JP2007267903A - Token selector of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a fraudulent act from being committed by using an abnormal incident light by means of a special device inserted from outside a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A token selector of a game machine is configured so that control circuits of a first and second token detecting sensors each composed of a pair of opposed light-emitting and light-receiving elements are provided with an oscillator for pulse-driving the light-emitting element at a timing shorter than a light-shielding time by passage of a charged token, and a phase comparator for comparing a light emission drive signal of the light-emitting element by the oscillator and a light reception output signal of the light-receiving element. As for phase difference as the result of the comparison by the comparator, only when the light-receiving element receives light although the light-emitting element does not emit light, a detection output signal different from a detection output signal in regular passage of the charged token is output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal selector capable of preventing an illegal use act due to abnormal light incidence in a gaming machine.

  A spinning machine (slot machine) can start a game by inserting medals and pays out a predetermined number of medals according to the contents of the prize. The medal selector is attached to the back of the door.

  5 and 6 show a medal passage (10) of the medal selector, and two of the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) installed in parallel on the sensor board (11) facing the vicinity of the exit. The pair can detect the passing direction and the required time (speed) of the inserted medal (M) according to the detection order, and prevent unauthorized use. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the detection output signal. The high level is a positive logic indicating an ON state in which a medal (M) passes.

  Furthermore, the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2) are both photointerrupters (transmission type photosensors), and light emitting elements (PS1-a) (PS2-a) facing each other across the medal passage (10). ) And a light receiving element (PS1-b) (PS2-b), which detects a change in the amount of light caused by the passage of the inserted medal (M).

  Therefore, compared to the magnetic method that makes it difficult to detect the accuracy of the inserted medal (M), and the mechanical method of microswitches that tend to cause detection failure due to poor contact or wear with the medal (M). Thus, it can be said that it is an excellent medal detection sensor (PS1) (PS2) and has already been widely used.

  However, in the conventional medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) comprising the photo interrupter, the light emitting elements (PS1-a) (PS2-a) emit light as constant light, and the light receiving elements (PS1-b) (PS2). In other words, only a simple light reception output signal from -b) is verified by a main board (not shown) of the gaming machine to determine whether or not a medal has passed.

  As a result, regardless of the various tangible objects that do not transmit light similar to the medal (M), abnormal light that becomes so-called noise other than the light emitting elements (PS1-a) and (PS2-a) is generated outside the gaming machine. Even if it is improperly incident from, there is a possibility that it may be mistakenly detected that a medal (M) has passed.

  For example, a light emitting element such as infrared light that is different from the normal light emitting element (PS1-a) (PS2-a) of the medal detection sensor (PS1) (PS2) itself without the user inserting the medal (M). A special instrument to which (LED) is attached is intentionally inserted from the entrance of the medal passage (10), and blinks at the same timing as the medal passage, so that a detection output signal as shown in FIG. In the case of a fraudulent act to be generated, this cannot be accurately detected by the medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2), and an unauthorized credit is acquired by the user.

  As long as the light quantity of the light emitting elements (PS1-a) and (PS2-a) is always constant, even if the number of the medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2) is increased, and even when the light is received. Even if a large output ratio (S / N ratio) with respect to light shielding is ensured, it is impossible to prevent unauthorized use from the outside.

  The present invention aims to improve such a problem, and in order to achieve the object, according to claim 1, first and second medal detection sensors comprising a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element facing each other across a medal path. In the medal selector of the gaming machine that detects the passing direction of the inserted medal, the time required for passing, and the number of inserted medal,

  An oscillator that drives the light emitting element in a first and second control circuit corresponding to the first and second medal detection sensors under a timing that is shorter than a light shielding time due to passage of the inserted medal,

  Equipped with a light emission drive signal of the light emitting element by the oscillator and a phase comparator of the light reception output signal of the light receiving element,

  A detection signal that is different from the detection signal when the inserted medal is passed normally only when the light receiving element receives light even though the light emission element does not emit light because the comparison result by the comparator is a phase mismatch Is set to output.

  Further, in claim 2, as a configuration of the invention subordinate to claim 1, only the oscillation frequency of the oscillator is made different between the first and second medal detection sensors and the corresponding first and second control circuits. It is characterized by.

  According to the configuration of claim 1, the oscillator oscillates and outputs a clock pulse signal at a timing (high frequency) shorter than the light blocking time by the inserted medal to drive the light emitting elements of the first and second medal detection sensors. The light emission drive signal of the light emitting element that changes over time during the pulse driving and the light reception output signal of the corresponding light receiving element are compared by a phase comparator, and as a result, the light emitting element does not emit light. Nevertheless, if the phase of light received by the light receiving element is inconsistent, it is set to output a detection output signal that is different from the detection output signal when the inserted medal passes normally. By using a special instrument with a light emitting element different from the regular light emitting element of the first and second medal detection sensor itself as described above, the medal is illegally incident on the medal passage. Unauthorized act of Intellectual sensor will be allowed to false detection as there passes medal, it can be reliably prevented.

  Even in the configuration for obtaining such an effect, the microcomputer that does not require the preparation of the control program is not adopted, and only the control circuit elements of the first and second medal detection sensors are used. It can be provided.

  In particular, if the configuration of claim 2 is adopted, the light emitting element that is illegally incident from the outside should be synchronized with the normal light emission drive signal of the first and second medal detection sensors themselves. Even if it is a mechanism that gives out a sword, such a tricky illegal use act can be more reliably prevented by discriminating between different oscillation frequencies of the oscillator and different detection output signals based on this. The reliability and responsiveness as a selector are remarkably improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a medal selector according to the present invention. First and second medal detection sensors are provided on a sensor board (11) of the medal selector. Two of (PS1) and (PS2) are the same photointerrupters, each consisting of a pair of light-emitting elements (PS1-a) (PS2-a) and light-receiving elements (PS1-b) (PS2-b) facing each other. These are arranged in parallel in the front-rear positional relationship facing the medal passage (10), and detect the passing direction and required time (speed) of the inserted medal (M).

  The sensor board (11) of the medal selector is connected and wired to a main board (12) of a revolving game machine (slot machine) (not shown) having a built-in microcomputer (CPU). A detection output signal from the detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) is transmitted to the main board (12). Needless to say, the main board (12) of the gaming machine automatically executes various processes necessary for gaming such as insertion and payout of medals, reel rotation control, production, winning, and the like.

  Since the configuration up to this point is the same as that of the prior art described based on FIGS. 5 to 7, only the corresponding reference numerals to those in FIG. 6 are entered in FIG. 1, but in the case of the present invention, the sensor substrate (11) of the medal selector Above, not only the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) but also the light emitting elements (PS1-a) (PS2-a) of the respective medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) are pulse-driven. Thus, an oscillator (13-1) (13-1) for enabling discrimination between regular light emission from the light emitting element (PS1-a) (PS2-a) itself and abnormal light illegally incident from the outside. 13-2) is also implemented.

  Similarly, on the sensor board (11) of the medal selector, the light emission drive signals of the light emitting elements (PS1-a) (PS2-a) in the respective medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) and the light receiving elements (PS1-b). ) (PS2-b) are also equipped with phase comparators (14-1) and (14-2) for the received light output signal, and if the phase between them coincides, the medal path of the medal passage (10) is not While the detection signal in passing is output, if the phase between the above does not match, the detection signal in the same passage of the medal in the medal passage (10) or the detection signal of illegal incident light is output. It has become.

  This will be described in detail based on the control circuit of FIG. 2 and the operation timing chart of FIG. 3 as follows. In this case, the first and second control circuits (I) and (II) corresponding to the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2) exist on the sensor substrate (11), and these are mutually connected. Since the operations of both the circuits (I) and (II) are the same, FIGS. 2 and 3 show only the first control circuit (I) and its operation.

  That is, in the control circuit (I) of the first medal detection sensor (photo interrupter) (PS1) shown in FIG. 2, the output of the oscillator (13-1) composed of IC1 and IC2 is branched into two, one of which is IC4 And the other is inverted in logic by IC3 and becomes the input of IC7.

  The oscillation output divided by 2 by the IC 4 switches TR1, and the output becomes a signal for driving the light emitting element (PS1-a) of PS1. That is, if the output of IC4 is at a high level (H), the light emitting element (PS1-a) of PS1 emits light. Similarly, if the output of IC4 is at a low level (L), the light emitting element of PS1 (PS1- a) is quenched.

  In this case, as suggested by the pulse waveform of FIG. 3, the oscillation output is a clock pulse signal at a timing (high frequency) shorter (faster) than the shading time of PS1 due to the passage of the medal (M). The light emitting element (PS1-a) of PS1 is driven to emit / extinguish light.

  The light emission drive signal of the light emitting element (PS1-a) in PS1 and the light reception output signal of the light receiving element (PS1-b) are input to the IC5. IC5 is an exclusive OR (mismatch circuit). As is apparent from FIG. 3, the low level (L) output is obtained when the two inputs are the same, and the high level (H) when they are different. Are output, and this value becomes the input of IC8.

  The IC 8 is an IC called a D-FF (data flip-flop circuit), and the signal input to the D terminal (2nd pin) of the holding timing input to the CLK terminal (3rd pin). It has a function of self-holding and outputting to the Q terminal (5th pin). The output of the Q terminal (5th pin) switches TR2, and the output of TR2 is transmitted to the main board (12) of the gaming machine as a final detection output signal.

  Further, IC3, IC6 and IC7 are the circuits for generating the holding timing inputted to the CLK terminal (No. 3 pin) of the IC8, and the light emission drive signal of the light emitting element (PS1-a) in PS1 as shown in FIG. Similarly, the output of IC3 is transmitted to the CLK terminal (No. 3 pin) of IC8 and used as the holding timing, except when the light reception output signal of the light receiving element (PS1-b) is at a low level (L). Is producing.

  With regard to the operation between these ICs, the IC 6 is a logical sum, and the output becomes the low level (L) only when both the two inputs are at the low level (L). On the other hand, the IC 7 is a logical product, and the output becomes a high level (H) only when both two inputs are at a high level (H).

  When the light emission drive signal of the light emitting element (PS1-a) and the light receiving output signal of the light receiving element (PS1-b) are both at a low level (L), the output of the IC 7 is at a high level (H). Therefore, the holding timing to the IC 8 is not output, and the output of the IC 8 is not updated.

  The reason for this will be described. In the section where both the light emission drive signal and the light reception output signal are at the low level (L), the presence or absence of the medal passage in the medal path (10) is undetermined, and this cannot be determined. This is because the output result of the IC 8 cannot be updated. Therefore, in order to continue the output result obtained at the previous holding timing, the holding timing is not output.

  According to the control circuit (I), a clock pulse signal is oscillated and output from the oscillator (13-1) at a timing (high frequency) shorter than the time when the inserted medal (M) shields PS1 from light. The light emitting element (PS1-a) is driven, the light emission driving signal (light emission amount) of the light emitting element (PS1-a) that changes with time during the pulse driving, and the light receiving element (PS1-b) that arrives from now on Is compared with the received light output signal (received light amount) by the phase comparator (14-1), and the comparison result is output from TR2 as a detection signal. Therefore, it is possible to clearly discriminate between abnormal light incident from the outside of the gaming machine and unauthorized use of the latter.

  That is, FIG. 3A shows a case where a regular medal passes, but in this case, the light reception output signal is at a low level (L) regardless of the state of the light emission drive signal.

  This is because PS1 is shielded by the medal (M) in the medal (M) passage section, the above signal is held, and the final detection output signal of TR2 is turned on in the medal (M) passage section. The output signal remains on. Although the light emitting element (PS1-a) of PS1 emits light, the light receiving element (PS1-b) does not receive light, so that a detection signal is output as meaning that the medal is passing.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3B shows a case where there is illegal incident light. In this case, the light reception output signal is at a high level (H) regardless of the state of the light emission drive signal. In a section where there is illegal incident light, neither the light emission drive signal nor the light reception output signal satisfies the condition for the low level (L), so the holding timing is output at the same timing as the oscillation frequency of IC2. As a result, the final detection output signal of TR2 has a pulse shape.

  Although the light receiving element (PS1-b) is receiving light even though the light emitting element (PS1-a) of PS1 is not emitting light, abnormal light incident illegally from the outside of the gaming machine A so-called error signal is output as meaning existence. The light emission drive signal is at a low level (L), and it is investigated whether the light receiving element (PS1-b) is receiving light under the condition that the light emitting element (PS1-a) is extinguished. It is.

  In that case, the detection signal output from TR2 in the passage section of the regular medal (M) is similarly from TR2 in the section where there is illegal incident light, compared to the non-pulse shape as shown in FIG. Since the output detection signal is in the form of a pulse as shown in FIG. 5B, it is possible to clearly discriminate unauthorized use from the outside. As long as the detection output signal can be discriminated, it is of course possible to use a specification other than the pulse form.

  Furthermore, in the case of a regular medal passing, the two pairs of the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2) detect the medals (M) according to the passing order of the medals (M), Based on the fact that the required time for passage of M) is constant, it is also possible to discriminate it from the unauthorized use act.

  3A and 3B, when the light emission drive signal is at a high level (H) and the light reception output signal is at a high level (H), the light emitting element PS1 (PS1- Since the light receiving element (PS1-b) is receiving light while a) is emitting light, the final detection output signal of TR2 is assumed to mean a non-passage state of the medal (M). It becomes OFF. When the light emission drive signal is at a high level (H) and the light receiving element (PS1-b) receives light under the condition that the light emitting element (PS1-a) emits light, the medal passage is performed. The presence or absence of this is detected.

  The above is summarized as shown in the list below.

  First, an embodiment in which the first and second control circuits (I) and (II) corresponding to the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2) have the same configuration based on the timing chart of FIG. As described above, it is preferable that only the oscillation frequencies of the oscillators (13-1) and (13-2) in the first and second control circuits (I) and (II) are made different as shown in FIG.

  For example, an illegal use act becomes clever, and abnormal light incident by a special instrument from the outside and the regular light emitting element (PS1-a) of PS1 itself have the same phase emission frequency. In this case, the light receiving element (PS1-b) of PS1 outputs the same light reception signal as the light that has arrived from the regular light emitting element (PS1-a), and can be detected by discriminating it from illegally incident light. Can not.

  In this respect, if the oscillation frequencies output from the oscillators (13-1) and (13-2) of the first and second control circuits (I) and (II) are different from each other, the timing chart is clearly shown in FIG. Thus, since the holding timings are also different from each other, the final detection output signals of TR2 are different from each other, and an error signal may be issued as an illegal use action by verifying this with the main board (12). It can be done.

  In this case, different oscillation frequencies can be set by making the constants of R1, C1, R5, and C2, which are constituent parts of the oscillators (13-1) and (13-2), different.

  In any case, the configuration adopted to achieve the object of the present invention is, as it is, only hardware, and comprises a non-contact sequence circuit that conditionally controls the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) (PS2). Since a microcomputer (CPU) that requires a program is not used, there is an advantage that it can be provided at low cost.

  The first and second control circuits (I) and (II) corresponding to the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2) have been described as being mounted on the sensor board (11) of the medal selector. May be installed in the medal selector itself, or may be installed on the main board (12) of the gaming machine. The installation location can be freely selected.

It is a functional block diagram of a medal selector concerning the present invention. FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of first and second medal detection sensors according to the present invention. It is a timing chart which similarly shows operation. It is a timing chart of the operation corresponding to Drawing 3 showing another embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which extracts and shows a part of medal path in the conventional medal selector. FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5. It is a timing chart which shows the conventional operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

(10)-Medal passage (11)-Sensor board of medal selector (12)-Main board (13-1) (13-2)-Oscillator (14-1) (14-2)-Phase comparator (PS1) First medal detection sensor (PS2) Second medal detection sensor (PS1-a) (PS2-a) Light emitting element (PS1-b) (PS2-b) Light receiving element (M) Medal (I) First control circuit (II) ・ Second control circuit

Claims (2)

First and second medal detection sensors (PS1) comprising a pair of light emitting elements (PS1-a) (PS2-a) and light receiving elements (PS1-b) (PS2-b) facing each other across the medal path (10). In the medal selector of the gaming machine that detects the passing direction of the inserted medal (M), the required time for passing, and the number of inserted coins by (PS2),
The first and second control circuits (I) and (II) corresponding to the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2) have a timing shorter than the light blocking time due to the passage of the inserted medal (M). And oscillators (13-1) and (13-2) for driving the light emitting elements (PS1-a) and (PS2-a) in pulses,
Phases of light emission drive signals of the light emitting elements (PS1-a) and (PS2-a) by the oscillators (13-1) and (13-2) and light reception output signals of the light receiving elements (PS1-b) and (PS2-b) Equipped with comparators (14-1) and (14-2)
The result of comparison by the comparators (14-1) and (14-2) is a phase mismatch, and the light receiving element (PS1-b) although the light emitting elements (PS1-b) and (PS2-b) are not emitting light. The medal selector of a gaming machine, which is set to output a detection signal different from the detection signal when the inserted medal (M) is normally passed only when (PS2-b) is receiving light .   Between the first and second control circuits (I) and (II) corresponding to the first and second medal detection sensors (PS1) and (PS2), only the oscillation frequency of the oscillators (13-1) and (13-2) is obtained. 2. A medal selector for a gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the medal selector is different.

Images