JP2007222561A - Token putout means and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a token putout means of a game machine capable of stably dispensing tokens without being affected by the ongoing of game such as a big winning. <P>SOLUTION: The token putout means comprising a token dispensing device 23 exclusive for dispensing tokens and a token allotting device 22 exclusive for allotting the token is provided inside the game machine 1. By disposing the token dispensing device 23 on the upstream side and preferentially storing the tokens, influence of the putout of the tokens by the token allotting device 22 on the downstream side is not received. Thus, the tokens are stably dispensed without any shortage of tokens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal payout means for paying out game medals stored inside a gaming machine, and a gaming machine equipped with a medal payout means.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine is played by betting game medals (hereinafter referred to as “medals”) inserted by a player, and a winning condition such that a plurality of displayed symbols are aligned is established. Thus, a game is provided in which a payout is attached to a betted medal and paid to a player.

  In general, in gaming stores where a large number of gaming machines such as slot machines are installed, adjacent to each gaming machine, a medal lending unit corresponding to a cash bill or a prepaid card called a pedestal machine is provided. In recent years, medal lending units are connected to gaming machines via communication cables. When a player inserts cash or a card into the medal lending unit and presses a lending switch (lending switch), it is installed in the gaming machine. The medal payout device (also referred to as “hopper device”) is operated to pay out a predetermined number of medals from the medals stored in the hopper portion to the player.

  Of the medal lending units, a unit corresponding to a card-shaped information storage medium (alternative currency) such as a prepaid card or an IC card is particularly called a “CR unit”. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a spinning-drum type game machine with a card-type medal lending device as a known technical document of a related slot machine.

  The conventional medal payout device is provided with a bowl-shaped hopper portion for storing a plurality of medals supplied for playing a game or an automatic replenishment device, and a bottom portion of the hopper portion. And a medal payout unit that discharges the medals stored while the sensor detects the medals one by one.

JP-A-7-250937

  The conventional medal payout device is provided with a bowl-shaped hopper portion for storing a plurality of medals supplied for playing a game or an automatic replenishment device, and a bottom portion of the hopper portion. And a medal payout unit that discharges the medals stored while the sensor detects the medals one by one.

  However, the conventional medal payout device provided in the gaming machine combines the lending of medals and the payout by a payout such as a prize. For example, when a lot of medals are paid out continuously, it is stored in the hopper portion. There are cases where medals are insufficient, and when a medal lending operation is performed next, a predetermined number of medals cannot be lent.

  Moreover, in the conventional hopper device, due to the structure in which the medals paid out by the medal payout unit are detected by the sensor, if there are no medals that can be paid out, an empty error occurs during the lending operation, and the payout stops without being completed. There was a case. If a player inserts cash or a card and a considerable number of medals are not paid, there is a risk of confusion and a serious problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and provides a medal payout means and a gaming machine that can stably lend out medals without being affected by the progress of a game such as a jackpot. It is intended to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a medal payout means provided in a gaming machine for paying out a game medal, in response to an operation input of the medal lending operation input means. A medal lending device dedicated to lending out a predetermined number of game medals and a medal paying device dedicated to paying out a number of game medals according to the winning combination when a predetermined winning combination is established; It is arranged that a part of the game medals stored in the medal lending device is stored in the medal payout device.

  According to the medal payout means described in claim 1, first, medals are stored in the medal lending device dedicated to lending medals, and some game medals overflowed or the like are stored in a medal payout device dedicated to payout at a lower position. Is done. The medal lending device and the medal payout device operate independently, and the medal lending device is positioned upstream and stores medals preferentially. However, the medal lending device can lend out the game medals stored in advance without any shortage. Therefore, it is possible to rent game medals stably regardless of the progress of the game.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the medal payout means according to claim 1, wherein the medal lending device receives and stores the game medals inserted in the game, and the first hopper part. A first medal payout unit for paying out game medals for lending stored in the medals, and the medal payout device receives and stores game medals overflowing from the first hopper, and a second hopper. And a second medal payout portion for paying out game medals for payout stored in the portion.

  According to the medal payout means described in claim 2, the game medals inserted in the game are first stored in the first hopper portion of the medal lending device, and the game medals overflowing in the first hopper portion are stored in the medal payout device. Stored in the second hopper. Thereby, since the medal lending device preferentially stores medals, even if the medal payout device pays out a large amount of game medals due to, for example, a jackpot, the medal lending device can lend out the game medals stored in advance. Therefore, it is possible to rent game medals stably regardless of the progress of the game.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising a medal lending operation input means for a player to input a game medal for lending and a medal payout means for paying out a game medal. The medal payout means corresponds to a medal lending device dedicated to lending a predetermined number of game medals in response to an operation input by the medal lending operation input means, and a winning combination when a predetermined winning combination is established. And a medal payout device dedicated to payout that pays out a number of game medals, and is arranged such that a part of the game medals stored in the medal lending device is stored in the medal payout device.

  According to the gaming machine of the third aspect, first, medals are stored in the medal lending device dedicated to medal lending, and some game medals overflowed or the like are stored in the medal paying device dedicated to payout at a lower position. The The medal lending device and the medal payout device operate independently, and the medal lending device is positioned upstream and stores medals preferentially. However, the medal lending device can lend out the game medals stored in advance without any shortage. Therefore, it is possible to rent game medals stably regardless of the progress of the game.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the medal lending device receives and stores the game medals inserted in the game, and the first hopper part. A first medal payout unit for paying out game medals for lending that are stored, and the medal payout device receives and stores game medals overflowing from the first hopper, and a second hopper And a second medal payout unit for paying out game medals for payout stored in the game.

  According to the gaming machine of the fourth aspect, the game medals inserted in the game are first stored in the first hopper portion of the medal lending device, and the game medals overflowing in the first hopper portion are stored in the first medal payout device. It is stored in 2 hoppers. Thereby, since the medal lending device preferentially stores medals, even if the medal payout device pays out a large amount of game medals due to, for example, a jackpot, the medal lending device can lend out the game medals stored in advance. Therefore, it is possible to rent game medals stably regardless of the progress of the game.

  According to the medal payout means and the gaming machine of the present invention, since the medal lending device is located upstream and stores medals preferentially, even if the medal payout device pays out a large amount of game medals due to, for example, a big win The lending device can lend game medals stored in advance without any shortage. Therefore, it is possible to rent out game medals stably without being affected by the progress of the game.

  Hereinafter, as one embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, a slot machine 1 provided with a CR unit 50 adjacent as medal lending operation input means for lending medal using a prepaid card will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the front external structure of the main body of the slot machine 1 and the CR unit 50. FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure inside the housing 2 by opening the front door 3 of the main body of the slot machine 1. As will be described later, the CR unit 50 is connected to the main body of the slot machine 1 so as to be able to communicate with each other via serial communication.

  First, referring to FIG. 1, a card insertion slot 51 that accepts insertion of a prepaid card and discharges the loaded prepaid card in response to a card return operation is formed at a predetermined position on the front surface of the CR unit 50. . Further, on the front surface of the CR unit 50, a lending switch 52 and a card return switch 53, each of which is a push button switch, are provided.

  Although the details will be described later, the lending switch 52 is an operation switch for the player to input the operation for seeking the lending of medals, a valid prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion slot 51 of the CR unit 50, and the slot When the lending switch 52 is pressed while the machine 1 is in a predetermined state where the lending operation is permitted, a predetermined number of medals are lent out to the player within the range of the point balance of the prepaid card. The card return switch 53 is an operation switch for requesting the return of the prepaid card loaded in the CR unit 50. When the card return switch 53 is operated and input, the prepaid card is ejected from the card insertion slot 51 and is sent to the player. Returned.

  Further, a card balance display unit 54 for displaying a numerical value of the point balance held by the prepaid card loaded is provided above the lending switch 52.

  In this embodiment, a prepaid card that is magnetically coded and stored in an updatable manner as a point used as a card used when renting a medal is described as an example. An IC card in which a possible IC chip memory is embedded may be used, and not only the form of the card but also an alternative coin (IC coin) may be used. Furthermore, the member card which memorize | stored the member's identification information by IC tag or IC memory etc. may be sufficient.

  Next, in the main body of the slot machine 1, the front door 3 having a so-called front mask formed on the side facing the player is hinged (not shown) with respect to the opening side of the housing 2 which is a substantially rectangular box. It is attached so that it can be opened and closed by a mechanism. The front mask is roughly divided into an upper panel portion, a middle panel portion, and a lower panel portion from the top, and these are integrally formed of a hard plastic designed to enhance the visual effect as a decorative board. A tray unit 4 including a tray 4a for storing medals is provided below the lower panel portion.

  The upper panel is provided with effect lamps such as corner lamps 5a and 5b and an upper lamp 5c with built-in high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We produce visual appeal. In addition, sound outlets 6a and 6b each having a built-in speaker are formed at the left and right positions of the upper panel portion, and a game is produced with sound effects and musical sounds. Further, an image display unit 7 in which a liquid crystal display unit 71 is arranged is formed at a central position between the sound emission ports 6a and 6b.

  Note that the image display unit 7 displays a moving image that is appropriately selected according to the progress of the game to give the game a story, or a more dynamic image in the case of a big hit such as a bonus game. Is displayed, causing the player to have a high payout expectation.

  An acrylic middle panel 8 having a substantially rectangular transparent display window 8a formed at the center is attached to the middle middle panel. And it is comprised so that a player can see three cylindrical reels 10a, 10b, 10c provided in the housing | casing through this display window 8a.

  For example, 21 identification symbols including a plurality of different types are arranged at substantially equal intervals on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and the identification symbols are arranged in three vertical rows and three horizontal rows facing the display window 8a. Is visually recognized by the player through the display window.

  In addition, on the middle panel 8, a lamp or the like provided on the back is turned on, for example, a notification display unit 8b for notifying an internal winning lottery, or the number of medals credited (internally stored) in the slot machine 1 In addition, numerical display portions 8c each including a 7-segment LED for numerically displaying information such as the number of medals acquired by winning a prize or the number of winning winning combinations are provided around the display window 8a.

  Below the middle panel 8 is formed a table-like portion called an operation table that slightly protrudes forward, and includes a medal insertion portion 11 having an insertion slot for inserting medals used in the game, A bet button 12, a start lever 13, three stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c for instructing operations are provided.

  The bet button 12 is a push-type button switch for presenting the number of medals bet on the game. The start lever 13 is a lever switch for instructing to rotate the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c all at once. The start lever 13 is turned on when a lever having a spherical operation knob at the tip is tilted in any of the vertical and horizontal directions. When the hand is released from the lever, the spring is automatically returned to the original position by the urging force of the spring and is turned off.

  The stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c are push-type button switches for individually instructing to stop the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and are arranged in parallel corresponding to the arrangement of the reels.

  On the panel 17 constituting the lower panel portion of the front mask, for example, a picture (not shown) of an appearing character is printed and displayed for allowing the player to recognize the model type of the slot machine 1 and the like.

  The saucer unit 4 provided at the lowermost part of the front door 3 has a medal payout opening 18 for paying out medals by winning prizes and the like, and a sound outlet 19a that has a built-in speaker and generates a production sound effect as the game progresses. , 19b are respectively disposed.

  Next, the internal structure of the main body of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a main control board 21 that performs overall control of the overall operation of the slot machine 1 is attached to an upper position inside the housing 2. The main control board 21 is a microcomputer-based control board on which electronic components such as an interface circuit having a matching function when communicating with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral devices, and is housed in a transparent board case. The housing 2 is fixed so as not to be detached.

  A reel unit 10 in which three reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are arranged in parallel in the axial direction is arranged in a predetermined frame facing the display window 8a formed on the front door 3 side. is set up. The reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are driven to rotate by stepping motors 402a, 402b, and 402c provided on the respective rotation shafts, and the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are connected to the reel unit 10 via an unillustrated spinning device substrate 403 that is attached to the top. The control board 21 sends a four-phase drive pulse signal to each of the stepping motors 402a, 402b, and 402c, thereby performing rotation operation control and stop position control of each reel.

  Below the reel unit 10, medals lent out from the medal insertion section 11 on the front are stored, and when medals are lent out, the stored medals are discharged from the discharge port 23a and paid out to the tray 4a. A device 23 and a medal payout device 22 for releasing and paying out medals from the discharge port 22a at the time of winning a payout are provided adjacent to each other. The medal payout unit of the slot machine 1 is configured by two medal payout devices, the medal lending device 23 and the medal payout device 22.

  The auxiliary tank 24 adjacent to the medal payout device 22 is provided for collecting medals overflowed by the medal payout device 22.

  Further, at the bottom of the housing 2, a main power supply device 26 composed of a constant voltage source and a power supply device substrate 25 that distributes required power to each device built in the slot machine 1 are housed in the same sheet metal case. Are arranged.

  Next, on the rear surface side of the front door 3, speakers 31 a and 31 b facing the sound emission ports 6 a and 6 b are attached at the upper position. Further, between the speakers 31a and 31b, a liquid crystal display unit 71 (not shown) as an image display device for displaying an image on the image display unit 7 and a microcomputer-based sub-control board 32 are attached behind the liquid crystal display unit 71. ing. The sub-control board 32 controls the display of the effect image by the liquid crystal display unit 71 described above, the illumination control using the effect lamps such as the upper lamp 5c and the corner lamps 5a and 5b, and the sound emission ports 6a and 6b by sounding the speaker. This is a control board that mainly performs control related to game effects such as effect sound effect control via 19a, 19b, and the like.

  Below the sub-control board 32, a middle panel unit 34 is attached which is formed as a unit by forming a transparent display window 8a or the like for seeing through the reels 10a, 10b and 10c on the middle panel 8. The middle panel unit 34 includes a cold cathode fluorescent tube that irradiates the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, an inverter 35 that drives the cold cathode fluorescent tube, and operation switches such as a start lever 13 and stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c. The central display board 36 for relaying the above signal to the main control board 21 on the housing 2 side is assembled.

  A medal selector 37 is attached below the middle panel unit 34. The medal selector 37 is a device that determines whether or not a medal inserted into the medal insertion unit 11 on the front surface is appropriate. The medal selector 37 is equipped with a medal sensor 37a composed of a photo interrupter. The medal sensor 37a detects a medal that the medal selector 37 determines to be appropriate, and the medal acceptance signal is sent to the main control board 21. Is output. The main control board 21 performs a process of internally storing medals by adding credits and storing them in the memory every time a medal acceptance signal is received.

  Further, below the medal selector 37, a medal receiving passage 38a that guides medals determined to be appropriate and distributed to the hopper portion of the medal lending device 23, and medals (or foreign objects) that have been excluded and dropped by the medal selector 37 as inappropriate. A flow chute 38b for guiding to the front medal payout port 18 and a medal payout passage 38c for collecting the medals released from the medal payout device 22 and the medal lending device 23 and guiding them to the front medal payout port 18 are provided. Furthermore, speakers 39a and 39b are respectively attached to the lower part on the back side of the front door 2 so as to face the sound emission openings 19a and 19b of the tray unit 4 described above.

  The slot machine 1 configured as described above enters a standby state when a prize is won in the previous game and the payout of medals is completed, or when a loss is confirmed in the previous game. In this state, when the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion unit 11, the medal is added to the credit. The credit refers to the internal storage of medals in the slot machine 1 and the number of medals stored in the slot machine 1. When the bet button 12 is pressed, the credit for the designated number is consumed. A considerable number of medals are bet on the game.

  When a medal is bet on the game and the start lever 13 is tilted, the main control board 21 starts rotating the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c all at once. At the same time, the winning combination is randomly drawn by internal processing (this is called “internal lottery”), and the result is stored in the memory (internal lottery result flag).

  Next, when the player presses the stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c in an arbitrary order, the main control board 21 sequentially stops the corresponding reels accordingly. Then, after all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped, it is determined whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on each reel is coincident with the combination of symbols related to the above-described winning combination. When they match, the winning is confirmed, and the number of medals corresponding to the type of winning combination is added to the credit and awarded. When the upper limit of the credit is exceeded due to the payout of the winning prize, the medal payout device 22 is activated and the surplus number of medals are paid out from the medal discharge port 18 to the tray unit 4.

  In this way, the player of the slot machine 1 performs a game operation to rotate and stop the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and loses the bet medals if the identification symbols variably displayed on the display window 8a are not prepared. If a winning combination is established with a combination of the identified symbols, it is possible to acquire more medals than the betted number, so that it is possible to enjoy a win / lose game with an interest in increasing the number of medals according to skill and luck.

  Next, the medal lending device 23 dedicated to one lending constituting the medal paying means will be described in detail. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the medal lending device 23, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof.

  The medal lending device 23 has a generally bowl-shaped hopper 120 that can receive and store a plurality of medals from the upper opening, a spare medal supply unit 111 provided at the bottom of the hopper 120, and a spare medal supply unit 111. Are provided with a stock unit 110 having a space where medals are supplied every predetermined number and can be stored, and a medal payout unit 100 for releasing the medals stored in the stock unit 110.

  In the hopper portion 120, an overflow port 121 for dropping a medal overflowed in the hopper portion to the hopper portion of the adjacent medal payout device 22 is formed by notching.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the spare medal supply unit 111 is provided with a rotation capturing plate 112 that is rotationally driven by the stock motor 113 on the surface of the bottom plate 122 of the hopper unit 120.

  The upper surface of the rotation capture plate 112 is a gentle, substantially conical surface, and a plurality of capture holes 112a are formed through one virtual circle centered on the rotation axis. The diameter of the catching hole 112a corresponds to the diameter of the medal, and one medal stored in the hopper 120 can be caught in each catching hole 112a while rotating.

  The bottom plate 122 of the hopper 120 is formed with a drop hole 123 having substantially the same diameter that communicates with the capture hole 112a of the rotation capture plate 112 at one location. In addition, a stock sensor 114 that includes a photo sensor and detects a falling medal is attached to the drop outlet of the drop hole 123.

  That is, when the rotation capture plate 112 is rotated by the stock motor 113 and any one of the capture holes 112a communicates with the drop hole 123, the medal captured in the capture hole 112a passes through the drop hole 123 and falls to the stock unit 110. To do. At this time, a medal that falls through the drop hole 123 is detected by the stock sensor 114, and for example, the main control board 21, which is an external counter, counts the operation (output pulse) of the stock sensor 114, thereby storing the medal in the stock unit 110. The number of reserved medals is determined.

  Next, the configuration of the medal payout unit 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a view showing the structure of the medal payout portion 100 formed on the bottom portion 115 of the stock portion 110.

  In the figure, the medal payout unit 100 is configured such that the transport plate 103 formed with a plurality of bay insertion portions 103a for capturing spare medals stored in the stock unit 110 is rotated along the inclined bottom plate of the stock unit 110. It is provided as possible. The transport plate 103 is rotated in one direction by the rental motor 102.

  A bottom surface 115 of the stock unit 110 is formed with a transport path surface 109 that is depressed along the step 109 a, and the transport plate 103 is configured to rotate on the transport path surface 109.

  The rotation shaft 102 a of the lending motor 102 is fixed to the rotation center position of the transport plate 103. Further, the bay portion 103a of the transport plate 103 has a slightly larger radius of curvature than that of the medals, and is formed so that the spare medals stored in the stock unit 110 are inserted and transported by the rotation of the transport plate 103. Has been.

  Further, the conveying plate 103 is formed with a pushing protrusion 103b that extends radially from a position between the adjacent baying portions 103a in a radial direction and whose tip portion is gently bent in a direction opposite to the rotation direction.

  By driving the lending motor 102 in such a configuration, the medals captured by the transport plate 103 via the bay portion 103a circulate on the transport road surface 109 defined by the step 109a while being pressed by the pushing protrusion 103b. To be transported.

  In addition, a discharge path surface 109b for guiding medals to the discharge port 23a is formed at one end of the transport path surface 109. Further, a pin roller 106 is provided on one side of the discharge path surface 109b with the axial position fixed.

  In FIG. 5, the discharge arm 104 is attached to the back surface side of the discharge path surface 109b which is omitted by being broken so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 104a. The discharge arm 104 is provided with a pin roller 107 protruding into the discharge path surface 109b. As the discharge arm 104 rotates, the pin roller 107 reciprocates between a position close to (close side) and a position apart (open side) with respect to the pin roller 106 facing the discharge path surface 109b. The discharge arm 104 is always urged by the coil spring 105 toward the side where the pin roller 107 is closed.

  In addition, two photo interrupters 108 a and 108 b for detecting the rotational position of the discharge arm 104 are provided on the back side of the transport path surface 109. Note that the photo interrupters 108a and 108b constitute a lending sensor 108 that detects medals released during the medal lending operation one by one.

  When the medal payout unit 100 drives the lending motor 102 to rotate the transport plate 103 in the direction shown in FIG. 5, the medal M held in the bay portion 103a is transported on the transport path surface 109 toward the discharge port 23a. Then, it comes into contact with the pair of pin rollers 106 and 107 in the closed state on the discharge path surface 109b.

  When the pressing force of the pushing protrusion 103 b acts on the pin rollers 106 and 107 via the medal M, the pin roller 107 provided on the discharge arm 104 is pushed and widened against the elastic force in the pulling direction by the coil spring 105. At this time, elastic energy due to expansion is accumulated in the coil spring 105.

  When the transport plate 193 further rotates and the center of the medal M exceeds the line connecting the axes of the pin rollers 106 and 107, the elastic contraction force by the coil spring 105 acts on the side where the medal M is released. For this reason, the elastic energy accumulated in the coil spring 105 is released all at once, and the medal M is pushed out to the discharge path surface 109b by the pin roller 107 moving to the closing side, and discharged to the outside through the discharge port 23a.

  The lending sensor 108 detects the position of the discharge arm 104 that reciprocally rotates when discharging one medal, and the two photointerrupters 108a and 108b respectively detect and logically determine based on such a series of operations. The number of medals paid out is counted.

  As already shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the medal payout means of the slot machine 1 is provided with the medal payout device 22 adjacent to the medal lending device 23. Also in the medal payout device 22, a medal payout portion having the same structure as the medal lending device 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the hopper portion. By driving the payout motor 221, the medal stored in the hopper portion is paid out sensor 222. The medals are discharged one by one to the outside through the discharge port 22a.

  The medal payout means of the slot machine 1 is arranged so that the medal lending device 23 preferentially stores medals determined by the medal selector 37 and distributed.

  That is, the medals discharged by the medal selector 37 are first stored and lent out in the hopper 120 of the medal lending device 23. And it arrange | positions so that some medals Mo which overflowed in the hopper part 120 of the medal lending apparatus 23 may be supplied to the hopper part of the medal payout apparatus 22 in a lower position.

  By arranging in this way, even if the medal payout device 22 pays out a large amount of medals at a time due to, for example, a big win, the medal lending device 23 located on the upstream side stably rents out medals without being affected by it. It can be carried out.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a medal remaining amount sensor 130 including a pair or a plurality of pairs of electrode rods that enter a predetermined depth position is provided in the hopper portion 120 of the medal lending device 23. The medal remaining amount sensor 130 detects the remaining amount of medal (reserved state of whether or not it is insufficient) by measuring the impedance between the electrode rods via the medal stored in the hopper 120. When the medal remaining amount sensor 130 detects a high impedance between the electrode bars, it determines that the remaining amount of medals stored in the hopper 120 is insufficient, and outputs a hopper empty signal. That is, by detecting the lack of medals in advance before paying out medals, it is possible to request the replenishment of medals without interrupting the game or to notify the lack of medals to the outside.

  As described above, priority is given to the storage of medals in the medal lending device 23 and the medal remaining amount sensor 130 is provided in the hopper portion 120 of the medal lending device 23. We try to avoid game interruptions as much as possible.

  Next, the configuration of the control system provided in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The control system of the slot machine 1 includes a main control board 21, a sub control board 32, a spinning device board 403, a power supply board 25, and an electric circuit board such as a central display board 36 connected to each other by a wiring cable. ing.

  The main control board 21 is provided with a storage unit including a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 212 and a RAM 213 in addition to the CPU 211, and the CPU 211 executes arithmetic processing according to a system program for a slot machine game stored in advance in the ROM 212. The overall operation of the slot machine 1 is controlled.

  The CPU 211 is connected to a clock interrupt signal generation unit 214 that generates a clock signal with a constant period (for example, 1.87 msec), and in synchronization with the timer interrupt by each clock signal, the start lever 13, the stop button 14a, 14b and 14c, operation input signals for the bet button 12 and the like, and sensor signals for the medal sensor 37a and the remaining medal sensor 130 built in the medal selector 37 are read through the central display board 36.

  The main control board 21 includes a random number generator 215 including an oscillating element and a memory counter element that counts a short-cycle pulse signal generated by the oscillating element, and sampling for acquiring a count value of the random number generator 215. A hardware lottery circuit having a section 216 is provided. The CPU 211 acquires a random number value from the random number generation unit 215 via the sampling unit 216 at a timing related to a predetermined game operation, and performs table lottery processing such as winning combination and effect pattern based on the random value.

  The sub control board 32 connected to the main control board 21 is connected to the illumination control unit 321 that controls the lighting of the LEDs such as the upper lamp 5c and the corner lamps 5a and 5b, and the sound source data from the sound source data memory 323. The sound control unit 322 for driving and driving the speakers 31a, 31b, 39a, and 39b based on the sound signal decoded and reproduced (reproduced) and the effect image data stored in the image data memory 325 are appropriately selected to generate an image. It mainly includes a control circuit such as an image data processing unit 324 that outputs to the control board 72.

  The image control board 72 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor), a frame memory, a video RAM, and the like. Based on the image data supplied from the image data processing unit 324, a part of the image control board 72 corresponds to a moving image expression method. Then, after editing such as merging, a video signal is generated, and the liquid crystal display unit 71 performs control to display a moving image for production.

  Further, the CR unit 50 is connected to the main control board 21 via a dedicated CRU interface circuit 217 so that serial communication is possible.

  The CR unit 50 includes a CR control board 501 that controls the operation of the unit, and a card RW unit 502 that performs processing such as reading and writing (updating) data stored in a prepaid card inserted from the card insertion slot 51. The lending switch 52, the card return switch 53, the balance display unit 54, and the like described above are provided.

  The CPU 211 of the main control board 21 receives status signals such as operation input signals from the lending switch 52 and the card return switch 53 and the point balance of the prepaid card read by the card RW unit 502 via the CRU interface circuit 217. Yes.

  In addition, the CPU 211 of the main control board 21 gives four-phase drive pulses generated based on the above-described clock interrupt signal to the stepping motors 402a, 402b, and 402c that are the rotational drive sources of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. The signal is supplied by amplifying the current through the drum apparatus substrate 403. The CPU 211 calibrates (resets) the position data every time it receives an operation signal from the reference position sensors 401a, 401b, 401c provided on each reel, and based on the drive pulse signal sent based on this, The rotational position of each reel is accurately controlled.

  Further, a medal payout device 22 and a medal lending device 23 are connected to the main control board 21 via a power supply device board 25.

  When the CPU 211 of the main control board 21 determines that a winning combination such that the symbols displayed on the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are aligned on a predetermined line has been established, the number of medals corresponding to the combination are paid out to the player. . The payout is performed by adding credits. As a result of adding the credits, the amount exceeding the upper limit (maximum number) is operated to operate the medal payout device 22 to pay out the surplus medals to the tray 4a.

  That is, when paying out medals by payout, the CPU 211 drives the payout motor 221 of the medal payout device 22, and stops driving the payout motor 221 when the number of payouts is counted via the payout sensor 222.

  Similarly, when paying out medals by a lending operation, the CPU 211 drives out the lending motor 102 of the medal lending device 23 to pay out a predetermined number of medals to the player.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a medal lending operation by the medal lending device 23. As shown in the figure, when the CPU 211 of the main control board 21 receives an operation input signal from the lending switch 52 provided in the CR unit 50 under a predetermined condition such that the game is in a standby state, etc. (step S1: YES), the lending motor 102 of the medal lending device 23 is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed (step S2). Thereby, medals stored in the stock unit 110 in advance are discharged one by one.

  The storage unit of the main control board 21 stores a predetermined number of medals to be paid out (lending number) in one lending operation, and the CPU 211 counts out paying out medals of the lent number via the lending sensor 108. The rotation of the lending motor 102 is continued until it is done (step S3: NO).

  When the CPU 211 detects the medal count of the lent number by the lending sensor 108 (step S3: YES), the CPU 211 stops the rotation of the lending motor 102 (step S4) and ends the payout.

  Then, the CPU 211 rotates the stock motor 113 (step S5), whereby the spare medal supply unit 111 is operated, and the medals stored in the hopper unit 120 are supplied to the stock unit 110 by the number of loans.

  That is, the CPU 211 counts the output pulses from the stock sensor 114, and the number still does not reach the number of lent medals (step S6: NO), but if it is within a predetermined timeout period (step S7: NO), The stock motor 113 is continuously rotated to continue supplying medals to the stock unit 110.

  If the stock sensor 114 times out before counting the number of medals to be lent (step S7: YES), the CPU 211 determines that the number of medals required for one loan cannot be stored in the stock unit 110 as a reserve. Then, a notification process such as outputting a medal empty signal (medal shortage signal) is performed (step S8). Then, the rotation of the stock motor 113 is stopped (step S9).

  In the notification process in step S8, for example, the upper lamp 5c of the slot machine 1 is flashed to notify, or a medal empty signal is transmitted to the management computer (such as a hall computer) at the island edge or the center to manage the information. The user may be encouraged to supply medals. Further, even if the lack of medals is notified, the game is continued without interruption.

  When the CPU 211 counts the supply of lent medals within a predetermined time via the stock sensor 114 (step S6: YES), the CPU 211 stops the rotation of the stock motor 113 (step S9), and reserves medals to the stock unit 110. The supply of is terminated. Thereby, medals required for at least one lending are stored in the stock unit 110 in advance.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a medal payout means, a medal lending device 23 dedicated to lending medal that preferentially stores inserted medals, and a medal arranged downstream thereof. By providing the payout device 22 in the housing 2, even if the medal payout device 22 pays out a large number of medals continuously in the case of a big win or the like, the medal lending device 23 is not affected and is stable. You can rent medals.

  Moreover, since the medal remaining amount sensor 130 provided in the hopper unit 120 of the medal lending device 23 detects the medal storage state, it is possible to notify the outside of the medal shortage in advance.

  Further, since the lent number of medals is stored in advance in the stock unit 110 of the medal lending device 23, a situation where medals are insufficient during the medal lending operation is avoided, and confusion such as unpaid is not caused.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a front structure of a slot machine and a CR unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing an internal structure by opening a front door of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the medal rental apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the medal lending device shown in FIG. 3. It is a top view showing the structure of the medal paying part of the medal lending device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system provided in the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing a medal lending operation by the medal lending apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Housing 3 ... Front door 4 ... Receptacle unit 4a ... Receptacle 5a, 5b ... Corner lamp 5c ... Upper lamp 6a, 6b ... Sound outlet 7 ... Image display part 8 ... Middle panel board 8a ... Display window 8b ... Notification display section 8c ... Numerical value display section 10 ... Reel unit 10a, 10b, 10c ... Reel 11 ... Medal insertion section 12 ... Bet button 13 ... Start lever 14a, 14b, 14c ... Stop button 17 ... Panel 18 ... Medal payout opening 19a, 19b ... Sound outlet 21 ... Main control board 22 ... Medal payout device 22a ... Release port 23 ... Medal lending device 23a ... Release port 24 ... Auxiliary tank 25 ... Power supply device board 26 ... Main power supply devices 31a, 31b ... Speaker 32 Sub-control board 34 Middle panel unit 35 Inverter 36 Central display board 37 Medal selector 37a Meda Sensor 38a ... Medal receiving passage 38b ... Flow chute 38c ... Medal payout passage 39a, 39b ... Speaker 50 ... CR unit 51 ... Card insertion slot 52 ... Lending switch 53 ... Card return switch 54 ... Card balance display 71 ... Liquid crystal display unit 72 ... image control board 100 ... medal payout part 102 ... lending motor 103 ... transport plate 103a ... bay insertion part 103b ... pushing projection 104 ... release arm 104a ... support shaft 105 ... coil springs 106, 107 ... pin rollers 108 ... lending counters 108a, 108b ... Photo sensor 109 ... Conveying road surface 109a ... Step 109b ... Discharge road surface 110 ... Stock part 111 ... Preliminary medal supply part 112 ... Rotation capture plate 113 ... Stock motor 114 ... Stock counter 115 ... Bottom 120 ... Hopper part 121 ... Over Flow port 122 ... Bottom plate 123 ... Drop hole 130 ... Medal remaining amount sensor 211 ... CPU 212 ... ROM
213 ... RAM 214 ... clock interrupt signal generator 215 ... random number generator 216 ... sampling unit 217 ... CRU interface circuit 221 ... payout motor 222 ... payout counter 321 ... illumination controller 322 ... acoustic controller 323 ... sound source data memory 324 ... Image data processing unit 325 ... Image data memory 403 ... Rotating device substrates 401a, 401b, 401c ... Reference position sensors 402a, 402b, 402c ... Stepping motor 501 ... CR control substrate 502 ... Card RW unit

Claims (4)

A medal payout means provided in a gaming machine for paying out game medals,
A medal lending device dedicated to medal lending that pays out a predetermined number of game medals in response to an operation input by the medal lending operation input means;
It is composed of a medal payout device dedicated for payout that pays out a number of game medals according to the winning combination when a predetermined winning combination is established,
The medal payout means is arranged such that a part of game medals stored in the medal lending device is stored in the medal payout device. The medal lending device includes a first hopper portion that receives and stores game medals that are inserted in the game, and a first medal payout portion that pays out game medals for lending stored in the first hopper portion,
The medal payout device includes a second hopper portion that receives and stores game medals overflowing from the first hopper portion, and a second medal payout portion that pays out game medals for payout stored in the second hopper portion. The medal payout means according to claim 1, wherein: In a gaming machine provided with a medal lending operation input means for a player to input operation for lending game medals and a medal payout means for paying out game medals,
The medal payout means is
A medal lending device dedicated to lending medals for paying out a predetermined number of game medals in response to an operation input by the medal lending operation input means;
It is composed of a medal payout device dedicated for payout that pays out a number of game medals according to the winning combination when a predetermined winning combination is established,
A gaming machine, wherein a part of game medals stored in the medal lending device is arranged to be stored in the medal payout device. The medal lending device includes a first hopper portion that receives and stores game medals that are inserted in the game, and a first medal payout portion that pays out game medals for lending stored in the first hopper portion,
The medal payout device includes a second hopper portion that receives and stores game medals overflowing from the first hopper portion, and a second medal payout portion that pays out game medals for payout stored in the second hopper portion. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein

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