JP2008237447A - Fraudulent token checking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fraudulent token checking device capable of securely detecting fraudulence while the structure is simple. <P>SOLUTION: Each camera 230a reads figure information of a game token M visible through a window W while the game token passes through the window W, and outputs the read figure information to an arithmetic operation device 240. Then, the arithmetic operation device 240 determines whether the game token is a proper one or fraudulent one based on the figure information output from the camera 230a. Since the ID number as the figure information is composed of a unique ID and encrypted checksum for the ID, the arithmetic operation device 240 determines whether the game token is proper or fraudulent by utilizing the unique ID and the encrypted checksum for the ID constituting the ID number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illegal medal inspection device suitable for use in a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

A gaming machine such as a slot machine allows a player to enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of gaming medals (hereinafter also simply referred to as “medals”) into the gaming machine. The medals necessary for the game can be borrowed by a medal lending machine provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by inserting the medal into the medal slot of a desired gaming machine (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
In this type of gaming machine, the inserted game medal is illegal to prohibit the use of game medals brought in from other game halls or forged game medals (hereinafter referred to as “illegal medals”). The illegal medal inspection device for inspecting whether or not is installed.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the illegal medal inspection device provided in the conventional gaming machine.
The game medals M inserted from the medal insertion slot (not shown) flow down along the medal passage 11. In this medal passage 11, sensors S1 and S2 for detecting a game medal M are provided side by side along the traveling direction. Since the sensors S1 and S2 are arranged adjacent to each other, the passing speed and passing direction of the game medal M can be detected, and based on this, it is determined whether the medal is an illegal medal.

JP 2005-334178 A

However, the conventional configuration has a problem that fraudulent acts by some players cannot be prevented. Specifically, a fraudulent act such as inserting a stick-shaped foreign object from the medal slot and reciprocating it between the two sensors to misidentify that a game medal is actually inserted has been performed. Furthermore, recently, techniques for cheating on gaming machines have also become more sophisticated, and there are reports of techniques such as inserting a device for cheating from the medal slot and misoperating the sensor to obtain a large number of credits illegally. Has been.
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object thereof is to provide a fraudulent medal inspection device that can detect fraud reliably while having a simple structure.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an illegal medal inspection device according to the present invention is an inspection device that inspects whether or not a game medal is an illegal medal by reading information displayed on the surface or side of the game medal. A medal passage that guides the inserted game medal to a discharge port while rolling, a reading window provided in the medal passage, for reading information displayed on the surface or side of the game medal, Based on the reading device that reads information displayed on the surface or side surface of the gaming medal that is rolling exposed from the reading window and the information read by the reading device, whether the gaming medal is an illegal medal Determining means for determining whether or not.

  According to such a configuration, the information displayed on the front or side of the game medal is read by the reading device, and it is determined whether or not the game medal is an illegal medal based on the read information. As a result, even if a game medal is illegally brought in from outside the game hall, or a counterfeit illegal medal is brought in, the game medal cannot be used, and it is possible to prevent a game with an illegal medal in advance. It becomes.

  Here, in the above configuration, the information represented on the surface or side of the game medal is graphic information formed by an identification number including a unique identification ID and a checksum for the identification ID, The determination means acquires an identification number from the graphic information read by the reading device, and uses the identification ID and the checksum constituting the acquired identification number to determine whether the game medal is an illegal medal. It is preferable to determine whether or not.

  Moreover, in the said structure, the aspect by which the idling prevention member which prevents idling of the said game medal is provided in the lower bottom part of the said medal path provided with the said reading window is also preferable.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an illegal medal inspection device that is simple in structure and capable of reliably detecting an illegal act.

A. 1st Embodiment Hereinafter, the case where a slot machine is used as a game machine installed in a game arcade etc. is described as an embodiment of the present invention.

(A-1-1. Configuration of gaming machine)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the slot machine 100. In FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 includes a front door 101 that faces a player, and a case 102 (described later) to which the front door 101 is attached so as to be opened and closed. The front door 101 includes an upper panel portion 103, a middle panel 104, and a lower panel portion 105, and is formed of a metal frame (not shown) and a front panel formed of hard plastic as a whole. It has a mechanically strong structure.

  The upper panel portion 103 is provided with an effect lamp 103a called an upper lamp, sound emitting portions 103b and 103c to which speakers are attached, and an effect display device 103d formed of a liquid crystal display or the like.

  The middle panel unit 104 is provided with a spinning reel device 200 including a plurality (three in this embodiment) of spinning reels R1, R2, and R3. The front surface of the reel reels R1, R2 and R3 is provided with a substantially rectangular transmission window WD formed of a transparent hard plastic plate, thereby protecting the reel reel device 200 from the outside and the player. Can see the reels R1, R2, and R3 through the transmission window WD.

  Furthermore, an operation unit 104c for a player to operate is provided at the lower end of the middle panel unit 104. The operation unit 104c includes a medal insertion unit MD for inserting game medals and the number of medals per game. A bet button B1 for presenting, a maximum bet button B2, a start lever ST for instructing the start of one game, and three for rotating the spinning reels R1, R2, and R3 individually. Stop buttons SP1, SP2 and SP3 are provided. In the vicinity of the max bet button B2, an insertion number display portion AA is provided, which is composed of three LEDs arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. The inserted number display area AA is configured such that one LED is lit for each inserted number.

Further, below the transparent window WD, an acquisition frequency display unit 32 for displaying the acquisition frequency added by winning and a credit display unit 31 for displaying the remaining credit frequency are provided.
In this embodiment, the game is started by operating the start lever ST in a state where the specified number of inserted sheets (3 sheets) is inserted and all three LEDs of the inserted sheet number display section AA are lit. The specified number of inserted coins can be inserted by pressing down the bet button B1 in addition to inserting medals from the medal slot MD. One operation is input from the storage device by one operation of the bet button B1, and one display on the credit display unit 31 is subtracted. In addition, by depressing the max bet button B2, the specified insertion number (three) is inserted at a time, and the frequency corresponding to the inserted number is subtracted from the credit display unit 31. If a part of the specified number of sheets has already been inserted, the shortage is inserted by pressing the max bet button B2.

The upper limit number of sheets that can be stored (for example, 50 sheets) is determined for the storage device. The medals inserted from the medal insertion part MD exceeding this number are returned from the discharge port 105a described later. The number of sheets stored in the storage device is displayed on the credit display unit 31.
On the lower panel 105, an image or the like (not shown) related to the game content of the slot machine 100 is drawn, and a discharge port 105a and a tray 105b for paying out a medal acquired by the player, and a speaker are provided. An attached sound emitting unit 105c is provided.

Next, the system configuration of the gaming machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The main board 700 includes a storage unit formed of a semiconductor memory or the like in which a system program for managing the entire operation of the slot machine 100 and an execution program for the slot machine game are stored in advance, and a microprocessor ( MPU), and the input and output ports provided in the above-described microprocessor and the remaining boards 300, 600, 400, 500, and 800 are wired and connected by a wiring cable (harness).

  Furthermore, the production speakers SR and SW, the production lamp 103a, and the production display device 103d are connected to the sub-control board 300 via a wiring cable, and according to the production control signal supplied from the microprocessor in the main board 700. The electric circuit provided on the sub-control board 300 drives the effect speakers SR and SW, the effect lamp 103a, and the effect display device 103d, thereby producing an effect appealing to the visual and auditory sense of the player.

  In addition, the spinning device substrate 600 is configured to rotate or stop each spinning device which is a device for rotating the design. The main control substrate 700, the spinning stepping motor of each spinning device, and the reference position of the rotating spinning device And a relay between the main control board 700 and the external concentrated terminal board 800. Therefore, a rotating reel device 200 having rotating reels R1, R2, and R3 that are rotationally driven by an electric motor is connected to the rotating device substrate 600 by wiring, from the microprocessor in the main substrate 700. By controlling the electric motor described above according to the supplied reel control signal, the rotation, braking and stopping of the spinning reels R1, R2 and R3 are controlled.

  A distribution mechanism G0, a bet button B1, a max bet button B2, a start lever ST, stop buttons SP1, SP2, SP3, a setting display element CT, a setting button CS, and input means IDI are connected to the central display board 400 by wiring. The CT output from the sorting mechanism G0 and the setting button CS are wired, and the medal detection signal output from the sorting mechanism G0, the bet button B1, the max bet button B2, and the start lever ST. The on / off signals output from the stop buttons SP1, SP2, and SP3 are transferred to the microprocessor in the main board 700, and the setting display elements CT are assigned 0 to 6 based on the segment display signal supplied from the microprocessor. The numbers up to are displayed.

  The power supply board 500 supplies power to each unit and relays between the main control board 700 and the medal payout device, the power supply monitor board, the power switch, and the game medal auxiliary storage full detection electrode. This medal payout device is for discharging game medals by winning a prize, paying out the medal storage device, or paying out the inserted game medals. The game medal paid out by the payout is detected by the payout sensor. The power monitor board includes an automatic checkout switch, a stop switch, and fuses, and relays between the power supply board 500, the setting key switch, and the reset button. The automatic settlement switch is for setting whether to perform automatic settlement or not to perform automatic settlement after the operation of the accessory continuous operation device is completed. The stop switch is used to set whether or not there is a stop after the end of the operation of the accessory continuous operation device. The setting key switch is for setting and confirming the winning rate of the gaming machine. The reset button is used to stop or cancel the error. The power switch is used to turn on the main power. It is for performing OFF. The game medal auxiliary storage full detection electrode is an electrode for detecting a full state of the game medal auxiliary storage for storing game medals exceeding the storage capacity of the medal payout device.

  Setting switch BO, power switch BQ, hopper apparatus HP, and power supply apparatus PWU are connected to power supply board 500 by wiring, and the on / off signals output from setting switch BO and power supply switch BQ are sent to the above-mentioned micro-circuit in main board 700, respectively. Transfer to processor. Further, the power supply board 500 is formed with a distribution circuit that distributes various power supply voltages generated by the power supply apparatus PWU to the hopper apparatus HP and other places, and power supply necessary for the operation of the gaming machine 100 is supplied from the wiring circuit. Has been done.

  The external concentrated terminal board 800 has a plurality of input terminals capable of inputting in parallel the signals output from the microprocessor into the main board 700, and the corresponding signals are transferred in parallel to the hall computer side as a management electronic device. In addition to a plurality of output terminals that can be operated, an input terminal that inputs a signal supplied from the hall computer side and an output terminal that transfers the signal to the microprocessor are provided.

  That is, a signal is transferred from the main board 700 to the hall computer side by connecting the output terminal and the input terminal described above to the input / output interface provided in the hall computer with a wiring cable such as a flat cable. In addition, it is possible to transfer signals from the hall computer to the main board 700 side.

  Such signals include a “game medal insertion signal” that is output every time a game medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit MD to the hopper device HP, and one game medal from the hopper device HP to the discharge port 105a. “Game medal payout signal” that is output every time it is paid out, “Consecutive action device per signal” that is output when winning a special role called “Regular Bonus (RB)”, Regular called “Big Bonus (BB)” A “peripheral action continuous increase device per unit signal” output when winning a special role larger than the bonus (RB), a “setting operation signal” indicating that a so-called “role rate setting operation” has been performed, etc. is there.

  Further, the illegal medal inspection device 20 is connected to the main board 700. The illegal medal inspection device 200 inspects whether the game medal M inserted from the medal insertion unit MD is a regular medal or an illegal medal (details will be described later).

(A-1-2. Composition of game medals)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the characteristics of the game medal M.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the game medal M is formed of a disk-shaped metal, and a figure (figure) in which an identification number N is marked on a circumference having a certain width from the center of the substantially circular game medal M. Information) is stamped (including printing) on the medal surface. This identification number N is formed by a unique identification ID and an encrypted checksum for this identification ID (see FIG. 3B). A graphic representation of this identification number N is the graphic information described above. Here, as the unique identification ID, for example, the company information of the game hall (hall) and the serial number can be used, but a unique identification number related to the game hall where the game medal can be used, etc. Various identification numbers can be employed.

  In addition, various symbols, numbers, and characters (such as Roman characters, kanji characters, hiragana characters, and katakana characters) can be used as the identification ID. Furthermore, the arrangement method of the identification number N can be arbitrarily set. For example, it may be arranged in various shapes (that is, in a graphic form), for example, in a star shape as shown in FIG. 3C.

In this way, by making the identification number N into a graphic, it is possible to roughly determine whether the game medal M is a regular medal or an illegal medal using the graphic part.
Further, the detailed determination as to whether it is a regular medal or an illegal medal can be made by using a unique identification ID forming the identification number N and an encrypted checksum for this identification ID. it can.

(A-1-3. Configuration of illegal medal inspection device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the illegal medal inspection device 200 mounted on the gaming machine 100. As shown in FIG.
The illegal medal inspection device 200 monitors the passage of the game medal M and the medal rail (medal passage) 210 that guides the game medal M inserted from the medal insertion unit (input port) MD to the discharge port while rolling. Based on the sensor 220, the reading device 230 for reading the identification number N (that is, graphic information) given to the game medal M, and the read identification number N, the game medal M is a regular medal or an illegal medal. And an arithmetic device (determination means) 240 for determining whether or not.

  The medal rail 210 is set slightly wider than the diameter of the game medal M, and as shown in FIG. 4, a shallowly inclined reading unit 210a provided with a window W is provided. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reading unit 210a. As shown in the figure, the windows (reading windows) W are provided on the left and right sides of the medal rail 210, and the rail width of the reading unit 210 a is set slightly wider than the thickness of the game medal M. This window W is provided for reading the identification number N given to the surface of the game medal M rolling on the medal rail 210. Rubber 210c is affixed to the lower bottom portion 210b of the reading portion 210a, so that the game medal M is reliably rotated (that is, is not idle). In addition, resin may be used instead of rubber, and any member may be used as long as it is a member that promotes the rotation of the game medal M (idling prevention member).

  The monitoring sensor 220 includes an upstream sensor 220a and a downstream sensor 220b. The upstream sensor 220a is a sensor that detects a game medal M introduced from the medal insertion unit MD to the reading unit 210a, and is configured to turn on the reading device 230 in accordance with the detection timing. On the other hand, the downstream sensor 220b is a sensor that detects the game medal M that has passed through the reading unit 210a, and is configured to turn off the reading device 230 in accordance with the detection timing. The upstream sensor 220a and the downstream sensor 220b can be constituted by a pair of optical sensors, for example. Of course, as long as the passage of the game medal M can be detected, not only the optical sensor but also any sensor (for example, a proximity sensor) may be adopted.

  The reading device 230 includes a camera 230a and an illumination device 230b. The camera 230 a and the lighting device 230 b are provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the medal rail 210. The lighting device 230b turns on the illumination based on the ON command from the upstream sensor 220a, and turns off the illumination based on the OFF command from the downstream sensor 220b. With this control, at least while the game medal M passes through the window W, the graphic information written on the game medal M passing through the window W can be read by the camera 230a. Each camera 230 a reads the graphic information of the game medal M that can be seen from the window W, and outputs the read graphic information to the arithmetic device 240.

  The arithmetic device 240 determines whether the medal is a regular medal or an illegal medal based on the graphic information output from each camera 230a. As described above, the identification number N as graphic information is formed by a unique identification ID and an encrypted checksum for this identification ID. The arithmetic device 240 determines the validity of the identification ID using the checksum written on the game medal M. The arithmetic device 240 determines that it is a regular medal when it is recognized that the identification ID is correct by the checksum, and determines that it is an illegal medal when it is determined that the identification ID is incorrect by the checksum. To do. If the arithmetic device 240 determines that the medal is a regular medal, it guides the game medal M to the collection path by a medal distribution mechanism (not shown). At this time, in the gaming machine, processing for counting up insertion of game medals M, processing for updating the number of inserted game medals M, and the like are performed.

  On the other hand, when the arithmetic unit 240 determines that the medal is an illegal medal, the medal distribution mechanism (not shown) guides the game medal M to the payout path, and outputs a signal to an alarm lamp (not shown) to turn off the alarm lamp. Light up. In the present embodiment, the arithmetic device 240 directly turns on the alarm lamp, but the external device (not shown) notifies the external device (not shown) of the determination result whether it is an illegal medal or a regular medal, and the external device determines the determination result. An alarm lamp may be turned on based on the above. Hereinafter, the illegal medal determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The upstream sensor 220a of the monitoring sensor 220 determines whether or not the game medal M has been inserted into the medal insertion unit MD (step S110). When the upstream sensor 220a detects that the game medal M is inserted from the medal insertion unit MD and introduced into the reading unit 210a, the upstream sensor 220a turns on the reading device 230 in accordance with the detection timing (step S120).

  Specifically, when the upstream sensor 220a detects that a game medal M is inserted from the medal insertion unit MD and introduced into the reading unit 210a, the upstream sensor 220a sends an ON command to the camera 230a and the illumination device 230b. In response to this, the lighting device 230b turns on the lighting, while the camera 230a starts reading the graphic information of the game medal M. The cameras 230a provided on the left and right sides of the medal rail 210 read the graphic information of the game medal M that can be seen from the window W, respectively, and sequentially output the read graphic information to the arithmetic device 240 (step S130). Each camera 230a continues to read the graphic information of the game medal M until the off command is sent from the downstream sensor 220b. More specifically, the downstream sensor 220b detects whether or not the game medal M has passed through the reading unit 210a (step S140), and if not, returns to step S130 to read the graphic information of the game medal M. continue. On the other hand, when the downstream sensor detects that the game medal M has passed through the reading unit 210a, it sends an off command to the camera 230a and the illumination device 230b.

  Based on the graphic information supplied from each camera 230a, the arithmetic device 240 reads the identification number N stamped on the game medal, and determines whether it is a regular medal or an illegal medal based on the read identification number N. (Step S150). As described above, the identification number N is formed by a unique identification ID and an encrypted checksum for the identification ID. The arithmetic device 240 determines the validity of the identification ID using the checksum.

  If the arithmetic device 240 determines that the identification ID is correct based on the checksum, the arithmetic device 240 determines that the identification medal is a normal medal, and counts up the insertion of the game medal M or updates the number of inserted game medals M. After executing (medal counting process) (step S160), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the arithmetic device 240 recognizes that the identification ID is incorrect by the checksum, the arithmetic device 240 determines that the identification medal is an illegal medal, and guides the game medal M to the collection path by a medal distribution mechanism (not shown). The control for discharging is performed (step S170). And the arithmetic unit 240 outputs a signal with respect to a warning lamp (not shown) to light the warning lamp (step S180), and then ends the process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the graphic information stamped on the surface of the game medal M is read by the reading device 230, and whether or not the game medal is an illegal medal based on the read information. Is judged. As a result, even if a game medal is illegally brought in from outside the game hall, or a counterfeit illegal medal is brought in, the game medal cannot be used, and it is possible to prevent a game with an illegal medal in advance. It becomes.

  Even if an illegal medal is inserted, the medal is returned to the player side, so there is no possibility that the illegal medal is mixed into the regular medal. Further, when an illegal medal is inserted, an alarm lamp is lit, so that it is possible to suppress malicious acts of malicious players. Note that this alarm lamp may be turned on in the vicinity of a gaming machine where illegal medals are used, but first, after turning on the warning lamp installed in the central control room of the game hall, wirelessly etc. You may make it notify a salesclerk and make a salesclerk confirm whether it was intentional fraud.

B. Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, the game medal M in which the graphic information formed by the identification number N is engraved on the surface is used in order to prevent an illegal act by the player. As shown in FIG. A game medal M ′ in which graphic information formed by the identification number N is engraved on the circumferential side surface may be used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an unauthorized medal inspection device 200 ′ according to the second embodiment. Note that portions corresponding to those of the illegal medal inspection device 200 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, a window W is provided on the upper surface of the medal rail 210 in the reading unit 210a according to the second embodiment. Further, a reading device 230 is provided at an upper position facing the window W. The camera 230 a constituting the reading device 230 reads the graphic information stamped on the circumferential side surface of the game medal M ′ that rolls on the medal rail 210 and sends it to the arithmetic device 240. As in the first embodiment described above, rubber 210c is attached to the lower bottom 210b of the reading unit 210a in order to ensure that the game medal M is rotated (see FIG. 4). .

  With this configuration, it is possible to reliably read the graphic information engraved on the circumferential side surface. In the present embodiment, the window W is provided on the upper surface of the medal rail 210, but it goes without saying that the window W may be provided on the lower surface of the medal rail 210 instead (or in addition).

C. Modification (1) In each embodiment, the case where the graphic information is imprinted on the game medal has been described. However, an IC tag in which the identification ID is embedded may be attached to the game medal. Then, data is exchanged with a dedicated reader / writer by short-range wireless communication or the like, and it is determined whether or not it is an illegal medal. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the window W or the lighting device 230a on the medal rail 210, so that a space can be provided. Furthermore, since the identification ID can be rewritten, for example, the identification ID may be rewritten at regular intervals to improve security.

(2) In each embodiment, a slot machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is applicable to any gaming machine that uses a gaming medal, such as a sparrow ball gaming machine. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to gaming machines, and can be applied to all devices that use gaming medals, such as a medal counting machine that measures the number of gaming medals. Note that the present invention is not limited to game medals, and can be applied to all game media such as game balls.

It is a figure which shows the external structure of the game machine in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system in the game machine which concerns on the same embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated the game medal concerning the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the identification number stamped on the game medal based on the embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated the arrangement | sequence of the identification number stamped on the game medal based on the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the unauthorized medal inspection apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the medal rail concerning the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the unauthorized medal determination process which concerns on the embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated the game medal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the unauthorized medal inspection apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional test | inspection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1: gaming machine MD: medal insertion part M, M ′: gaming medal N: identification number 200, 200 ′: illegal medal inspection device 210: medal rail 220: monitoring sensor 230: reading device 240: arithmetic device

Claims (3)

An inspection device that inspects whether or not the game medal is an illegal medal by reading information represented on the front or side of the game medal,
A medal passage for rolling the inserted game medal to the discharge port,
A reading window provided in the medal passage for reading information displayed on the surface or side of the game medal;
A reading device for reading information represented on the surface or side surface of the gaming medal that is rolling and exposed from the reading window;
An unauthorized medal inspection device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the game medal is an illegal medal based on information read by the reading device. The information represented on the surface or side of the game medal is graphic information formed by an identification number including a unique identification ID and a checksum for the identification ID,
The determination means acquires an identification number from the graphic information read by the reading device, and uses the identification ID and the checksum constituting the acquired identification number to determine whether the game medal is an illegal medal. The illegal medal inspection device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not.   3. The illegal medal inspection device according to claim 1, wherein an idling prevention member for preventing idling of the game medal is provided at a lower bottom portion of the medal passage provided with the reading window.

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