JP2007313117A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of securely preventing fraudulence intended for the malfunction of a token counter by using a fraudulent member (e.g. a flexible board). <P>SOLUTION: An object blocking member 200 is disposed at a position adjacent to a token detection sensor disposed in a token selector 100 in the Pachislot machine, so that a light emitting element of a fraudulent member is prevented from facing a light emitting element of the token detection sensor by the object blocking member 200. Accordingly, the malfunction of the token counter caused by the token detection sensor can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine or a pachinko machine capable of playing a game using a game medium (medal / pachinko ball), and in particular, fraud due to the use of an unauthorized member (for example, “flexible board”). The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of preventing acts.

  Conventionally, after inserting a medal or pressing a BET button, a start lever is operated to rotate and rotate a mechanical rotating reel (hereinafter referred to as a reel), and each reel is operated by pressing a stop button corresponding to each reel. There is known a game machine called a pachislot machine that stops the game and pays out medals in accordance with the combination of symbols stopped in the reel display window.

  In the case of such a pachislot machine, when 1 to 3 medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot and the start lever is operated, the reel is driven to rotate to change a plurality of symbols, and the player presses the stop button. Depending on the operation, the rotating symbols are stopped and displayed, and when the winning combination combination is stopped and displayed on the active line, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning combination are paid out from the medal hopper through the payout slot. put out. Here, normally, a proper medal (regular medal) may be inserted from the medal slot, but an improper medal (illegal medal) may be inserted.

  For this reason, the pachislot machine determines whether the medal inserted from the medal slot is a regular medal or an illegal medal, and returns the illegal medal from the medal payout slot through a cancel shot, and the regular medal is counted as the number of medals. In addition, a medal selector for storing the medal from the medal passage in the medal hopper is provided.

(Configuration of conventional medal selector 100a)
Here, a configuration of the conventional medal selector 100a will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12A is a plan view showing the configuration of the medal selector 100a. FIG. 12-2 is a back view of the medal selector 100a.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the medal selector 100a includes a base plate portion 110 formed in a U shape that forms an outer frame housing of the medal selector 100a main body, and a medal rail that is formed on the main body surface and through which the medal passes. A sub-plate 130 (FIG. 4) covering 111 and a cancel shooter 140 (FIG. 4) for discharging a medal determined to be an illegal medal. In FIG. 12A, the subplate 130 and the cancel shooter 140 (FIG. 4) are removed in order to clarify the configuration of the medal selector 100a. Below this medal selector 100a, a cancel chute 300 (FIG. 2) for paying out a medal determined to be an illegal medal and a medal discharged from the medal hopper 21 (FIG. 3) to the medal payout port 20 (FIG. 1). Is connected.

  A bracket 101 is attached and fixed to the base plate portion 110, and the bracket 101 has a slope having a guide path 102 for guiding a medal determined as a regular medal by the medal selector 100a to the medal hopper 21 (FIG. 2). 103 is integrally formed.

  At the upstream end of the base plate portion 110, a medal inlet portion 112 that accepts medals inserted from the medal insertion port 12 (FIG. 1) is provided, and medals inserted from the medal inlet portion 112 into the medal selector 100a are Guided toward the downstream end along the medal rail 111 formed on the base plate portion 110. In addition, a select plate 113 that guides a regular-sized medal downstream of the medal rail 111 is disposed at an approximately middle position of the medal rail 111. A medal pressure 114 that is pushed downward by a passing medal is disposed at the surface position of the medal rail 111 where the select plate 113 is disposed.

  The select plate 113 and the medal pressure 114 are configured to be pushed out to the cancel shooter 140 by the medal pressure 114 without guiding the medal by the select plate 113 when the inserted medal is smaller than the standard size. When the inserted medal is an appropriate medal (regular medal), the medal is guided along the select plate 113 and guided to the downstream side of the medal rail 111 while pushing the medal pressure 114.

  Normally, the select plate 113 is positioned at the guide position of the medal. However, under a predetermined condition (for example, when a predetermined number of medals are inserted, when an error occurs, when a game is started, etc.), the select plate 113 is placed on the medal. After moving to the discharge position, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 21 are forcibly discharged to the cancel shooter 140. Reference numeral 116 denotes a magnet arranged on the medal rail 111. A medal attracted (magnetized) to the magnet 116 is discharged to the cancel shooter 140 as a non-standard medal (illegal medal).

  A photo sensor 117 is disposed in the vicinity of the medal pressure 114, and this photo sensor 117 outputs a medal passage signal to the pachislot machine 1 while the medal pressure 114 is pressed by the passage of the medal. That is, the photo sensor 117 detects that a medal clogging has occurred inside the medal selector 100a or that some unauthorized operation has been performed.

  Further, on the downstream side of the medal rail 111, two medal detection sensors 120 (double reflection type photosensors) each having a light emitting element and a light receiving element are disposed. A count of medals passing on the medal rail 111 (medal count) and abnormal operations such as a clogged medal and an illegal operation are detected. The medals that have passed the medal detection sensor 120 are stored in the medal hopper 21 (FIG. 3) via the slope 103 provided on the bracket 101.

  A medal stopper 126 and an after medal pressure 127 are provided on the downstream surface of the medal rail 111. The medal that is not guided by the select plate 113 positioned at the medal discharge position is pressed by the medal pressure 114 and abuts the upward medal pressure 127 and the medal stopper 126 that protrude upward. The medals are discharged toward the cancel shooter 140.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a passage route of medals determined to be regular medals and medals determined to be illegal medals will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 13A, a medal inserted from the medal slot 12 passes through the medal rail 111 from the medal inlet 112 and is guided downstream of the medal rail 111 by the select plate 113. It is counted by the medal detection sensor 120 provided at the downstream end, and is stored in the medal hopper 21 (FIG. 3) through the guide path 102 of the slope 103.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13-2, in the case of an illegal medal, this medal passes through the medal rail 111 from the medal slot 12, but is not guided by the select plate 113, so that this medal is received by the medal pressure 114. Pressed and discharged from the medal rail 111 into the cancel shooter 140 (FIG. 4). As described above, a medal that has dropped into the cancel shooter 140 of the medal selector 100 is returned from the medal payout port 20 through the cancel chute 300 (FIG. 2) connected below the medal selector 100a.

  As described above, the medal selector 100a determines the authenticity of the medal, detects the medal determined to be a regular medal by the medal detection sensor 120 (counting the number of medals), and discharges the medal to the medal hopper 21. A function and a function for returning a medal determined to be an illegal medal from the medal payout slot 20 through the cancel chute 300 from the cancel shooter 140 are provided.

  Here, since the game by the pachislot machine 1 rotates the reel according to the number of medals (medal count) detected by the medal detection sensor 120 provided in the medal selector 100a, it is not necessary to actually insert medals. If the medal detection sensor 120 can be erroneously operated, a game can be performed without using a medal. Also, the number of credits can be full (up to 50). For this reason, conventionally, an illegal act using a special tool for fraud (for example, an illegal member such as a “flexible substrate”) for the purpose of malfunctioning the medal detection sensor 120 may be performed.

  Here, the configuration of the above-described special tool for illegal use (illegal member) will be briefly described. FIG. 14A is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of an unauthorized member 121 (for example, “flexible substrate”) used as an unauthorized tool. As shown in the figure, the unauthorized member 121 is provided on a base material 122 formed in accordance with the shape of the medal rail 111 (FIG. 13A) of the medal selector 100a and one end of the base material 122. A switch 123, a control circuit 124, two light emitting elements 125 provided in accordance with the arrangement of the medal detection sensor 120, and a signal line 124a connecting the light emitting element 125 and the control circuit 124 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, the unauthorized member 121 is inserted from the medal slot 12 (FIG. 1) to the position of the medal detection sensor 120, and the switch 123 is turned on at the place where the light emitting element 125 faces the medal detection sensor 120. -OFF is performed, and the light emitting element 125 is made to emit light at a predetermined interval. Thereby, since blinking of the light emitting element 125 is detected as a medal passing, it is counted that a medal has been inserted even though no medal has been inserted. Here, when the switch 123 is operated to cause the light emitting element 125 to blink at high speed, the number of credits is full (maximum, 50).

  Therefore, as a conventional technique for preventing such an illegal act due to the use of such an unauthorized member, for example, in Patent Document 1, a medal is detected by modulating oscillation of light and receiving and demodulating the emitted light. A gaming machine that prevents illegal acts such as illegally counting medal counts is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

  According to the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, if the light receiving unit of the medal detection sensor receives light from the oscillation unit and a signal corresponding to the received light is not demodulated, an appropriate medal is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine an illegal act caused by the use of an unauthorized member.

JP-A-2005-279242

  However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, a dedicated sensor needs to be separately provided in the medal selector, and thus there is a problem that the cost increases in terms of the number of parts. In addition, in order to take measures such as newly providing a dedicated sensor for the medal selector in this way, it is necessary to replace the medal selector. Furthermore, in practice, depending on the operation of inserting the unauthorized member into the medal selector, the light emitting element provided on the unauthorized member is directly connected even if a countermeasure based on the demodulation of the signal as shown in the prior art is performed. Since it is possible to face the light receiving element of the medal detection sensor, it is still not sufficient as a countermeasure for preventing an illegal act by an unauthorized member for the purpose of malfunctioning the medal count.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can surely prevent an illegal act by an unauthorized member for the purpose of malfunctioning a medal count. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention has a pair of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements that are disposed downstream of a medal path through which a medal to be inserted passes. A medal detection unit that receives reflected light from the light emitting element and detects the passage of a medal; a true / false determination unit that determines the authenticity of the medal; and a passage guide for a medal determined to be true by the true / false determination unit or A gaming machine comprising a medal selector having a sub-plate for guiding a medal determined to be false to the discharge side and a cancel shooter for guiding the medal determined to be false to a medal payout port. A light emitting element provided on an unauthorized member disposed in a position adjacent to the provided medal detecting means and inserted into the medal selector is opposed to the light receiving element of the medal detecting means. Characterized by comprising an object blocking means for preventing that.

  According to the present invention, the object blocking means is arranged at a position adjacent to the medal detection means provided on the medal rail of the medal selector, and the tip portion (light emitting element) of the unauthorized member is made to move the medal detection means by the object blocking means. Since the light emitting element of the illegal member is prevented from facing the light receiving element of the medal detection means, the malfunction of the medal count due to the use of the illegal member (for example, “flexible substrate”) is prevented. The intended fraud can be reliably prevented.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the object blocking unit is configured to provide at least one of the pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements constituting the medal detecting unit with respect to the light receiving element. It is characterized by being provided at a position where the light emitting element of the unauthorized member does not face.

  According to the present invention, the object blocking means is provided at a position where the light emitting element of the unauthorized member does not face at least one of the pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements constituting the medal detecting means. Therefore, since at least one light receiving element of the two sensors is covered by a part of the object blocking means, it is possible to prevent an illegal act by an unauthorized member with a simple configuration.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the object blocking means has a substantially L-shape having a mounting plate portion fixed on a position adjacent to the medal detection means on the medal passage. And a dimension that allows passage of the thickness of the medal that passes through the medal passage, and that does not allow passage of the portion where the light emitting element of the unauthorized member is located. It is characterized in that a through hole is formed.

  According to the present invention, the attachment plate portion constituting the object blocking means has a dimension that allows passage of the thickness of the medal that passes on the medal passage, and a portion where the light emitting element of the unauthorized member is located. Since the passage opening is set to a size that prevents the passage of medals, the passage of medals is possible and the passage of unauthorized members other than medals can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light emitting element of the unauthorized member from facing the light receiving element of the medal detection sensor, and therefore it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act aiming at the malfunction of the medal count.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the light emitted from the light emitting element does not reach the light receiving element at a predetermined position of the object blocking means facing the light emitting element of the medal detecting means. An inclined portion is formed on the surface.

  According to the present invention, an inclined portion is formed in a part of the member constituting the object blocking means, and the light irradiated from the light emitting element of the medal detecting means is reflected by the inclined portion by the inclined portion, and the light receiving element Therefore, the medal count malfunction due to the arrangement of the object blocking means can be prevented without hindering normal medal detection.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, a first notch is formed in a portion of the casing that constitutes the sub plate corresponding to the portion where the object blocking means is disposed. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the first notch is formed in a part of the casing constituting the sub plate, and the object blocking means is disposed at the portion where the notch is formed. Even in the state where the means is arranged, the object blocking means and the sub plate do not interfere with each other, thereby preventing the operation (opening / closing) of the sub plate from being hindered.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, a second notch is formed in a part of the casing constituting the cancel shooter, and the object is located at a position facing the notch. A blocking means is arranged.

  According to the present invention, the second notch is formed in a part of the casing constituting the cancel shooter, and the object blocking means is disposed at the site where the second notch is formed. Even in the state where the object blocking means is arranged, the object blocking means and the cancel shooter do not interfere with each other, so that the cancel shooter can be attached and detached while the object blocking means is arranged. Thereby, since the conventional medal selector can be used as it is, it is possible to prevent the cost from increasing.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is provided with the object blocking means for blocking the intrusion (movement) of the illegal member in the vicinity of the medal detection means, thus reliably preventing the illegal act for the malfunction of the medal count by the illegal member. can do.

  Embodiment 1 of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention can be applied to various gaming machines that use medals, coins, game balls, tokens, or the like as game media. Here, the present invention is applied to a pachislot machine that uses medals as game media. explain.

[Overall configuration of pachislot machine 1]
First, the external configuration and internal configuration of the pachislot machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a pachislot machine 1 according to the first embodiment. 2 shows a front view of the internal configuration of the front door, and FIG. 3 shows a front view of the internal configuration of the pachislot machine 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing forming the entire pachislot machine 1 includes a box-shaped cabinet 1 a and a front door 2 that opens and closes an opening formed in the front portion of the cabinet 1 a. In addition, speakers 6L and 6R are provided on the upper part of the pachislot machine 1 at symmetrical positions, and these speakers 6L and 6R output effect sounds such as sound effects and sounds related to effects during games. It is configured.

  Returning to FIG. 1, a panel display unit 2 a and a liquid crystal display unit 2 b that form a substantially vertical plane are provided on the front surface of the pachislot machine 1. The panel display unit 2a is provided with reel display windows 4L, 4C and 4R. The reel display windows 4L, 4C and 4R are provided with display lines of a top line 5b, a center line 5c and a bottom line 5d in the horizontal direction. In addition, display lines of a cross-up line 5a and a cross-down line 5e are provided in an oblique direction.

  As will be described later, when the player inserts one or two medals into the medal slot 12, one (center line 5c) or three (top line 5b, center line 5c, and bottom line 5d, respectively) ) Display line is enabled. Further, when the player presses the 3-BET button 15 or when the player inserts three medals into the medal slot 12, each of the five lines 5a to 5e becomes valid. Each of these lines 5a to 5e is related to the success or failure of the combination. In addition, the liquid crystal display unit 2b performs various effects during pachislot games, a demonstration display during standby, and the like.

  Behind the front door 2, there are three reels 3L, 3C, 3R in which a plurality of kinds of symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces thereof, which are rotatably arranged in a horizontal row. Each reel 3L, 3C, 3R is Rotate at a constant speed (for example, 80 rpm). These three reels 3L, 3C, 3R constitute a reel unit 3. The reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be seen from the reel display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are rotating, and the stop buttons 18L, 18C, 18R can be pressed. In this case, the player enters a transparent state so that the player can visually recognize the symbols on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  A pedestal 11 having a substantially horizontal plane is provided below the panel display 2a and the liquid crystal display 2b. A medal insertion slot 12 for inserting medals is provided on the right side of the pedestal portion 11, and medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 12 are credited or bet on a game.

  The medal insertion slot 12 is in communication with a medal passage (not shown) constituting the medal selector 100, and whether or not the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 by the medal selector 100 is a regular medal or an illegal medal. It can be discriminated by the size of the magnetic field or magnetic characteristics. Further, by pressing the medal return button 12a at the position where the medal insertion slot 12 is formed, for example, medals jammed in the medal selector 100 can be returned from the medal payout slot 20.

  Further, on the left side of the pedestal portion 11, a 1-bet button 13 for betting one piece for betting a credited medal, a 2-BET button 14 for betting two pieces, and a 3-bet for three bets are placed. A BET button 15 is provided. The 3-BET button 15 is a so-called MAX-BET button, and the maximum number of medals (usually three) that can be bet on one game from the medals credited by one pressing operation is bet. When the 1-BET button 13, the 2-BET button 14, and the 3-BET button 15 are pressed or three medals are inserted into the medal slot 12, predetermined lines 5a to 5e are activated. .

  A C / P button 16 is provided on the left side of the front portion of the pedestal 11 to switch between pressing a medal acquired by the player in the game or paying out the credited medal. When the C / P button 16 is pressed in a state where a predetermined number of medals have been credited, the credit is invalidated and the medals corresponding to the credited number are sent from the medal payout opening 20 opened to the lower part of the front to the medal receiving unit 19. Thrown out. Further, when the C / P button 16 is pressed in a state where the credit is invalidated, the credit becomes valid. On the right side of the C / P button 16, a start lever 17 that rotates the reels 3L to 3R by a player's operation is attached to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range.

  Three stop buttons 18L, 18C, and 18R for stopping the rotation of the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided on the right side of the start lever 17 at the center of the front surface portion of the pedestal portion 11, respectively. Note that one game (unit game) is started by operating the start lever 17, and is ended when all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped.

  The panel display unit 2a is provided with a bonus number display unit 8, BET lamps 7a to 7c, a credit display unit 9, and a payout number display unit 10. The bonus number display unit 8 is formed of 7 segment LEDs and displays game information in the bonus.

  The BET lamps 7a to 7c are lamps that are turned on in accordance with the number of medals betted to play one game (hereinafter referred to as "BET number"). Specifically, the 1-BET lamp 7a has a BET number. It is lit when 1, the 2-BET lamp 7b is lit when the BET number is 2 or more, and the 3-BET lamp 7c is lit when the BET number is 3 or more.

  Each of the credit display unit 9 and the payout number display unit 10 is formed of 7-segment LEDs, and the credit display unit 9 displays the remaining number of medals that have been credited. Here, normally, since the maximum number credited to the pachislot machine 1 is 50, the credit number displayed on the credit display unit 9 is 50 or less. In addition, even if a medal is inserted in a state where the maximum number of medals is credited, it is paid out as it is. Further, the payout number display portion 10 displays the number of medal payouts when a winning is established.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a medal selector 100 and a cancel chute 300 connected to the downstream end of the medal selector 100 are provided on one side of the front door 2 (left side in FIG. 2). The medal selector 100 discriminates the authenticity of the medal when the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 passes through the medal passage formed in the medal selector 100, and counts the medal determined to be a regular medal. In addition, the medal hopper 21 (FIG. 3) connected to the discharge side of the medal selector 100 is guided and stored.

  On the other hand, a medal that is determined to be an illegal medal by the medal selector 100 has a function of dropping into the cancel chute 300 through a cancel shooter 140 provided below the medal selector 100.

  The cancel chute 300 has a function of discharging and returning a medal dropped through the cancel chute 140 from the medal payout port 20. Further, the cancel chute 300 has a function of paying out medals paid out from the medal hopper 21 from the medal payout opening 20 to the medal receiving unit 19. As shown in FIG. 3, a medal hopper 21 (medal paying device) is installed below the reel unit 3 provided in the cabinet 1a.

  The medal hopper 21 has a hopper tank 21a for storing medals and a hopper body 22 for discharging medals stored in the hopper tank 21a. In addition, a medal discharge mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the hopper body 22, and medals paid out according to the game result (winning combination) by the pachislot game are discharged to the cancel chute 300 through the discharge nozzle 23. Is configured to do. As described above, the medals discharged from the discharge nozzle 23 of the hopper body 22 are paid out to the medal receiving part 19 through the medal payout opening 20 opened from the cancel chute 300 to the lower part of the front door 2. In addition, on the left side of the bottom of the cabinet 1a, a power supply unit 24 that supplies power to each component mounted in the cabinet 1a of the pachislot machine 1 is provided.

(Configuration of medal selector 100)
Next, the configuration and characteristics of the medal selector 100 provided in the pachi-slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the medal selector 100, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cancel shooter 140. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the cancel shooter 140 constituting the medal selector 100 is removed, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where the sub plate 130 and the cancel shooter 140 are removed from the state shown in FIG. Each is shown.

  Here, the medal selector 100 provided in the pachislot machine 1 of the first embodiment is characterized in that the light emitting element 125 (see FIG. 1) of the unauthorized member 121 (for example, “flexible substrate”) inserted from the medal slot 12 (see FIG. 1). 15-1) is provided with an object blocking member 200 (corresponding to the “object blocking means” according to claims 1 to 7) having a structure that does not oppose the light receiving element 120b of the medal detection sensor 120. . For this reason, below, it demonstrates centering around the structure and characteristic of this object prevention member 200. FIG. Note that, regarding the configuration requirements of each part constituting the medal selector 100, the configuration and functions of the same configuration requirements as those of the conventional medal selector 100a described above are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the medal selector 100 includes a base plate portion 110 formed in a U shape that forms an outer frame housing of the medal selector 100 main body, and a medal rail 111 that is formed on the surface of the main body and through which the medal passes. It comprises a covering sub-plate 130 and a cancel shooter 140 for discharging medals determined to be illegal medals. The cancel shooter 140 is provided so as to cover the lower part of the medal selector 100.

  As described above, below the cancel shooter 140, a medal determined to be an illegal medal falling from the cancel shooter 140 or a medal discharged from the medal hopper 21 is displayed from the medal payout port 20 (FIG. 1). A cancel chute 300 (FIG. 2) to be returned or paid out is connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cancel shooter 140 has a main body portion 141 and a side plate portion 142 configured in a substantially U-shape, and one of the side plate portions 142 (on the right side in FIGS. 4 and 5). Is formed with a notch 143, and a part of the object blocking member 200 is fitted into the notch 143. As described above, by providing the notch portion 143 in the side plate portion 142 constituting the cancel shooter 140, the detachment operation of the cancel shooter 140 can be performed while the object blocking member 200 is disposed.

  That is, by inserting a part of the object blocking member 200 into the notch 143, the object blocking member 140 does not interfere with the cancel shooter 140 even when the object blocking member 200 is disposed on the medal rail 111. The cancel shooter 140 can be attached and detached while the 200 is placed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sub-plate 130 has a flat plate-like main body portion 131 and an L-shaped side plate portion 132, and the side plate portion 132 has a notch 133 formed therein. . As shown in the figure, normally, the sub plate 130 is pressed against the base plate portion 110 by the elastic force of the spring member 110b wound around the shaft portion 110a fixed to the base plate portion 110, and the medal is Functions as a guide plate to pass through. On the other hand, for example, when a medal clogging occurs in the medal selector 100, the sub plate 130 can be opened against the elasticity of the spring member 110b by pressing the medal return button 12a (FIG. 1). The medals jammed by opening the plate 130 can be discharged into the cancel shooter 140 (FIG. 4). As described above, the medals discharged into the cancel shooter 140 are returned from the medal payout port 20 (FIG. 1) through the cancel chute 300.

  Here, the notch part 133 is provided in the side plate part 132 constituting the sub plate 130 because the sub plate 130 operates by allowing a part of the object blocking member 200 to be freely inserted into the notch part 133. This is to prevent malfunction of the sub-plate 130 by avoiding interference between the sub-plate 130 and the object blocking member 200 even when (open / close).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a select plate 113 that guides only regular-sized medals to the downstream of the medal rail 111 is disposed at a substantially intermediate position of the medal rail 111. At the surface position of the medal rail 111 where the select plate 113 is disposed, a medal pressure 114 that is pushed downward by a passing medal is disposed.

  If the inserted medal is smaller than the standard size, the select plate 113 and the medal pressure 114 are discharged to the cancel shooter 140 (FIG. 4) by the medal pressure 114 without guiding the medal by the select plate 113. If the inserted medal is appropriate, the medal is guided along the select plate 113 and is guided downstream of the medal rail 111 while pushing the medal pressure 114.

  At the downstream end of the medal rail 111, two medal detection sensors 120 (double reflective photosensors) that detect the passage of medals are arranged. The medal detection sensor 120 includes a light emitting element 120a and a light receiving element 120b (FIG. 8). When the medal passes through the medal rail 111 and reaches the medal detection sensor 120, the medal detection sensor 120 has a light emitting element. A function of detecting a medal is provided by irradiating light from 120a and receiving the reflected light reflected by the medal by the light receiving element 120b (counting the number of medals). Specifically, by detecting the detection time of medals detected by the time difference by the two medal detection sensors 120, it is detected whether or not the medals have actually passed.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8, 9-1, and 9-2 together with FIG. 7, details of the attachment position and configuration of the object blocking member 200 will be described. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the object blocking member 200 is removed from the state shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9-1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the object blocking member 200. FIG. 9B is a side view showing the configuration of the object blocking member 200.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the object blocking member 200 is disposed at a position downstream of the medal rail 111 and in the vicinity of the medal detection sensor 120 (above the medal detection sensor 120). The object blocking member 200 has a main body part 210 and a mounting plate part 220 configured in a substantially L shape, and the main body part 210 has an upper plate part 211 and a side plate part 212. Further, the mounting plate portion 220 is fitted with a through hole 221 and a boss 240 formed on the base plate portion 110 for attaching the object blocking member 200 to the screw hole 230 of the base plate portion 110 using an attachment screw. Each of the through holes 222 is formed (see FIG. 9-1). The upper plate portion 211 is formed with an inclined portion 213 that is inclined outward (see FIG. 9-2).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, a screw hole 230 facing the through hole 221 of the mounting plate part 220 described above is formed in the base plate part 110 (above the medal detection sensor 120) located in the vicinity of the medal detection sensor 120. Are formed, and similarly, bosses 240 facing the through holes 222 are respectively provided. When the object blocking member 200 is attached to the medal selector 100, the boss 240 is inserted into the through hole 222 of the attachment plate portion 220 and positioning is performed, and then the attachment screw is inserted into the through hole 221 and the attachment screw is inserted into the screw hole 230. Threaded onto. Thereby, the attachment plate part 220 can be attached and fixed to the base plate part 110, and the object blocking member 200 can be provided at a predetermined position shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when the object blocking member 200 is attached to the base plate portion 110, one of the two light receiving elements 120b constituting the two medal detection sensors 120 is blocked. The upper plate portion 211 of the member 200 is closed.

  9-2, when the object blocking member 200 is attached to the medal selector 100, the concave portion 214 formed in the side plate 212 of the object blocking member 200 and the medal rail 111 ( A gap T having substantially the same dimension as the medal thickness is formed between the base plate 110 and the base plate 110). Thereby, even when the object blocking member 200 is disposed on the base plate portion 110, the medal can be passed through the gap T. Here, the thickness dimension of the gap T is a thickness dimension that allows the medal to pass through, but the thickness dimension of the tip portion (light emitting element 125) of the base material 122 that constitutes the unauthorized member 121 (FIG. 15-1). Therefore, the tip portion of the unauthorized member 121 cannot enter the concave portion 214 of the object blocking member 200.

  Therefore, even if it is attempted to bring the tip of the unauthorized member 121 close to the medal detection sensor 120, the tip of the unauthorized member 121 cannot pass through the recess 214 of the side plate portion 212, and thus the light emitting element 125 of the unauthorized member 121. Cannot be opposed to the light receiving element 120b of the medal detection sensor 120. As a result, it is possible to prevent an illegal act in which the medal count is erroneously operated by the unauthorized member 121.

  Here, in the first embodiment, since the object blocking member 200 is disposed in the vicinity of the medal detection sensor 120, the medal detection sensor 120 is placed on the upper plate portion 211 of the object blocking member 200 even when no medal passes. The light reflected by the light emitting element 120a may enter the light receiving element 120b. In this case, medals are detected even though no medals pass. In other words, the medal detection sensor 120 malfunctions due to the object blocking member 200.

  Therefore, an inclined portion 213 is formed on the upper plate portion 211 of the object blocking member 200 in order to avoid such a malfunction of the medal detection sensor 120 due to the object blocking member 200. That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, the upper plate portion 211 constituting the object blocking member 200 is formed with an inclined portion 213 that is inclined outward, and thus the upper plate portion 211 is inclined. By forming the portion 213, the light from the light emitting element 120 a of the medal detection sensor 120 is reflected by the inclined portion 213, so that it does not enter the light receiving element 120 b and avoids malfunction of the medal detection sensor 120. It is configured.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 10-1 and 10-2, the effect of the object blocking member 200 on the unauthorized member 121 will be described. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the unauthorized member 121 is inserted into the medal selector 100, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the unauthorized member is close to the object blocking member 200.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, the unauthorized member 121 inserted from the medal insertion slot 12 (FIG. 1) moves from the medal entrance 112 to the inside of the medal selector 100, and the medal detection sensor 120 is disposed. 4 (actually, the sub-plate 130 shown in FIG. 4 is lifted), but an object blocking member 200 is provided at a position adjacent to the medal detection sensor 120. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10-2, the tip portion (light emitting element 125) of the unauthorized member 121 that has moved to the position of the medal detection sensor 120 passes through the recess 214 of the side plate portion 212 (FIG. 9-2). Therefore, the light emitting element 125 of the unauthorized member 121 cannot be opposed to the light receiving element 120b of the medal detection sensor 120. Thereby, an illegal act that causes the medal detection sensor 120 to malfunction can be prevented.

[Electric Configuration of Pachislot Machine 1: Main Control Circuit 71]
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachislot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration (electric circuit) of the pachislot machine 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the electric circuit that constitutes the pachislot machine 1 includes a main control circuit 71 that controls the game processing operation of the pachislot machine 1 as a whole, and various types of electric circuits that are electrically connected to the main control circuit 71. A peripheral device (actuator) and a sub-control circuit 72 for controlling the liquid crystal display unit 2b, the speakers 6L and 6R, the LEDs 201 and the lamps 202 based on a control command transmitted from the main control circuit 71 are included.

  The main control circuit 71, various control boards, and various peripheral devices (actuators) are connected via an I / O port 38 so that various signals can be input / output electrically. The main control circuit 71 includes a microcomputer 30 disposed on a circuit board as a main component, and is added with a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 30 includes a CPU 31 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a RAM 32 that is a storage unit, and a ROM 33.

  Connected to the CPU 31 are a clock pulse generator 34 and a frequency divider 35 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 36 and a sampling circuit 37 for generating a random number to be sampled.

  The random number generator 36 generates random numbers belonging to a certain numerical range, and the sampling circuit 37 samples the random numbers at an appropriate timing after the start lever 17 is operated. By using the random numbers sampled in this way, for example, an internal winning combination is determined based on a probability lottery table stored in the ROM 33. Note that random number sampling can be performed by software by executing a random number sampling program on the CPU 31 in the microcomputer 30. In this case, the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted.

  The ROM 33 of the microcomputer 30 stores various control commands to be transmitted to the sub-control circuit 72 and a probability lottery table used for determination of random number sampling performed every time the start lever 17 is operated (start operation) and a winning symbol for stopping. A determination table, a stop table group for determining a reel stop mode according to the operation of the stop buttons 18L, 18C, and 18R, and the like are stored. Note that the sub control circuit 72 does not input a control command, information, or the like to the main control circuit 71, and communication is performed in one direction from the main control circuit 71 to the sub control circuit 72.

  Further, in this ROM 33, a combination of various symbols corresponding to the display combination, the number of medal dividends, and a winning combination determination code (establishment determination code) indicating the winning (establishment) are associated with the display combination specification. The table is stored. This display combination specifying table is referred to when the left reel 3L, the center reel 3C, and the right reel 3R are stopped and when the display combination is confirmed after all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped. The display combination (display combination data) is a combination (established combination) corresponding to a combination of symbols arranged along the active line, and the player is given a profit corresponding to the display combination. Further, the RAM 32 stores various information such as an internal winning combination, a carryover combination, and a current game state related to winning of the pachislot machine 1.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 30 include a BET lamp (1-BET lamp 7a, 2-BET lamp 7b, 3-BET lamp 7c), bonus number display section 8, credit display. A display unit such as a unit 9 and a payout number display unit 10, a medal hopper 21 (including a drive unit for payout) that stores medals and pays out a predetermined number of medals according to a command from the hopper drive circuit 46, a reel 3L, There are stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R that rotationally drive 3C, 3R.

  In addition, a motor drive circuit 50 that drives and controls the stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R, a hopper drive circuit 46 that drives and controls the medal hopper 21, a BET lamp (1-BET lamp 7a, 2-BET lamp 7b, and 3-BET lamp 7c And a display unit driving circuit 48 for driving and controlling display units such as a bonus number display unit 8, a credit display unit 9, and a payout number display unit 10 are connected to the output unit of the CPU 31. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 31 and controls the operation of each actuator.

  The microcomputer 30 also receives input signals from the start switch 17S, BET switch (1-BET switch 13S, 2-BET switch 14S, 3-BET switch 15S), reel position detection circuit 49, and payout completion signal circuit 47. Based on these, a control command is generated.

  The start switch 17S is a switch that detects an operation of the start lever 17, and the medal sensor 12S is a sensor that detects a medal inserted into the medal slot 12. The BET switches 13S, 14S, and 15S are provided on the back side of the 1-BET button 13, the 2-BET button 14, and the 3-BET button 15, and the 1-BET button 13, the 2-BET button 14, and the 3-BET button 15 are provided. A switch that generates a signal in response to an operation.

  The C / P switch 16 </ b> S is a switch that is provided on the rear surface of the C / P button 16 and generates a signal in response to an operation of the C / P button 16. The reel position detection circuit 49 is a circuit that receives a pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor and supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R to the CPU 31. The payout completion signal circuit 47 generates a signal indicating completion of medal payout when the number of medals paid out from the medal hopper 21 reaches the designated number data.

  After the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R is counted, and the counted value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 32. From the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, reset pulses are obtained every rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 31 via the reel position detection circuit 49. The count value of the drive pulse counted in the RAM 32 is cleared to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the RAM 32 stores a count value corresponding to the rotational position within one rotation range for each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

  A symbol table (not shown) is stored in the ROM 33 in order to associate the rotational positions of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R as described above with the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel. In this symbol table, a code number that is sequentially given for each fixed rotation pitch of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R with reference to the rotation position where the reset pulse is generated, and a corresponding code number are provided. Is associated with a symbol code indicating the displayed symbol.

  When the CPU 31 determines the internal winning combination or the stop winning combination by lottery processing (probability random determination processing or the like) based on the random number sampling, the stop switch 18LS, Based on the operation signal sent from 18CS and 18RS and the determined stop table, a signal for controlling the stop of the reels 3L, 3C and 3R is sent to the motor drive circuit 50. However, when receiving an input of a command by the player, the CPU 31 sends a signal for controlling the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to stop the motor drive circuit 50 even if the player operates the stop buttons 18L, 18C, 18R. Do not send.

  Further, when the CPU 31 is in a stop mode (that is, a winning mode) indicating winning of the winning combination, the CPU 31 supplies a payout command signal to the hopper driving circuit 46 and pays out a predetermined number of medals from the medal hopper 21. The payout completion signal circuit 47 generates a signal for detecting a medal payout completion signal when the count value of the medal detection unit 21S (the number of medals paid out from the medal hopper 21) reaches the designated number data. To do. That is, the medal detection unit 21S counts the number of medals to be paid out from the medal hopper 21 and outputs a medal payout completion signal to the CPU 31 via the payout completion signal circuit 47 when the counted value reaches a designated number. Is input. As a result, the CPU 31 stops driving the medal hopper 21 via the hopper driving circuit 46 and ends the medal payout process. The sub-control board 72 has a function of controlling game effects including image display, lamp display, and audio output. Specifically, based on a control command transmitted from the main control board 71, the liquid crystal display unit 2b, the speakers 6L and 6R, and various LEDs and lamps are controlled.

[The invention's effect]
As described above, according to the present invention, the object blocking member 200 is disposed at a position adjacent to the medal detection sensor 120 provided inside the medal selector 100, and the unauthorized member 121 is inserted into the medal selector 100. Even in this case, the object blocking member 200 prevents the light emitting element 125 of the unauthorized member 121 from facing the light receiving element 120b of the medal detection sensor 120. It is possible to prevent the operation, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act aiming at a malfunction of the medal count.

  As described above, the gaming machine according to the present invention is suitable for a gaming machine that can surely prevent a fraudulent act for the purpose of malfunctioning a medal count.

1 is an overall perspective view showing an external configuration of a pachislot machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a front door according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the pachislot machine which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the medal selector which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of a cancellation shooter. It is a top view which shows the structure of the medal selector except a cancellation shooter. It is a top view which shows the structure of the medal selector except a select plate and a cancellation shooter. It is a top view which shows the state except the object blocking member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of an object blocking member. It is a side view which shows the principal part of an object blocking member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the penetration | invasion state of an unauthorized member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the unauthorized member approached the object prevention member. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a main control circuit according to the first embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the conventional medal selector (surface view). It is a top view which shows the structure of the conventional medal selector (back view). It is explanatory drawing which shows the passage route of a regular medal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the passage path | route of an unauthorized medal. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of an unauthorized member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the cheating by an unauthorized member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachi slot machine 2 Front door 3 Reel unit 3L, 3C, 3R Reel 6L, 6R Speaker 11 Base part 12 Medal insertion slot 16 C / P button 17 Start lever 18L, 18, 18R Stop button 19 Medal receiving part 20 Medal payout slot 23 Discharge nozzle 100, 100a Medal selector 111 Medal rail 113 Select plate 120 Medal detection sensor 120a, 125 Light emitting element 120b Light receiving element 121 Fraud member 130 Sub-plate 133, 143 Notch 140 Cancel shooter 200 Object blocking member 210 Main body 211 Upper plate Portion 212 Side plate portion 213 Inclined portion 220 Mounting plate portion 221, 222 Through hole 230 Screw hole 240 Boss

Claims (6)

The medal detection is arranged downstream of the medal passage through which the inserted medal passes, and has a pair of light emitting elements and a light receiving element, receives reflected light from the light emitting element with respect to the medal, and detects the passage of the medal. Means,
Authenticity determination means for determining authenticity of the medal;
A sub-plate for guiding the passage of medals determined to be true by the authenticity determination means or the medal determined to be false to the discharge side;
In a gaming machine comprising a medal selector having a cancel shooter for guiding the medal determined to be fake to a medal payout port,
A light emitting element provided at a position adjacent to the medal detection means disposed in the medal passage and provided in an unauthorized member inserted into the medal selector is prevented from facing the light receiving element of the medal detection means. A gaming machine comprising object blocking means.   The object blocking means is provided at a position where the light emitting element of the unauthorized member does not face at least one of the pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements constituting the medal detecting means. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The object blocking means is formed in a substantially L shape having a mounting plate portion fixed on a position adjacent to the medal detection means on the medal path, and a medal passing through the medal path 2. A passage opening that is dimensioned to allow passage of a thickness and is set to a dimension that prohibits passage of a portion where the light emitting element of the unauthorized member is located is provided. 2. The gaming machine according to 2.   An inclined portion is formed at a predetermined position of the object blocking means facing the light emitting element of the medal detecting means so that light emitted from the light emitting element does not reach the light receiving element. The gaming machine according to 1, 2, or 3.   A first notch is formed in a part of the casing constituting the sub-plate, and the object blocking means is disposed at a position facing the first notch. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   A second notch is formed in a part of the casing constituting the cancel shooter, and the object blocking means is disposed at a position facing the second notch. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images