used for ON / OFF operation in the credit mode. For example, when the credit settlement switch 13 is pressed while the credit mode is OFF, the credit mode is turned ON, and when the credit settlement switch 13 is pressed while the credit mode is ON, after the stored medal is paid out, the credit mode Is turned off.
In addition, it is also possible to configure such that medals are always stored up to the maximum number of credits (for example, 50) without switching the credit mode.

  The BET switch 14 and the MAXBET switch 15 are switches for betting medals stored as credits on the game. The BET switch 14 can bet medals stored as credits one by one for each operation, and the MAXBET switch 15 sets the maximum number (for example, three) bet on one game at a time. Can bet on operation.

The start lever 16 is operated after a medal is bet. When the start lever 16 is operated, rotation of the rotating drums 31a to 31c provided in the drum unit 30 is started.
The stop buttons 17a to 17c are provided in the same number (usually three) as the rotating drums 31a to 31c. When these stop buttons 17a to 17c are pressed, the rotation of the corresponding spinning cylinders 31a to 31c is stopped, and winning or losing of the game is determined.

The medal payout opening 18 is a portion where a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the winning content of the game. Also, the settled medal is paid out from here.
The medal return button 19 is operated when medals remain in the medal selector unit 20. When the medal return button 19 is operated, the medals staying in the medal selector unit 20 are returned from the medal payout exit 18.
The display device L is constituted by a liquid crystal display, a lamp, and the like, and performs a game effect by various images and lamp displays.
The speaker SP performs a game with sound output such as sound effects, payout sounds, and voice messages.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the medal selector unit 20, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the medal selector unit 20 with the selector cover and blocker removed.
As shown in these figures, the medal selector unit 20 forms an inclined medal insertion path from the medal insertion slot 11 to the hopper device 40. Specifically, the selector base 21 and the lower medal guide 22 The upper medal guide 23, the selector cover 24, the blocker 25, and the first medal passage sensor 26 are provided.
The selector base 21 is a plate material that constitutes one side surface of the medal insertion path, and a rectangular opening 21a is formed in an intermediate portion.

The upper medal guide 23 is fixed along the upper end portion of the selector base 21. At this time, by setting the interval between the lower medal guide 22 and the upper medal guide 23 slightly larger than the diameter of the regular medal, the passage of the large medal is restricted. The large-diameter medal whose passage is restricted here falls from the middle portion of the medal selector unit 20 and is returned from the medal payout port 18.
On the other hand, the small-diameter medal is not restricted by the passage of the upper medal guide 23, but falls down into the opening 21a of the selector base 21, so that it falls from the middle portion of the medal selector section 20 like the large-diameter medal, and the medal payout exit 18 will be returned.

  The selector cover 24 is provided at the upper end of the selector base 21 so as to be openable and closable via a support shaft 24a, and is biased in the closing direction by a spring 24b. The selector cover 24 configured in this way is normally opposed to the selector base 21 through a predetermined gap to prevent the regular medal from falling. However, when a large-diameter medal is inserted, In the case of clogging, the medals are retracted in the opening direction by the weight of the medal or the operation force of the medal return button 19, and the medal is allowed to fall. The selector cover 24 has a notch 24c at a portion corresponding to the opening 21a of the selector base 21, and the small diameter medal is actively dropped by the notch 24c.

  The blocker 25 includes an L-shaped blocker plate 25a that can be freely opened and closed, and an electromagnet 25b that electromagnetically opens and closes the blocker plate 25a. In a state where the blocker plate 25a is closed, the inserted medal rolls on the tip of the blocker plate 25a and is guided to the hopper device 40 side. On the other hand, when the blocker plate 25 a is opened, the inserted medal falls from the middle part of the medal selector unit 20 and is returned from the medal payout opening 18.

The first medal passage sensor 26 optically detects the inserted medal, and for example, a photo interrupter (transmission type, reflection type, etc.) comprising a light emitting unit such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving unit such as a phototransistor. It reads the collector current which changes according to the presence or absence (increase / decrease) of the light received by the light receiving unit, and detects a predetermined object. In recent years, there has been an increase in fraudulent acts in which special instruments are inserted from the medal slot 11 and these sensors malfunction. Specifically, a special instrument with a light emitting element is inserted from the medal slot 11, and after aligning the light emitting element with the position of the light receiving portion, the blinking is repeated to pass a regular medal. is there.
Here, the medal passage sensor 26 in this embodiment is composed of two sets of light emitting units and light receiving units, and detects the passing medal from different angles at the same time, thereby using a regular medal and a light emitting element. It is possible to accurately identify fraud.

FIG. 5 is a developed view of the first medal passage sensor 26, where (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement and functions of the first medal passage sensor 26.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first medal passage sensor 26 includes two sets of light emitting units (26a, 26b) and light receiving units (26a ′, 26b ′) installed in the medal insertion path, and the medal passes therethrough. When not, the light receiving unit 26a 'receives the light beam emitted from the light emitting unit 26a, and the light receiving unit 26b' receives the light beam irradiated from the light emitting unit 26b.

The light emitting unit 26a and the light receiving unit 26a ′, and the light emitting unit 26b and the light receiving unit 26b ′ are respectively configured so that the light beams irradiated and received by the light emitting unit 26b and the light receiving unit 26b ′ have a predetermined angle ( θ)) are arranged so as to intersect two-dimensionally (see FIG. 6), and when a regular medal passes, these two rays are simultaneously blocked by the medal.
The light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ detect the medal passage by detecting this.
The light beams that cross two-dimensionally pass through a position that does not cross three-dimensionally, for example, a position that passes in the vertical direction so that the light beams do not collide or interfere with each other. It is preferable that 26a 'and the light emitting part 26b and the light receiving part 26b' are arranged (see FIGS. 5A to 5C).

Thus, only when both the light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ are simultaneously ON (medal detection), it is determined that the regular medal has passed, and the regular medal insertion / passing and other illegal acts are discriminated. It can be done.
Since it is necessary to insert the light emitting element used for the fraudulent action from the medal slot 11, a small LED or the like is usually used. However, the LED generally has directivity, and the smaller the LED, the smaller the LED. It has the characteristic that the output is small. Therefore, when a fraudulent act is performed by the conventional method for the slot machine of this embodiment, the output is not detected from either light receiving unit, or the output is detected only from one light receiving unit. Even in this case, it is not determined that a regular medal has passed.

In order to establish an illegal act, as shown in FIG. 6B, a plurality of smaller LEDs than the conventional ones are installed in the same place (or extremely small space) on the special instrument, and these LEDs LEDs must be installed in a three-dimensional direction so as to face the light-receiving portions 26a 'and 26b', respectively. Is extremely difficult.
As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably discriminate / determine a legitimate medal and an illegal act by a special instrument or the like and effectively prevent the illegal act.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the slot machine.
As shown in this figure, the drum unit 30 includes a plurality of spinning cylinders 31a to 31c, a motor drive circuit 32, a plurality of stepping motors 33a to 33c, and a spinning cylinder position detection unit 34.
A plurality of symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating drums 31a to 31c. These symbols are visually recognized by the player through the display window 10a of the front door 10.

The motor drive circuit 32 drives and controls the stepping motors 33a to 33c based on the pulse signal from the control unit 50, and starts and stops the rotation of the rotating drums 31a to 31c.
When the rotation of the rotation cylinders 31a to 31c stops, the rotation position detection unit 34 detects and stops the rotation stop positions of the rotation cylinders 31a to 31c based on the markers written on the rotation cylinders 31a to 31c. Send to part 50.

The hopper device 40 includes a hopper 41, a hopper drive circuit 42, and a medal detection unit 43.
The hopper 41 is a part for storing medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 11 and medals supplied from the outside.
When receiving a payout signal from the control unit 50, the hopper drive circuit 42 drives a medal discharge unit (not shown) provided at the bottom of the hopper 41 to pay out a predetermined number of medals.
The medal detection unit 43 counts the number of medals paid out from the medal discharge unit, and sends this to the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 includes a display drive circuit 51, a sound circuit 52, a lamp drive circuit 53, a CPU 54, a clock generation circuit 55, a random number generation circuit 56, a ROM 57, and a RAM 58.
The display drive circuit 51 displays the number of credits on the credit display unit 12 in accordance with a signal from the CPU 54.
The sound circuit 52 causes the speaker SP to output a sound effect, a payout sound, a voice message, and the like according to a signal (command) from the CPU 54.
The lamp driving circuit 53 turns on and blinks the lamp L in response to a signal (command) from the CPU 54.

The CPU 54 inputs signals from the credit settlement switch 13, the BET switch 14, the MAXBET switch 15, the start lever (start switch) 16, stop buttons (stop switches) 17a to 17c, the first medal passing sensor 26, and the like. Based on the signal, the drum unit 30, the hopper device 40, the display drive circuit 51, the sound circuit 52, the lamp drive circuit 53, and the like are controlled.
The ROM 57 stores a predetermined program, and the CPU 54 is operated according to this program.
The RAM 58 stores various data relating to the game. This includes data on the number of medals stored as credits.

Next, the control procedure of the control unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main routine, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing medal insertion processing, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing fraud determination processing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the main routine executes the initial setting (S101) at the time of startup, and then performs a credit settlement process (S102: credit settlement means), a medal insertion process (S103: fraud act determination means, credit means), BET Processing (S104: BET means), start processing (S105), spinning stop processing (S106), winning process (S107), prize medal payout processing (S108: credit means), etc. are repeatedly executed.

In the initial setting (S101), various setting values are initialized, the memory is cleared, and the like.
In the credit settlement process (S102), in accordance with the operation of the credit settlement switch 13, payout of stored medals and ON / OFF switching of the credit mode are performed.
In the medal insertion process (S103), an inserted medal or fraud determination process, a process of incrementing the number of credits (when the credit mode is ON), and the like are performed.

In the BET process (S104), a process for betting a stored medal on the game (when the credit mode is ON) is performed in accordance with the operation of the BET switch 14 or the MAXBET switch 15.
In the start process (S105), in accordance with the operation of the start lever 16, a random number for lottery is acquired and rotation of the spinning cylinder 31a to the spinning cylinder 31c is started.
The spinning cylinder stop process (S106) stops the rotation of the spinning cylinder 31a to the rotating cylinder 31c according to the operation of the stop buttons 17a to 17c. At this time, the amount of slip when rotation is stopped is controlled based on a random number for lottery.

In the winning process (S107), winnings such as a big bonus, a regular bonus, and a small role are determined based on the stop positions (stop symbols) of the spinning cylinder 31a to the spinning cylinder 31c, and medals are paid out according to the winning contents. Determine the number of sheets.
In the award medal payout process (S108), the hopper device 40 is controlled to pay out medals. At this time, if the credit mode is ON, medals to be paid out are added to the number of credits.

Next, the medal insertion process, which is a main part of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in this figure, in the medal insertion process, first, it is determined whether or not the game is in progress (S201), and it is determined whether or not the number of credits is smaller than the maximum number (S202). Here, when the game is in progress or when the number of credits is the maximum number, the blocker 25 is turned off (S203), and the insertion of medals is restricted.
Next, after setting the address of the input signal ON counter (S204), it is determined whether the blocker 25 is ON / OFF (S205). If the blocker 25 is ON, an illegality determination process (S206) described later is performed. Execute (see FIG. 10).

After returning from the fraud determination process, it is determined whether or not the medal insertion signal is ON / OFF (S207). If the determination result is ON, error checking is performed (S208), and then the insertion signal ON counter is incremented (S209). . After incrementing the insertion signal ON counter, it is determined whether or not the medal is jammed (S210). If the determination result is YES, an error flag is set (S211) and the insertion signal ON counter is cleared (S212). ).
If the credit mode is ON (S213), credit processing (S214) for incrementing the number of credits is also executed in accordance with the insertion signal ON counter.

Next, fraud determination processing, which is a subroutine of medal insertion processing, will be described with reference to FIG.
In the fraud determination process, a determination is made based on detection signals from the two light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ constituting the first medal passage sensor 26 (S301).
When both of the light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ are simultaneously ON (medal detection), it is determined that the regular medal has passed. Therefore, in this case, the medal insertion signal is turned ON to return to the upper routine (S302).
When both the light receiving parts 26a ′ and 26b ′ are OFF (medal non-detection), it is determined that there is no medal passage. Therefore, in this case, the medal insertion signal is turned OFF and the process returns to the upper routine (S303).

If any one of the light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ is OFF (or ON), it is not recognized as a regular medal passage and is determined to be an illegal act using a foreign object or the like.
That is, since it is sufficiently assumed that a detection signal is input from only one light receiving unit in a conventional illegal act of inserting a light emitting element or the like from the medal insertion slot 11 as in the prior art, It is a reliable judgment.
In this case, a predetermined alarm is given (S304), the medal insertion signal is turned OFF, and the process returns to the upper routine (S305).

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first medal passage sensor 26 including the two sets of the light emitting units (26a, 26b) and the light receiving units (26a ′, 26b ′) is provided. Thus, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not a regular medal has passed, and to effectively prevent credit fraud.

In this embodiment, since the detection signal is not input from one light receiving unit of the first medal passage sensor 26 and the detection signal is input from the other light receiving unit, it is determined that the medal insertion is illegal. Whether or not a regular medal is inserted can be accurately determined by the processing.
For this reason, a program related to fraud determination is simplified, and not only the speed of fraud determination processing is improved, but also a design machine such as a bug can be prevented and a highly reliable slot machine can be provided.

In the present embodiment, the first medal passage sensor 26 may be a transmissive optical sensor that detects light blocking by the passage of medals or a reflective optical sensor that detects reflected light by the passage of medals.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of performing an optimum fraud determination process while utilizing the characteristics of various sensors.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the fraud determination means determines that the medal is an illegal act, a predetermined alarm is given, so the hall clerk and the surrounding players are notified of the illegal activity, The deterrent effect can be enhanced.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the slot machine of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the medal selector unit 20 of the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the slot machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. The flowchart which shows a fraud determination means among the control procedures of the control part 50 which concerns on embodiment, FIG. 14 is explanatory drawing which shows the rolling of the medal based on 2nd embodiment.

The present embodiment shown in these drawings is a modified embodiment of the first embodiment described above, and further includes another sensor (second medal passage sensor 27) on the downstream side of the first medal passage sensor 26. Compared with the first embodiment, the accuracy of fraud determination is high.
A specific fraud determination method will be described with reference to FIG.
The configuration and functions other than the second medal passage sensor 27 are the same as those in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 9) described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the fraud determination process in the present embodiment, first, the states of the light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ are detected (S401).
When both of the light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ are simultaneously ON (medal detection), the second medal passage sensor 27 tries to detect a medal (S402).
On the other hand, when both the light receiving units 26a ′ and 26b ′ are OFF (medal non-detection) and when any one of the light receiving units is OFF, the medal insertion signal is set to OFF as in the first embodiment to the upper routine. Return (S406, S407, S408).

When a medal is detected by the second medal passage sensor 27, next, an ON / OFF pattern is determined (S403).
On the other hand, if no medal is detected by the second medal passing sensor 27, it is determined that the act is an illegal act, a predetermined alarm is given (S407), the medal insertion signal is turned OFF, and the process returns to the upper routine (S408). ).

In the ON / OFF pattern determination, it is possible to determine whether or not a regular medal is inserted by detecting the flow of medals.
Here, a detection pattern of each sensor when the medal rolls correctly will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A is a plan view of the first medal passage sensor 26 and the second medal passage sensor 27 as viewed from above, and FIG. 14B is a front view as viewed from the front.

When the medals pass correctly, as shown in FIG. 14B, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 11 roll in the direction of the arrow on the medal insertion path to reach the hopper. Looking at this in chronological order, in the state before the medal passage, both the first medal passage sensor and the second medal passage sensor are OFF (A), and as the medal passes, the first medal passage sensor is ON and the second medal passage sensor is ON. Medal passing sensor OFF (B), then first medal passing sensor ON, second medal passing sensor ON (C), then first medal passing sensor OFF, second medal passing sensor ON (D), after passing medal Are repeatedly turned ON / OFF like the first medal passage sensor OFF and the second medal passage sensor OFF (E). Therefore, in the ON / OFF pattern determination, it is determined whether or not signals are detected from each sensor in the order described above.
As a result, since illegal movement such as the backflow of medals can be detected, it is possible to detect an illegal credit act by inserting a foreign object resembling a medal.

If it is determined as normal as a result of the ON / OFF pattern determination, the medal insertion signal is turned ON and the process returns to the upper routine (S405). However, if an abnormality is recognized, it is regarded as an illegal act. In this case, an alarm is issued (S407), the medal insertion signal is turned OFF, and the process returns to the upper routine (S408).
In addition, as a method of notifying an illegal act, a method of emitting an alarm sound from the speaker SP, a method of lighting the lamp L in a pattern different from normal, an alarm signal is output from an external output terminal, and the hall computer is notified. A method or the like can be used.
The sensor constituting the second medal passage sensor 27 according to the present embodiment may be any sensor that can detect medals such as an ultrasonic sensor, an eddy current sensor, and a capacitance sensor in addition to the optical sensor.

As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, since the first medal passage sensor 26 and the second medal passage sensor 27 are provided, rolling on the medal insertion path is performed by cooperation of the sensors. It is also possible to determine whether or not the medal flow is correct.
For this reason, not only the effect similar to 1st embodiment is exhibited, but the passage of a medal can be judged more reliably and various credit fraud can be prevented.
In addition to the optical sensor, various sensors can be used as the second medal passage sensor 27. Therefore, it is possible to select a fraud determination means that is excellent in versatility and expandability, and has an optimal security according to the case. It is possible to provide.

The slot machine of the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. However, the slot machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, by attaching a light shielding component to each light receiving portion side of the first medal passage sensor of the present invention and narrowing the optical axis, it is further difficult to establish an illegal act using a light emitting element. It is also possible.

In addition, it is possible to further make cheating by making each light receiving unit have a light intensity detection function and providing a detectable threshold value.
Furthermore, by changing the wavelength and frequency of light emitted from each light emitting unit, the phase of the pulse, etc., the phase or frequency that can be detected by the light receiving unit can be limited, and illegal acts by the light emitting element can be prevented more effectively. It becomes possible to do.

  The present invention can be applied to a slot machine that is played by inserting medals. In particular, the present invention is useful in a slot machine in which a fraudulent act using the credit function may be performed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a medal selector section of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the selector cover and blocker of the medal selector part shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a development view of a first medal passage sensor provided in the medal selector unit shown in FIG. 3, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing which showed arrangement | positioning and a function of the 1st medal passage sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing medal insertion processing of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the fraud determination process of the slot machine which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the medal selector part of the slot machine which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the slot machine which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the fraud determination means of the slot machine which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rolling of the medal based on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the example which gave the shielding component to the light-receiving part which comprises the medal passage sensor of the slot machine of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 11 Medal insertion slot 13 Credit settlement switch 14 BET switch 15 MAXBET switch 18 Medal payout port 20 Medal selector part 21 Selector base 26 First medal passage sensor 27 Second medal passage sensor 40 Hopper device 50 Control part

Claims (6)

In a slot machine that stores medals inserted from the medal slot and medals to be paid out according to the contents of the winning game, and pays out the stored medals according to a predetermined credit settlement operation.
A medal insertion path for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion slot into the apparatus;
A first medal passage sensor that has at least two sets of light emitting units and light receiving units, and in which each light emitting unit is arranged so that light beams emitted from each light emitting unit intersect on the medal insertion path;
A slot machine comprising: fraud determination means for determining an illegal act of inserting medals based on detection signals from the respective light receiving units.   The cheating determination means determines the cheating action when the detection signal is input from the other light receiving unit without inputting the detection signal from the one light receiving unit of the first medal passage sensor. The slot machine according to claim 1. A second medal passing sensor disposed on the upstream side or the downstream side of the first medal passing sensor;
3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the fraudulent act determination unit determines an illegal act of inserting a medal based on detection signal patterns from the first medal passage sensor and the second medal passage sensor. .   4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein at least the first medal passage sensor detects a medal by detecting light blocking by the passage of the inserted medal.   4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein at least the first medal passing sensor detects a medal by detecting reflected light generated by passing the inserted medal.   6. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein when the fraud determination means determines that the medal is an illegal act, a predetermined alarm is given.

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