JP2008110253A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine capable of effectively restraining a fraudulent act using a fraudulent device equipped with a light emitting element to make an introduction of a token erroneously sensed. <P>SOLUTION: Inserting the fraudulent device from a token introducing opening 4 requires the insertion in a state that the light emitting element emits light so that the insertion of the fraudulent device is not sensed by first to third sensors 31a-c. Controlling the emission/non emission of a light emitting parts of the sensors 31a-c is determined as abnormality when light receiving parts of the sensors 31a-c in a state non-emitting the light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine capable of generating a predetermined winning according to a display result of a variable display device capable of changing a display state, and more particularly to a slot machine that plays a game based on insertion of medals from the outside. .

  In this type of slot machine, medals inserted from the outside are detected by a sensor, and the number of bets is set based on the number of detected medals, or stored as credits for setting the number of bets. For example, since an illegal act of pulling a game medium once inserted from the outside and reusing it, such as so-called reversal may be performed, a plurality of sensors for detecting these inserted medals are provided along the flow direction of medals. There has been proposed an arrangement in which a medal flow direction can be detected based on the order of detection by the plurality of sensors (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In addition, as a sensor for detecting a medal, a light emitting / receiving sensor is generally used, and the passage of the medal is detected by detecting blocking of light from the light projecting unit. Since a special instrument with a light blocking part is inserted and the light of the light projecting part is blocked by the blocking part, there is a case where an illegal act of erroneously detecting the sensor is performed. When the projecting piece that can be moved in and out is urged in the projecting direction and a pressing detection unit that detects a state in which the projecting piece is pressed is provided, and the pressing detection unit is detected for longer than a predetermined time. Some have been proposed to detect abnormalities (for example, see Patent Documents 3 and 4).

JP 7-59901 A (page 2-3, FIG. 1) JP 2000-325549 A (first page, FIG. 11) JP-A-8-24434 (page 4-5, FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-65951 (page 4-5, FIG. 5)

  Recently, a fraudulent instrument mounted with a light emitting element such as an LED is inserted from a medal slot, and the light emitting element is disposed between the light projecting part and the light receiving part so that the light emitting element part faces the light receiving part of the sensor. By flashing, creating a light block from the light projecting unit when the medal passes, and fraudulent behavior that erroneously detects the insertion of the medal even though the medal is not inserted becomes a problem Yes.

  In this type of fraud, even if a plurality of sensors are provided and the flow direction of medals is monitored as in the slot machines described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the same light emission pattern as that during normal medal detection is created. As a result, it is impossible to determine whether the sensor is detected by a regular medal or by an unauthorized device, and thus it is not possible to prevent such an unauthorized act.

  Further, in the slot machines described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 described above, the pressing state of the protruding piece is detected, and the insertion of the unauthorized device is monitored by the length of the detection time of the pressing state. In the case of a clogged medal, the protruding piece may continue to be pressed in the same manner as when an unauthorized device is inserted, and the clogged medal may be resolved by operating the return button, etc. Even if an abnormality is detected for a predetermined time or longer, it is difficult to distinguish whether the cause is due to the use of illegal equipment or due to clogged medals. Could not be deterred.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and a slot machine capable of effectively suppressing an illegal act of erroneously detecting insertion of a medal using an illegal instrument equipped with a light emitting element. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the slot machine according to claim 1 of the present invention allows a game to be started and a display state to be changed by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game. A slot machine in which a display result of a variable display device capable of being displayed is derived and displayed, and one game is completed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
A take-in route for taking in medals inserted from the medal slot for use in setting the bet number;
A medal that flows through the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting part to the light-receiving part, having a light projecting part and a light receiving part that are arranged at positions facing each other across the take-in path. Inserted medal detection means for detecting;
Medal number storage means for storing the number of medals usable for setting the bet number;
Medal number adding means for adding the number of medals stored in the medal number storage means on the condition that the inserted medal detection means has detected a medal;
A light receiving portion disposed upstream of the placement position of the inserted medal detection means in the take-in path and in the same direction as the light receiving portion of the inserted medal detection means; Light emission detection means for detecting light of the same quality as the light of the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detection means;
An abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when the light receiving part of the light emission detecting means receives light;
When the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality, an abnormality control means that controls the fact so that it can be specified;
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal slot, it is necessary to insert the light emitting element in a light-emitting state so that the insertion medal detection means does not detect the insertion of the unauthorized instrument. When the light receiving unit of the light emission detecting unit disposed upstream of the medal detection unit and in the same direction as the light receiving unit of the inserted medal detecting unit receives light emitted from the light emitting element of the illegal instrument Judge as abnormal. Since this abnormality cannot be a clogged medal, it is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of an unauthorized device, and that fact is controlled to be identifiable, so that an unauthorized operation due to the insertion of an unauthorized device can be reliably monitored. It is possible to effectively deter fraud using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element.
In the above description, the light emission detection means is arranged upstream of the placement position of the inserted medal detection means. For example, when the inserted medal detection means is composed of a plurality of detection means, Any structure may be used as long as the light emission detection means is arranged upstream of the detection means arranged on the most downstream side of the detection means constituting the detection means.
The light having the same quality as the light from the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detecting means is light that can be detected by the light receiving unit of the inserted medal detecting means.

In the slot machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display of the variable display device capable of changing the display state A slot machine in which one game is finished by displaying a result and a winning can be generated according to a display result of the variable display device,
A take-in route for taking in medals inserted from the medal slot for use in setting the bet number;
A medal that flows through the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting part to the light-receiving part, having a light projecting part and a light receiving part that are arranged at positions facing each other across the take-in path. Inserted medal detection means for detecting;
Medal number storage means for storing the number of medals usable for setting the bet number;
Medal number adding means for adding the number of medals stored in the medal number storage means on the condition that the inserted medal detection means has detected a medal;
At the upstream side of the placement position of the inserted medal detection means in the take-in path, the direction opposite to the light projecting part and the light receiving part of the inserted medal detection means is at a position opposite to the take-in path. The light projecting unit emits light of the same quality as the light of the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detecting unit, and the light receiving unit projects the light of the inserted medal detecting unit. Light emission detection means for detecting light of the same quality as the light of the light section;
Light projection control means for controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light projecting section of the light emission detection means,
An abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality occurs when the light receiving unit of the light emission detecting unit receives light in a state where the light projecting control unit controls the light projecting unit of the light emission detecting unit to emit no light;
When the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality, an abnormality control means that controls the fact so that it can be specified;
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal insertion slot, the inserted light emitting element is inserted so that the inserted medal detection means does not detect the insertion of the unauthorized instrument, and after the insertion, the unauthorized instrument is inserted. It is necessary to make the light emitting element always emit light except when creating the same situation as the passage of medals so that the state where the token is inserted is not detected, but it is arranged upstream of the arrangement position of the inserted medal detection means. When the corresponding light receiving unit receives light while the light projecting unit of the light emission detecting unit is controlled to emit no light, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Since this abnormality is an abnormality that cannot be a clogged medal, when the light projecting unit of the light emission detecting unit is controlled to be non-light emitting, the corresponding light receiving unit receives the light emitted from the light emitting element of the unauthorized device, thereby causing the unauthorized device. It is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of the device, and the fact is controlled to be able to be specified, so that the unauthorized operation using the light emitting element can be effectively monitored. Can be deterred.
In the above description, the light emission detection means is arranged upstream of the placement position of the inserted medal detection means. For example, when the inserted medal detection means is composed of a plurality of detection means, Any structure may be used as long as the light emission detection means is arranged upstream of the detection means arranged on the most downstream side of the detection means constituting the detection means.
The light having the same quality as the light from the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detecting means is light that can be detected by the light receiving unit of the inserted medal detecting means.

A slot machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the slot machine according to claim 2,
The light projection control unit controls light emission and non-light emission of a light projecting unit of the light emission detection unit regardless of a detection state of the inserted medal detection unit.
According to this feature, since it becomes impossible to specify the light emission and non-light emission states of the light projecting unit of the light emission detection means from the detection state of the inserted medal detection means, it is possible to more reliably monitor fraud due to the insertion of an unauthorized instrument. be able to.
Further, it is preferable that the light projection control unit randomly controls the timing and time of light emission or non-light emission of the light projecting unit of the light emission detection unit, thereby making it difficult to synchronize the light emission pattern of the light emitting element of the unauthorized device. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably monitor fraud due to the insertion of a fraudulent instrument.

A slot machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is the slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Comprising a flow path switching means for switching a medal flowing down the take-in path to a return path for returning to the player upstream of the placement position of the inserted medal detection means,
The light emission detection means is arranged downstream of the flow path switching means together with the inserted medal detection means.
According to this feature, since the placement positions of the inserted medal detection means and the light emission detection means are close, it is difficult to insert an unauthorized instrument without being detected by either the inserted medal detection means or the light emission detection means. It is possible to more reliably monitor fraud due to the insertion of an instrument.

A slot machine according to claim 5 of the present invention is the slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The inserted medal detection means includes a plurality of sets of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit disposed along the take-in path,
The medal number adding means adds the medal numbers stored in the medal number storing means on condition that the plurality of sets of light projecting units and light receiving units detect medals in a predetermined order. And
According to this feature, if the flow direction of the medal is not a normal direction, it is not considered that the medal is inserted, so that it is possible to prevent injustice such as reversal of the medal, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit constituting the inserted medal detection means Since the detection pattern of medals is complicated and it becomes difficult to create the same situation as the passage of medals by a light emitting element mounted on an unauthorized device, it is possible to effectively prevent the unauthorized operation by the unauthorized device.

In the slot machine according to claim 6 of the present invention, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display of the variable display device capable of changing the display state A slot machine in which one game is finished by displaying a result and a winning can be generated according to a display result of the variable display device,
A take-in route for taking in medals inserted from the medal slot for use in setting the bet number;
A plurality of sets of light projecting / receiving type detectors having a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion disposed at positions facing each other across the take-in path;
The inserted medal detecting means for detecting the medal flowing down the take-in path by detecting the blocking of light from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit receiving light when the light projecting unit is changed to the non-light emitting state. A selecting means for selecting a light emission detecting means for detecting a state from the plurality of sets of light emitting / receiving type detecting means;
Medal number storage means for storing the number of medals usable for setting the bet number;
Medal number adding means for adding the number of medals stored in the medal number storage means, on condition that the light emitting / receiving type detecting means selected as the inserted medal detecting means has detected a medal;
A light projection control means for controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light projecting portion of the light projection / reception type detection means selected as the light emission detection means;
It is determined that there is an abnormality when the light receiving unit of the light projecting / receiving type detecting unit receives light while the light projecting control unit controls the light projecting unit of the light projecting / receiving type detecting unit selected as the light emission detecting unit to emit no light. An abnormality determination means to perform,
When the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality, an abnormality control means that controls the fact so that it can be specified;
It is characterized by providing.
According to this feature, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal insertion slot, the inserted light emitting element is inserted so that the inserted medal detection means does not detect the insertion of the unauthorized instrument, and after the insertion, the unauthorized instrument is inserted. It is necessary to make the light emitting element emit light at all times except when creating the same situation as the passing of a medal so that the state where the token is inserted is not detected. When the corresponding light receiving unit receives light in a state where the light projecting unit of the selected light emitting / receiving type detection means is controlled to emit no light, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Since this abnormality cannot be a medal clogging, the light receiving unit corresponding to the light emitting element of the fraudulent instrument when the light projecting unit of the light projecting / receiving type detecting unit selected as the light emitting detecting unit is controlled to emit no light. It is determined as an abnormality caused by the insertion of an unauthorized device by receiving the emitted light, and the fact is controlled to be able to be specified so that the unauthorized operation due to the insertion of the unauthorized device can be reliably monitored. It is possible to effectively deter fraudulent acts using. In addition, since the light projecting / receiving type detecting means functioning as the light emission detecting means is indefinite and it becomes difficult to insert without detecting the unauthorized device, it is possible to more effectively suppress the unauthorized operation by the unauthorized device.

A slot machine according to claim 7 of the present invention is the slot machine according to claim 6,
The light projecting control means continuously controls the light projecting portion of the light projecting / receiving type detecting means selected as the light emitting detecting means until the light emitting / receiving type detecting means is not selected as the light emitting detecting means. It is characterized by doing.
According to this feature, since the insertion / reception type detection unit selected as the light emission detection unit constantly monitors the insertion of the unauthorized device, it becomes more difficult to insert the unauthorized device without detecting the unauthorized device. It is possible to more effectively prevent fraud caused by appliances.
In the above, the light projecting control unit continues the light projecting unit of the light projecting / receiving type detecting unit selected as the light emitting detecting unit until the light projecting / receiving type detecting unit is not selected as the light emitting detecting unit. Although it is configured to control to a non-light emitting state, the light projecting control means randomly controls the timing and time of light emission or non-light emission of the light projecting part of the light projecting / receiving type detecting means selected as the light emission detecting means. As a result, it becomes difficult to synchronize the light emission patterns of the light emitting elements of the fraudulent instrument, so that fraud due to the insertion of the fraudulent instrument can be more reliably monitored.

A slot machine according to claim 8 of the present invention is the slot machine according to claim 6 or 7,
Three or more of the light emitting / receiving type detection means are arranged along the take-in path,
The selecting means selects two or more light emitting / receiving type detecting means arranged along the take-in path as the inserted medal detecting means,
The medal number adding means adds the number of medals stored in the medal number storage means on condition that the light emitting / receiving type detecting means selected as the inserted medal detecting means detects medals in a predetermined order. It is characterized by doing.
According to this feature, if the direction of the medal flow is not the normal direction, it is not considered that the medal has been inserted, so that it is possible to prevent injustice such as reverse reversal of the medal, and the light emitting / receiving type detection means selected as the inserted medal detection means Since the detection pattern of medals by the light projecting part and the light receiving part that compose the light is complicated and it becomes difficult to create the same situation as the passing of medals by the light emitting element mounted on the illegal instrument, fraud by the illegal instrument is more effective. Can be deterred.

In the slot machine according to claim 9 of the present invention, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display of the variable display device capable of changing the display state A slot machine in which one game is finished by displaying a result and a winning can be generated according to a display result of the variable display device,
A take-in route for taking in medals inserted from the medal slot for use in setting the bet number;
A medal that flows through the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting part to the light-receiving part, having a light projecting part and a light receiving part that are arranged at positions facing each other across the take-in path. Inserted medal detection means for detecting;
Medal number storage means for storing the number of medals usable for setting the bet number;
Medal number adding means for adding the number of medals stored in the medal number storage means on the condition that the inserted medal detection means has detected a medal;
A light projection control means for controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light projection unit of the inserted medal detection means;
An abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when the light receiving unit of the inserted medal detecting means receives light in a state where the light projecting control means controls the light emitting part of the inserted medal detecting means to emit no light;
When the abnormality determining means determines that there is an abnormality, an abnormality control means that controls the fact so that it can be specified;
It is characterized by providing.
According to this feature, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal insertion slot, the inserted light emitting element is inserted so that the inserted medal detection means does not detect the insertion of the unauthorized instrument, and after the insertion, the unauthorized instrument is inserted. It is necessary to make the light emitting element always emit light except when creating the same situation as the passing of a medal so that the state where the token is inserted is not detected. When the corresponding light receiving unit receives light in a state where the light is on, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Since this abnormality cannot be a medal clogging, when the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detection means is controlled to emit no light, the corresponding light receiving unit receives the light emitted from the light emitting element of the unauthorized device, thereby causing the unauthorized device. It is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of the device, and the fact is controlled to be able to be specified, so that the unauthorized operation using the light emitting element can be effectively monitored. Can be deterred.
Further, it is preferable that the light projection control means randomly controls the timing and time of light emission or non-light emission of the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detection means, thereby synchronizing the light emission pattern of the light emitting element of the unauthorized instrument. Since it becomes difficult, fraud due to insertion of fraudulent instruments can be more reliably monitored.

A slot machine according to claim 10 of the present invention is the slot machine according to claim 9,
The inserted medal detection means includes a plurality of sets of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit disposed along the take-in path,
The light projecting control means controls the other light projecting units to the non-light emitting state on the condition that the corresponding light receiving unit receives the light projecting from the light projecting unit disposed on the most upstream side, and When the light receiving unit corresponding to blocking of the light projection of the light projecting unit disposed on the upstream side detects the other light projecting unit, the other light projecting units are controlled to emit light.
According to this feature, it is possible to prevent a normally inserted medal from being detected not being detected in a state where the light emitting unit of the inserted medal detecting means is controlled to be in a non-light emitting state.

A slot machine according to claim 11 of the present invention is the slot machine according to claim 5, 8 or 10,
The direction of at least one set of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit constituting the inserted medal detection unit, or the direction of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of at least one of the light projecting / receiving type detection units is determined by the insertion medal detection unit. It is characterized by being arranged opposite to the direction of the light projecting part and the light receiving part of another set constituting or the direction of the light projecting part and the light receiving part of the other light projecting / receiving type detection means.
According to this feature, in the case of misdetecting the insertion of a medal using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element, the light emitting element must be mounted on both sides of the fraudulent instrument, which increases the thickness of the instrument and Is difficult to insert from the insertion slot of the medal to the position of the inserted medal detection means, so that it is possible to effectively prevent fraud using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element.
In this case, it is preferable that at least a part of the path width from the medal slot of the take-in path to the inserted medal detecting means or the light emitting / receiving type detecting means is slightly wider than the thickness of the medal. In this way, since it is almost impossible to dispose an unauthorized instrument larger than the thickness of the medal between the light projecting part and the light receiving part without hindering the flow of the medal, the unauthorized instrument equipped with the light emitting element. It is possible to more effectively deter fraudulent acts using. In addition, what is formed in the width | variety slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal should just be formed in the width | variety slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal. Further, the same effect can be obtained even when the distance between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the inserted medal detecting means or the light projecting / receiving type detecting means is slightly wider than the thickness of the medal.
The predetermined number of bets described above is at least one bet number, and a game can be started by setting a bet number of two or more or setting a maximum bet number. May be.
In addition, when the abnormality control unit determines that the abnormality determination unit determines that there is an abnormality due to the insertion of an unauthorized device, the abnormality determination unit may be able to specify that fact. And control to output a signal indicating that the abnormality determination means has determined abnormality to a peripheral device such as a call lamp or a hall computer. Furthermore, the abnormal time control means preferably disables the progress of the game in addition to these controls, thereby preventing the game from progressing in a state where the abnormality is determined.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  Embodiment 1 of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a reel 2L having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer periphery, 2C and 2R (hereinafter also referred to as a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel) are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction, and three consecutive symbols among the symbols arranged on these reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are the slot machine 1 It is arrange | positioned so that it can see from the see-through | perspective window 3 provided in the front surface of.

  The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated by reel motors 34L, 34C, and 34R (see FIG. 2) provided correspondingly, so that the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are continuous with the see-through window 3. In addition to the display being changed, the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is stopped, and three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 3 as display results.

  Further, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a progress status during the bonus, a game auxiliary display 10 that displays an error code indicating the contents when an error occurs, and the number of medals awarded by the occurrence of a prize are displayed. A payout display 11, a credit display 12 that displays the number of medals stored as credit (medal stored internally as a value owned by the player), a medal slot 4 through which a medal can be inserted, and a credit 1 BET switch 5 and MAXBET switch 6 that are operated when setting the number of bets, the start switch 7 that is operated when starting the game, and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. Stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are provided.

  In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, an intake-side flow path 302 (see FIG. 3A) for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 to a hopper tank (not shown) or a medal payout hole. A medal selector 300 (see FIG. 3) that distributes to any one of the discharge side flow paths 303 (see FIG. 3 (a)) leading to 9 (see FIG. 1) is provided. Unauthorized medals with different diameters and thicknesses are sorted by the medal selector 300 and returned from the medal payout holes 9.

  In addition, the medal selector 300 is provided with a flow path switching solenoid 36 (see FIG. 2) for selectively switching the flow path of the flowing medal to either the intake side flow path 302 or the discharge side flow path 303. It has been. In the normal state, the flow path switching solenoid 36 is energized, and medals flowing down in this state flow down the intake side flow path 302 to be described later in first to third input sensors 31a to 31c (FIGS. 2 and 3A). )) And then stored in the hopper tank. When the medal cannot be inserted, the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid 36 is released, the flow path is switched to the discharge side flow path 303 and returned from the medal payout hole 9.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 or a bet number is set using credits. To use credits, the MAX BET switch 6 or the single BET switch 5 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets are set, the winning lines L1, L2, L2 ′, L3, and L3 ′ (see FIG. 1) are enabled according to the set bets, and the operation of the start switch 7 is enabled That is, the game can be started. The predetermined number of bets may be at least one bet number.

  When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously vary. If any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed.

  Then, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, one game is finished, and is determined in advance on any of the pay lines L1, L2, L2 ′, L3, L3 ′ activated according to the number of bets. When the given symbol combination stops as a display result of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, a winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player and added to the credit Is done. When the credit reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid out directly from the medal payout hole 9 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40 and an effect control board 90. The game state is mainly controlled by the game control board 40, and the effect control board 90 responds to the game state. The production is controlled.

  The game control board 40 is connected with the one-BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R described above, and a payout sensor that detects a medal paid out from the medal payout hole 9. 33, a reel sensor 35 for detecting the reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c, first to third passage sensors 309a to c, and a light emission detection sensor 39 to be described later are connected. The detection signals of these connected switches and sensors are input.

  The game control board 40 is connected to the reel motors 34L, 34C, 34R described above, and the hopper motor 32 for paying out the medals stored in the hopper tank from the medal payout hole 9, as described above. A flow path switching solenoid 36, a game auxiliary indicator 10, a payout indicator 11, and a credit indicator 12 are connected, and these electrical components are based on the control of a main control unit 41 (described later) mounted on the game control board 40. To be driven.

  The game control board 40 includes a CPU that performs calculations according to a predetermined procedure, a ROM that stores CPU control programs and various data tables, a main control unit 41 that includes a RAM that writes and reads necessary data, and a game control board. 40, a switch circuit 42 to which a detection signal input from the sensor is input, a motor circuit 43 for controlling the driving of the reel motors 34L, 34C, and 34R, and a display driving for controlling various displays and LEDs. The main controller 41 receives detection signals from switches and sensors connected to the game control board 40, and performs various controls according to the progress of the game.

  Further, the main control unit 41 performs a process of setting the bet number in response to the insertion of medals detected by the first to third insertion sensors. Further, when the insertion of a medal is further detected in the state where the maximum bet number (3 in this embodiment) is set, a process of adding to the credit is performed. If the credit reaches the upper limit, no more medals can be inserted.

  The effect control board 90 is connected with a liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1) disposed on the front surface of the slot machine 1, an effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, and a reel lamp 55. It is driven on the basis of control by a later-described sub-control unit 91 mounted on the control board 90.

  The effect control board 90 includes a sub-control unit 91 having the same CPU, ROM, and RAM as the main control unit 41, a liquid crystal drive circuit 92 that controls the driving of the liquid crystal display 51 connected to the effect control board 90, and an effect. A lamp drive circuit 93 that performs drive control of the LED 52, a sound output circuit 94 that performs sound output control from the speakers 53 and 54, and the like are mounted, and the sub-control unit 91 is a main control mounted on the game control board 40. In response to a command transmitted from the unit 41, various controls are performed to produce an effect.

  3A and 4A are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the medal selector 300 provided in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 4B are CC cross-sectional views of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the medal selector 300 has an insertion channel 301 through which medals inserted from the medal insertion port 4 flow down, and a take-in side for guiding the medals flowing down the insertion channel 301 to the hopper tank. A flow path 302 is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, below the input flow path 301, there are a flow path switching plate 304 that swings around the shaft 304 a by the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid 36 and the input flow path 301. A discharge-side channel 303 is provided for guiding the medals dropped from the medals to the medal payout holes 9.

  When the flow path switching solenoid 36 is not excited, the flow path switching plate 304 has its upper end 304b housed in a recess 305 provided in the medal selector body as shown in FIGS. Since the charging flow path 301 and the discharge side flow path 303 are in communication with each other, the medal flowing down the input flow path 301 falls into the discharge side flow path 303 and is discharged from the medal payout hole 9. Is done. 4A and 4B, the flow path switching plate 304 has a shaft 304a as a fulcrum at the top of the flow path switching plate 304, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. By swinging in the direction (arrow direction), the upper end portion 304 b of the flow path switching plate 304 protrudes from the recess 305, so that the medal flowing down the input flow path 301 is the upper end portion 304 b of the flow path switching plate 304. Along the intake side flow path 302 and guided to the hopper tank.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the intake side flow path 302 includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit disposed at positions opposed to each other with the intake side flow path 302 interposed therebetween. First to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c that detect medals flowing down the take-in-side flow path 302 by detecting light blocking to the light receiving unit are provided. Among these, the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c are positioned along the upper portion of the intake side flow path 302, that is, passing through the upper end of the disk-shaped medal flowing down the intake side flow path 302. The second insertion sensor 31b is disposed at a position that can be detected on the upstream side and the downstream side, and the second insertion sensor 31b is located at a lower position of the intake side flow path 302, that is, a lower end portion of a disk-shaped medal that flows down the intake side flow path 302. It is arrange | positioned in the position which can detect passage of. Further, the second insertion sensor 31b is configured such that a medal that normally flows down the intake side channel 302 between the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c is the first insertion sensor 31a, the second insertion sensor 31b, It is arranged at the position detected in the order of the 3 input sensors 31c.

  FIGS. 5A to 5F are diagrams illustrating the flow situation of medals that normally flow down the intake-side flow path 302, that is, medals that flow in a normal direction (right direction in the drawing).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f), the medal that normally flows down the intake-side flow path 302 flows toward the right side in the drawing, so that the first input sensor 31a, the second input sensor 31b, The passage is detected in the order of the third insertion sensor 31c. Specifically, first, the upper end of the medal is detected by the first insertion sensor 31a at the upper upstream end of the intake side flow path 302, and then the lower end of the medal is detected by the second insertion sensor 31b at the lower end of the intake side flow path 302. Then, the upper end of the medal is detected by the third insertion sensor 31c at the upper end on the downstream side of the take-in channel 302.

  The transition of the detection state by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c of the medal that normally flows down the intake side flow path 302, that is, the change history of the detection state by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is always shown in FIG. As shown in the timing chart.

  Specifically, states ab (first input sensor 31a: on, second input sensor 31b: off, third input sensor 31c: off) where only the first input sensor 31a is detected, the first input sensor 31a, State bc in which both of the second input sensors 31b are detected (first input sensor 31a: on, second input sensor 31b: on, third input sensor 31c: off), first to third input sensors 31a-c Are detected in the state cd (first input sensor 31a: on, second input sensor 31b: on, third input sensor 31c: on), both the second input sensor 31b and the third input sensor 31c. State de detected (first input sensor 31a: off, second input sensor 31b: on, third input sensor 31c: on), state ef detected only for the third input sensor 31c (first input) Capacitors 31a: off, second insertion sensor 31b: off, third insertion sensor 31c: on), changes the detection state at the order first to third insertion sensor 31A～c.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the transition of the detection state by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c of the medal that normally flows down the intake-side flow path 302 is always the same pattern state transition. When the transitions of the detection states by the insertion sensors 31a to 31c become different state transitions, an abnormality in the state transition is determined, and fraud related to the medal insertion can be detected.

  For example, in the medal selector 300 of the present embodiment, the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c detect the passage of the upper end of the medal flowing down the take-in channel 302 on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the flow direction is different, as shown in FIG. 7A, an illegal act of pulling a medal once inserted from the outside and using it again, so-called reversal is performed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), detection is made in the order of the third input sensor 31c, the second input sensor 31b, and the first input sensor 31a. That is, since the sensor 3 provided on the downstream side of the first input sensor 31a is detected first, the transition state is normal when the third input sensor 31c is detected prior to the first input sensor 31a. Therefore, it is determined that the input detection is abnormal at that time, and it can be detected that fraud has been performed.

  Further, in the medal selector 300 of the present embodiment, the second insertion sensor 31b that detects passage of the lower end of the medal is disposed between the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c that detects passage of the upper end of the medal. ing. That is, medals that normally flow down the intake-side flow path 302 are arranged at positions where the first insertion sensor 31a, the second insertion sensor 31b, and the third insertion sensor 31c are detected in this order, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, when a fraudulent act of performing erroneous detection by rotating a semi-disc-shaped medium, that is, a so-called half medal rotation is performed, as shown in FIG. The third closing sensor 31c and the second closing sensor 31b are detected in this order. That is, when such a fraud is performed, the detection order of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is different from the detection order of medals that normally flow down, so the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. When the detection order by c is different from the detection order of medals that normally flow down, it is determined that the insertion detection is abnormal, and it can be detected that fraud has been performed.

  Next, the control content of the inserted medal determination process executed by the main control unit 41 will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.

  The inserted medal determination process is a process for monitoring the insertion of medals based on the detection statuses of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. The timer allocation executed at predetermined intervals (0.56 ms in the present embodiment). This process is executed in the process.

  First, in the inserted medal determination process, when the medal cannot be accepted, that is, the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid 36 is released, and the medal flow path is changed from the intake side flow path 302 to the discharge side flow path 303. It is confirmed whether or not the detection invalid time (500 ms) has elapsed since the time of switching to (Sa1). If the detection invalid time (500 ms) has not elapsed, the medal cannot be accepted. 1 is added to the value of the unacceptable time counter for measuring the time (Sa2), and it is confirmed whether a start prohibition flag for invalidating the detection of the start switch 7 is set (Sa3). If the start prohibition flag is set, the process proceeds to step Sa5. If the start prohibition flag is not set in step Sa3, the process is terminated. That is, even if a medal is detected by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c until the detection invalid time elapses after the medal cannot be accepted, the detection is ignored. In this embodiment, as described later, the start prohibition flag is set until all the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are turned off after the first insertion sensor 31a detects a medal. When the start prohibition flag is set, that is, when the medal cannot be accepted while the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are detected, the medal is detected without being ignored. It has become.

  In addition, when the invalid detection time (500 ms) has elapsed since the medal cannot be accepted in step Sa1, the time from when the medal cannot be accepted is counted. After clearing the value of the unacceptable time counter for performing (Sa4), the detection states of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c are acquired (Sa5), and the detected first to third input sensors 31a to 31c are detected. Based on the state and its transition, it is confirmed whether or not any of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c has changed from the off state to the on state (Sa6).

  When any of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c changes from the off state to the on state, a start prohibition flag for invalidating the detection of the start switch 7 is set (Sa7). Based on the detection state acquired in the step of Sa5, the transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is updated (Sa8). If any of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is not changed from the off state to the on state in step Sa6, the process proceeds to step Sa8, and the detection state acquired in step Sa4. The transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is updated based on the above.

  Then, when it becomes possible to insert only one more medal (for example, when the maximum bet number is set and one medal is inserted to reach the credit limit, If the maximum number of bets has already been reached and a single medal is inserted, the maximum number of bets can be determined by inserting one medal with the addition of medals restricted. In the case where the final medal flag is set, it is confirmed whether or not (Sa9). If the final medal flag is set, whether or not the first insertion sensor 31a is on based on the detection state of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c updated in step Sa5, that is, the first It is confirmed whether or not a medal is detected by the insertion sensor 31a (Sa10). If the first insertion sensor 31a is in the on state, the continuous detection time, that is, the time from the start of medal detection is 2 ms or more. (Sa11), and if the continuous detection time is 2 ms or more, an unacceptable flag is set (Sa12).

  The unacceptable flag is a flag indicating that the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid is to be released. When this flag is set, the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid is released in the subsequent processing, and the medal flow path is taken in. The side flow path 302 is switched to the discharge side flow path 303. In the step of Sa10, it is preferable to check whether the continuous detection time is 2 ms or more when the first input sensor 31a is in an on state because it can prevent erroneous detection due to noise or the like. If the on-state of the first input sensor 31a is detected, the unacceptable flag may be set regardless of the detection time.

  After the steps Sa9 to 12, it is confirmed whether or not the detection state transition of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c updated in the step Sa5 is normal (Sa13). Specifically, if the transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c updated in the step of Sa5 matches the normal state transition, it is determined as normal. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the second input sensor 31b and the third input sensor 31c change to on before the first input sensor 31a changes to on, or as shown in FIG. 8B. As described above, when the first input sensor 31a changes to on but the third input sensor 31c changes to on before the second input sensor 31b changes to on, that is, the first order differs from the normal state transition. When the detection state of the? 3 input sensors 31a to 31c changes, it is determined as abnormal.

  If the detection state transition of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is normal in the step of Sa13, whether or not the insertion of medals has been completed, that is, the detection state of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is determined. It is confirmed whether or not the transition is normally completed (Sa14).

  If the insertion of medals has been completed in step Sa14, the minimum detection time (10 ms) in which the continuous detection time (here, the time required for a to f shown in FIG. 6) is the minimum time required for these detections. Whether or not (Sa15), and if the continuous detection time is equal to or longer than the minimum detection time (10 ms), the medal can be accepted based on whether or not the acceptance impossible flag is set, That is, the flow path switching solenoid 36 is energized, and the medal flow path is set as the take-in flow path 302, and it is confirmed whether or not the number of bets or credits can be added (Sa16).

  If the medal can be accepted in step Sa16, a medal insertion flag indicating that the medal has been inserted normally is set (Sa17), and the continuous detection time counter for measuring the continuous detection time is set. After clearing the value and the transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c (Sa18, Sa19), the start prohibition flag is cleared and the process ends (Sa20). If the medal insertion flag is set in step Sa17 and the bet number can be set in the subsequent processing, the bet number is incremented by one. In addition, if the bet number has reached the maximum bet number, 1 is added to the credit. If it is not possible to accept medals in step Sa16, the value of the continuous detection time counter and the transition of the detection states of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are cleared without setting the medal insertion flag. After (Sa18, Sa19), the start prohibition flag is cleared and the process is terminated (Sa20). That is, the detection of medals by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is ignored.

  Further, if the insertion of medals is not completed in step Sa14, all the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are in the off state, that is, the medals in any of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. (Sa21), and if any of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is on, whether or not it is within the continuous detection time, that is, the first It is confirmed whether the elapsed time from the time when the medal is first detected by the one insertion sensor 31a is within the maximum detection time (100 ms in this embodiment) determined as the maximum time required for these detections (Sa22). If the continuous detection time is within the maximum detection time, 1 is added to the continuous detection time counter (Sa22), and the process ends.

  If no medal is detected in any of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c in step Sa21, it is confirmed whether or not the final medal flag is set (Sa24). If it is set, it is further confirmed whether or not the unacceptable flag is set (Sa25). If the unacceptable flag is set, after clearing the unacceptable flag (Sa26), the continuous detection time counter The transition of the detection state of the value and the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is cleared (Sa18, Sa19), the start prohibition flag is cleared, and the process is terminated (Sa20). In other words, even when only one more medal can be inserted, the first insertion sensor 31a is detected and the acceptance impossible flag is set, and even if the flow path of the medal is switched from the intake side flow path 302 to the discharge side flow path 303, When the insertion of the medal is not completed and the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are not detected, the acceptance impossible flag is cleared, and the flow path of the medal is again routed from the discharge side channel 303. The intake side flow path 302 is switched. If the final medal flag is not set in step Sa24 or if the unacceptable flag is not set in step Sa25, the value of the continuous detection time counter and the detection of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are detected. After clearing the state transition (Sa18, Sa19), the start prohibition flag is cleared and the process ends (Sa20).

  In addition, when the transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is different from the normal state transition in the step of Sa13, the first input to the first input sensor 31a to 31c is all turned off from the first input. It is confirmed whether or not only the sensor 31a has changed to the on state (Sa27), and if the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c all have changed from the off state to the on state only of the first input sensor 31a. Then, after clearing the value of the continuous detection time counter and the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c (Sa18, Sa19), the start prohibition flag is cleared and the process is terminated (Sa20). That is, even when the transition of the detection state of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is different from the normal state transition, the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are all turned off from the off state. If it changes, the detection is ignored.

  Further, when the continuous detection time is less than 10 ms which is the minimum detection time in the step of Sa15, or when the continuous detection time exceeds 100 ms which is the maximum detection time in the step of Sa22, or all are turned off in the step of Sa27. If it is determined that only the first input sensor 31a has not changed to the on state from that state, it is determined that the input detection is abnormal, a charging error flag indicating that is set (Sa28), and the process is terminated. To do. By setting this throwing error flag, throwing error processing, which will be described later, is executed in later processing, and the progress of the game is disabled.

  In addition, as described above, the start prohibition flag is set from the time when any one of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is turned off to when all the sensors are turned off. 7 detection is disabled. For this reason, during the detection of medals by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c, the start switch 7 is effectively detected and the game does not start, so that the medals are not normally detected and returned. It is possible to prevent being taken inside (so-called swallowing).

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 follows the control as described above, so that the insertion detection abnormality is determined in the situation described below.

  First, when the detection state transition of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is different from the normal state transition, that is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the second input before the first input sensor 31a changes to on. When the input sensor 31b or the third input sensor 31c changes to on or before the second input sensor 31b changes to on as shown in FIG. 8B, the first input sensor 31a changes to on. When the third input sensor 31c changes to on, that is, when the detection states of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c change in an order different from the normal state transition, the input detection abnormality is determined. As a result, it is possible to reliably detect that the above-mentioned fraudulent acts such as reversal and half-medal rotation have been performed.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the first insertion sensor 31a detects a medal when it becomes impossible to accept a medal when another medal is inserted. Sometimes, the medal flow path is switched from the intake-side flow path 302 to the discharge-side flow path 303 before another sensor detects the medal. As a result, in a state where only one more medal can be inserted, the flow path of the medal is switched from the intake side flow path 302 to the discharge side flow path 303 as early as possible after the last one medal is inserted. Further, even when medals flow down, it is possible to prevent the medals from being taken inside.

  However, in this case, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the first input sensor 31a may be detected but fall into the discharge-side flow path 303. In this case, Since the second input sensor 31b does not change to on when the first input sensor 31a changes to off, the transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c at that time is normal. It is determined that they are different, and an error is determined. For this reason, in this embodiment, even if the transition of the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is different from the normal state transition, as shown in FIGS. When all of the sensors 31a to 31c are changed from the off state to the on state of only the first input sensor 31a, it is not determined as an input detection abnormality, so that an unnecessary input detection abnormality can be prevented from being determined. .

  Even if the detection state transition of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is a normal state transition, if the continuous detection time required for the detection exceeds the maximum detection time of 100 ms, A detection abnormality is determined. Thereby, it can be detected that medals are clogged in the intake side flow path 302.

  Even when the detection state transition of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is normal and the completion of the input is detected, the continuous detection time required for the detection is less than the minimum detection time of 10 ms. If not, a throw detection abnormality is determined. Thereby, for example, even when a fraudulent action that causes the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c to perform fraudulent detection using radio waves is detected.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12A, the medal cannot be received, the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid 36 is released, and the flow path of the inserted medal is taken from the intake side flow path 302. The detection of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is ignored during the period from when the discharge side channel 303 is switched to when 500 ms set as the detection invalid time elapses. That is, the detections of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c are invalidated.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the detection state of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is constantly monitored because the above-described fraud such as reversal is not always performed. When the intake-side flow path 302 is switched to the discharge-side flow path 303 in an impossible state, the inserted medal flows to the intake-side flow path 302 side due to the force of flowing down or the force of medals flowing down from behind. It may flow down. In this case, it takes a long time compared to the time when the medal normally flows down, and the continuous detection time exceeds the maximum detection time of 100 ms, and it is determined that the insertion detection is abnormal. Since the detection of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is invalidated during the period from the impossible state to the elapse of 500 ms set as the detection invalid time, it is impossible to accept the insertion of medals. When the intake side channel 302 is switched from the intake side channel 302 to the discharge side channel 303, the inserted medal flows down to the intake side channel 302 with the momentum of flowing down or the medal flowing down from behind. Even in the case of a failure, it can be prevented that the input detection abnormality is determined.

  In such a case, as described above, it often takes a long time compared to the time when the medal normally flows down. However, in this embodiment, the detection invalid time is the maximum for determining clogged medal. Since it is set longer than the detection time and a time for invalidating the detection of medals flowing down the intake side flow path 302 is secured, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of an insertion detection abnormality.

  Further, in order to prevent the occurrence of the abnormal detection of detection, it is preferable that the detection invalid time is as long as possible. However, if the detection invalid time is too long, the next game is played when the time required for one game is short. Since there is a possibility that the detection of medals inserted in will be invalidated, it is necessary to make the detection invalid time shorter than the shortest time required for one game.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12B, the time from the start of the game until the stop operation of each reel becomes valid is 100 ms at the shortest, and the stop operation of any reel is performed. After the reels to be stopped are stopped, the time required for the remaining reels to be stopped again becomes a minimum of 200 ms (in the case of no symbol pull-in). The shortest theoretical time required is 500 ms. In addition, the time from the start of the game until the stop operation of each reel becomes effective normally takes 100 ms or more, and the time required for the stop operation of the remaining reels to become effective again after the reel stops is also controlled. In many cases, it takes 200 ms or more, so the actual minimum time required for one game is over 500 ms.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the detection invalid time is set as long as possible in the range of 500 ms, that is, the shortest time required for one game, and the detection time of the medal flowing down the take-in flow path 302 is invalidated. Is sufficiently secured, and it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of an insertion detection abnormality and to avoid the inconvenience that the detection of medals inserted in the next game is invalidated.

  In the present embodiment, the first detection sensor 31a-c ignores the detection of the first insertion sensor 31a-c until the invalid detection time elapses after the medal insertion cannot be accepted. The detection of the third input sensors 31a to 31c is invalidated, and it is detected only by changing the control without changing the circuit configuration for detecting the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c. Can be disabled.

  The main control unit 41 disables the progress of the game until the error is canceled by the reset operation when it is determined that the insertion detection abnormality is detected in the insertion medal determination process, that is, when the insertion error flag is set. An error code indicating an insertion detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10, and an insertion error process for notifying that effect is executed. As a result, it is possible to grasp that the insertion detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the above-described fraud such as reversing or half-medal rotation. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the throwing-in error process, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where the throwing detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to specify the insertion detection abnormality from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the insertion detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined as an insertion detection abnormality In addition, a signal indicating that may be output to a peripheral device such as a ringing lamp or a hall computer so that the input detection abnormality can be identified from the outside.

  Here, an illegal instrument equipped with a light emitting element such as an LED will be described. As shown in FIG. 15 (a), the illegal instrument has light of the same quality as the light projecting part of the input sensor on one side of the front end portion of the elongated light shielding plate. As shown in FIG. 15B, the tip portion is inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 to block the light from the light projecting portion of the insertion sensor and the light emitting element is inserted. Place the sensor so that it faces the light receiving part of the sensor and reproduce the detection state of the insertion sensor when the medal passes due to light emission / non-light emission of the light emitting element, so that the insertion sensor is misdetected and the number of bets is set Or credits.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, if the transition of the detection state of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c is not normal, it is determined that the detection is abnormal. When arrange | positioning in the position of 31a-c, you have to insert in the state which made the light emitting element light-emit, ie, the 1st-3rd insertion sensors 31a-c do not detect an improper instrument.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the same as the light receiving portions of the first to third input sensors 31 a to 31 c on the upstream side of the first input sensor 31 a in the intake side flow path 302. The light of the same quality as the light projecting portions of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c, that is, the light having the property that the light receiving portions of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c can detect the received light is detected. A light emission detection sensor 39 including a light receiving unit is provided.

  The light emission detection sensor 39 does not flow down the intake side flow path 302 or detect a medal clogged in the intake side flow path 302. When the light emitting element is inserted so that it is not detected by the three input sensors 31a to 31c, as shown in FIG. 13, the light emission detecting sensor 39 detects if the light emitting element emits light, that is, normally plays a game. Since the light emission that is not supposed to be detected is detected, it is possible to detect fraud due to the insertion of an unauthorized instrument by determining that the light emission detection sensor 39 detects light emission abnormality when detecting light emission.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control content of the light emission detection determination process executed by the main control unit 41.

  The light emission detection determination process is a process for monitoring the insertion of an unauthorized device having a light emitting element based on the detection state of the light emission detection sensor 39, and is a process executed in the timer interrupt process described above.

  In the light emission detection determination process, first, the detection state of the light emission detection sensor 39 is acquired (Sb1). Then, the state transition of the light emission detection sensor 39 is updated (Sb2), and it is confirmed whether or not the light emission detection sensor 39 has changed from off to on, that is, whether or not the light emission detection sensor 39 has detected light emission (Sb3). When the light emission detection sensor 39 changes from off to on, it is determined that there is a light emission detection abnormality, and a light emission detection abnormality flag indicating that fact is set. By setting the light emission detection abnormality flag, a light emission detection error process is executed in a later process.

  In the light emission detection error process, the progress of the game is disabled until the error is canceled by the reset operation, and an error code indicating a light emission detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to notify that effect. The As a result, it is possible to grasp that the light emission detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act due to the insertion of an unauthorized device. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the light emission detection error process, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where the light emission detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to specify the light emission detection abnormality from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the light emission detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined that the light emission detection abnormality is present In addition, by outputting a signal indicating that to a peripheral device such as a call lamp or hall computer, it may be possible to identify an abnormality in detection of light emission from the outside, so that a person using an unauthorized device is not noticed. It is possible to detect the use of unauthorized equipment.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, contact pieces 306 a to 306 c that can be moved in and out are provided in the input flow path 301. As shown in FIG. 16A, these contact pieces 306a to 306c can be moved in and out of the input flow path 301 by swinging the shaft portions 307a to 307c about the axis, and the urging member It is urged by 308 so as to protrude into the input channel 301. Then, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the medal flows down, it is pressed inward against the urging force of the urging member 308. The contact pieces 306a to 306c are provided with first to third passage sensors 309a to 309c corresponding to the contact pieces 306a to 306c, respectively. 306a to 306c are detected by the first passage sensors 309a to 309c. That is, the first to third passage sensors 309a to 309c can detect the passage of medals by detecting the pressing of the contact pieces 306a to 306c.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, of the contact pieces 306a to 306c, the contact pieces 306a and 306c are provided on both sides of the center of the insertion flow path 301, and medals continuously flow down. Even in this case, a gap {see FIG. 3 (a)} is formed between adjacent medals on both sides across the center of the input flow path 301. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the contact pieces 306a and 306c are pressed. Thus, the first passage sensor 309a and the third passage sensor 309c that detect passage of medals separately detect passage of consecutive medals. For this reason, in the case of using an unauthorized device equipped with a light emitting element as described above, the unauthorized device is inserted into the input channel 301 and the intake channel 302. Since the pieces 306a and 306c are pressed, as shown in FIG. 18A, the first passage sensor 309a and the third passage sensor 309c that detect passage of medals by pressing the contact pieces 306a and 306c are provided. By determining that the passage detection is abnormal when the passage detection time detected with the passage of the medal is longer than the abnormality determination time (500 ms in this embodiment) longer than the time required for passing one medal, Can detect fraud by inserting

  As shown in FIG. 3A, of the contact pieces 306a to 306c, the contact piece 306b is provided in the center of the input flow channel 301 and at a position slightly downstream of the contact pieces 306a and 306c. When the medal normally flows down, as shown in FIG. 17, the first passage sensor 309a and the third passage sensor 309c that detect passage of the medal by pressing the contact pieces 306a and 306c pass the medal. The second passage sensor 309b that detects the passage of the medal by pressing the contact piece 306b detects the passage of the medal only in the state of detecting the medal. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18B, when the second passage sensor 309b detects the passage of the medal in a state where the first passage sensor 309a and the third passage sensor 309c do not detect the passage of the medal, By determining that the passage detection is abnormal, it is possible to detect fraud due to insertion of an unauthorized instrument even when the unauthorized instrument is inserted so as not to press the contact pieces 306a and 306c.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the control content of the medal passage determination process executed by the main control unit 41.

  The medal passage determination process is a process for monitoring the insertion of an illegal instrument based on the detection status of the detection states of the first to third passage sensors 309a to 309c, and is a process executed in the timer interrupt process described above. .

  In the medal passage determination process, first, detection states of the first to third passage sensors 309a to 309c are acquired (Sc1). Then, the state transitions of the first to third passage sensors 309a to 309c are updated (Sc2), and it is confirmed whether or not the first passage sensor 309a or the third passage sensor 309c has changed from off to on (Sc3). When the first passage sensor 309a or the third passage sensor 309c changes from off to on, the value of the passage detection time counter that counts the passage detection time is cleared (Sc4).

  Next, it is confirmed whether the first passage sensor 309a or the third passage sensor 309c is on (Sc5). If the first passage sensor 309a or the third passage sensor 309c is on, the value of the passage detection time counter is set to Add 1 (Sc6). Then, referring to the value of the passage detection time counter, it is confirmed whether or not the passage detection time is 500 ms or more (Sc7). If the passage detection time is 500 ms or more, it is determined that the passage detection is abnormal, and passage indicating that Set the detection error flag.

  If the first passage sensor 309a or the third passage sensor 309c is not on in the step of Sc5, it is confirmed whether or not the second passage sensor 309b has changed from off to on (Sc9). When the sensor 309 changes from off to on, it is determined that the passage detection is abnormal, and a passage detection abnormality flag indicating that fact is set.

  Further, the passage detection error flag is set in the steps of Sc8 and Sc10, whereby passage detection error processing is executed in the subsequent processing.

  In the passage detection error process, the progress of the game is disabled until the error is canceled by the reset operation, and an error code indicating passage detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to notify the fact. The As a result, it is possible to grasp that the passage detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act due to the insertion of an unauthorized device. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the passage detection error process, it is possible to prevent the game from progressing in a state where passage detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to identify the passage detection abnormality from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the passage detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined as a passage detection abnormality In addition, by outputting a signal indicating that to a peripheral device such as a call lamp or a hall computer, it may be possible to identify a passage detection abnormality from the outside, so that a person using an unauthorized device is not noticed. It is possible to detect the use of unauthorized equipment.

  FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing execution timings of the above-described various error processes (input error process, light emission detection error process, passage detection error process).

  The trigger for executing these various error processes differs depending on whether or not the hopper motor 32 is performing a medal payout operation at that time.

  Specifically, when a flag indicating an abnormality related to the insertion of a medal is set, if a medal payout operation by the hopper motor 32 is not performed, a corresponding error process is executed at that time, and the game Control to the state where the progress of is impossible. That is, the progress of the game is disabled due to the abnormality determination.

  In addition, when a medal payout operation by the hopper motor 32 is performed at the time when the flag indicating abnormality is set, a corresponding error process is executed after the completion, and the game cannot be progressed. To control.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the abnormality is determined, the progress of the game is disabled, and the progress of the game can be stopped until the error is resolved. It is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where a problem such as a game state or a clogged medal has occurred.

  In addition, in the various error processes, an error code indicating an abnormality causing the error is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 in addition to disabling the progress of the game, and the fact is notified, so that the cause of the error is indicated. In addition to being able to grasp externally, a staff member or the like can quickly respond to the occurrence of an error.

  Further, in this embodiment, even when an abnormality is determined, if a medal payout operation is being performed by the hopper motor 32, the corresponding error processing is executed after waiting for the completion. The main control unit 41 does not need to perform complicated control such as interrupting the medal payout operation by the hopper motor 32 at the time of abnormality determination and restarting the medal payout operation by the hopper motor 32 once the error is released. The control load can be reduced.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal slot 4, the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c emit light so that the insertion of the unauthorized instrument is not detected. Although it is necessary to insert the element in a light-emitting state, it is disposed upstream of the arrangement positions of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c and on the same side as the light receiving portions of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. When the light receiving part of the emitted light detection sensor 39 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element of the illegal instrument, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Since this abnormality cannot be a medal clogging, it is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of an unauthorized device, and an error code indicating that fact is displayed on the gaming auxiliary display 10 to be notified. Since the fraud due to insertion of the light can be reliably monitored, fraud using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element can be effectively suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the light emission detection sensor 39 is arranged upstream of the arrangement positions of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. However, the insertion sensor detects the insertion of medals as in this embodiment. Is composed of a plurality of sensors as long as the light emission detection sensor 39 is arranged upstream of the insertion sensor arranged on the most downstream side. For example, the first introduction sensor 31a and the first The light emission detection sensor 39 may be disposed between the three throw sensors 31c.

  Further, a light emission detection sensor similar to the light emission detection sensor 39 is arranged on the downstream side of the arrangement position of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c, and the light emission detection abnormality is detected even when the light emission detection sensor on the downstream side receives light. The determination may be made, so that, for example, even when an unauthorized instrument is inserted from the downstream side of the take-in channel 302 via the payout hole 9 or the like, the insertion of the unauthorized instrument can be monitored.

  In the present embodiment, the light emission detection sensor 39 is provided in the intake side flow path 302. That is, since the light emission detection sensor 39 is disposed downstream of the flow path switching plate 304 that switches the flow path to the discharge side flow path 303 together with the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c, the first to third input sensors 31a to 31a. Since the disposition position of c and the light emission detection sensor 39 becomes close and it becomes difficult to insert an unauthorized device without being detected by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c or the light emission detection sensor 39, the unauthorized device is illegal. Can be suppressed more effectively.

  The light emission detection sensor 39 may be disposed upstream of the closing sensor disposed on the most downstream side, and the light emission detection sensor 39 may be disposed upstream of the flow path switching plate 304.

  In the present embodiment, the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c are arranged at positions where the passage of the upper end of the medal flowing down the take-in flow path 302 can be detected on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively. The medal insertion is detected on the condition that the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c detect the medals in a predetermined order, and the flow direction of the medals is the normal direction. Otherwise, it is not regarded as medal insertion, so that it is possible to prevent fraud such as reversal of medals, and the medal detection pattern is complicated, creating the same situation as the passage of medals by light emitting elements mounted on fraudulent instruments Since it becomes difficult, fraud by an unauthorized device can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, a second insertion sensor 31b that detects passage of the lower end of the medal is disposed between the first insertion sensor 31a and the third insertion sensor 31c that detects passage of the upper end of the medal, and the intake-side flow path 302 is normally set. The medal that flows down is arranged at a position where the first insertion sensor 31a, the second insertion sensor 31b, and the third insertion sensor 31c are detected in this order, and the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c are predetermined. Since the insertion of medals is detected on the condition that medals are detected in order, it is possible to prevent fraud such as the half-medal rotation described above and the medal detection pattern is further complicated. It can be effectively deterred.

  In this embodiment, two insertion sensors for detecting the passage of the upper end of the medal are provided, and the insertion sensor for detecting the passage of the lower end of the medal is arranged between the two insertion sensors. The same effect can be obtained by providing two insertion sensors for detecting the passage of the token and disposing the insertion sensor for detecting the passage of the upper end of the medal between the two insertion sensors.

  In this embodiment, the three detection sensors are provided as the input detection means. However, it is sufficient that at least one input sensor is provided, and two input sensors or four or more input sensors are provided. It may be provided.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the light projecting units and the light receiving units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c are all in the same direction, but are arranged along at least one of the upper end and the lower end. The direction of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of any one of the input sensors may be opposite to the direction of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the other input sensors. As a result, in the case of misdetecting the insertion of a medal using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element, it is necessary to mount the light emitting element on both sides of the fraudulent instrument. Since it becomes difficult to insert from the insertion port 4 to the position of the insertion sensor, it is possible to effectively deter fraud using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that at least a part of the path width from the medal insertion slot 4 to the insertion sensor is formed to be slightly wider than the thickness of the medal, and this prevents the medal from flowing down. In addition, since it is almost impossible to place a fraudulent instrument with a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the medal between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, fraudulent acts using a fraudulent device equipped with a light emitting element are more effectively suppressed. be able to. In addition, what is formed in the width | variety slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal should just be formed in the width | variety slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal. In addition, the same effect can be obtained even when the separation width between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the insertion sensor is slightly wider than the thickness of the medal.

  Next, a second embodiment of the slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. The configuration of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, detailed description is omitted by using the same reference numerals, and only different points are described here. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described light emission detection sensor 39 is not provided, and as illustrated in FIG. 21A, the intake-side flow path is disposed upstream of the first input sensor 31 a in the intake-side flow path 302. A pair of light projecting units 401a and 401b arranged in the same direction as the light projecting units and the light receiving units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c at positions facing each other with 302 therebetween {FIG. b) reference}, the light projecting unit 401a emits light of the same quality as the light projecting units of the first to third input sensors 31a to c, and the light receiving unit 401b includes the light projecting units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c. A light emission detection sensor 401 that detects light of the same quality is provided. In addition, the light of the same quality as the light of the light projecting units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is a light having such a property that light reception can be detected by the light receiving units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c.

  The light projecting unit 401a and the light receiving unit 401b constituting the light emission detection sensor 401 are connected to the game control board 40 as shown in FIG. 21B, and the light projecting unit 401a is configured to emit / not emit light as a main control unit. 41, and the detection signal of the light receiving unit 401b is input to the main control unit 41. In addition, the light projecting unit 401a is controlled by the main control unit 41 so that the light emission period and the non-light emission period are random periods.

  As described above, it is necessary to insert the light-emitting element in a state in which the unauthorized device equipped with the light-emitting element is caused to emit light so that the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c do not detect it. It is necessary to maintain the light emitting state of the light emitting element except when the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c are erroneously detected. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 22, when the light projecting unit 401a is controlled to be in a light emitting state, even if an unauthorized device is inserted, it is not detected, but the light projecting unit 401a is controlled to be in a non-light emitting state. At that time, the light receiving unit 401b detects light emission of the light emitting element, that is, light emission that should not be detected if the game is played normally, so the light receiving unit 401b detects light emission when the light projecting unit 401a is in a non-light emitting state. In this case, it is possible to detect fraud due to the insertion of a fraudulent instrument by determining that the light emission detection is abnormal.

  Further, an unauthorized device may be inserted with the light emitting element being in a non-light emitting state so that the light emission detecting sensor 401 does not detect light emission, and the light emitting element is turned on when it reaches the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. Conceivable. In this case, the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 is in the light emitting state and the light receiving unit 401b is in the non-light receiving state, but the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c are not detected. Such a situation may occur even when a medal is jammed, but in the case of a medal jam, the first to third sensors 31a to 31c are likely to be detected, and the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 is in a light emitting state. When the light receiving unit 401b is in a non-light receiving state and the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c do not detect medals, there is a high possibility that an unauthorized instrument is inserted. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 23, the time when the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 is in the light emitting state and the light receiving unit 401b is in the non-light receiving state (non-light receiving time) is between the light projecting unit 401a and the light receiving unit 401b. If the first through third sensors 31a to 31c are in the non-detection state when the maximum passage time (100 ms in this embodiment) determined as the maximum time required to pass the vehicle is exceeded, By determining, it is possible to detect fraud due to insertion of an unauthorized device.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the light emission detection sensor process executed by the main control unit 41.

  In the light emission detection sensor process, the light emission / non-light emission control of the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 is performed, and the insertion of an unauthorized device having a light emitting element is inserted based on the detection status of the light receiving unit 401b of the light emission detection sensor 401. This is a process to be monitored, and is a process executed in the timer interrupt process described above.

  In the light emission detection sensor process, first, after detecting the detection state of the light receiving unit 401b (Sd1), it is confirmed whether or not the light projecting unit 401a is emitting light (Sd2). If the light projecting unit 401a is emitting light, it is checked whether or not the light receiving unit 401b is receiving light (Sd3). If the light receiving unit 401b is receiving light, the value of the non-light receiving time counter that counts the non-light receiving time is measured. After clearing (Sd9), 1 is subtracted from the value of the light emission time counter for measuring the light emission time (Sd10), and it is confirmed whether or not the value of the light emission time counter is 0 (Sd11). If the value of the light emission time counter is 0, the value of the non-light emission time counter for measuring the non-light emission time is randomly selected from a plurality of values (Sd12), and the selected value is set as the value of the non-light emission time counter. (Sd13), the light projecting unit 401a is set to a non-light emitting state (Sd14).

  If the light receiving unit 401b is not receiving light in step Sd3, the value of the non-light receiving time counter is incremented by 1 (Sd4), and the value of the non-light receiving time counter is referred to to determine whether the non-light receiving time has reached 100 ms. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the non-light receiving time has reached the maximum passage time (Sd5). If the non-light receiving time has not reached 100 ms, the process proceeds to step Sd10. If the non-light-receiving time has reached 100 ms in step Sd5, the detection state of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is acquired (Sd6), and one of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is acquired. It is confirmed whether or not the input sensor is on (Sd7). If any of the input sensors is on, the process proceeds to step Sd10. If any of the input sensors is not on, it is determined as an object detection abnormality, and an object detection abnormality flag indicating that fact is set (Sd8). By setting this object detection abnormality flag, an object detection error process is executed in a later process.

  In the object detection error process, the progress of the game is disabled until the error is canceled by the reset operation, and an error code indicating an object detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to notify that effect. The As a result, it is possible to grasp that the object detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act due to the insertion of an unauthorized device. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the light emission detection error process, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where the object detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, the object detection abnormality can be identified from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the object detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined as an object detection abnormality In addition, an object detection abnormality may be specified from the outside by outputting a signal indicating that to a peripheral device such as a calling lamp or a hall computer.

  In step Sd2, if the light projecting unit 401a is not emitting light, it is checked whether the light receiving unit 401b is receiving light (Sd15). If the light receiving unit 401b is receiving light, it is determined that there is a light emission detection abnormality, and a light emission detection abnormality flag indicating that fact is set (Sd16). By setting the light emission detection abnormality flag, a light emission detection error process is executed in a later process.

  In the light emission detection error process, the progress of the game is disabled until the error is canceled by the reset operation, and an error code indicating a light emission detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to notify that effect. The As a result, it is possible to grasp that the light emission detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act due to the insertion of an unauthorized device. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the light emission detection error process, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where the light emission detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to specify the light emission detection abnormality from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the light emission detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined that the light emission detection abnormality is present In addition, by outputting a signal indicating that to a peripheral device such as a call lamp or hall computer, it may be possible to identify a light emission detection abnormality from the outside. It is possible to detect the use of unauthorized equipment.

  If the light receiving unit 401b is not receiving light in step Sd15, the value of the non-light emission time counter is decremented by 1 (Sd17), and it is confirmed whether the value of the non-light emission time counter is 0 (Sd18). If the non-light emission time counter value is 0, the light emission time counter value is randomly selected from a plurality of values (Sd19), and the selected value is set as the light emission time counter value (Sd20). The light unit 401a is set in a light emitting state (Sd21).

  As described above, in the slot machine of the present embodiment, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal slot 4, the light emitting elements are arranged so that the insertion of the unauthorized instrument is not detected by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. The light emitting element is always inserted except when it is inserted in a light emitting state, and after the insertion, the state in which the unauthorized device is inserted is not detected by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c, and the same situation as the passing of the medal is created. Is received, but the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 arranged upstream of the arrangement position of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c is controlled to emit no light. When the unit 401b receives light, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Since this abnormality is an abnormality that cannot be a clogged medal, when the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 is controlled to emit no light, the corresponding light receiving unit 401b receives the light emitted from the light emitting element of the unauthorized device. In this case, it is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of an unauthorized device, and an error code indicating that fact is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 so as to be notified. It is possible to effectively deter fraud using the mounted fraudulent instrument.

  In this embodiment, the light emission detection sensor 401 is arranged upstream of the arrangement positions of the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c. However, the insertion sensor detects the insertion of medals as in this embodiment. Is composed of a plurality of sensors as long as the light emission detection sensor 401 is arranged upstream of the sensor arranged most downstream, for example, the first input sensor 31a and the third sensor You may make it arrange | position the light emission detection sensor 401 between the insertion sensors 31c.

  In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 controls the light emission and non-light emission of the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 regardless of the detection states of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c. Since it becomes impossible to specify the light emission and non-light emission states of the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 from the detection states of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c, it is possible to more reliably monitor fraud due to the insertion of an unauthorized instrument. can do. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the light emission period and the non-light emission period of the light projecting unit 401a of the light emission detection sensor 401 are randomly controlled, it becomes difficult to synchronize the light emission patterns of the light emitting elements of the unauthorized device. Injustice can be more effectively deterred.

  In the present embodiment, the light emission detection sensor 401 is provided in the intake side flow path 302. That is, since the light emission detection sensor 401 is disposed on the downstream side of the flow path switching plate 304 that switches the flow path to the discharge side flow path 303 together with the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c. Since the disposition position of c and the light emission detection sensor 401 becomes close and it becomes difficult to insert an unauthorized device without being detected by the first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c or the light emission detection sensor 401, the unauthorized device is illegal. Can be suppressed more effectively.

  Next, a third embodiment of the slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. The configuration of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, detailed description is omitted by using the same reference numerals, and only different points are described here. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the light emission detection sensor 39 and the third input sensor 31c described above are not provided, and, as shown in FIG. 25 (a), on the downstream side of the first input sensor 31a in the intake side flow path 302. The pair of light projecting portions 501a are arranged so as to be in the same direction as the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the first throwing sensor 31a and the second throwing sensor 31b at positions facing each other across the intake side flow path 302. And the light receiving unit 501b {see FIG. 25 (b)}, the light receiving unit 501b is provided with a first common sensor 501 for detecting light from the light projecting unit 501a. Arranged on the upstream side of the sensor 31a at a position facing the intake side flow path 302 so as to be in the same direction as the light projecting part and the light receiving part of the first input sensor 31a and the second input sensor 31b. A pair of light projecting units 502a Made from the light receiving unit 502b {FIG 25 (b) see}, the second common sensor 502 receiving unit 502b detects the light from the light projecting portion 502a is provided. The light emitted from the light projecting unit 501a and the light projecting unit 502a is the same quality as the light emitted from the light projecting units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c, that is, the light receiving unit of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c. It is the light of the property which can detect light reception.

  The light projecting unit 501a and the light receiving unit 501b constituting the first shared sensor 501 and the light projecting unit 502a and the light receiving unit 502b constituting the second shared sensor 502 are connected to the game control board 40 as shown in FIG. The light projecting unit 501 a and the light projecting unit 502 a are controlled so that light emission / non-light emission is controlled by the main control unit 41 and detection signals of the light receiving unit 501 b and the light receiving unit 502 b are input to the main control unit 41. It has become.

  For each game, the main control unit 41 causes the first shared sensor 501 and the second shared sensor 502 to detect the blocking of light from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit, thereby flowing down the acquisition-side flow path 302. Or whether the light receiving unit functions as a light emission detection sensor that detects light from the light projecting unit or light of the same quality as the light projecting unit.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the first shared sensor 501 is selected as the input sensor, the light projecting unit 501a of the first shared sensor 501 is controlled to emit light and is selected as the light emitting sensor. The light projecting unit 502a of the second shared sensor 502 is controlled to a non-light emitting state. Then, the insertion of the medal is determined on condition that the transition state of the first insertion sensor 31a, the second insertion sensor 31b, and the first common sensor 501 selected as the insertion sensor matches the transition state at the time of passing the regular medal. To do.

  In addition, when the first shared sensor 501 is switched to the light emission detection sensor and the second shared sensor 502 is switched to the input sensor when one game is over, the first shared sensor 501 selected as the light emission sensor is switched on. The light unit 501a is controlled to the non-light emitting state, and the light projecting unit 502a of the second shared sensor 502 selected as the closing sensor is controlled to emit light. The medal insertion is performed on condition that the transition of the detection state of the first insertion sensor 31a, the second insertion sensor 31b, and the second common sensor 502 selected as the insertion sensor coincides with the transition at the time of passing the regular medal. judge.

  In addition, the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor does not flow down the intake side flow path 302 or detect a medal clogged in the intake side flow path 302. However, as described above, the light emitting element As shown in FIG. 27, when the unauthorized device equipped with is inserted in a state where the light emitting element emits light so that the common sensor selected as the first input sensor 31a, the second input sensor 31b, and the input sensor does not detect it, Since the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor detects the light emission of the light emitting element, that is, the light emission that should not be detected if playing a game normally, the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor detects the light emission. In this case, it is possible to detect fraud due to the insertion of a fraudulent instrument by determining that the light emission detection is abnormal. Further, even if an unauthorized device can be inserted without being detected by the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor, the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor will emit light from the light emitting element when the function of the common sensor is switched. Therefore, it is possible to detect fraud due to the insertion of a fraudulent instrument.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the sensor control process executed by the main control unit 41.

  The sensor control process selects a common sensor that functions as an input sensor and a common sensor that functions as a light emission detection sensor, controls light emission / non-light emission of the light projecting portion of the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor, and detects light emission. This is a process for monitoring the insertion of a fraudulent instrument having a light emitting element based on the detection status of the light receiving unit of the shared sensor selected as the sensor, and is a process executed in the timer interrupt process described above.

  In the sensor control process, first, the detection state of the light receiving unit of the shared sensor set as the light emission detection sensor is acquired (Se1). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the light receiving unit of the common sensor set as the light emission detection sensor is receiving light (Se2). Determination is made, and a light emission detection abnormality flag indicating that is set (Se3). By setting the light emission detection abnormality flag, a light emission detection error process is executed in a later process.

  In the light emission detection error process, the progress of the game is disabled until the error is canceled by the reset operation, and an error code indicating a light emission detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to notify that effect. The As a result, it is possible to grasp that the light emission detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act due to the insertion of an unauthorized device. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the light emission detection error process, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where the light emission detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to specify the light emission detection abnormality from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the light emission detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined that the light emission detection abnormality is present In addition, by outputting a signal indicating that to a peripheral device such as a call lamp or hall computer, it may be possible to identify an abnormality in detection of light emission from the outside, so that a person using an unauthorized device is not noticed. It is possible to detect the use of unauthorized equipment.

  Further, if the light receiving unit of the shared sensor set as the light emission detection sensor in the step of Se2 is not receiving light, it is confirmed whether or not one game is finished (Se4). Then, the value of the random number counter updated every timer interrupt process is acquired (Se5), and it is confirmed whether or not the least significant bit of the acquired random number counter value is 1 (Se6). If the least significant bit of the random number counter value is 1, the first shared sensor 501 is set as the input sensor, the second shared sensor 502 is set as the light emission detection sensor (Se7), and then the first shared sensor 501 The light projecting unit 501a emits light, and the light projecting unit 502a of the second shared sensor 502 does not emit light (Se8). If the least significant bit of the random number counter value is not 1 in the step of Se6, the first shared sensor 501 is set as the light emission detection sensor, the second shared sensor 502 is set as the input sensor (Se9), and the first The light projecting unit 501a of the shared sensor 501 is set to emit no light, and the light projecting unit 502a of the second shared sensor 502 is set to emit light (Se10).

  As described above, in the slot machine according to the present embodiment, when an illegal instrument is inserted from the medal slot 4, the first insertion sensor 31a, the second insertion sensor 31b, and the common sensor selected as the insertion sensor are illegal. The insertion of the light emitting element is performed so that the insertion of the instrument is not detected, and after insertion, the state where the unauthorized instrument is inserted is selected as the first input sensor 31a, the second input sensor 31b, and the input sensor. The light emitting element must always be allowed to emit light except when creating the same situation as the passing of a medal so as not to be detected by the common sensor. Of the first common sensor 501 and the second common sensor 502, as the light emission detection sensor When the light receiving unit of the selected shared sensor receives light, it is determined that there is an abnormality. Since this abnormality cannot be a medal clogging, the light receiving unit of the common sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor receives the light emitted from the light emitting element of the unauthorized device and is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of the unauthorized device. An error code indicating that fact is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 so as to be notified, and it is possible to reliably monitor fraud caused by the insertion of a fraudulent instrument. It can be effectively deterred. Moreover, since the common sensor which functions as a light emission detection sensor is indefinite, and it becomes difficult to insert without detecting an unauthorized instrument, it is possible to more effectively prevent the unauthorized function.

  In this embodiment, the first closing sensor 31a and the second closing sensor 31b that always function as closing sensors are provided. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a light emitting / receiving sensor dedicated to these closing sensors is not provided. In this case, three or more common sensors are provided along the intake-side flow path 302, and two of the common sensors are selected as input sensors, and the common sensors selected as the input sensors are in a predetermined order. It is preferable to detect the insertion of a medal on the condition that a medal is detected in this way.If this is done, it is not considered that a medal has been inserted unless the direction of flow of the medal is a normal direction. In addition to preventing medals, the detection pattern of medals becomes complicated, making it difficult to create the same situation as the passage of medals by light-emitting elements mounted on unauthorized devices. it can. In addition, since all the common sensors have the possibility of functioning as a light emission detection sensor, it becomes more difficult to specify the light emission detection sensor, so that fraud due to an unauthorized device can be more effectively suppressed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the main control unit 41 continuously controls the light projecting unit of the shared sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor until it is not selected as the light emission detection sensor. The common sensor selected as the luminescence detection sensor will constantly monitor the insertion of unauthorized devices, making it more difficult to insert unauthorized devices without detecting them. Can be deterred.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to this, For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the main control part 41 is the light emission period and non-light-emission period of the light projection part of the shared sensor selected as a light emission detection sensor. May be determined to be abnormal when the corresponding light receiving unit receives light in a state in which the light projecting unit of the shared sensor selected as the light emission detection sensor is controlled to emit no light. In this case, since it becomes difficult to synchronize the light emission pattern of the light emitting element of the unauthorized device, the unauthorized operation by the unauthorized device can be more effectively suppressed.

  Further, the light emitting period and the non-light emitting period of the light projecting parts of all the shared sensors including those selected as the input sensors are randomly controlled, and the light projecting parts of any of the common sensors are controlled to emit no light. When the corresponding light receiving unit receives light in the state, it may be determined that there is an abnormality. In this case, it becomes more difficult to synchronize the light emission pattern of the light emitting element of the fraudulent instrument. It can be suppressed even more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the first insertion sensor 31a, the first shared sensor 501, and the second shared sensor 502 pass the upper end of the medal flowing down the take-in flow path 302 on the upstream side and the downstream side, respectively. Among the first input sensor 31a, the first common sensor 501, and the second common sensor 502, the first input sensor 31a and the common sensor selected as the input sensor are arranged in a predetermined order. Insertion of medals is detected on the condition that a medal is detected, and it is not considered that a medal is inserted unless the flow direction of the medal is a normal direction. In addition, since the detection pattern of medals becomes complicated and it becomes difficult to create the same situation as the passage of medals by light emitting elements mounted on unauthorized devices, fraud by unauthorized devices is more effective. It can be prevented.

  Further, a second insertion sensor 31b for detecting passage of the lower end of the medal is provided. Among these first insertion sensor 31a, second insertion sensor 31b, first common sensor 501, and second common sensor 502, the insertion sensor is provided. Since the insertion of medals is detected on the condition that the selected shared sensor detects medals in a predetermined order, the above-mentioned fraud such as half-medal rotation can be prevented and the medal detection pattern is further complicated. As a result, frauds caused by fraudulent instruments can be more effectively suppressed.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the directions of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the first input sensor 31a, the second input sensor 31b, the first common sensor 501, and the second common sensor 502 are all the same direction. The direction of the light projecting part and the light receiving part of any one of the throwing sensors or shared sensors among the throwing sensors and the shared sensors arranged along at least one of the upper end or the lower end is the same as that of the other throwing sensor or shared sensor. You may make it arrange | position opposite to the direction of an optical part and a light-receiving part. As a result, in the case where a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element is not detected by the light emission detection sensor and the insertion of a medal is erroneously detected, the light emitting element must be mounted on both sides of the fraudulent instrument. Therefore, it becomes difficult to insert the unauthorized device from the medal insertion slot 4 to the position of the insertion sensor, so that it is possible to effectively suppress the illegal activity using the unauthorized device equipped with the light emitting element. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that at least a part of the path width from the medal insertion port 4 to the most downstream shared sensor or insertion sensor is formed slightly wider than the medal thickness. For example, since it is almost impossible to place an unauthorized instrument that is more than the thickness of the medal between the light projecting part and the light receiving part without impeding the flow of the medal, cheating using an unauthorized instrument equipped with a light emitting element. Can be suppressed more effectively. In addition, what is formed in the width | variety slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal should just be formed in the width | variety slightly smaller than the thickness of a medal. In addition, the same effect can be obtained even when the separation width between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the insertion sensor is slightly wider than the thickness of the medal.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. The configuration of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, detailed description is omitted by using the same reference numerals, and only different points are described here. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described light emission detection sensor 39 is not provided, and, as shown in FIG. 30 (a), instead of the second input sensor 31b, the light-emission detection sensor 39 is located at a position facing the intake-side flow path 302. It consists of a pair of light projecting unit 601a and light receiving unit 601b {see FIG. 30 (b)} arranged so as to be in the same direction as the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the first throwing sensor 31a, and from the light projecting unit 601a. A second insertion sensor 601 is provided for detecting a medal flowing down the intake side flow path 302 by detecting light blocking to the light receiving unit 601b. Instead of the third input sensor 31c, an intake side flow is provided. A pair of light projecting unit 602a and light receiving unit 602b arranged so as to be in the same direction as the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of first input sensor 31a across the path 302 (see FIG. 30B). } And received from the light projecting unit 602a The third insertion sensor 602 for detecting a medal flowing down the intake side flow path 302 by detecting the blocking of light to the part 602b is provided. The arrangement positions of the second insertion sensor 601 and the third insertion sensor 602 are the same as the arrangement positions of the first insertion sensor 31b and the third insertion sensor 31c. The light emitted from the light projecting unit 601a and the light projecting unit 602a is detected by the light of the same quality as the light emitted from the light projecting unit of the first input sensor 31a, that is, the light receiving units of the first to third input sensors 31a to 31c. It is light of the nature that can be made to.

  The light projecting unit 601a and the light receiving unit 601b constituting the second throwing sensor 601 and the light projecting unit 602a and the light receiving unit 602b constituting the third throwing sensor 602 are connected to the game control board 40 as shown in FIG. The light projecting unit 601 a and the light projecting unit 602 a are controlled so that light emission / non-light emission is controlled by the main control unit 41 and detection signals from the light receiving unit 601 b and the light receiving unit 602 b are input to the main control unit 41. It has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 31, the light projecting unit 601a and the light projecting unit 602a are controlled by the main control unit 41 so that the light emission period and the non-light emission period are random periods, and the second input sensor Even when the light projecting unit 601a of 601 and the light projecting unit 602a of the third throwing sensor 602 are controlled to be in the non-light emitting state, the second throwing point is detected when the first throwing sensor 31a arranged on the most upstream side detects a medal. The light projecting unit 601a of the input sensor 601 and the light projecting unit 602a of the third input sensor 602 are controlled to emit light.

  As described above, it is necessary to insert the light emitting element in a state of emitting light so that the first to third sensors 31a, 601 and 602 do not detect the unauthorized device equipped with the light emitting element, and it is not determined that the detection is abnormal. As described above, it is necessary to maintain the light emitting state of the light emitting element except when the first to third sensors 31a, 601 and 602 are erroneously detected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 32, when the light projecting unit 601a of the second throwing sensor 601 or the light projecting unit 602a of the third throwing sensor 602 is controlled to emit light, it is detected even if an unauthorized instrument is inserted. However, when the light projecting unit 601a of the second throwing sensor 601 or the light projecting unit 602a of the third throwing sensor 602 is controlled to be in a non-light emitting state, the corresponding light receiving units 601b and 602b are light emitting elements. Light emission, that is, light emission that cannot be detected if a game is performed normally, is detected. Therefore, the light projecting unit 601a of the second throwing sensor 601 or the light projecting unit 602a of the third throwing sensor 602 corresponds to the non-light emitting state. When the light receiving units 601b and 602b detect light emission, it is possible to detect fraud due to insertion of an unauthorized device by determining that the light emission is abnormal.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the control content of the second closing sensor process executed by the main control unit 41.

  The second input sensor process controls the light emission / non-light emission of the light projecting unit 601a of the second input sensor 601, and based on the detection status of the light receiving unit 601b of the second input sensor 601, the unauthorized device provided with the light emitting element Is a process executed in the above-described timer interrupt process. The main control unit 41 controls the light emission / non-light emission of the light projecting unit 602a of the third input sensor 602 and the detection of the light receiving unit 602b of the third input sensor 602 separately from the second input sensor process. Based on the situation, the third input sensor process for monitoring the insertion of an unauthorized device having a light emitting element is executed. However, since this process is substantially the same as the second input sensor process, the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the second input sensor process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the light projecting unit 601a is emitting light (Sf1). If the light projecting unit 601a is emitting light, the second light emission that measures the light emission time of the light projecting unit 601a is measured. The value of the time counter is decremented by 1 (Sf2), and it is confirmed whether or not the value of the second light emission time counter is 0 (Sf3). If the value of the second light emission time counter is 0, the value of the second non-light emission time counter for measuring the non-light emission time of the light projecting unit 601a is randomly selected from a plurality of values (Sf4), and the selected value Is set as the value of the second non-emission time counter (Sf5), and then the light projecting unit 601a is set to the non-emission state (Sf6).

  In step Sf1, if the light projecting unit 601a is not emitting light, the detection state of the light receiving unit 601b is acquired (Sf7), and it is confirmed whether the light receiving unit 601b is receiving light (Sf8). If the light receiving unit 601b is receiving light, it is determined that there is a light emission detection abnormality, and a light emission detection abnormality flag indicating that is set (Sf9). By setting the light emission detection abnormality flag, a light emission detection error process is executed in a later process.

  In the light emission detection error process, the progress of the game is disabled until the error is canceled by the reset operation, and an error code indicating a light emission detection abnormality is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to notify that effect. The As a result, it is possible to grasp that the light emission detection abnormality has been determined from the outside, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act due to the insertion of an unauthorized device. Further, since the progress of the game is disabled along with the light emission detection error process, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding in a state where the light emission detection abnormality is determined.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to specify the light emission detection abnormality from the outside by displaying an error code indicating the light emission detection abnormality on the game auxiliary display 10, but for example, when it is determined that the light emission detection abnormality is present In addition, by outputting a signal indicating that to a peripheral device such as a call lamp or hall computer, it may be possible to identify an abnormality in detection of light emission from the outside, so that a person using an unauthorized device is not noticed. It is possible to detect the use of unauthorized equipment.

  If the light receiving unit 601b is not receiving light in step Sf8, the detection state of the first input sensor 31a is acquired (Sf10), and it is confirmed whether the first input sensor 31a is on (Sf11). If the first input sensor 31a is on, the light projecting unit 601a is set in a light emitting state (Sf16).

  If the first input sensor 31a is not on in step Sf11, the value of the second non-light emission time counter is decremented by 1 (Sf12), and it is checked whether the value of the second non-light emission time counter is 0 ( Sf13). If the value of the second non-light emission time counter is 0, the value of the second light emission time counter is randomly selected from a plurality of values (Sf14), and the selected value is set as the value of the second light emission time counter. After (Sf15), the light projecting unit 601a is set in a light emitting state (Sf16).

  As described above, in the slot machine of the present embodiment, when inserting an unauthorized instrument from the medal slot 4, the first to third insertion sensors 31a, 601 and 602 emit light so that the insertion of the unauthorized instrument is not detected. Except when the element is inserted in a light-emitting state, and after the insertion, the same state as the passing of a medal is created so that the state in which the unauthorized device is inserted is not detected by the first to third insertion sensors 31a, 601 and 602. Needs to always emit light, but the corresponding light receiving unit 601b in a state where the light projecting unit 601a of the second throwing sensor 601 or the light projecting unit 602a of the third throwing sensor 602 is controlled to emit no light. , 602b is determined to be abnormal when it receives light. Since this abnormality cannot be a medal clogging, the light receiving unit 601b corresponding to the case where the light projecting unit 601a of the second insertion sensor 601 or the light projecting unit 602a of the third insertion sensor 602 is controlled to emit no light. , 602b receives the light emitted from the light emitting element of the unauthorized device, and it is determined as an abnormality due to the insertion of the unauthorized device, and an error code indicating that fact is displayed on the game auxiliary display 10 to be notified. Since the fraud due to insertion of the light can be reliably monitored, fraud using a fraudulent instrument equipped with a light emitting element can be effectively suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, since the light emission period and the non-light emission period of the second input sensor 601 and the third input sensor 602 are controlled at random, it is difficult to synchronize the light emission patterns of the light emitting elements of the unauthorized device. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably monitor fraud caused by the insertion of a fraudulent instrument.

  In the present embodiment, among the first to third input sensors 31a, 601, and 602, the light receiving portion of the first input sensor 31a arranged on the most upstream side is receiving light, that is, the first input sensor 31a is receiving light. On condition that no medal is detected, the second insertion sensor 601 and the third insertion sensor 602 are controlled to be in a non-light-emitting state, and when the first insertion sensor 31a detects a medal, Since the 3 throwing sensor 602 is controlled to be in the light emitting state, the light projecting unit 601a of the second throwing sensor 601 and the light projecting unit 602a of the third throwing sensor 602 are controlled in the non-light emitting state. It is possible to prevent a normally inserted medal from being detected.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. Needless to say.

  Each element in the embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the variable display devices (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) capable of changing the display state. ) Display result is derived and displayed, and the slot machine 1 is configured such that one game is completed and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device, and the medal slot (medal slot 4) Is placed at a position opposite to the take-in path (the feed flow path 301, the take-in flow path 302) for taking in the medals thrown in to set the number of bets. Inserted medal detection means (first to third inserted sensors 31a) that has a light projecting section and a light receiving section, and detects a medal flowing down the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting section to the light receiving section. ~ C) and used to set the number of bets Medal number storage means (RAM of the main control unit 41) for storing possible medal numbers (credits) and medals stored in the medal number storage means on condition that the inserted medal detection means detects medals. The medal number adding means for adding the number (main control section 41) and the upstream of the placement position of the inserted medal detecting means in the take-in route, and the same direction as the light receiving section of the inserted medal detecting means. And a light emission detection means (light emission detection sensor 39) for detecting light of the same quality as the light of the light projecting section of the inserted medal detection means, and the light reception of the light emission detection means. An abnormality determination unit (main control unit 41) that determines that an abnormality occurs when the unit receives light, and an abnormal-time control unit that controls the fact so that it can be specified when the abnormality determination unit determines that there is an abnormality {main It comprises a control unit 41 (light emission detecting error processing)}, a.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game and the display state can be changed (reels 2L, 2C, 2R). ) Display result is derived and displayed, one slot is finished, and a slot machine can be awarded according to the display result of the variable display device, from the medal slot (medal slot 4) A take-in path (insertion flow path 301, take-in flow path 302) for taking in the inserted medals for use in setting the bet number and a throw placed at a position opposite to the take-in path. Insertion medal detection means (first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31a) having a light part and a light receiving part, and detecting a medal flowing down the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting part to the light receiving part. c) and used to set the bet amount Medal number storage means (RAM of the main control unit 41) for storing the number of effective medals (credit) and medals stored in the medal number storage means on condition that the inserted medal detection means detects medals. The medal number adding means for adding the number (main control unit 41) and the inserted medal detection at a position opposed to the take-in path on the upstream side of the placement position of the inserted medal detection means. And a pair of light projecting units (light projecting unit 401a) and light receiving unit (light receiving unit 401b) arranged so as to be in the same direction as the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. A light emission detection means (light emission detection sensor 401) that emits light of the same quality as the light of the light projecting section of the medal detection means, and the light receiving section detects light of the same quality as the light of the light projection section of the inserted medal detection means; Of the light emitting part of the light emission detecting means Light projection control means (main control section 41) for controlling light and non-light emission, and a light receiving section of the light emission detection means in a state where the light projection control means controls the light projection section of the light emission detection means to be non-light emission An abnormality determination means (main control section 41) that determines that an abnormality is detected when the light is received, and an abnormality control means {main control section 41 ( Luminescence detection error processing)}.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the light projection control means (main control unit 41) is configured to detect the light emission detection means (light emission detection) regardless of the detection state of the insertion medal detection means (first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c). The light emission and non-light emission of the light projecting part (light projecting part 401a) of the sensor 401) are controlled.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a medal flowing down the take-in path (injection channel 301) is sent to the player upstream from the arrangement position of the introductory medal detection means (first to third insertion sensors 31a to 31c). A flow path switching means (flow path switching plate 304) for switching to a return path (discharge side flow path 303) for returning is provided, and the light emission detection means (light emission detection sensor 401) together with the inserted medal detection means is the flow path. It arrange | positions downstream from the switching means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the insertion medal detection means includes a plurality of sets of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit (first unit) arranged along the intake path (the input flow path 301 and the intake side flow path 302). 1 throwing sensor 31a and light projecting unit and light receiving unit of the third throwing sensor 31c), and the medal number adding means (main control unit 41) has a plurality of light projecting units and light receiving units determined in advance. The number of medals (credits) stored in the medal number storage means (RAM of the main control unit 41) is added on condition that medals are detected in order.

  Claim 6 of the present invention is a variable display device (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) which can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets per game and can change the display state. ) Display result is derived and displayed, one slot is finished, and a slot machine can be awarded according to the display result of the variable display device, from the medal slot (medal slot 4) A take-in path (insertion flow path 301, take-in flow path 302) for taking in the inserted medals for use in setting the bet number and a throw placed at a position opposite to the take-in path. Multiple sets of light emitting / receiving type detection means (first shared sensor 501, second shared sensor 502, first throwing sensor 31a, second throwing sensor 31b) having a light part and a light receiving part, and from the light projecting part to the light receiving part Detects light blockage Inserted medal detection means (insertion sensor) for detecting medals flowing down the take-in path, and light emission detection means (light emission detection) for detecting the light receiving state of the light receiving portion when the light projecting portion changes to the non-light emitting state. A selection unit (main control unit 41) for selecting a sensor) from the plurality of sets of light receiving / receiving type detection units, and a medal number storage unit (main control) for storing a medal number (credit) usable for setting the bet number And the medal number adding means for adding the medal number stored in the medal number storing means on condition that the medal is detected by the light emitting / receiving type detecting means selected as the inserted medal detecting means. (Main control unit 41), light projection control means (main control unit 41) for controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light projecting / receiving type detection means selected as the light emission detection means, and the light projection control Abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when the light receiving portion of the light emitting / receiving type detecting means receives light in a state where the light emitting portion of the light emitting / receiving type detecting means selected as the light emission detecting means is controlled to emit no light (Main control unit 41) and an abnormality control unit {main control unit 41 (light emission detection error processing)} for controlling the fact to be specified when the abnormality determination unit determines that there is an abnormality.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the light projection control means (main control unit 41) is a light projection / reception type detection means (first shared sensor 501, second shared sensor) selected as the light emission detection means (light emission detection sensor). The light emitting / receiving unit 502) is continuously controlled to be in a non-light emitting state until the light emitting / receiving type detecting unit is not selected as the light emitting detecting unit.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the light projecting / receiving type detection means (the first common sensor 501, the second common sensor 502, the first input sensor 31a, the second input sensor 31b) is connected to the intake path (input flow path 301). 3 or more along the take-in-side flow path 302), and the selection means includes two or more light emitting / receiving type detection means arranged along the take-in path. The medal number adding means (main control unit 41) is selected on the condition that the light emitting / receiving type detecting means selected as the inserted medal detecting means detects medals in a predetermined order. The medal number (credit) stored in the medal number storage means (RAM of the main control unit 41) is added.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the variable display device (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) capable of changing the display state. ) Display result is derived and displayed, one slot is finished, and a slot machine can be awarded according to the display result of the variable display device, from the medal slot (medal slot 4) A take-in path (insertion flow path 301, take-in flow path 302) for taking in the inserted medals for use in setting the bet number and a throw placed at a position opposite to the take-in path. Insertion medal detection means (first to third insertion sensors 31a, 31a, 31c, which has a light part and a light receiving part and detects a medal flowing down the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting part to the light receiving part. 601 and 602) and the number of bets The medal number storage means (RAM of the main control unit 41) for storing the number of medals (credit) that can be used for setting and the medal number storage means are stored on condition that the inserted medal detection means detects a medal. A medal number adding means (main control section 41) for adding the number of medals, a light projecting control means (main control section 41) for controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light projecting section of the inserted medal detection means, An abnormality determination unit (main control unit 41) for determining an abnormality when the light receiving unit of the inserted medal detection unit receives light in a state where the light control unit controls the light projecting unit of the inserted medal detection unit to emit no light; And an abnormality control means {main control unit 41 (light emission detection error processing)} for controlling the abnormality determination means so that it can be specified when the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the insertion medal detection means includes a plurality of sets of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit (first unit) arranged along the intake path (the input flow path 301 and the intake side flow path 302). The light projecting control unit (main control unit 41) includes a light projecting unit (first light sensor) disposed on the most upstream side. The other light projecting units (the second projecting sensor 601 and the third projecting sensor 602 projecting unit) are in a non-light-emitting state on condition that the corresponding light receiving unit receives the light projecting of the light projecting unit 31a). And the other light projecting units are controlled to be in a light emitting state when the corresponding light receiving unit detects the light blocking of the light projecting unit disposed on the most upstream side.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the orientation of at least one set of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit constituting the inserted medal detection unit (insertion sensor), or the at least one of the light projecting / receiving type detection unit (shared sensor). The direction of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit is the direction of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of another set constituting the inserted medal detection unit, or the direction of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the other light projecting / receiving type detection unit. Arranged in the opposite direction.

It is a front view of the slot machine of Example 1 to which the present invention was applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medal selector provided in the slot machine of Example 1, (b) is AA sectional drawing of (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medal selector provided in the slot machine of Example 1, (b) is CC sectional drawing of (a). (A)-(f) in Example 1 is a figure which shows the flow condition of the medal in a medal selector. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a transition of a normal detection state when a insertion sensor provided in the medal selector detects a medal in the first embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the fraud accompanying medal insertion in Example 1, (b) is a timing chart which shows the transition of the detection state of the insertion sensor in that case. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the fraud accompanying medal insertion in Example 1, (b) is a timing chart which shows the transition of the detection state of the insertion sensor in that case. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of inserted medal determination processing executed by a main control unit in the first embodiment. (A) is a timing chart showing the change state of the medal flow path when the insertion sensor is detected in a state where it becomes impossible to accept a medal by inserting another medal in the first embodiment; b) is a diagram showing the flow situation of medals at that time. (A) is a timing chart which shows an example of the transition of the detection state of the insertion sensor in Example 1, (b) is a figure which shows the flow-down situation of the medal at that time. (A) is a timing chart showing control of validity / invalidity of the closing sensor accompanying the flow path switching by the medal selector in the first embodiment. (B) is a timing chart showing the structure of the shortest time required for one game. 3 is a timing chart showing a detection state of a light emission detection sensor in Example 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a light emission detection determination process executed by a main control unit in the first embodiment. (A) is a front view of the unauthorized instrument carrying a light emitting element, (b) is a figure which shows the use condition of an unauthorized instrument. (A) and (b) are BB sectional views of Drawing 3 (a). 3 is a timing chart illustrating detection states of first to third passage sensors in the first embodiment. (A) (b) is a timing chart which shows the detection state of the 1st-3rd passage sensor in Example 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control details of medal passage determination processing executed by a main control unit in the first embodiment. (A) (b) is a timing chart which shows the execution opportunity of the error process which a main control part performs in Example 1. FIG. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medal selector provided in the slot machine of Example 2, (b) is a part of block diagram of the slot machine of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a detection state and a control state of a light emission detection sensor in Example 2. It is a timing chart which shows the detection state of the making sensor in Example 2, the detection state of a light emission detection sensor, and a control state. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of light emission detection sensor processing executed by a main control unit in the second embodiment. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medal selector provided in the slot machine of Example 3, (b) is a part of block diagram of the slot machine of Example 3. It is a timing chart which shows the detection state and control state of a making sensor and a common sensor in Example 3. 10 is a timing chart showing a detection state and a control state of a shared sensor in Example 3. 10 is a timing chart showing a detection state and a control state of a shared sensor in a modification of Example 3. 12 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a sensor control process executed by a main control unit in the third embodiment. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the medal selector provided in the slot machine of Example 4, (b) is a part of block diagram of the slot machine of Example 4. FIG. It is a timing chart which shows the detection state and control state of a making sensor in Example 4. It is a timing chart which shows the detection state and control state of a making sensor in Example 4. 10 is a flowchart showing the control content of a second closing sensor control process executed by a main control unit in Embodiment 4.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 2L, 2C, 2R reel 4 medal insertion part 31a-c insertion sensor (first to third insertion sensors 31a-c)
39 Light emission detection sensor 41 Main control unit 302 Take-in side channel 303 Discharge side channel 401 Light emission detection sensor 501 First common sensor 502 Second common sensor 601 Second input sensor 602 Third input sensor

Claims (1)

The game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, and the display result of the variable display device capable of changing the display state is derived and displayed, whereby one game is completed. , A slot machine in which a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
A take-in route for taking in medals inserted from the medal slot for use in setting the bet number;
A medal that flows through the take-in path by detecting light blocking from the light projecting part to the light-receiving part, having a light projecting part and a light receiving part that are arranged at positions facing each other across the take-in path. Inserted medal detection means for detecting;
Medal number storage means for storing the number of medals usable for setting the bet number;
Medal number adding means for adding the number of medals stored in the medal number storage means on the condition that the inserted medal detection means has detected a medal;
A light projection control means for controlling light emission and non-light emission of the light projection unit of the inserted medal detection means;
An abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when the light receiving unit of the inserted medal detecting means receives light in a state where the light projecting control means controls the light emitting part of the inserted medal detecting means to emit no light;
When the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality, an abnormality control means that controls the fact so that it can be specified;
A slot machine comprising:

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