JP2007236713A - Game machine and automatic settling method at time of disaster - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To immediately interrupt players playing a game and promptly evacuate them at times of disaster by having a function of automatically settling in a parlor at times of disaster such as earthquakes. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine having a control part receiving an input of game media and executing a game is provided with a sensor detecting the occurrence of disaster and including an earthquake sensor detecting vibration due to an earthquake and, when detecting the occurrence of the disaster based on the output of the sensor, the control part automatically starts a settling process for returning the game media. This game machine automatically interrupt the game in times of disaster and automatically puts out the game media, so that the players can promptly evacuate therefrom. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to a technique for automatically performing settlement in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a player can enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of medals and game media such as a game ball into the gaming machine. The game media necessary for the game can be borrowed at a game media rental machine or the like provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by putting it into the game media slot of a desired game machine.

  The slot machine basically pays out medals as prizes when the symbols are arranged. Whether or not the symbols are arranged depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer (CPU). Various prizes, such as big bonuses, regular bonuses, and small roles, also follow the results of internal computer lottery.

  When the player inserts medals, it is determined and the number of inserted medals is displayed as credits. Thereafter, when the player operates the start switch, the three rotating reels start to rotate. When one of the stop switches is operated, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reel is stopped. When all three stop switches are operated, all three reels stop rotating. At this time, if a predetermined symbol stops on the effective winning line of the display window, it is determined that the winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out through the hopper unit. Instead of paying out medals, the credit display may be increased.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-273176 “Electronic Lock Control System and Program” An object of the invention described in Patent Document 1 is to provide an electronic lock that unlocks an electronic lock when an earthquake occurs. This is an electronic lock control system that unlocks an electronic lock terminal device based on earthquake information obtained from a seismoscope capable of detecting earthquake vibration. As a result, if an earthquake occurs, even if an electronic lock is applied to the inside, it can be unlocked immediately and it will not be delayed to escape outside the house. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-213955 “Earthquake Resistant Latch” The invention described in Patent Document 2 prevents the door of furniture from opening suddenly due to the impact against an earthquake, and does not operate in a small earthquake. An object of the present invention is to provide an earthquake-resistant latch that can be unlocked as soon as it is closed.

  If credits (unused stored medals) remain when the player changes the slot machine (gaming machine) where the player plays, press the checkout switch to refund the remaining medals and use the returned medals It will move to the slot machine.

  Normally, there is no problem with the above operation and refund operation. However, when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs, it is expected that the checkout switch cannot be operated or forgotten in a situation where evacuation should occur as soon as possible. Considering such a situation, in the event of a disaster, it is preferable that the player can automatically pay back medals without operating the checkout switch.

  This invention was made in order to solve the said subject, and it aims at providing the game machine which can be settled automatically at the time of disasters, such as an earthquake.

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a control unit that receives a game medium and plays a game, and includes a sensor that detects a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake caused by an earthquake, and the control unit outputs an output of the sensor When the occurrence of a disaster is detected based on the above, a checkout process for returning the game medium is automatically started.

  The present invention provides a gaming machine including a control unit that receives a game medium and plays a game, including a sensor that detects a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake caused by an earthquake, and a printer for printing. When the occurrence of a disaster is detected based on the output of the sensor, the unit prints the number of game media stored by the printer.

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a control unit that receives a game medium and plays a game, and includes a sensor that detects a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake caused by an earthquake, and the control unit outputs an output of the sensor When the occurrence of a disaster is detected based on the above, information on the game medium to be returned to the player is transmitted to an external hall computer, and a message to that effect is sent to the player.

  The control unit may determine that a disaster has occurred when a signal indicating the occurrence of a disaster appears longer than a predetermined time in the output of the sensor.

The automatic settlement method in the event of a disaster according to the present invention is:
In a gaming machine provided with a sensor that detects the occurrence of a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake due to an earthquake, a step of determining whether a disaster has occurred based on the output of the sensor;
In the gaming machine, when it is determined that a disaster has occurred, transmitting to the hall computer information relating to a gaming medium to be returned to the player;
Sending a message to the player in the gaming machine;
Receiving the information at the hall computer;
Storing the information in the hall computer.

The present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of the control unit of the gaming machine or the method.
The program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium, for example.
Examples of the medium include EPROM devices, flash memory devices, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks, CDs (including CD-ROMs and Video-CDs), DVDs (DVD-Videos, DVD-ROMs, DVD-s). RAM), ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.

  A medium is a medium in which information (mainly digital data, a program) is recorded by some physical means, and allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. is there.

  According to the present invention, the game machine is provided with an earthquake sensor or the like, and has a function of automatically adjusting when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs in a hall or a function of printing and storing credits, so that a player can play a game when a disaster occurs. Can be evacuated promptly.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
A gaming machine (slot machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  In addition, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door.

  The bet switch 142 is a switch located on the lower left side of the game display unit 131, and reduces the number of stored medals inserted and stored in the medal insertion slot 132 to replace the medal insertion. The medals inserted into the medal slot 132 are displayed as credits. The settlement switch 141 is a switch located obliquely to the left of the start switch 134, and is used for paying out unused inserted medals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the slot machine main body 120. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three rotating reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the upper hopper unit 121 and the reel unit 203.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate 10 and a sub-substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board (control unit) 10 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 counts the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel unit (including the reel driving device) 70, the reel position detection circuit 71, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. For this purpose, a medal detection unit 82 (the hopper driving unit 80 to the medal detection unit 82 constitutes the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a control substrate 200 of the liquid crystal display device, a speaker 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  As described above, the main board 10 and the sub board 20 are configured around the CPU and include a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. Then, a CPU (processing unit) receives a player's operation and reads a program stored in a ROM (storage unit) to perform a predetermined operation. Specifically, the rotation and stop of the three rotating reels built in the reel unit 70 are controlled based on the operation of the start switch 134 and the stop button 140, and the display of lamps, speakers, and the like are controlled. Temporary data necessary for the CPU to operate is RAM (generally RAM is a volatile memory, and data is lost in principle when the power is turned off. A backup power source may be prepared, and in this case, data is not lost even if the power is turned off. The CPU performs a predetermined operation in accordance with a program recorded in the ROM, records temporary data necessary for processing in the RAM, and reads out and refers to the recorded data as necessary.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine first borrows a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and inserts a medal directly into the medal insertion slot 132 of the medal insertion device. The start switch 134 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotating reel, and starts driving the reel unit 70 on condition that a game medal is inserted. The drive of the reel unit 70 is stopped by a stop button 140. The reel unit 70 is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

  The gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention further includes an earthquake sensor ES that detects an earthquake. The earthquake sensor is a sensor that detects vibration due to an earthquake mainly by an acceleration detection method, and for example, a sensor that detects a seismic intensity of 5 or more (100 to 250 gal) is commercially available. As an example of the specific structure, a pendulum is provided, and a position shift of the pendulum due to acceleration is detected by a highly sensitive position detector, and the shift is set as a magnitude of vibration. In some cases, an electric signal corresponding to the deviation is applied from the servo amplifier to the drive circuit, the pendulum is returned to the reference position, and the magnitude of the drive signal at that time is associated with the magnitude of the vibration. In this method, since the pendulum is always at the reference position, the influence of the stress applied to the spring portion supporting the pendulum does not occur, and the acceleration proportional to the electric signal can be measured with high accuracy.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the main board 10 receives a signal indicating an earthquake from the earthquake sensor ES while executing a normal game process, the main board 10 executes the process at the time of an earthquake in FIG. 4 (S1). That is, the output of the earthquake sensor ES is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the signal indicating the shaking, that is, the earthquake of the earthquake sensor ES continues for a certain time or more (S2). The certain time as the threshold is determined in advance.

  When the duration of the shaking is shorter than a certain time (NO in S2), it is determined that the player is artificially shaking (S5), and the processing at the time of the earthquake in FIG. Return.

  When the shaking duration is longer than a certain time (YES in S2), it is determined that the shaking is caused by an earthquake (S3), the game process is stopped, and the settlement is automatically started using the storage device (hopper device 121). (S4). That is, as in the case where the settlement switch 141 is operated, the number of medals corresponding to the number of credited medals is returned to the payout port 135 using the hopper device 121.

  According to the first embodiment of the invention, when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs in the hall, the built-in sensor detects a sign of a disaster such as “shake” and stops the game and automatically pays out. By holding the game machine in the game machine, the game is automatically interrupted when a disaster occurs, and the player can quickly secure a game medium (medal) and evacuate quickly. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly perform hall management during a disaster.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
Instead of actually returning the game medium (medal), the gaming machine may be provided with a printer to issue a medal deposit certificate.

  A block diagram of a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5, and a processing flowchart is shown in FIG. A small printer PRN is connected to the main board 10. The printer PRN is attached to the front door 130 of the gaming machine (for example, the inside of the portion of the payout port 135), and the printed paper appears at the payout port 135, for example.

  The processing at the time of occurrence of the earthquake in FIG. 6 is almost the same as that in FIG. S4 in the flowchart of FIG. 4: Instead of automatic settlement of the storage device, FIG. 6 is characterized in that a medal deposit (current credit information) is printed by S4b: printer PRN. That is, under the control from the main board 10, the current date and time, the fact that an earthquake has occurred, the number of medals credited at that time, this printing is an alternative to paying out medals. In addition to printing the redeemable, etc., the printed paper is sent out to the player. The player can evacuate promptly with the deposit prize.

  Actually, it takes some time to pay out medals, but printing can be performed at high speed, and prompt evacuation can be realized. It seems difficult to evacuate while holding a medal in the event of a disaster (it may be dropped on the way), but a receipt is easy to carry, which is also advantageous.

Embodiment 3 of the Invention
Instead of actually returning the game medium (medal), credit information may be transmitted from the gaming machine to the hall computer, and this may be stored and managed by the hall computer. A hall computer (not shown) is for managing a plurality of gaming machines, and receives and stores information related to the gaming state of each gaming machine. Embodiment 3 of the invention is characterized in that credit information of each gaming machine at the time of the occurrence of an earthquake is received by a hall computer and stored.

A processing flowchart according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The operation of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the main board 10 receives a signal indicating an earthquake from the earthquake sensor ES while the normal game process is being executed, the main board 10 executes the process at the time of the earthquake in FIG. 7 (S1). That is, the output of the earthquake sensor ES is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the signal indicating the shaking, that is, the earthquake of the earthquake sensor ES continues for a certain time or more (S2). The certain time as the threshold is determined in advance.

  If the duration of shaking is shorter than a certain time (NO in S2), it is determined that the player is artificially shaking, and the processing at the time of the earthquake in FIG. 7 is terminated without doing anything, and the normal game processing is returned to.

  When the duration of shaking is longer than a certain time (YES in S2), it is determined that the shaking is caused by an earthquake (S3), the game process is stopped, and credit information is transmitted to the hall computer (S6). The credit information received by the hall computer is stored in the storage section of the hall computer (S8, S9). An unillustrated hall computer is provided with an emergency power supply so that at least data can be stored even in the event of an earthquake.

  After or at the same time as the process of S6, a message is sent to the player (S7). That is, a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is sent from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and when the signal is received, the sub board 20 controls the liquid crystal control board 200 to display a predetermined message on the liquid crystal display device. For example, a message such as “An earthquake has occurred. Please evacuate promptly. Credits were recorded and unused medals will be given later. Please evacuate with confidence.” Is displayed. Audio may be played from a speaker.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, only the transmission of electronic data and the display of a message are required, so that an extremely quick evacuation can be realized as compared with a case where medals are actually paid out. Moreover, because it can evacuate without having anything, it is the best way to guarantee player credit in the event of a disaster.

  In the above description, the earthquake sensor is exemplified as a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a disaster, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a smoke sensor or a temperature sensor for detecting a fire may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is a process flowchart which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a block diagram of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. It is a process flowchart which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a process flowchart which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Medal selector 10 Main board (control unit)
20 Sub-board 100 Slot machine 120 Slot machine main body 121 Hopper device 122 Hopper tank 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal insertion port 133 Reject button 134 Start switch 135 Outlet 136 Outlet path 140 Stop button 141 Checkout switch 142 Bet switch 205 Power supply part ES earthquake sensor PRN printer

Claims (5)

  In a gaming machine having a control unit that receives a game medium and plays a game, the game unit includes a sensor that detects a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake caused by an earthquake, and the control unit generates a disaster based on the output of the sensor. A game machine characterized by automatically starting a checkout process for returning a game medium when the game medium is detected.   In a gaming machine having a control unit that receives a game medium and plays a game, the game machine includes a sensor that detects a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake due to an earthquake, and a printer for printing. A gaming machine, wherein when the occurrence of a disaster is detected based on an output of a sensor, the number of game media stored is printed by the printer.   In a gaming machine having a control unit that receives a game medium and plays a game, the game unit includes a sensor that detects a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake caused by an earthquake, and the control unit generates a disaster based on the output of the sensor. A game machine characterized in that when it detects, a game medium to be returned to the player is sent to an external hall computer and a message to that effect is sent to the player.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that a disaster has occurred when a signal indicating the occurrence of a disaster has appeared in an output of the sensor for a time longer than a predetermined time. In a gaming machine provided with a sensor that detects the occurrence of a disaster including an earthquake sensor that detects a shake due to an earthquake, a step of determining whether a disaster has occurred based on the output of the sensor;
In the gaming machine, when it is determined that a disaster has occurred, transmitting to the hall computer information relating to a gaming medium to be returned to the player;
Sending a message to the player in the gaming machine;
Receiving the information at the hall computer;
Storing the information by the hall computer, and an automatic settlement method in the event of a disaster.

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