JP2008125863A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can effectively prevent the fraudulent action of inserting an implement for a fraudulent purpose from a token feeding port and malfunctioning a token detector and does not easily report abnormality due to clogging or clamping of tokens. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine using game media such as tokens includes: a path switching means provided below a token feeding port by a token diameter dimension for switching the first state of leading the tokens to a token sorting device and the second state of leading them to a token putout port; a path changeover control means; a path state detection means; a switching operation confirmation means; and an abnormality reporting means for confirming the switching operation of the path switching means by the switching operation confirmation means when the detected result of the path state detection means is not in the second state even when the path changeover control means controls the path switching means to be in the second state, and then reporting abnormality in the case that the detected result of the path state detection means is not in the second state again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that uses a disc-shaped gaming medium such as a medal or a coin as a gaming medium.

  In general, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a player bets a game medium such as a medal (hereinafter simply referred to as “medal”) and rotates a variable display device including a plurality of reels, and the variable display device is stopped. When identification information such as symbols and numbers drawn on each reel becomes a predetermined combination, a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the combination.

  At the start of the game, the player inserts, for example, 1 to 3 medals from a medal insertion unit arranged on the operation panel of the gaming machine, or from medal credits stored in the gaming machine. The condition for starting the game can be adjusted by pressing a bet button for selecting the number of medals to bet on the current game.

  However, some players who play games use a long plastic plate or a device with a light-emitting element attached to the tip of the game machine without using a regular medal, and misoperate the medal detection sensor of the gaming machine. There are people who try to play games illegally, and game stores and game machine manufacturers are struggling with measures to prevent this kind of fraud.

  In a gaming machine that uses a disk-shaped game medium such as a medal, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-305103 discloses a medal that is inserted from a medal slot and flows down a guide passage. A shutter that closes the guide passage upstream from the medal detector, the shutter that opens the guide passage and allows the medal to flow down, and the guide Drive means that moves between a closed position for closing the passage and prohibiting the flow of the medal, and the shutter when the medal detected by the medal detector reaches a predetermined upper limit number Control means for controlling the drive means to move the reference position from the reference position to the closed position, and shutter position detection for detecting that the shutter is in the closed position And determining whether or not the shutter is in the closed position in a preset state in which the drive means moves the shutter by the control means and the movement to the closed position is completed. The invention relating to a “gaming machine,” characterized in that there is provided an abnormality signal output means for outputting an abnormality signal when the determination means determines that the shutter is not in the closed position. It is disclosed with application examples.

  According to the gaming machine described in this publication, by providing the above-described configuration, “when a foreign object such as a celluloid or a flexible substrate is inserted into the guide passage, the foreign object is held by a shutter to prevent evidence from being lost. Further, it is determined whether or not the guide passage can be completely closed by the shutter, and a notification is given when the guide passage cannot be completely closed by the shutter, so that a medal detector such as an LED is allowed to enter the guide passage. By flashing the illuminant toward, it is possible to prevent an illegal act of misrecognizing the medal detector as if the medal has passed through the guide passage. ”(Paragraph number“ 0010 ”in the specification of the publication) ”)).

  As a second embodiment, an example in which a “shutter body 82b” is disposed in the vicinity of the “medal insertion slot 20” is disclosed (paragraph numbers “0067” to “0074” and FIG. 12 and FIG. 13).

JP-A-2005-305103

  However, in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the shutter is moved from the reference position for opening the guide passage to the closed position for closing the guide passage, the shutter and the passage cover (Patent Document 1 FIG. 5). If a medal is inserted between the two, the determination means determines that the shutter is not in the closed position and outputs an abnormal signal even if it is a regular medal. there were. At this time, the player suffers a disadvantage that the game has to be interrupted even though he / she has not performed any illegal acts.

  Further, the control means for controlling the shutter is configured to set a predetermined upper limit number of medals detected by the medal detector (for example, 50 sheets (paragraph numbers “0015”, “0039” and others in the specification of Patent Document 1). Since the drive means is controlled so as to move the shutter from the reference position to the closed position, the predetermined upper limit number (for example, 50) is reached. ), The illuminant such as LED described above enters the guide path and blinks the illuminant toward the medal detector, so that the medal detector is operated as if the medal has passed through the guide path. There has been a problem that when the misconduct that causes misrecognition is terminated, the cheating cannot be prevented.

  Further, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 as the second embodiment, since the shutter is arranged in the vicinity of the medal slot, the player intentionally retains the medal near the slot. Thus, there is a problem that the gaming machine can output an abnormal signal without using an unauthorized device. In recent years, those who commit fraudulent activities have organized, and while one person has intentionally reported an abnormality and attracted the attention of an attendant at a game store, another person has fraudulent acts on another game machine. As a case has been reported, it is a big problem that a player can intentionally output an abnormal signal to a gaming machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and effectively prevents illegal acts such as inserting a device for illegal purposes from a slot of a game medium such as a medal to cause a medal detector or the like to malfunction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that is capable of being notified of abnormality due to jamming or pinching of game media.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a game medium loading unit having a slot for opening a disc-shaped game medium in the radial direction of the game medium so that the slot can be loaded, and charging from the slot A game medium selecting means for selecting whether or not the played game medium is a regular game medium, and wherein the game medium is inserted between the input slot and the game medium selecting means between the input slot and the game medium. A first state of guiding the game medium to the game medium sorting means and a second state of guiding the game medium to the game medium payout port. Passage switching means for switching to a state, passage switching control means for controlling the passage switching means to the first state or the second state, and passage state detection means for detecting the state of the passage by the passage switching means And the passage cut Switching operation confirmation means for confirming the operation of the passage switching means by causing the means to perform a predetermined number of switching operations, and the passage state even if the passage switching control means controls the passage switching means to the second state. When the detection result of the detection means is not the second state, an abnormality occurs when the detection result of the passage state detection means is not the second state again after the switching operation confirmation means confirms the switching operation of the passage switching means. And an abnormality notifying means for informing the user.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, a gaming medium loading unit having a slot for opening a disc-shaped gaming medium in the radial direction of the gaming medium and opening so as to allow loading, and a gaming medium loaded from the slot Game medium selecting means for selecting whether or not the game medium is a regular game medium, and a game medium below the diameter dimension of the game medium from the input slot between the input slot and the game medium selecting means And a path switching means for switching between a first state for guiding the game medium to the game medium sorting means and a second state for guiding the game medium to the game medium payout port. The passage switching control means for controlling the means to the first state or the second state, the passage state detection means for detecting the state of the passage by the passage switching means, and a switching operation for the passage switching means a predetermined number of times. The movement of the passage switching means A switching operation confirmation means for confirming the passage, and when the passage switching control means controls the passage switching means to the second state and the detection result of the passage state detection means is not the second state, the passage by the switching operation confirmation means After the confirmation of the switching operation of the switching means, there is provided an abnormality notifying means for notifying the abnormality again when the detection result of the passage state detecting means is not in the second state, so that the gaming machine goes to the game medium selecting means When controlling the game medium not to enter, the path switching control means rapidly displaces the path switching means in the thickness direction (about 1 to 2 mm) of the game medium (passage through which the game media passes), The game medium is controlled so as to be in the second state for guiding the game medium to the game medium payout port, and the progress of the inserted game medium to the game medium selection means is quickly regulated. It is possible to reduce the probability of the defect in the pinch such media as much as possible. And even if the passage switching control means controls the passage of the game medium from the first state to the second state, when the detection result of the passage state detection means is not in the second state, the switching operation confirmation means causes the passage switching means. After a predetermined number of switching operations (for example, about 1 to 3 times), the passage state detection means detects the state of the passage again, and if the detection result is not the second state, the abnormality notification means notifies the abnormality. To do. Therefore, even when the passage switching means is pinched or clogged by the passage switching means during the switching operation of the passage switching means from the first state to the second state, the detection result of the passage state detection means is not the second state. The switching operation of the passage switching means by the switching operation confirmation means can eliminate the pinching or clogging of the game medium, so the detection result of the passage state detection means is in the second state, and the possibility of fraud is reported as abnormal The abnormality notifying means that operates does not operate, and there is no disadvantage that the player is interrupted. In addition, if the detection result of the passage state detection unit is not in the second state even after the switching operation confirmation unit confirms the switching operation of the passage switching unit, there is a possibility of fraud in which a foreign object is inserted into the passage of the game medium. Therefore, the abnormality is notified by the abnormality notification means, so that the damage caused by the above-described fraud can be minimized.

  Further, the passage progress restricting means is disposed in the passage below the diameter dimension of the game medium from the game medium insertion port, and the passage switching means is disposed further below the passage progress restricting means. It is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the player intentionally operates the abnormality notification means by the medium.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example. 1 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the slot machine 1, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 1 with the front door 3 opened, and FIG. 3 is a control system for the slot machine 1. It is a block diagram showing.

  In FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 includes a housing 2 that is a substantially rectangular box, and a front door 3 that is attached to the housing 2 and can be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism. The front side of the front door 3 is roughly divided into an upper panel portion 4 and a lower panel portion 5, which are integrally formed of hard plastic as a so-called decorative board designed to enhance the visual effect. Further, below the lower panel portion 5, there is provided a tray unit 6 in which a tray portion 6a for storing medals paid out at the time of winning is integrally formed.

  An operation console 7 is integrally formed between the upper panel portion 4 and the lower panel portion 5 so as to protrude toward the player and on which switches for performing game operations are arranged. The console 7 includes a front mask 7a on which a start lever 75 and stop buttons 76a, 76b, and 76c, which will be described later, are disposed on the front surface, and bet buttons 72 and 73 and a game medium input unit on the upper surface held by the front mask 7a. The operation panel 79 is provided with a medal insertion portion 71 and the like. In addition, the upper panel part 4, the console 7, the lower panel part 5, and the saucer unit 6 face the player side, and these constitute a "front panel part".

  A panel surface 41 formed of a hard plastic plate or the like is provided at the center of the upper panel portion 4. A substantially rectangular transparent display window is formed substantially at the center of the panel surface 41, and the three reels 101a, 101b of the reel unit 100 constituting the variable display device provided in the housing 2 through the display window, 101c (see FIG. 2) is visually observed.

  In the upper part of the upper panel part 4, an illumination effecting device 46 incorporating a light source such as a high-intensity light emitting diode inside the lens panel 46a, and an effect sound emitting unit 47a incorporating a speaker for generating sound effects relating to the game, 47b are respectively arranged.

  In addition, a liquid crystal display effect device 48 as an effect device for a gaming machine is arranged between the sound emitting parts 47a and 47b for production facing a display window 48a formed by fitting a transparent hard plastic plate or the like. ing. The liquid crystal display effect device 48 mainly displays information related to the game effect and the game (game).

  On the side of the upper panel portion 4 are provided lighting units 49a and 49b for production made of fluorescent lamps or high-intensity light emitting diodes. The lighting effect device 46 and the plurality of effect lighting units 49a and 49b described above are turned on or blinking according to the progress of the game, so that the visual effect in the game is enhanced.

  A medal insertion part 71 having a medal insertion slot 71a for inserting medals is provided on the upper right side of the operation panel 79 of the console 7. In addition, on the upper left side of the operation panel 79, two bet buttons 72 and 73 which are push button switches are provided. The bet buttons 72 and 73 are button switches for presenting the number of medals bet on one game of the slot machine 1. When the game is started, the bet button 72 is pressed once, so that one medal is bet on the game from the stored medals, and the bet button 72 is pressed twice as well. So two medals are bet. Further, when the bet button 73 is pressed, three medals are bet on the game. The bet button 73 is particularly called a “max bet button” because it bets the maximum number of medals.

  On the front left side of the front mask 7a of the console 7, a start lever 75 is provided for instructing the start of rotation of the reels 101a, 101b, 101c. The start lever 75 is provided with a swingable operation rod having a spherical operation knob at the tip. The start lever 75 is turned on when the operation rod is tilted, and is automatically restored by the biasing force of the spring when the operation lever is released. It is formed by a switch unit that returns to the position of and is turned off.

  Further, stop buttons 76a, 76b, and 76c for instructing to stop the rotation of the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c are arranged in parallel at the center of the front mask 7a in correspondence with the arrangement of the reels.

  To the right of the stop buttons 76a, 76b, and 76c, when a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 71a is jammed in the medal sorting device 34 shown in FIG. Return button 74 is provided.

  Further, in the left corner of the front face of the front mask 7a, an instruction is given to cancel and pay out medals bet on the game, and the medal credit means 210 (see FIG. 3) to be described later settles the medals stored internally. A checkout button 77 is provided for instructing the payout.

  A key hole 78 into which a key for unlocking the front door 3 is inserted is provided on the front right side of the front mask 7a. When an administrator or the like of the slot machine 1 inserts a predetermined key into the key hole 78 and performs an unlocking operation, the front door 3 attached to the housing 2 can be opened forward by a hinge mechanism, and the front door 3 can be opened. These are automatically locked when closed to the housing 2 side.

  The lower panel portion 5 is provided with a panel 51 for displaying the design of the appearance character and the like so that the player can recognize the model type of the slot machine 1. Below the lower panel portion 5, a medal payout opening 61 for discharging medals at the time of winning a prize, an effect sound emitting section 62a, 62b incorporating a speaker for generating an effect sound effect, and a tray unit 6 are arranged. Yes.

  The tray unit 6 includes a tray member in which a certificate display unit is formed on the front surface and a tray portion 6a for storing medals paid out from the medal payout outlet 61, and an ashtray member for smoking by the player 65.

  Next, the internal structure of the housing 2 and the back surface structure of the front door 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, a main control board 20 having a CPU (microcomputer) for centrally controlling the entire operation of the slot machine 1 and housed in a hard plastic case is attached to the upper part of the housing 2.

  A reel unit 100 constituting a variable display device including reels 101a, 101b, and 101c is provided in the center of the housing 2. The reel unit 100 is positioned and attached to a predetermined frame so that the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c face the display window of the panel surface 41 of the front door 3 when the front door 3 is closed to the housing 2 side. .

  The reel unit 100 includes cylindrical reels 101a, 101b, and 101c juxtaposed in the rotational axis direction, and a plurality of types of symbols are provided on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 101a, 101b, and 101c along the circumferential direction. The identification information is drawn by using numbers. The player can visually check three symbols and the like (identification information) in the vertical direction drawn on the three rows of reels 101a, 101b, and 101c through the display window of the panel surface 41. Note that each of the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c is rotationally driven by a built-in stepping motor.

  Further, on the upper part of the reel unit 100, a spinning device board for sending a four-phase drive pulse signal to the stepping motor that rotationally drives each reel is attached, and the main control board 20 is rotated to the spinning device board. By sending drum drive (excitation) pulse data, the reels 101a, 101b and 101c are controlled to rotate, brake and stop.

  Below the reel unit 100, a hopper device 21 provided with a medal storage portion 21a, an auxiliary storage portion 22 for storing medals overflowing from the medal storage portion 21a of the hopper device 21, and a main power supply device 24 are provided. It has been. On the side surface of the main power supply device 24, a power supply device substrate 23 corresponding to a so-called switchboard is provided. Further, an external concentration terminal board 25 that can be connected to a management computer called a “hall computer” installed in the game hall is attached to the inner wall on the upper right side of the housing 2.

  Next, the speakers 32a and 32b are attached to the upper part on the back surface side of the front door 3 so as to face the sound emitting portions 47a and 47b for effects described above. A liquid crystal display effect device 48 is attached between the speakers 32a and 32b. Further, on the back side of the liquid crystal display effect device 48, a sub-control board 30 formed of an electric circuit board is housed and attached in a hard plastic case.

  Note that the overall operation of the slot machine 1 is comprehensively controlled by the main control board 20 provided on the housing 2 side, and the sub-control board 30 controls the display of the effect video by the liquid crystal display effect device 48 and the illumination effect. Control mainly related to the effects of the game, such as effect effect lighting control using the device 46 and the effect lighting units 49a and 49b, and effect sound control using the effect sound emitting units 47a, 47b, 62a and 62b. ing.

  Below the sub-control board 30, a panel surface 41 on which a transparent display window for allowing the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c to be viewed is formed.

  Below the panel surface 41, a switching guide member 33 provided with a passage switching means, which will be described later, and a medal sorting device 34 serving as a game medium sorting means are disposed below the medal insertion portion 71. Has been. Details of the switching guide member 33 will be described later with reference to other drawings.

  The medal sorting device 34 is a device that determines and distributes the suitability of medals, which are game media inserted into the medal insertion unit 71. In addition, the medal sorting device 34 has a built-in medal sensor that is a game medium detecting means, and a normal medal is inserted in a standby state of the game, etc., and the medal sensor detects the medal, thereby accepting the medal insertion. A signal shown is sent to the main control board 20.

  Below the main body of the medal sorting device 34, the regular medals discharged from the side of the medal sorting device 34 by the medal sorting device 34 are guided to the medal storage portion 21 a of the hopper device 21 provided in the housing 2. And a guide member 36 for guiding the medals (or foreign matter) removed on the lower surface of the medal sorting device 34 by the medal sorting device 34 to the medal payout outlet 61. The upper part of the guide member 36 communicates with one lower part of the switching guide member 33 described above. In addition, a guide member 37 that guides the medals discharged from the hopper device 21 to the medal payout opening 61 is provided at the lower part on the back side of the front door 3. Further, adjacent to the medal payout opening 61, speakers 38a and 38b facing the sound emitting sections 62a and 62b for effects described above are attached.

  Next, a control system provided in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the main control board 20 includes a CPU 200, a storage unit 201, and a medal credit unit 210.

  The storage unit 201 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and stores a system program 202 for a slot machine game in advance. The main control board 20 performs overall control of the overall operation of the slot machine 1 by the CPU 200 executing arithmetic processing according to the system program 202 stored in the storage unit 201. The medal credit means 210 stores a credit, which is the number of medals stored therein, in a memory.

  The main control board 20 includes operation switches such as bet buttons 72 and 73, a start lever 75, stop buttons 76a, 76b and 76c, a settlement button 77, and a state of a switching member 330 which constitutes a medal passage switching means described later ( A switching member position sensor 720 serving as a passage state detection means for detecting a position), sensors such as medal sensors 34a and 34b of the medal sorting device 34, a medal payout device such as the hopper device 21 and a switching member 330 which will be described later. The switching member driving member 750, the external concentrated terminal board 25, the sub control board 30 and the like that are configured are connected by a wiring cable.

  The main control board 20 detects an operation related to the game based on output signals from the operation switches and switching member position sensors 720 and 730 and the medal sensors 34a and 34b of the medal sorting device 34. When the operation mode is the medal bet standby state and the medal sensors 34a and 34b detect medals, the main control board 20 adds the detected medals to the number of bets on the game.

  The main control board 20 adds the detected medal to the credit of the medal credit unit 210 when the medal sensors 34a and 34b detect the medal when the operation mode is in the medal credit input standby state. Here, the medal bet standby state indicates a state in which, after one game is finished, the player waits for a bet to bet on the game. The medal credit input standby state indicates a state in which the medal credit means 210 reaches a maximum value (for example, 50) after the medal is bet on the game.

  Detection signals from reference position sensors 120a, 120b, and 120c provided on the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c are input to the main control board 20, and the main control board 20 grasps the rotation position that serves as a reference for each reel, Predetermined rotation drive pulse data is sent to the rotation device substrate 130. The rotating device substrate 130 controls the rotation and stopping of the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c by rotating the stepping motors 110a, 110b, and 110c in accordance with the rotating drive pulse data from the main control substrate 20. ing.

  The main control board 20 pays out a predetermined number of medals to the tray portion 6a by controlling the hopper device 21 when a winning is confirmed.

  In addition, when the settlement button 77 is operated, the main control board 20 cancels the medals bet on the game and pays them out to the hopper device 21, and settles the medals stored internally by the medal credit means 210. The apparatus 21 is made to pay out medals for the number of credits before settlement.

  The sub control board 30 includes a liquid crystal display effect device 48, an illumination effect device 46, effect lighting units 49a and 49b, an effect sound emitting unit 47a, 47b, 62a, 62b, and the like based on a control signal from the main control board 20. By controlling and driving the effect device 230, an effect appealing to the player's vision and hearing is performed according to the progress of the game.

  On the other hand, a winning lottery table 203 and an internal lottery flag 204 are stored in the storage unit 201 of the main control board 20. For example, the CPU 200 acquires a random number value from a random number generator (not shown) at the time when the operation of the start lever 75 is detected, and refers to the winning lottery table 203 to determine the winning combination or loser assigned to the obtained random number value. Lottery. Then, if there is a winning combination corresponding to the random number value, the CPU 200 wins the lottery result by using the winning combination as the winning combination of the game, and stores the winning combination in the internal lottery flag 204 of the storage unit 201. Here, the lottery method of winning combination is called “internal lottery”.

  Further, the storage unit 201 of the main control board 20 stores passage switching control means 205, switching operation confirmation means 206, and abnormality notification means 207.

  The passage switching control means 205 is provided with a switching member 330 that constitutes the passage switching means provided in the medal passage (passage 33a indicated by arrow A in FIG. 4) at least below the diameter dimension of the medal from the insertion slot 71a of the medal insertion portion 71. , A signal for controlling the medal to the medal sorting device 34 and the second state of guiding the medal to the medal payout outlet 61 are sent to the switching member driving member 750, and the switching which is the passage state detecting means A switching member state detection signal from the member position sensor 720 is received to determine whether or not the switching member 330 is in the second state.

  When the slot machine 1 is turned on and the passage switching control means 205 sends out a control signal for setting the switching member 330 to the second state, the switching operation confirmation means 206 detects the detection result of the switching member position sensor 720. It operates when not in the second state, and sends a drive signal to the switching member driving member 750 to switch the switching member 330 several times (for example, 1 to 3 times).

  Even if the passage switching control means 205 described above controls the passage to the second state where the medal is guided to the medal payout outlet 61, the abnormality notifying means 207 is that the detection result of the switching member position sensor 720 is not in the second state. After the switching operation confirmation means 206 is activated and the switching member 330 is switched about once to three times, when the detection result of the switching member position sensor 720 is not in the second state again, a foreign object is inserted into the medal passage. It is judged that it is operating, and the abnormality is notified. For the notification of the abnormality, the generation of an error sound, the display of an error code, the lighting effect device 46, the lighting units for effect 49a, 49b, etc. can be used. Further, an error signal may be sent from the external concentrated terminal board 25 to the hall computer.

  Next, an outline of the game operation in the slot machine 1 will be described. The slot machine 1 enters a standby state when a prize is won in a previous game and a medal payout is completed, or when a loss is confirmed in the previous game. In this standby state, a standby mode effect is provided that suggests the state to the player and prompts a game operation. Next, when the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 71a of the medal insertion unit 71 or presses one of the bet buttons 72 and 73, the slot machine 1 stores the medal (credits) stored therein. ), A predetermined number of medals are bet on the game to prepare the game.

  When the start lever 75 is tilted and the game is started in the game preparation state, the main control board 20 starts to rotate the three reels 101a, 101b, and 101c all at once and executes the internal lottery described above. The result of the internal lottery is stored in the internal lottery flag 204. The passage switching control means 205 switches the switching member 330 so that the medal passage is in the second state from when the start lever 75 is tilted until all the reels 101a, 101b, 101c stop. The member drive member 750 is controlled.

  Next, when one of the stop buttons 76a, 76b, and 76c is sequentially pressed by the player, the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c are stopped, and the main control board 20 is stopped on each of the stopped reels 101a, 101b, and 101c. It is determined whether or not the symbol displayed by the symbol matches the symbol combination related to the winning combination corresponding to the internal lottery flag 204 described above.

  When the combination of these symbols matches the winning combination of the internal lottery and the winning combination is confirmed, the slot machine 1 controls the medal credit means 210 by the main control board 20, and the number of credits of the medal stored internally is determined. Until a predetermined number is reached, medals with a predetermined number of payouts are added to the number of credits according to the type of the combination. Furthermore, when the addition result of the number of payouts and the number of credits exceeds the predetermined number (for example, 50), the slot machine 1 pays out the surplus number of medals to the tray unit 6a. When the number of medal credits reaches the predetermined number (for example, 50), the passage switching control unit 205 causes the switching member 330 to move the medal path until the medal credit number falls below the predetermined number. The switching member driving member 750 is controlled so as to be in the second state.

  Next, an embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  4 to 6 are views showing a medal insertion unit 71, a switching guide member 33, and a medal sorting device 34 as a game medium sorting means in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the front door 3 of the slot machine 1 being opened. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are views in which a part viewed from the right side of FIG. 4 is broken.

  4 and 5, the switching member 330 constituting the path switching member is retracted from the path 33 a of the medal 80 to the front side of the slot machine 1, and the medal 80 inserted from the slot 71 a of the medal slot 71 is inserted. FIG. 6 shows a state controlled to a first state that leads to the medal sorting device 34 that is a game medium sorting means. In FIG. 6, the switching member 330 enters the passage 33 a, and its leading end is the switching guide member 33. The second state is controlled such that the medal 80 inserted from the insertion port 71a is guided to the medal payout port 61 through the guide member 36 by contacting the wall surface facing the wall surface where the through hole 33d is formed. Indicates the state.

  4 to 6, the medal insertion portion 71 formed by, for example, zinc die casting is inserted through the insertion hole formed in the operation panel 79 held by the front mask 7a as shown in FIG. In this way, it is arranged on the operation panel 79. As shown by broken lines in FIGS. 4 and 5, the medal insertion portion 71 is formed with an insertion port 71a and a passage penetrating downward from the insertion port 71a.

  The switching guide member 33 is formed by molding hard plastic or the like, receives a medal flowing down the medal insertion portion 71 from the upper opening, and receives the received medal directly below the switching guide member 33. 34 and a path 33c indicated by an arrow A2 leading to the medal payout outlet 61. The passage 33 c that guides the medal 80 to the medal payout outlet 61 is bent to the left in FIG. 4 of the medal sorting device 34 and hangs down, and communicates with the guide member 36 disposed below the medal sorting device 34.

  The switching member 330 is disposed in a through hole 33 d formed in the switching guide member 33 at a position where the distance d from the insertion port 71 a of the medal insertion portion 71 is longer than at least the diameter dimension of the medal 80. The switching member 330 is formed, for example, by molding hard plastic into a plate shape, and is fixed to a drive shaft 751 of a solenoid 750 serving as a switching member driving member, and the switching guide member 33 is controlled by ON / OFF control of the solenoid 750. Is displaced in the thickness direction of the medal 80 passing therethrough and has a function of switching the progress of the medal 80 in the switching guide member 33 to the passage 33b or the passage 33c. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the switching member 330 has the tip of the switching member 330 retracted from the passage 33a of the switching guide member 33 to the rear in FIG. 4 (the front side of the slot machine 1) and the passage 33a of the medal 80. As shown in FIG. 6, the first position connects the passage 33b to the passage 33b, and the second position connects the passage 33a of the medal 80 to the passage 33c by contacting the left inner wall of the switching guide member 33 in FIG. The solenoid 750 is displaced by the driving force. A sensor detection piece 752 for outputting a detection signal from a switching member position sensor 720 serving as a passage state detection means described later is formed on the side of the solenoid 750 opposite to the fixing portion of the switching shaft 330 of the drive shaft 751.

  Reference numeral 720 in FIGS. 5 and 6 represents a switching member position sensor serving as a passage state detecting means in the present embodiment. The switching member position sensor 720 is a transmissive photosensor disposed in the vicinity of the solenoid 750, and includes a light emitting element 721 such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving element 722 such as a phototransistor. When the passage state shown in FIG. 6 is the second state, the sensor detection piece 752 of the switching member 330 is displaced to a position substantially accommodated in the solenoid 750 to release the optical path of the switching member position sensor 720, and the light emitting element 721. Is received by the light receiving element 722, and a detection signal is output to the main control board 20. When the passage state shown in FIG. 5 is the first state, the sensor detection piece 752 blocks the optical path between the light emitting element 721 and the light receiving element 722, and thus no detection signal is output from the photosensor 720.

  In the present embodiment, the passage switching control unit 205 determines that the passage of the switching guide member 33 is in the second state when the main control board 20 receives the detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720.

  Below the passage 33b of the switching guide member 33, a medal sorting device 34, which is a game medium sorting means for sorting whether or not the medal 80 inserted from the medal insertion unit 71 is genuine, is disposed. The medal sorting device 34 includes a base body 341 formed of a hard plastic and formed into a substantially rectangular box shape having an open lower portion, and a metal such as an iron plate disposed above the wall surface of the base body 341. A plate guide plate 342 and a hard plastic substantially rectangular cover plate 343 detachably attached to the lower portion of the base 341 so as to sandwich the guide plate 342 (in FIG. 4, a part thereof is broken. Is drawn).

  The guide plate 342 is formed with a plurality of bent portions so as to protrude toward the base 341 side, and includes a support shaft 84 supported on a pair of bearings 341a and 341b formed on the base 341 at the upper right side thereof. The urging member is urged so that the tip of the bent portion contacts the base 341 side and is held by the base 341. Therefore, the base body 341 and the guide plate 342 are opposed to each other with a gap through which the medal 80 can pass through the bent portion. A part of the gap forms a passage through which the medal 80 passes. The guide plate 342 includes a punched portion 342a formed to be drilled and formed on the lower right side from the left central portion. The guide extends below the punched portion 342a from the left central portion to the lower right side along the punched portion 342a. Part 342b. A guide rail 342c is formed at the lower end portion of the guide portion 342b. The guide rail 342c is bent to the base 341 side so as to be substantially perpendicular to the guide portion 342b and to have a width substantially equal to the thickness of the medal 80. A gap through which the medal 80 can pass (drop off) is provided between the end of the guide rail 342c on the base 341 side and the wall surface of the base 341. Further, the upper portion of the guide portion 342b is bent and formed so as to be inclined toward the cover plate 343 side. The distance from the upper surface of the guide rail 342c to the upper end 342d of the punched portion 342a is set to a dimension slightly shorter (about a few tenths of a millimeter) than the minimum diameter of the medal 80 allowed as the regular medal 80.

  The medal sorting device 34 configured as described above is a receiving port for receiving in the medal sorting device 34 the medal 80 that is inserted from the insertion port 71a of the medal insertion unit 71 and passes through the passages 33a and 33b of the switching guide member 33. 340a, and the medal 80 received from the receiving port 340a vertically falls in the medal sorting device 34. The medal 80 is indicated by a broken line arrow B in FIG. A passage C that rolls on the guide rail 342c of the guide plate 342 as indicated by a broken line arrow C in FIG. 4 and a medal 80 provided at the end portion of the passage C from the right side of the medal sorting device 34 in the middle arrow of FIG. A discharge port 340b that discharges in the direction indicated by the symbol D, and when the medal 80 is dropped from the guide rail 342c in the passage C, the medal 80 is placed below the medal sorting device 34. Is discharged in the direction indicated by al 4 Nakaya marks E, and a return opening 340c for returning the medal payout opening 61 in front of the slot machine 1 to the saucer portion 6a through a guide member 36.

  Although not shown, a pair of bent portions bent to the base 341 side are formed on the left and right sides of the passage B below the radius of the medal 80 from the receiving port 340a of the passage B. The dimension between the bent portions is set to be approximately equal to the maximum diameter of the medal 80 allowed as the regular medal 80. Accordingly, the unspecified medal 80 having a diameter larger than that of the regular medal 80 cannot pass between the pair of bent portions and stays (clogs) below the receiving port 340a in the medal sorting device 34. . In this case, when a player or an attendant of the game store presses the return button 74 disposed on the front mask 7a of the slot machine 1, the guide plate 342 rotates to the cover plate 343 side with the support shaft 85 as a fulcrum. Then, the retained medal 80 is dropped and returned from the medal payout opening 61 to the tray 6a through the guide member 36 from the return port 340c.

  Reference numeral 82 in FIG. 4 indicates a swing lever for reducing the falling speed of the medal 80 passing through the passage B. The swing lever 82 is made of a metal plate such as an iron plate, and a tip end portion 82a thereof is a bent portion formed to be bent toward the base 341, and the bent portion 342e formed by drilling the guide plate 342. Is attached to the guide plate 342 so as to enter the passage B of the medal 80 via. The swing lever 82 is always urged clockwise by an urging member so as to be rotatable about a support shaft. When the medal 80 passes through the passage B, the swing lever 82 collides with the tip end portion 82a of the swing lever 82 so that the swing lever 82 is counterclockwise against the urging force of the urging member. Since it rotates in the turning direction and passes downward, the falling speed of the medal 80 can be reduced.

  Reference numeral 81 in FIG. 4 denotes a pressing member that presses the upper part of the medal 80 that has reached the end of the passage B toward the guide plate 342. The pressing member 81 is formed by molding hard plastic or the like, and an upper portion thereof is attached to the back surface side of the base body 341, and a lower end portion is formed from a through hole formed in the base body 341 toward the cover plate 343. The upper portion of the medal 80 that is bent and reaches the end of the passage B is biased so as to press it toward the guide plate 342.

  When the regular medal 80 reaches the end portion of the passage B (the start end portion of the passage C), the upper portion of the medal 80 is pressed toward the guide plate 342 by the lower end portion of the pressing member 81. At this time, the upper end portion of the medal 80 is guided to the upper end portion 342d of the punching portion 342a of the guide plate 342, the lower portion of the medal 80 is guided to the vertical surface below the guide portion 342b, and the medal 80 moves on the guide rail 342c. It rolls in the direction of the passage C, that is, the lower right in FIG.

  When an unspecified medal 80 having a diameter smaller than that of the regular medal 80 reaches the end of the passage B, the upper portion of the medal 80 is pressed toward the guide plate 342 by the lower end portion of the pressing member 81. At this time, since the diameter of the medal 80 is smaller than the regular one, the upper end portion of the medal 80 is not guided to the upper end portion 342d of the punching portion 342a of the guide plate 342, and the medal 80 is located on the upper portion of the guide portion 342b. Pressed by the inclined surface, the lower end portion of the medal 80 is dropped from the guide rail 342 c and dropped, and the medal 80 is discharged from the return port 340 c at the lower part of the medal sorting device 34, and the medal payout port 61 is passed through the guide member 36. To the saucer 6a.

  Reference numeral 83 in FIG. 4 indicates a guide member that guides the progress of the medal 80 passing through the passage B and passing through the passage C, and reference numeral 84 excludes the progress of the medal 80 passing through the passage C and transfers the medal 80 to the return port 340c. The exclusion member to drop is shown.

  The exclusion member 84 is formed by molding a magnetic metal plate such as an iron plate, and is attracted to the solenoid 86 (see FIG. 8) disposed on the back side of the exclusion member 84 when turned on. A bent piece is provided at the lower end portion so as to project on the guide plate 342 side. The exclusion member 84 is attached to the base 341 side via a biasing member so that the bent piece at the lower end protrudes into the passage C when the solenoid 86 is in the OFF state, and the solenoid 86 is in the ON state. Sometimes, the suction surface is attracted by the solenoid 86 against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the bent piece at the lower end moves from the inside of the passage C to the rear of the wall surface of the base 341 and enters the passage C. Operates so as not to protrude.

  The guide member 83 is formed by molding hard plastic, and includes a bearing portion at an upper portion and a guide portion that guides the progress of the medal 80 in the passage C in cooperation with the wall surface of the base 341. . The guide member 83 is attached to the guide plate 342 so as to be constantly pressed toward the exclusion member 84 by the biasing member, and is linked to the operation of the exclusion member 84 in accordance with the ON / OFF state of the solenoid 86 described above (the solenoid solenoid). 86 ON state) and the cover plate 343 side (solenoid 86 OFF state).

  When the solenoid 86 is in the ON state, the bent piece of the exclusion member 84 moves to the rear of the wall surface of the base body 341, and the guide portion of the guide member 83 cooperates with the wall surface of the base body 341 to guide the progress of the medal 80. The medal 80 smoothly rolls on the guide rail 342c in the passage C and proceeds in the downstream direction where medal sensors 34a and 34b described later are disposed.

  When the solenoid 86 is in the OFF state, the bent piece of the exclusion member 84 projects into the passage C, and the guide member 83 is displaced toward the cover plate 343 side. When the medal 80 advances in the passage C in this state, the upper portion of the medal 80 is pressed against the inclined surface of the upper portion of the guide portion 342b by the bent piece of the exclusion member 84 protruding into the passage C, and the lower end portion of the medal 80 is The medal 80 is dropped from the guide rail 342c and dropped, and the medal 80 is discharged from the return port 340c at the lower part of the medal sorting device 34, and returned from the medal payout port 61 to the tray 6a via the guide member 36.

  When the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on, the solenoid 86 is normally kept on, but when the medal credit means 210 (see FIG. 3) stores an upper limit value (for example, 50), When an error is detected during a game (from when the start lever 75 is operated and the reels 101a, 101b and 101c start to rotate until all the reels 101a, 101b and 101c are stopped), Or, when the power of the slot machine 1 is turned off, the solenoid 86 is turned off.

  Reference numerals 34a and 34b in FIG. 4 indicate medal sensors which are game medium detecting means in the present embodiment. As these medal sensors 34a and 34b, a reflection type photo interrupter in which a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor are combined can be used.

  When the above-described solenoid 86 is ON and the medal 80 passes between the exclusion member 84 and the guide member 83 in the passage C, the medal 80 subsequently passes in front of the medal sensors 34a and 34b. At this time, the two medal sensors 34 a and 34 b output detection signals to the main control board 20.

  The medal 80 passing in front of the medal sensors 34a, 34b rolls in the direction of the arrow D in FIG. 4 as it is and is discharged from the discharge port 340b provided on the right side surface of the medal sorting device 34, as shown in FIG. It is dropped and stored in the storage part 21a of the hopper device 21 via the member 35.

  As described above, the medal sorting device 34 sorts whether or not the medal 80 received from the receiving port 340a is the regular medal 80, and the medal 80 is stored in the discharge port 340b or the return port 340c of the medal sorting device 34. It has a function to distribute to either.

  7 shows a case where the passage switching control means 205 of the main control board 20 controls to switch the passage of the switching guide member 33 from the first state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the second state shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where the medal 80 inserted from the insertion port 71a of the medal insertion portion 71 is sandwiched between the tip end portion 335 of the switching member 330 and the inner wall of the passage 33a.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the passage switching control means 205 controls the passage of the switching guide member 33 to the second state, the sensor detection piece 752 of the switching member 330 is switched to the switching member position sensor 720. Since the light path between the light emitting element 721 and the light receiving element 722 is blocked, the detection signal of the switching member position sensor 720 is not output. In such a case, the CPU 200 controls the switching member 330 to be in the second state after the switching operation confirmation unit 206 is operated to switch the switching member 330 several times (about 1 to 3 times). When the switching member 330 is displaced to the first position shown in FIG. 5 in the state of FIG. 7, the medal 80 passes through the passage 33 b and falls to the medal sorting device 34, thereby eliminating the state where the medal 80 is pinched (medal jammed state). can do. After this switching confirmation operation, the switching member 330 is controlled to the second state shown in FIG. 6, and a detection signal is output from the switching member position sensor 720 to the main control board 20. Therefore, when the medal 80 is sandwiched in the passage 33a by the operation of the switching member 330, the clogging of the medal 80 is eliminated by the switching confirmation operation by the switching operation confirmation unit 206, so that the abnormality notification unit 207 is unnecessary. It will not work.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the present embodiment when a flexible substrate 90 having a light emitting element 90a or the like mounted at the tip is inserted from the insertion slot 71a of the medal insertion section 71 for the purpose of fraud. It is. In FIG. 8, the illustration of the guide plate 342 and the cover plate 343 of the medal sorting device 34 shown in FIG. 4 is omitted, and in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), FIGS. The members and parts that perform the same functions as the members and parts shown in FIG.

  When an unauthorized instrument 90 is inserted from the insertion port 71a of the medal insertion unit 71 when the passage of the switching guide member 33 is in the first state, the passage switching control means 205 controls the passage to the second state. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the distal end portion of the switching member 330 contacts the instrument 90, and the switching member 330 does not reach the second position shown in FIG. Since the optical path between the light emitting element 721 and the light receiving element 722 of the switching member position sensor 720 is blocked, the detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720 is not output.

  The CPU 200 controls the switching member 330 to be in the second state after operating the switching operation confirmation means 206 to switch the switching member 330 several times (about 1 to 3 times). However, in this case, since the detection signal is not output from the switching member position sensor 720 even after the switching operation confirmation unit 206 is operated, the CPU 200 of the main control board 20 determines that an abnormality has occurred, and the abnormality notification unit. 207 is operated to notify the abnormality of the slot machine 1. Further, the function of the slot machine 1 including the payment of credits by the settlement button 77 can be stopped until this abnormality is canceled.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the flow of the operation during the normal game in the present embodiment will be described.

  When the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on (step S01), the CPU 200 of the main control board 20 operates the switching operation confirmation unit 206 to switch the switching member 330 several times, and subsequently switches the passage switching control unit 205. The solenoid 750 is controlled so as to be operated to bring the switching member 330 into the first state (step S02).

  Next, the CPU 200 performs processing for confirming whether or not the detection signal of the switching member position sensor 720 is input. If the detection signal is not input, the CPU 200 determines that the state is not the second state, and proceeds to step S07 ( Step S03). If it is determined in step S03 that the detection signal of the switching member position sensor 720 is input, the CPU 200 determines that the switching member operation error has occurred (step S04), and the clerk is the switching member 330, the solenoid 750, and the switching member position. The sensor 720 or the like is inspected or repaired (step S05), and the operation of the switching member 330 is confirmed (step S06).

  When the normal operation of the switching member 330 is confirmed in step S03 or step S06, the slot machine 1 enters a state where the medal 80 can be inserted (step S07). The player inserts a specified number of medals 80 for playing or presses the specified number of bet buttons 72 and 73 from the medal credit means 210 (step S08), and tilts the start lever 75 (step S08). S09).

  When the start lever 75 is tilted in step S09, the CPU 200 rotates the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c all at once and operates the passage switching control means 205 so that the switching member 330 is in the second state. The solenoid 750 is controlled to determine whether or not the switching member 330 is in the second state based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720 (step S10).

  When a positive determination is made in step S10, the process proceeds to step S13. If a negative determination is made in step S10, the CPU 200 operates the switching operation confirmation unit 206 to switch the switching member 330 several times, and then controls the stepping motor 750 so as to be in the second state (step S10). S11) A process of determining again whether or not the switching member 330 is in the second state based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720 is performed (step S12).

  If a positive determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13. If a negative determination is made in step S12, the CPU 200 activates the abnormality notification unit 207 to generate an error sound, display an error code, and notify the abnormality using the lighting effect device 46 and the effect lighting units 49a and 49b. This is performed (step S16). The attendant at the amusement store releases the abnormality of the slot machine 1 that has been notified of the abnormality, and returns it to a normal state (step S17).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S10 or step S12, the slot machine 1 enters a state in which the acceptance of the stop buttons 76a, 76b, and 76c is permitted (step S13). When the player presses the stop buttons 76a, 76b, and 76c (step S14), all the reels 101a, 101b, and 101c are stopped, and when one game is completed, the process returns to step S02.

  In the present embodiment, during a normal game, the game proceeds according to the above flow. It should be noted that the switching member 330 may be held in the second state during operation of the accessory continuous operation increasing device (during a special game) such as a bonus game.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, an operation flow when the number of credits stored in the medal credit unit 210 reaches the upper limit value (50 in the present embodiment) in the present embodiment will be described.

  When the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on (step S21), the CPU 200 performs a process of determining whether or not the numerical value stored in the medal credit means 210 is 50 (step S22). The process of step S22 is repeated until the numerical value stored in the medal credit means 210 reaches 50.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S22, the CPU 200 operates the passage switching control means 205 to control the solenoid 750 so that the switching member 330 is in the second state, and whether the switching member 330 is in the second state. A process for determining whether or not there is a detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720 is performed (step S23).

  If a positive determination is made in step S23, the process returns to step S22. If a negative determination is made in step S23, the CPU 200 operates the switching operation confirmation means 206 to switch the switching member 330 several times, and then controls the stepping motor 750 so as to enter the second state (step S23). S24) The process of determining again whether or not the switching member 330 is in the second state based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720 is performed (step S25).

  When a positive determination is made in step S25, the process returns to step S22. When a negative determination is made in step S25, the CPU 200 activates the abnormality notification unit 207 to generate an error sound, display an error code, and notify the abnormality using the lighting effect device 46 and the effect lighting units 49a and 49b. This is performed (step S26). The attendant at the amusement store releases the abnormality of the slot machine 1 that has been informed of the abnormality, returns it to the normal state (step S27), and the process of the CPU 200 returns to step S22.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the start lever 75 is tilted and when the numerical value stored in the medal credit unit 210 reaches a preset upper limit value (for example, 50), the CPU 200 controls the passage switching control unit 205. Is operated to control the solenoid 750 so that the switching member 330 is in the second state, and whether or not the switching member 330 is in the second state is determined based on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720. Although the example which performs a process was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, For example, every time predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) passes, or a random time interval using a random number generation means etc. If the state of the switching member 330 at that time is the first state, the passage switching control means 205 is operated regardless of the gaming state, and the switching member 330 is in the second state. And it controls the solenoid 750 so that the state, the switching member 330 may be configured whether a second state to perform the process of determining the presence or absence of a detection signal from the switching member position sensor 720.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 4 of the embodiment described on the left. In FIG. 11, the members and portions having the same functions as those of the members and portions shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the switching members 331 a and 331 b constituting the path switching means are formed in the switching guide member 33 at a position where the distance d from the insertion slot 71 a of the medal insertion portion 71 is at least longer than the diameter dimension of the medal 80. The through holes 33e and 33f are disposed. The switching members 331a and 331b are, for example, formed of hard plastic or the like and formed into a columnar shape having a substantially circular cross section. The switching members 331a and 331b are fixed to a driving shaft of a solenoid that serves as a switching member driving member (not shown). By controlling, it has a function of displacing in the thickness direction of the medal 80 passing through the switching guide member 33 and switching the progress of the medal 80 in the switching guide member 33 to the passage 33b or the passage 33c. The switching members 331a and 331b have a second position where the tip ends abut against the wall surface of the switching guide member 33 opposite to the wall surface where the through holes 33e and 33f are formed, and guide the passage 33a of the medal 80 to the passage 33c. Further, it is configured to be displaced by a driving force of 750.

  In the present embodiment, a ball bearing may be attached to the tip end portions of the switching members 331a and 331b so that the medal 80 can smoothly roll.

  In the present invention, the shape, number, material, and the like of the switching member (330, 331a, 331b) are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the medal 80 is displaced in the thickness direction of the medal 80 in the passage 33a of the switching guide member 33. It is only necessary to be able to switch between the first state in which 80 paths are guided to the medal sorting device 34 and the second state in which the path is led to the medal payout opening 61. Further, the switching member driving member is not limited to the solenoid 750, and for example, a stepping motor or the like may be used.

  As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the medal insertion portion 71 having the insertion slot 71a opened so that the disc-shaped game medium such as the medal 80 can be dropped by dropping in the radial direction, and the medal In a gaming machine such as a slot machine 1 provided with a medal sorting device 34 that sorts whether or not the medal 80 or the like inserted from the slot 71a of the slot 71 is a regular medal 80, the slot 71a and the medal sorting A first state that is provided in the passage 33a of the medal 80 below the diameter dimension of the medal 80 from the insertion port 71a with the device 34, and is displaced in the thickness direction of the medal 80 to guide the medal 80 to the medal sorting device 34; Path switching means (for example, switching member 330 and solenoid 750) that switches to the second state leading to the medal payout opening 61, and this path switching means in the first state or the second state The passage switching control means 205 for controlling, the passage state detecting means for detecting the state of the passage by the passage switching means (switching member position sensor 720), and the passage switching means for switching operation a predetermined number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times). Even if the passage switching control means 205 controls the passage switching means to the second state, the detection result of the passage state detection means is not in the second state. When the switching operation confirming means 206 confirms the switching operation of the passage switching means, the abnormality notifying means 207 for notifying the abnormality again when the detection result of the passage state detecting means 720 is not the second state is provided. Therefore, when the slot machine 1 performs control so that the medal 80 does not enter the medal sorting device 34, the switching member 331 is set to the medal 80 ( The passage of the medal 80 is quickly displaced by about 1 to 2 mm in the thickness direction of the passage (passing passage), and the passage of the medal 80 is brought into a second state (a state in which the passage 33a is connected to the passage 33c). Since the progress of the inserted medal 80 to the medal sorting device 34 is quickly controlled, the probability of occurrence of problems such as the medal 80 being caught due to the switching operation of the passage switching means is reduced as much as possible. can do.

  Even if the passage switching control means 205 controls the passage of the medal 80 from the first state to the second state, when the detection result of the passage state detection means 720 is not in the second state, the switching operation confirmation means 206 After the passage switching means performs a predetermined number of switching operations, the passage state detection means 720 detects the state of the passage again, and when the detection result is not the second state, the abnormality notification means 207 notifies the abnormality. Therefore, even if the medal 80 is caught or clogged by the passage switching means during the operation of the passage switching means from the first state to the second state, the detection result of the passage state detection means is not in the second state (switching Even if the detection signal is not output from the member position sensor 720, the switching operation of the passage switching means by the switching operation confirmation means 206 can eliminate the pinching and clogging of the medal 80, so that the detection result of the passage state detection means Enters the second state (a detection signal is output from the switching member position sensor 720), and the abnormality notifying means 207 for notifying the possibility of fraudulent action as an abnormality does not operate, causing the player to interrupt the game. There will be no disadvantage. In addition, if the detection result of the passage state detection unit is not in the second state even after the switching operation confirmation unit 206 confirms the switching operation of the passage switching unit, a foreign object is inserted into the passage (33a, 33b, etc.) of the medal 80. Since it is determined that there is a possibility of fraud and the abnormality is notified by the abnormality notifying means 207, damage due to the above-mentioned fraud can be minimized.

  The present invention is not limited to the slot machine described above, and can be applied to other game machines such as a sparrow ball game machine and an arrange ball game machine that use disk-like game media such as medals.

It is a perspective view showing the external appearance structure of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the internal structure of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the control system of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the medal insertion part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, a channel | path switching means, and a medal sorting device. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the channel | path switching means which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the channel | path switching means which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the channel | path switching means which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the channel | path switching means which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the game machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the game machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the channel | path switching means which concerns on the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... slot machine, 2 ... housing, 3 ... front door, 4 ... upper panel,
5 ... Lower panel part, 6 ... Sauce unit, 6a, ... Sauce part, 7 ... Console,
7a ... Front panel, 20 ... Main control board, 21 ... Hopper device,
21a ... Reservoir, 22 ... Auxiliary reservoir, 23 ... Power supply device substrate,
24 ... Main power supply device, 25 ... External concentration terminal board, 30 ... Sub control board,
32a, 32b, 38a, 38b ... speaker, 33 ... switching guide member,
34 ... Medal sorting device, 34a, 34b ... Medal sensor,
35, 36, 37 ... guide member, 41 ... panel surface, 46 ... lighting effect device,
46a ... Lens panel, 47a, 47b, 62a, 62b ... Production sound emitting part,
48 ... liquid crystal display effect device, 48a ... display window, 49a, 49b ... effect lighting unit,
51 ... Panel, 61 ... Medal payout port, 65 ... Ashtray member, 71 ... Medal insertion part,
71a ... slot, 72, 73 ... bet button, 74 ... return button,
75 ... Start lever, 76a, 76b, 76c ... Stop button,
77 ... Checkout button, 78 ... Keyhole, 79 ... Control panel,
80 ... medal (game medium), 81 ... pressing member, 82 ... swing lever,
82a ... tip portion, 83 ... guide member, 84 ... exclusion member, 85 ... support shaft,
90 ... Fraud device 90a ... Light emitting element 100 ... Reel unit
101a, 101b, 101c ... reel,
110a, 110b, 110c ... stepping motors,
120a, 120b, 120c ... reference position sensor,
130 ... Spindle device substrate, 200 ... CPU, 201 ... Storage unit,
202 ... system program, 203 ... winning lottery table,
204 ... Internal lottery flag, 205 ... Passage switching control means,
206 ... switching operation confirmation means, 207 ... abnormality notification means,
210 ... Medal credit means, 230 ... Directing device,
330, 331a, 331b ... switching member, 340a ... receiving port,
340b ... discharge port, 340c ... return port, 341 ... base,
341a, 341b ... bearings, 342 ... guide plates,
342a, 342e ... punched portion, 342b ... guide portion,
342c ... guide rail, 342d ... upper end, 343 ... cover plate,
720 ... Switching member position sensor (passage state detecting means), 721 ... Light emitting element,
722 ... Light receiving element, 750 ... Solenoid (switching member driving member),
751 ... Drive shaft, 752 ... Sensor detection piece

Claims (1)

A game medium loading unit having a slot for opening a disk-shaped game medium in the radial direction of the game medium so that the slot can be loaded, and whether the game medium loaded from the slot is a regular game medium. In a gaming machine comprising a game medium sorting means for sorting or
Provided in the path of the game medium below the diameter dimension of the game medium from the input port between the input port and the game medium sorting means, and displaced in the thickness direction of the game medium to displace the game medium Passage switching means for switching between a first state leading to the game medium sorting means and a second state leading to the game medium payout port;
Passage switching control means for controlling the passage switching means to the first state or the second state;
Passage state detecting means for detecting the state of the passage by the passage switching means;
Switching operation confirmation means for confirming the operation of the passage switching means by causing the passage switching means to perform a predetermined number of switching operations;
Even if the passage switching control means controls the passage switching means to the second state, when the detection result of the passage state detection means is not the second state, the switching operation confirmation means switches the passage switching means. After confirming the operation, an abnormality notifying means for notifying an abnormality when the detection result of the passage state detecting means is not the second state again;
A gaming machine comprising:

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