JP2008000446A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can completely prevent a fraudulent act of putting out a large amount of tokens by arranging a game medium put-out means where foreign materials such as the wire does not reach through a put-out passage. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is equipped with a cancel chute 111 having a receiving port 113 of a token put out from a hopper 40 and a token put-out port 15 which puts out the token to a receiver 16, a check valve 114 for opening and blocking the cancel chute 111, a coil spring 116 which energizes the check valve 114 so that the check valve 114 blocks up the cancel chute 111, and a stopper piece 118 to control the movement of the check valve 114 so that blockage status of the check valve 114 is maintained when the check valve 114 collides with the object which moves toward the receiving port 113 from the token put-out port 15. The coil spring 116 energizes the check valve 114 to open the cancel chute 111 when the token is placed on the check valve 114. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine, for example, a gaming machine capable of paying out gaming media.

  In general, a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine plays a game by inserting a predetermined number of medals when playing a game, and when the identification information is aligned on a predetermined winning line, The hopper device provided in the interior of the pachislot machine is driven to pay out medals from the payout outlet to the tray through the payout passage provided between the discharge port of the hopper device and the payout opening of the pachislot machine in accordance with the prize. It is like that.

  By the way, since there are no obstacles in such a payout passage, foreign matter such as a wire is inserted from the payout port, the wire enters the hopper device, and a predetermined operation is performed on the hopper device, so that a large amount of medals are paid out. There is a risk of cheating.

As a means for preventing this kind of fraud, a payout passage that allows a medal to pass by providing a pair of impellers with blade members in the payout passage and rotating the impeller to slide the blade members into contact with each other. Is displaced from the first position for closing the medal to the second position for allowing the medal in the payout passage to pass, so that only the medal can be paid out. When a foreign object such as a wire is inserted, the blade member allows the foreign object to enter. Some have been made to block (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-118301 A

  However, in such a conventional pachislot machine, since the blade member is rotated only in the medal payout direction while the blade member is in sliding contact, a foreign object such as a wire is forcibly passed between the blade members. When it did, the blade member bent and allowed the passage of the wire.

  For this reason, there has been a problem that it is not possible to completely prevent an illegal act of causing a wire to enter the hopper device and performing a predetermined operation on the hopper device to pay out a large amount of medals.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problem, and it is possible to completely prevent an illegal act of paying a large amount of medals by preventing foreign objects such as wires from reaching the game medium payout means through the payout passage. It is an object to provide a gaming machine that can be prevented.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is provided in a housing (for example, cabinet 2 etc.), and game medium payout means (for example, hopper 40, hopper drive circuit 41 etc.) for paying out game media (for example, medals etc.), A payout passage having a receiving port (for example, receiving port 113 or the like) for receiving game media paid out from the game medium paying means and a payout port (for example, medal paying port 15 or the like) for paying out game media to the outside of the housing. (E.g., cancel chute 111), a game medium storage means (e.g., tray 16 etc.) that is provided outside the housing and stores game media paid out from the payout port, and the payout passage Opening / closing means (for example, a check valve 114) provided to open and close the payout passage, and biasing means for biasing the open / close means so that the open / close means closes the payout passage. For example, when the coil spring 116 and the opening / closing means collide with an object moving from the payout opening toward the receiving port, the movement of the opening / closing means is restricted so as to maintain the closed state of the opening / closing means. Regulating means (e.g., stopper piece 118), and the biasing means predetermines the opening / closing means so as to open the payout passage when at least one game medium is placed on the opening / closing means. It is comprised from what is energized with the energizing power of.

  With this configuration, when the game medium is placed on the opening / closing means provided in the payout passage, the opening / closing means opens the payout path against the urging force of the urging means, so that the game medium is surely paid out. Can be done.

  Further, when foreign matter such as a wire is inserted into the payout passage through the payout port, the movement of the opening / closing means is restricted by the restriction means so as to maintain the closed state of the opening / closing means in a state where the wire collides with the opening / closing means. Therefore, the movement of the wire is blocked by the opening / closing means, and the wire can be prevented from reaching the game medium payout means. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the game medium payout means from being operated, and it is possible to completely prevent an illegal act of paying out a large amount of medals.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, the opening / closing means is made of a non-metallic material.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing means from being opened by inserting a magnet or the like into the dispensing passage through the dispensing outlet and attracting the opening / closing means, thereby preventing unauthorized actions more reliably. .

  The present invention can provide a gaming machine capable of completely preventing an illegal act of paying a large amount of medals while ensuring that foreign matter such as a wire does not reach the game medium payout means through the payout passage. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 13 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention, and show an embodiment in which the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a so-called “pachislot machine”. The “pachi-slot machine” is a gaming machine that uses a game medium such as a coin, a medal, a game ball, a token, etc., or a game medium such as a card that stores information on a game value assigned to a player. However, the case where medals are used is shown here.

  The cabinet 2 as a casing forming the entire pachislot machine 1 is attached to the casing 28a and the casing 28a by a hinge (not shown) or the like so as to be openable and closable. It is comprised including.

  The casing 28a has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an opening is formed on one surface thereof. The opening can be opened or closed by opening and closing the front door 28b. Similarly to the casing 28a, the front door 28b is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and has an opening on one surface.

  The front door 2b is formed with a panel display portion 2a having a substantially vertical surface, and vertically long display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are provided at the center thereof. The display windows 4L, 4C and 4R are provided with a top line 8b, a center line 8c and a bottom line 8d in the horizontal direction as winning lines, and a cross down line 8a and a cross up line 8e in the diagonal direction.

  These winning lines are operated by operating a 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12, and a maximum BET switch 13, which will be described later, or by inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 22, respectively. Five are activated. Which winning line is activated is displayed by lighting of BET lamps 9a, 9b, 9c, which will be described later.

  Inside the cabinet 2, three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R each having a symbol row constituted by a plurality of types of symbols on each outer peripheral surface are rotatably provided in a horizontal row. The design of each reel can be observed through the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. Each reel rotates at a constant speed (for example, 80 rpm).

  On the left side of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a 1-BET lamp 9a, a 2-BET lamp 9b, a maximum BET lamp 9c, and a credit display unit 19 are provided. The 1-BET lamp 9a, the 2-BET lamp 9b, and the maximum BET lamp 9c are turned on according to the number of medals provided for playing one game (hereinafter referred to as “BET number”).

  Here, one game ends when all reels stop. The 1-BET lamp 9a is lit when the BET number is "1" and one winning line is activated.

  The 2-BET lamp 9b is lit when the BET number is “2” and three pay lines are activated. The maximum BET lamp 9c is lit when the number of BETs is “3” and all (5) winning lines are activated. The credit display unit 19 includes a 7-segment LED, and displays the number of stored medals.

  On the right side of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a WIN lamp (so-called hit display lamp) 17 and a payout display section 18 are provided. The WIN lamp 17 allows a BB or RB to be awarded after a winning combination such as “Big Bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB)” or “Regular Bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB)” can be realized. Lights until established.

  Here, BB and RB are collectively referred to as “bonus” hereinafter. The payout display unit 18 is composed of a 7-segment LED, and displays the payout number of medals at the time of winning.

  A bonus game information display unit 20 is provided on the upper right side of the panel display unit 2a. The bonus game information display unit 20 is composed of 7-segment LEDs, and displays the number of games in the BB general game state, which will be described later.

  Further, a liquid crystal display device 5 is provided on the front surface of the panel display section 2a, and this liquid crystal display device 5 is provided with a rectangular liquid crystal display screen (hereinafter also referred to as a display screen) 5a covering the front surface of the panel display section 2a. Thus, liquid crystal display can be performed on the entire surface of the display screen 5a, and the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal can be displayed in a transparent manner.

  In addition, information related to the game is displayed on the display screen 5 a of the liquid crystal display device 5. A medal slot 22 is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal display device 5, and a 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12, and a maximum BET switch 13 are provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display device 5.

  The 1-BET switch 11 bets one of the credited medals on the game by a single pressing operation, and the 2-BET switch 12 displays the credited medals by a single pressing operation. Two of them are bet on the game, and the maximum BET switch 13 bets the maximum number of medals that can be bet on one game. By operating these BET switches, a predetermined pay line is activated.

  A C / P switch 14 is provided on the left side of the front portion of the pedestal 10 to switch the credit / payout of medals acquired by the player in the game by a push button operation. By switching the C / P switch 14, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 22 are guided to a cancel chute 111, which will be described later, and are stored in a tray 16 as a game medium storage means provided outside the cabinet 2. When a large amount of medals are stored in the tray 16, the player appropriately moves them to a so-called dollar box.

  On the other hand, on the right side of the C / P switch 14, there is a start lever 6 for rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R by the player's operation to start displaying the symbols in the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. It is rotatably attached within a predetermined angle range.

  Speakers 21L and 21R are provided on the left and right above the cabinet 2, and a payout table panel 23 is provided between the two speakers 21L and 21R to display a combination of display symbols and a payout number of medals. ing.

  Three stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R for stopping the rotation of the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are provided at the center of the front surface portion of the pedestal portion 10 and below the liquid crystal display device 5, respectively. Yes.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the stop operation performed when all the reels are rotating is “first stop operation”, and the stop operation performed after “first stop operation” is “second stop operation”. The stop operation performed after the “second stop operation” is referred to as a “third stop operation”.

Further, operating the left stop button 7L as the “first stop operation” is referred to as “forward pressing”. Operating the center stop button 7C as the “first stop operation” is referred to as “middle press”. Operating the right stop button 7R as “first stop operation” is referred to as “reverse pressing”.
In addition, since the pachislot machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with three stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R, there are “six types” of operation sequences. Therefore, the order of these operations is distinguished as follows. The left stop button 7L is abbreviated as “left”, the center stop button 7C as “middle”, and the right stop button 7R as “right”.

  Then, when indicating the stop order, the abbreviations of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are arranged from the left in the order of the stop operation. For example, when the left stop button 7L is operated as the “first stop operation”, the center stop button 7C is operated as the “second stop operation”, and the right stop button 7R is operated as the “third stop operation”, the stop order is changed to “ Left middle right ". The stop order of the embodiment includes “six types” of “left middle right”, “left / right middle”, “middle right / left”, “middle right left”, “right left middle”, and “right middle left”.

  A cross key 25 is provided below the credit display unit 19. When the cross key 25 is operated, the display image displayed on the display screen 5a of the liquid crystal display device 5 is controlled to be displayed.

  FIG. 2 shows a symbol row in which a plurality of types of symbols represented on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are arranged. Each symbol is assigned a code number of “0” to “20”, and is stored in a ROM 32 (see FIG. 3) described later as a data table.

  On each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, a symbol row including symbols of “blue 7”, “red 7”, “bell”, “Replay”, and “cherry” is represented. Each reel 3L, 3C, 3R is rotationally driven such that the symbol row moves downward in FIG.

Here, as the gaming state of the present embodiment, the general gaming state (this state is also expressed as “general gaming”), the BB general gaming state (this state is “BB in operation”) It is divided into three states: an RB gaming state (this state is also expressed as “RB in operation”). In general, the state of being in a general gaming state is expressed as “in general gaming”, the state of being in a general gaming state in BB is expressed as “BB in operation”, and the state of being in an RB gaming state is expressed as “RB in operation”.
The types of winning combinations that may be won internally are determined by a so-called probability lottery table. Generally, a probability lottery table is provided for each gaming state.

  That is, in a game with the same gaming state, the types of combinations that may be won internally are the same. However, the “BB gaming state” includes “BB general gaming state” and “RB gaming state”, and includes states in which the types of roles that may be won internally are different.

  For example, in the general gaming state, when “red 7-red 7-red 7” are arranged along the active line, BB winning is established and no medal is paid out, but the gaming state of the next game is “BB”. "Game state".

  Also, in the “general gaming state” and the “BB general gaming state”, when the combination of symbols arranged along the active line is “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7”, an RB win is established and a medal is established. Is not paid out, but the game state of the next game becomes the “RB game state”.

  The “RB gaming state” is a gaming state in which a predetermined symbol combination “Bell-Bell-Bell” is arranged by betting one medal, and it is easy to hit an object that can obtain eight medals.

  The maximum number of games possible in one “RB gaming state” (this is referred to as “RB game possible number of times”) is 12. Also, in this RB gaming state, the number of times that a prize can be won (this is referred to as the “number of times an RB game can be awarded”) is up to eight. In other words, the “RB gaming state” ends when the number of games reaches 12 times or the number of winnings reaches 8.

  The BB gaming state is ended when the third stop operation is performed in a predetermined game. For example, when the third stop operation is performed in the last game in the third RB gaming state, the BB gaming state ends.

  3 is based on a main control circuit 71 for controlling game processing operations in the pachislot machine 1, peripheral devices (actuators) electrically connected to the main control circuit 71, and control signals transmitted from the main control circuit 71. A circuit configuration including a liquid crystal display device 5 and a sub-control circuit 72 for controlling the speakers 21L, 21R and the like is shown.

  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, and a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 that are storage means.

  Connected to the CPU 31 are a clock pulse generation circuit 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.

  In addition, as a means for random number sampling, you may comprise so that random number sampling may be performed within the microcomputer 30, ie, on the operation program of CPU31. In that case, the random number generator 36 and the sampling circuit 37 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

  In the ROM 32 of the microcomputer 30, a “probability lottery table”, which will be described later, used for determination of random number sampling performed each time the start lever 6 is operated (start operation), the reel stop mode is determined according to the stop button operation. For example, a “stop control table” (not shown) and various control signals (commands, signals) to be transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 are stored.

  The RAM 33 stores various information. For example, the extracted random number value, various flags (for example, BB operating flag, RB operating flag), medal credit number, gaming state information, and the like are stored.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 30 include a hopper 40 for storing medals and paying out a predetermined number of medals according to a command from the hopper drive circuit 41, and reels 3L, 3C, 3R. Stepping motors 49L, 49C, and 49R.

  Further, a motor drive circuit 39 for driving and controlling the stepping motors 49L, 49C and 49R and a hopper drive circuit 41 for driving and controlling the hopper 40 are connected to 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 main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 30 to generate a control signal includes a start switch 6S, a 1-BET switch 11, a 2-BET switch 12, a maximum BET switch 13, There are a C / P switch 14, a inserted medal sensor 22S, a reel stop signal circuit 46, a reel position detection circuit 50, and a payout completion signal circuit 51, which are also connected to the CPU 31.

  The start switch 6S detects the operation of the start button 6 to generate a start switch signal, and transmits this start switch signal to the CPU 31, and constitutes a game start command means. The inserted medal sensor 22 </ b> S detects a medal inserted into the medal slot 22.

  When the inserted medal sensor 22S detects a medal inserted into the medal slot 22, the CPU 31 counts this medal and credits up to 50 medals to the RAM 33. The CPU 31 is credited to the RAM 33. The medals are subtracted by the number corresponding to the operation of the 1-BET switch 11, the 2-BET switch 12, and the maximum BET switch 13, and the winning lines 8a to 8e to be activated are displayed by the BET lamps 9a, 9b, and 9c. It has become.

  The reel stop signal circuit 46 constitutes stop command means for generating a stop signal in response to the operation of each stop button 7L, 7C, 7R. The stop signal generated from the reel stop signal circuit 46 is transmitted to the CPU 31. It has become so.

  The reel position detection circuit 50 receives the 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 51 generates a signal for detecting completion of the medal payout when the count value of the medal detection unit 40S (the number of medals paid out from the hopper 40) reaches the designated number data. It has become.

  The random number generator 36 generates a random number belonging to a certain numerical range, and the sampling circuit 37 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start button 6 is operated.

  The CPU 31 determines an internal winning combination based on a random number sampled based on a start signal output by the start switch 6S and a probability lottery table stored in the ROM 32 in a state where a medal is inserted. Thus, an internal winning combination determining means is configured.

  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 33. 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 50.

  The count value of the drive pulse counted in the RAM 33 is cleared to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the RAM 33 stores a count value corresponding to the rotation position within the range of one rotation for each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  In order to associate the rotational positions of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R with the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reels, they are stored in the ROM 32 shown in FIG. In this symbol table, the code numbers sequentially given for each fixed rotation pitch of each of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R with reference to the rotation position where the reset pulse is generated are provided corresponding to each code number. A symbol code indicating the displayed symbol is associated with the symbol.

  Furthermore, a winning symbol combination table (not shown) is stored in the ROM 32. In the winning symbol combination table, a winning symbol combination, a winning medal payout number, and a winning determination code representing the winning are associated with each other. The winning symbol combination table is referred to when the left reel 3L, the center reel 3C, and the right reel 3R are controlled to stop, and when the winning confirmation is made after all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped.

  Based on the lottery process (probability lottery process) based on the random number sampling, the CPU 31 selects the reel stop signal sent from the reel stop signal circuit 46 at the timing when the player operates the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R, and the selected one. Based on the “stop table”, a signal for controlling the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to stop is sent to the motor drive circuit 39.

  Further, when the winning mode is a winning mode indicating a winning combination, the CPU 31 supplies a payout control signal to the hopper driving circuit 41 and pays out a predetermined number of medals from the hopper 40. At this time, the medal detection unit 40S counts the number of medals to be paid out from the hopper 40, and when the count value reaches a designated number, a medal payout completion signal is input to the CPU 31. As a result, the CPU 31 stops driving the hopper 40 via the hopper drive circuit 41 and ends the “medal payout process”.

  5 to 8 show the internal configuration of the pachi-slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, on the back of the medal payout opening 15 from the medal insertion slot 22, the upper limit of medals and credits determined to be inappropriate by a medal selector (not shown) among the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 22 is exceeded. A cancel chute 111 is provided for guiding the inserted medal to the medal payout opening 15 and guiding the medal paid out by the hopper 40 to the medal payout opening 15.

  Further, on the back side of the cancel chute 111, a hopper 40 is provided which is provided in a storage unit 43 for storing medals and a payout outlet 44 for paying out medals in the storage unit 43. In the present embodiment, the hopper drive circuit 41 and the hopper 40 constitute a game medium payout means.

  Further, the medal discharge port 110 of the storage unit 43 is provided with a medal detection unit 40S that detects medals paid out by the hopper 40 as shown in FIG. 6, and this medal detection unit 40S passes through the medal discharge port 110. A medal paid out from the hopper 40 is detected.

  Here, the medal detection unit 40S is configured by a detection member such as two light sensors of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and light from the light emitting part is blocked by passage or retention of medals paid out from the medal discharge port 110. If detected, a detection signal is output and a signal is transmitted to the payout completion signal circuit 51.

  The payout completion signal circuit 51 generates a medal payout completion signal when the number of medals paid out from the hopper 40 reaches the designated number data based on the detection information from the medal detection unit 40S. The data is sent to the CPU 31 via the port 38.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the cancel chute 111 includes a receiving port (not shown) that receives a medal from the upper medal insertion port 22 and a receiving port 113 that receives the medal from the medal discharge port 110 of the storage unit 43. Yes.

  The cancel chute 111 of the present embodiment constitutes a payout passage, and has a medal receiving port 113 for paying out medals from the medal payout port 15 and a medal payout port 15 as a payout port for paying out medals to the tray 16. Yes.

  7 and 8, a check valve 114 is provided as an opening / closing means for opening and closing the cancel chute 111. The check valve 114 is a rectangular thin sheet. And is made of a non-metallic material such as plastic.

  Since the cancel chute 111 of the present embodiment has a rectangular inner peripheral surface, the check valve 114 is formed in a square shape, but the cancel chute 111 has a circular inner peripheral surface. If so, the check valve 114 is formed on a circle.

  A pair of fitting shafts 114a and 114b are provided at both ends of the check valve 114, and the fitting shafts 114a and 114b are provided on protruding pieces 117a and 117b protruding outward from the cancel chute 111, The fitting members 112a and 112b having fitting holes are slidably fitted. For this reason, the other end portion of the check valve 114 is swingable about the fitting shafts 114a and 114b.

  A coil spring 116 as a biasing means is wound around one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the fitting shaft 114a. One end portion of the coil spring 116 is fixed to the fitting shaft 114a and the other end portion. Presses the protruding piece 117a. For this reason, the check valve 114 is biased by the coil spring 116 so as to close the cancel chute 111.

  The locking pieces 117a and 117b are provided outside the cancel chute 111 as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, and the fitting shafts 114a and 114b protrude outward from the cancel chute 111. Yes. For this reason, only the check valve 114 is installed in the cancel chute 111 so as to close the cancel chute 111.

  The cancel chute 111 is provided with a stopper piece 118 as a restricting means, and this stopper piece 118 is provided on the receiving port 113 side with respect to one end of the check valve 114.

One end portion of the check valve 114 is in contact with the stopper piece 118, and the stopper piece 118 stops when the check valve 114 collides with an object moving from the discharge port 15 toward the receiving port 113. By colliding with the piece 118, the check valve 114 is restricted from moving so that the check chute 114 keeps the cancel chute 111 closed.
In addition, the coil spring 116 closes the check valve 114 in a direction to close the cancel chute 111 so that the check valve 114 opens the cancel chute 111 when one medal is placed on the check valve 114. Energized. The spring constant (predetermined biasing force) of the coil spring 116 is set such that the check valve 114 is opened when one medal is mounted on the check valve 114.

  Therefore, when a medal that is paid out from the medal discharge port 110 and passes through the cancel chute or a medal that passes through the cancel chute 111 from the upper receiving port collides with the check valve 114, the biasing force of the coil spring 116 is resisted. The check valve 114 is opened and the medal is paid out from the medal payout opening 15.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the sub control circuit 72. The sub control circuit 72 performs display control of the liquid crystal display device 5, lighting control of lamps and LEDs, and sound output control from the speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R based on a control signal from the main control circuit 71.

  The sub control circuit 72 is configured on a circuit board different from the circuit board constituting the main control circuit 71, and includes a sound / lamp control circuit 73 and an image control circuit 80.

  The sound / lamp control circuit 73 has a serial port 77 connected to the serial port 81 of the image control circuit 80, and a sound / lamp control circuit 73 that performs a control operation according to a control signal transmitted from the main control circuit 71 via the serial ports 81, 77. A lamp control CPU 74; a program ROM 75 storing a program for controlling the sound / lamp control CPU 74; a work RAM 76 as temporary storage means when the control program described above is executed by the sound / lamp control circuit 73; A power amplifier 79 and a sound source ROM 91 are provided.

  The sound / lamp control CPU 74 controls the lighting of the lamps such as the BET lamps 9a, 9b, 9c and the WIN lamp 17 based on the control signal from the main control circuit 71, the payout display unit 18, the credit display unit 19, and the bonus. Lighting control of LEDs such as the game information display unit 20 is performed.

  Further, the sound / lamp control CPU 74 is adapted to adjust the volume output from the speakers 21L and 21R by being operated by a volume adjustment unit 92 constituted by operation switches.

  On the other hand, the image control circuit 80 includes a serial port 81 for exchanging signals between the main control circuit 71 and the serial port 77, an image control CPU 82, an image control work RAM 83, an image control program ROM 84, a calendar IC 85, An image ROM 86, a video RAM 87, an image control IC 88, and a control RAM 89 are provided.

  The image control CPU 82 includes a computer that controls the entire image control circuit 80, and determines display contents on the liquid crystal display device 5 in accordance with an image control program stored in the image control program ROM 84 based on predetermined parameters.

  The image control program ROM 84 stores an image control program related to display on the liquid crystal display device 5 and various selection tables. The image control work RAM 83 temporarily stores the image control program when the image control CPU 82 executes the image control program. Configured as a means.

  The image control IC 88 forms an image corresponding to the display contents determined by the image control CPU 82 and outputs the image to the liquid crystal display device 5. The control RAM 89 performs various controls when the image control IC 88 forms an image. Parameters are stored.

  The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image, and the video RAM 87 is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control IC 88 forms an image.

  The calendar IC 85 stores time information, and the calendar IC 85 and the image control work RAM 83 are targets for data backup even when the power is turned off.

Next, control processing by the main control circuit 71 of the pachislot machine 1 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10. This flowchart shows a processing procedure executed by the control program stored in the ROM 32 and is executed by the CPU 31.
First, the CPU 31 performs an initialization process at the start of the game (step S1). Specifically, initialization of the storage contents of the RAM 33, initialization of communication data, and the like are performed.

  Next, initialization processing for one game end, that is, information in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 33 at the end of the game is erased (step S2). Specifically, the data in the writable area of the RAM 33 used for the previous game is erased, the parameters necessary for the next game are written in the write area of the RAM 33, the start address of the sequence program of the next game is specified, etc. I do. Next, the CPU 31 performs a bonus operation monitoring process (step S3). Here, when the BB is in operation, the RB is also in operation.

  Next, a medal acceptance / start check process is performed (step S4). Specifically, information for determining whether or not a replay has been established in the previous game based on the replay operating flag, an input from the inserted medal sensor 22S based on the medal insertion into the medal insertion slot 22, and the BET switch 11, In response to inputs from 12 and 13, the insertion number counter set in the RAM 33 is updated. Here, the replay operating flag is information for identifying whether or not replay is established, and the inserted number counter is information for specifying the inserted number in the next game.

  In addition, the effective line is set according to the value of the insertion number counter. For example, if the inserted number counter is “3”, a display combination described later is determined based on a combination of symbols displayed on all the effective lines. Further, based on the operation of the start lever 6 on condition that a medal is inserted (for example, the inserted number counter is “1” or more, or the inserted number counter is the maximum value “3”). The presence of input from the start switch 6S is checked.

  Next, the CPU 31 performs a random value extraction process for internal lottery (step S5). In this random number extraction process, one random number value is extracted from the random number value in the range of “0 to 65535” generated by the random number generator 36 via the sampling circuit 37, and the extracted random number value is stored in the random number value in the RAM 33. Store in the storage area.

  Next, the CPU 31 performs a gaming state monitoring process (step S6). In this gaming state monitoring process, information for identifying the gaming state in the current game is set in the RAM 33 based on the BB operating flag, RB operating flag, or carryover combination information. Next, the CPU 31 performs an internal lottery process (step S7).

  In the internal lottery process, the internal lottery table determination table is referred to, and the number of lotteries and the type of the internal lottery table are determined based on the gaming state acquired in the gaming state monitoring process. For example, when the gaming state is the general gaming state, “5” is determined as the number of lotteries, and the internal lottery table for the general gaming state is determined as the internal lottery table.

  Next, with reference to the internal lottery table for the general gaming state, the current internal winning combination is determined based on the random value acquired by the random value extraction process (the random value stored in the random value storage area of the RAM 33). . Next, if the determined internal winning combination is a bonus, this bonus is set as a carryover combination in the carryover combination storage area of the RAM 33. Further, the logical sum of the current internal winning combination and the carryover combination determined above is determined as the winning combination.

  For example, if “Bell's small combination” is determined as the internal winning combination and “BB” is set as the carryover combination, “Bell's small combination” and “BB” are determined as the winning combinations. In other words, the internal winning combination and the carryover combination are information related to the determination of the display mode of the symbols when the reels are stopped, and are referred to as “winning combination”.

  Next, the CPU 31 transmits a “start command” to the sub control circuit 72 (step S8). The “start command” includes an internal winning combination, gaming state information, and the like.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, “4.1 seconds”) has elapsed since the start of the previous game (step S9). When this determination result is “YES”, a timer setting process ( The process proceeds to step S11), and if “NO”, the process proceeds to a waiting time digestion process (step S10).

  In the waiting time digestion process (step S10), the game start waiting time is digested (wait) without performing the subsequent processes until the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous game started. Specifically, a process of invalidating the input based on the player's operation to start the game is performed until “4.1 seconds” have elapsed since the previous game started.

  Next, in the game monitoring timer setting process (step S11), the game monitoring timer is set. Specifically, an intergame monitoring timer and an automatic stop timer are set. The inter-game monitoring timer is a timer for measuring the time from the start of the game in order to secure the time between the games. The automatic stop timer is used for the player's stop buttons 7L, 7C, 7R. This is a timer for automatically stopping the reels 3L, 3C, 3R without depending on the stop operation.

  Subsequently, the CPU 31 requests the motor drive circuit 39 to start rotation of all reels (reels 3L, 3C, 3R) (step S12), and the motor drive circuit 39 sets all the reels (reels 3L, 3C, 3R). ).

  Next, a reel stop control process is performed (step S13). Specifically, when any one of the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R is operated, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R corresponding to the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R that have been stopped are stopped based on the stop table. . At this time, a “reel stop command” is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 72. The “reel stop command” includes stop reel, stop position information, and the like. Details of the reel stop control process will also be described later.

  When all the stop buttons 7L, 7C, and 7R are operated and all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are stopped, the display combination and the number of payouts are determined based on the symbol combination table (step S14). In this process, the display combination (the combination in which the winning combination is established) is identified on the basis of the pattern stop mode of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, and the display combination flag is set. Specifically, the display combination and the payout number are identified based on the code number of the symbols arranged along the active line, the symbol combination table, and the number of inserted symbols.

  Next, a display combination command is transmitted to the sub control circuit 72 (step S15). The “display combination command” includes information on a display combination flag for specifying a display combination, information on the number of payouts, and the like.

  Next, a medal payout process is performed (step S16). In this medal payout process, in the credit mode, the credit counter set in the RAM 33 is updated based on the payout number information. The value of the credit counter of the credit display unit 19 is displayed based on the update of the credit counter.

  In the payout mode, the hopper 40 is driven and controlled by the hopper drive circuit 41 to pay out medals based on the payout number information. Further, if the display combination is replay, the CPU 31 turns on the replay operating flag. Further, the CPU 31 updates the number of acquired medals. Thereafter, the CPU 31 transmits a payout end command to the sub control circuit 72. This payout end command includes information indicating that the payout of medals has been completed.

  Next, the CPU 31 updates the value of the bonus end number counter based on the payout number (step S17). Here, if the value of the bonus end number counter is “1” or more, the value of the counter is subtracted according to the number of medals paid out.

  Next, the CPU 31 refers to a predetermined storage area of the RAM 33 to check the BB operating flag and the RB operating flag (step S18), and if the BB operating flag or the RB operating flag is “ON”. Then, a bonus end check process is performed (step S19).

If both the BB operating flag and the RB operating flag are “off” (determined in step S18), the bonus operation check process is performed (step S20) when the bonus end check process (step S19) ends.
When the bonus operation check process (step S20) ends, the process returns to the one-game end initialization process (step S2 in FIG. 9).

  Next, processing performed in the sub control circuit 72 will be described. In the sub control circuit 72, processing is performed by the image control CPU 82 in accordance with a control program stored in the image control program ROM 84. When the power is turned on, the image control CPU 82 generates a reset interrupt, and sequentially performs reset interrupt processing stored in the image control program ROM 84 based on the generation of the interrupt.

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the reset interrupt process performed in the sub-control circuit 72 and will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, in the reset interrupt process performed in the sub-control circuit 72, first, the image control work RAM 83, the control RAM 89, the video RAM 87, etc. are initialized (step S31).

  Next, the image control CPU 82 performs input monitoring processing (step S32). In this input monitoring processing, processing for monitoring whether or not a signal is input to the image control circuit 80 is performed. For example, the image control CPU 82 determines presentation data (such as a menu screen) corresponding to the input of the operation unit if there is an input of the operation unit (not shown) except during the game (except during the rotation of the reel 3). To do.

  Next, the image control CPU 82 performs a command input process described later (step S33). In the command input process, the liquid crystal display device 5, LED (payout display unit 18, credit display unit 19, bonus game information display unit 20), lamp (BET lamps 9 a to 9 c, WIN lamp 17) according to each input command. The contents of the effect (that is, effect data) to be executed by the speakers 21L, 21R, etc. are determined.

  Next, the image control CPU 82 performs image drawing processing (step S34). In this image drawing process, a rendering image to be displayed is rendered based on the determined rendering data. Thereby, the image according to the determined effect data can be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 5.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the VDP counter is “2” (step S35). The VDP counter is updated by a periodic signal reception process from the image control IC 88. This interrupt process is performed due to reception of a signal output from the image control IC 88 at a 1/60 sec cycle.

  That is, the value of the VDP counter is updated to “2” at a period of 1/30 sec. When determining that the value of the VDP counter is not “2”, the image control CPU 82 waits for the VDP counter to be updated to “2”.

  When determining that the value of the VDP counter is “2” in step S306, the image control CPU 82 sets “0” to the value of the VDP counter (step S36).

  Next, the image control CPU 82 transmits a bank switching command to the image control IC 88, performs a bank switching process, and exchanges the display image data area and the writing image data area (step S37). By this processing, it is possible to display the data that has been drawn, and to draw in the data area that has been displayed so far during the data display. If the data area can be replaced, the process returns to the input monitoring process and the above processes (steps S32 to S37) are repeated.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined number of medals are paid out from the hopper 40 according to a command from the hopper driving circuit 41, medals discharged from the medal discharge port 110 of the storage unit 43 are paid out to the cancel chute 111 through the receiving port 113.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the medal 119 collides with the check valve 114, and the check valve 114 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow A against the urging force of the coil spring 116 by the dead weight of the medal 119. The cancel chute 111 is released. Therefore, the medal 119 is discharged from the medal payout opening 15 to the tray 16.

  Further, when a foreign object such as a wire is inserted into the cancel chute 111 through the medal payout port 15 for the purpose of performing an illegal act, the wire 120 collides with the lower surface of the check valve 114 as shown in FIG. .

  At this time, even when the end of the check valve 114 collides with the stopper piece 118 and the check valve 114 is pushed up by the wire 120, the check valve 114 is maintained so that the check valve 114 is kept closed. Movement is restricted. For this reason, the movement of the wire 120 is blocked by the check valve 114, and the wire 120 can be prevented from reaching the hopper 40. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the hopper drive circuit 41 from being operated, and it is possible to completely prevent an illegal act of paying out a large amount of medals.

  In addition, as a method of paying out medals by operating the hopper 40 illegally, there is a method in which the wire 120 remains inserted in the medal detection unit 40S. The payout completion signal circuit 51 is configured to count medals by detecting a signal generated intermittently from the medal detection unit 40S.

  Specifically, when the medal detection unit 40S is turned “ON”, the payout completion signal circuit 51 determines that the medal is discharged, and when the medal detection unit 40S is turned “ON” to “OFF”, the medal is changed. If it is determined that the token is not discharged and the medal detection unit 40S is turned on again from this state, it is determined that the next token is discharged.

  The CPU 31 drives the hopper driving circuit 41 so as to pay out a predetermined number of medals from the hopper 40, while the medal completion signal circuit 51 detects medals by detecting the on signal and the off signal of the signal generated from the medal detection unit 40S. When the count value reaches the payout number, a payout completion signal is transmitted to the CPU 31 and the CPU 31 stops driving the hopper drive circuit 39, so that the medal detection unit 40S is turned on. If there is, the medal completion signal circuit 51 always determines that one medal is detected, and does not transmit a medal completion signal to the CPU 31.

  For this reason, the main CPU 31 drives the hopper drive circuit 41 and continues to discharge medals from the hopper 40, so that an unauthorized player can illegally acquire many medals.

  In the present embodiment, a check valve 114 is provided in the cancel chute 111, and when a foreign substance such as a wire is inserted into the cancel chute 111 through the medal payout opening 15, the check valve 114 is caused to collide with the stopper piece 118. Thus, since the cancel chute 111 is maintained in the closed state by the check valve 114, the wire can be prevented from reaching the hopper 40. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the hopper drive circuit 41 from being operated, and it is possible to completely prevent an illegal act of paying out a large amount of medals.

  In addition, when the medal is discharged from the hopper 40, the medal collides with the check valve 114, and the check valve 114 opens the cancel chute 111 against the urging force of the coil spring 116. The payout can be performed reliably.

  In this embodiment, since the check valve 114 is made of a non-metallic material such as plastic, by inserting a magnet or the like into the cancel chute 111 through the medal payout opening 15, the check valve 114 is attracted and opened. It is possible to prevent the fraudulent behavior, and it is possible to more reliably prevent fraud.

  In this embodiment, the coil spring 116 is used as the biasing means, but a leaf spring or the like may be used. In short, anything may be used as long as the check valve 114 can urge the check valve 111 so as to close the cancel chute 111. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is applied to the pachislot machine 1, but may be applied to a pachinko gaming machine.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pachislot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the arrangement | sequence of the pattern of the pachislot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the main control circuit of the pachislot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit of the pachi-slot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the internal structure of the pachi-slot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing of the cancel chute of the pachi-slot machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which shows a part of check valve of the pachi-slot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, and a cancellation sheet | seat 1 is an exploded view showing a part of a check valve, a coil spring and a cancel chute of a pachislot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process of the main control circuit of the pachislot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process following FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process of the sub control circuit of the pachislot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows operation | movement of the non-return valve at the time of paying out the medal of the pachislot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the operation | movement of a non-return valve when inserting a wire from the cancellation chute of the pachislot machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachislot machine (game machine)
2 Cabinet (housing)
15 Medal payout exit (payout exit)
16 Saucer (game medium storage means)
40 Hopper (game media payout means)
41 Hopper drive circuit (game media payout means)
111 Cancellation chute (dispensing passage)
113 Receiving port 114 Check valve (opening / closing means)
116 Coil spring (biasing means)
118 Stopper piece (regulation means)

Claims (2)

A game medium payout means provided in the housing for paying out the game medium;
A payout passage having a receiving port for receiving a game medium paid out from the game medium payout means and a payout outlet for paying out the game medium to the outside of the housing;
A game medium storage means provided outside the housing and storing a game medium paid out from the payout outlet;
An opening / closing means provided in the payout passage for opening and closing the payout passage;
An urging means for urging the opening / closing means so that the opening / closing means closes the dispensing passage;
A restriction means for restricting movement of the opening / closing means so as to maintain a closed state of the opening / closing means when the opening / closing means collides with an object moving in the receiving direction from the payout opening;
The biasing means biases the opening / closing means with a predetermined biasing force so as to open the payout passage when at least one game medium is placed on the opening / closing means. . The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is made of a non-metallic material.

Images