JP2009018125A - Game machine, method of determining overflow error of game machine, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve game properties of a slot machine by allowing a player to guess a set value through the announcement of an overflow error though the player usually can not know the content of the set value for setting the probability of making a jackpot. <P>SOLUTION: In the slot machine, an auxiliary tank for receiving tokens overflowing from a hopper device has a plurality of retained token quantity detection sensors for detecting different quantities of retained tokens. Any one of the plurality of retained token quantity detection sensors is selected based on the set value. The overflow error is determined based on the output of the retained token quantity detection sensor selected by a selection part, and the error is announced. As the timing of the overflow error changes according to the set value, the player can guess the set value to some extent by observing the announcement of the overflow error. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, an overflow error determination method for a gaming machine, and a program.

  In game halls (halls) where gaming machines such as slot machines are installed, information management devices (hall computers) that can exchange information by connecting to these game machines are installed in the game halls, and games related to gaming machines In many cases, a game system is constructed in which signals are input to an information management device, and the input signals are collected and stored.

  For example, in the case of a slot machine, signals relating to games include, for example, a signal indicating that the mode has shifted to the BB (Big Bonus) mode or the RB (Regular Bonus) mode, a signal indicating that a medal has been inserted, and a signal indicating that a medal has been paid out. Etc. These signals are transmitted to the information management apparatus via a circuit board called an external concentration terminal board provided in the slot machine. As a result, the information management device can manage the status and information of each slot machine based on the signal output from the external concentrated terminal board.

  In such a slot machine, for example, a medal sensor for discriminating inserted medals and counting the number of medals is provided inside the medal selector, and when a medal is detected by the medal sensor, The detection time is monitored to determine whether or not the detection time is within a preset reference time. If a detection signal from the medal sensor is output for a reference time or more, it is determined that the token is jammed. And error display. In addition, a medal sensor is provided in the hopper device, a medal paid out by this medal sensor is detected, and when the detection time of the medal is longer than the monitoring time, it is determined that the medal is jammed and an error display is performed. . Patent Document 1 is a prior art that discloses selecting the monitoring time.

JP, 2005-58676, A The security of a gaming machine is improved by changing the monitoring level of a gaming machine suitably. The memory 32 of the slot machine 3 stores a monitoring program and table data including a set value n and a reference time Tn. When the setting value n of the security level is input by the information storage device 4, the setting value n is output to the slot machine 3 and stored in the RAM area of the memory 32. In the slot machine 3, a monitoring program is executed every predetermined time, and the corresponding reference time Tn is read by the stored set value n, and the reference time Tn is compared with the detection time T of the inserted medal sensor. Thus, it is determined whether or not the detection signal from the inserted medal sensor 34 is normal, and an error signal is output to the information management device 4 if abnormal.

  In the slot machine, medals are paid out when winning, but a hopper device is used for paying out medals. A hopper tank for storing medals is provided at the top of the hopper device. When a large amount of medals accumulates in the hopper tank, medals overflow from there, and an auxiliary tank is provided to catch this. When a predetermined amount of medals accumulates in the auxiliary tank, a sensor provided in the auxiliary tank detects this and notifies the outside of the gaming machine (overflow error). In response, the clerk opens the front panel of the slot machine, takes out the auxiliary tank, and collects medals. The game cannot be continued unless such an operation is performed and the error is canceled.

  The slot machine basically pays out medals as prizes when the symbols are arranged, but whether or not the symbols are arranged depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer. Various prizes, such as big bonuses, regular bonuses, and small roles, also follow the results of internal computer lottery. The content of the lottery process can be changed within a predetermined range (hereinafter, “setting change”), and the setting operation is performed by the store in a hall where a gaming machine is installed. For example, one of the setting values 1 to 6 is selected by changing the setting. These set values correspond to different lottery processes, and the jackpot probability also changes according to the set value.

  In the conventional gaming machine, the player cannot know the contents of the set value. This is because when the content of the set value is clarified, the player concentrates on an advantageous set value (for example, 6) slot machine.

  The player may experience the winning probability while repeating the game, and as a result, the player may be slightly aware of the contents of the set value. Even if this happens, there will be no particular unfairness among players and there will be no problem. However, in the conventional gaming machine, the player can only guess the set value from the amount of medals paid out.

  An object of the present invention is to improve game performance by providing a player with a new way of estimating the content of a set value. Specifically, the content of a set value can be estimated through an overflow error. An object is to provide a gaming machine, a gaming machine overflow error determination method, and a program.

The present invention performs an internal lottery based on a game operation by a player and a winning determination based on a result of the internal lottery, a game control unit that performs payout control of medals according to the winning, and stores the medals. A payout device for paying out the medals, an overflow error determination unit for generating an overflow error by determining the amount of stored medals in the payout device, and setting values for the internal lottery according to a predetermined procedure In a gaming machine comprising a setting change processing unit that outputs a setting value,
A plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors that detect different stored medal amounts, and a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors based on the setting value output from the setting change processing unit. ,
The overflow error determination unit determines based on an output of the stored medal amount detection sensor selected by the selection unit.

The present invention performs an internal lottery based on a game operation by a player and a winning determination based on a result of the internal lottery, a game control unit that performs payout control of medals according to the winning, and stores the medals. A game machine comprising: a payout device for paying out a medal, and a plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors for detecting different stored medal amounts in the payout device,
Setting a set value for the internal lottery according to a predetermined procedure;
Selecting one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors based on the set value;
Determining whether or not the amount of stored medals has reached a predetermined amount based on the output of the selected stored medal amount detection sensor.

The present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to execute the above method.
The program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium, for example.
Examples of the medium include EPROM device, flash memory device, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk, CD (including CD-ROM and Video-CD), DVD (DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD- RAM), ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.

  A medium is a medium in which information (mainly digital data, a program) is recorded by some physical means, and allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. is there.

  According to the present invention, by selecting a sensor that detects an overflow error based on a setting value related to internal lottery, the timing of notification of an overflow error changes according to the setting value, and the player can By observing the notification, the set value can be estimated to some extent. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a setting inference element different from that of the existing model, and to increase the player's willingness to play.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
A gaming machine (slot machine) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  In addition, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 2 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. At the top of the hopper device 2, there is provided a hopper tank 1 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. An auxiliary tank 70 is provided adjacent to the hopper device 2. The auxiliary tank 70 is used to receive overflowing medals when a large amount of medals are stored in the hopper tank 1 and overflow.
The hopper tank 1, the hopper device 2, and the auxiliary tank 70 may be collectively referred to as “payout device” that stores medals and pays out the stored medals. The hopper device 2 takes charge of the payout function, and the hopper tank 1 and the auxiliary tank 70 fulfill the storage function.

  Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three rotating reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the hopper device 2 and the upper reel unit 203.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a medal (coin) selector 123 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. The medal selector 123 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 2 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron with an outer diameter different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side of the medal selector 123 and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 123. The medals distributed by the medal selector 123 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 through the derivation path 136.

  The payout port of the hopper device 2 communicates with the payout port 135, and medals paid out by the hopper device 2 are also sent out from the payout port 135 to the player.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine can first borrow a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and insert a medal directly into the medal slot 132 of the medal slot device. A square window-like display window facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the casing of the slot machine. In the center of the central display window, a symbol display window through which the symbols of the three rotating reels can be seen is formed. The start switch 134 is a lever located obliquely below the rotating reel, and starts driving the reel unit on condition that a game medal is inserted. The drive of the reel unit 203 is stopped by the stop switch 140. The reel unit 140 is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 200 and 201 denote a main board and a sub board, each incorporating a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The main board 200 performs management of the number of inserted medals, payout, reel rotation and stop control, winning process, and the like. The sub-board 201 performs processing such as effect display based on the winning process. An operation unit 202 includes switches such as a start switch 134, a stop switch 140, and a bet switch. A reel unit 203 includes three rotating reels. An effect display unit 204 includes a game display unit 131, internal illumination of a reel, a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like. The effect display unit 204 notifies the winning combination and the pressing order obtained by the winning process. A power supply unit 205 supplies power to each unit.

  The hopper device 2 includes a medal payout sensor 43 for counting the number of payout medals, and a hopper motor 34 for rotating a rotating disk to pay out medals. The hopper motor 34 is controlled by a medal payout command (control signal) from the game control unit 200 a of the main board 200.

Reference numeral 70 denotes an auxiliary tank that receives medals overflowing from the hopper tank 1.
The auxiliary tank 70 is provided with a stored medal amount detection sensor S10 (S10 includes a plurality of sensors, but in the following description, they are collectively referred to as “sensor S10” in some cases). Yes. The sensor S10 includes a plurality of sensors that measure different stored medal amounts (details will be described later). A plurality of outputs from the sensor S10 are input to the stored medal amount detection sensor selection unit 200c of the main board 200. Here, one of the plurality of sensors is selected.

  The sensor S10 is for detecting the amount (number) of medals in the auxiliary tank 70. An electrical contact sensor can be used as the sensor S10.

  The electric contact sensor is a sensor in which a plurality (two) of metal bars are provided at a predetermined position (height) in the hopper tank 1, and when the medal is stored and reaches the position, the two metal bars Thus, it is possible to know that medals have been stored up to the predetermined position. One of the two metal bars can be provided at a predetermined position, and the other can be provided at the bottom of the hopper tank 1. If the amount (number) of medals when conducting is measured in advance, the amount (number) of medals in the hopper tank 1 can be detected by the electric contact sensor. In order to increase the measurement accuracy, it is preferable to provide a large number of electrical contact sensors.

  When a plurality of electrical contact sensors are provided, the respective stored medal amount detection sensors are provided at different positions (heights) in the auxiliary tank 70. As a result, the plurality of electrical contact sensors measure (detect) different stored medal amounts (see also FIG. 9 and the description thereof).

  The game control unit 200a of the main board 200 receives the output of the medal payout sensor 43 of the hopper device 2 and counts the number of medals paid out.

  The main board 200 is used to perform an internal lottery (internal operation) in response to the player's operation, and to perform processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 200 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. In the ROM of the main board 200, for example, a plurality of lottery tables (not shown) respectively corresponding to the setting values 1 to 6 are stored, and lottery processing is performed using the lottery tables corresponding to the setting values set by the setting change. Is done. The set value is for selecting one of a plurality of tables prepared in advance.

  The sub-board 201 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 200 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 201 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results.

  The slot machine basically pays out medals when symbols are arranged, but whether or not symbols are arranged depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer. Also, various prizes such as a big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), and small role follow the result of the lottery by the internal computer. The lottery process can be set within a predetermined range (the probability of winning can be increased or decreased), and the setting operation is performed by the store in the hall where the slot machine is installed. A normal slot machine includes a plurality of (for example, six) lottery tables having different lottery probabilities, such as BB, RB, and small roles. In the slot machine lottery, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing the setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as setting change.

  As described above, the set values that can be set by changing the settings are, for example, 1 to 6. This value generally means that the jackpot probability increases as the value increases. That is, the probability of jackpot with setting value = 6 is larger than the probability of jackpot with setting value = 1. The “big hit” here is not one, but there are usually many types. In addition, there is a hit called a small role. “The probability of jackpot increases as the setting value increases” means not only the change in the probability of a specific jackpot, but also the change in the probability of the whole including a small role (hereinafter referred to as “jackpot etc.”) To include.

  In this way, it is easy to understand if the set value is associated with the medal payout amount per unit time such as jackpot, not the jackpot probability. Specifically, the expected value can be obtained by calculating the product of each winning probability such as jackpot defined by each set value and the number of paid-out medals and adding them up. Since the setting value generally means that the probability of jackpot increases as the numerical value increases, the expected value generally increases as the numerical value increases. For example, (set value = expected value of 6)> (expected value of set value = 1). By obtaining an expected value for each set value, a single numerical value (medal payout amount per unit time) can be assigned to each set value, and handling becomes easy.

  It should be noted that the setting values 1 to 6 and their meanings exemplified in this specification are merely for convenience of explanation, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

  As described above, the main board 200 performs processing such as internal lottery, reel rotation / stop, and medal payout. In addition to this, the count of medals inserted into the medal selector 1 and the hopper device Perform processing such as determination of the amount of medals stored in 121 (a hopper medal empty error occurs when there are no medals), determination of the amount of medals stored in the auxiliary tank 70 (occurrence of an overflow error), etc. Yes. Of the processes performed by the main board 200, the game control unit 200a is shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of convenience as the former internal lottery process, reel rotation / stop, and medal payout process. The overflow error determination unit 200b is shown as a unit for determining the amount of stored medals. Actually, the game control unit 200a and the overflow error determination unit 200b are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM of the main board 200 (this point will be described later, the stored medal amount detection sensor selection unit 200c). The same applies to the setting change processing unit 200d).

  The main board 200 further selects one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors S10 according to the set values (1 to 6) of the internal setting, and sends the output to the overflow error determination unit 200b. When the selection unit 200c and the setting key switch 2054 are turned on, a transition is made to a state for changing the setting related to the internal lottery, and the setting change / reset switch 2055 is pressed a predetermined number of times in that state. And a setting change processing unit 200d that changes the setting according to the specified procedure (see FIG. 10 and the description thereof for the setting key switch 2054 and the like). The setting value changed by the setting change processing unit 200d is stored there. The set value is sent to the game control unit 200a and the stored medal amount detection sensor selection unit 200c.

  4 is a front view (FIG. 4A), a right side view (FIG. 4B), and a top view (FIG. 4C) of the hopper device. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hopper device on the hopper tank side, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hopper device side of the hopper device.

  The illustrated hopper apparatus is roughly divided into a hopper tank 1 for storing medals M and a main body (hopper apparatus 2) for discharging medals M stored in the hopper tank 1 one by one.

  The hopper device 2 can be broadly divided into a hopper chassis 2a and a plurality of, in this case, five medal pits, that are rotatably supported by the hopper chassis 2a and in which the medals M dropped from the hopper tank 1 fit one by one from above. A rotating disk 3 having 3a and a hopper motor 34 for rotating the rotating disk 3 are provided. When the rotary disk 3 is rotated by the driving force of the hopper motor 34, the medal M dropped into the medal drop hole 3a is discharged from the medal discharge port X to the outside.

  A base plate 5 is obliquely attached to the upper part of the hopper chassis 2a. A hopper motor 34 is fixed to the base plate 5. The output shaft 34a of the hopper motor 34 passes through the base plate 5 and protrudes substantially at the center of the upper surface thereof. Since the base plate 5 is inclined, the output shaft of the hopper motor intersects the vertical direction. For this reason, the rotating disk 3 is high on the medal discharge port side and low on the opposite side.

  A housing support 4 is located on the base plate 5. A protruding protrusion is formed around the housing support 4. The part of the medal discharge port X of the projecting edge is notched, and the medal is discharged through this part.

  When the medal M that has fallen into the medal drop hole 3a of the rotating disk 3 is positioned at the medal discharge port X along with the rotation of the rotating disk 3, the medal M is prevented from moving by the guide pin 36, and the medal discharge port X from the medal drop hole 3a. It is pushed out and discharged to the outside. In this way, the medals M are discharged in order as the rotating disk 3 rotates.

  Both the hopper tank 1 and the hopper chassis 2a are made of resin.

  In this hopper device, a counter roller 7 (provided on the counter arm 8) for counting the medals paid out rotates around the separator 6. The medal inserted into the hole provided in the rotating disk 3 moves as the rotating disk 3 rotates, and is pushed out by the guide pin 36 at the medal discharge port X and guided toward the medal path. At this time, the medal contacts the roller 7 provided on the counter arm 8 and rotates it. Thereby, the protrusion provided on the counter arm 8 is arranged so that the game medal payout sensor 43 (for example, photo interrupter: a light emitting element and a light receiving element are opposed to each other in a case having a detection groove, and a passing object between the detection grooves is not contacted Between the detection grooves), the light from the light source is blocked, and the light receiving element detects this. In this way, when one medal is paid out, the medal touches the roller 7 and presses it once, so that the number of paid-out medals can be counted based on the number of detections of the sensor 43.

  The two guide pins 36 are provided in the vicinity of the medal discharge port X of the housing support 4. The two guide pins 36 are attached to the guide pin presser 10 via guide pin springs 37, respectively. The guide pin 36 is pressed upward by a guide pin spring 37 and protrudes from the surface of the housing support 4 by about 1 mm. Due to the elasticity of the guide pin spring 37, when the guide pin 36 is pushed from above, the guide pin 36 retracts into the housing support 4, and the head of the guide pin 36 coincides with the surface of the housing support 4.

  In addition, the code | symbol 27b of FIG. 5 is the medal transfer port 27b. When a large amount of medals are accumulated in the hopper tank 1, medals overflowing from the hopper tank 1 fall into the auxiliary tank 70 through the medal transfer port 27b.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the auxiliary tank 70 is disposed adjacent to the hopper tank 1 and the hopper device 2. This figure shows a state in which the inside of the gaming machine is viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary tank 70 is detachably disposed at a position for receiving a medal from the medal transfer port 27 b of the hopper tank 1. When a large amount of medals accumulates in the auxiliary tank 70, an overflow error is notified as will be described later, so that the hall clerk pulls out the auxiliary tank 70 toward the front, takes out the medals and empties them, and arranges them again as shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the auxiliary tank 70. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The auxiliary tank 70 has a box shape with an open top surface.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming machine is provided with a stored medal amount detection sensor S10 for detecting an overflow, which passes through two openings 75 provided on the back side surface of the auxiliary tank 70. And is provided so as to protrude into the auxiliary tank 70. By providing the opening 75, the stored medal amount detection sensor S10 can be provided outside the auxiliary tank 70, which is convenient when the auxiliary tank 70 is attached or detached.

  The attached state of the stored medal amount detection sensor S10 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows an example in which four electric contact sensors are arranged in a substantially vertical direction. The four sensors are provided on the sensor mounting plate 11a. The sensor mounting plate 11a is fixed inside the gaming machine casing. Sensors S10-D, C, B, and A are provided in this order from the bottom of the auxiliary tank 70 to the top. The amount of stored medals detected in this order increases, and when a sensor S10-A detects medals, it is full. When it is no longer detected by the sensor S10-D, it is almost empty. The plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors S10-A to S10-D are sensors that measure different stored medal amounts. Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which four sensors S10 are provided, the present invention is not limited to this. Any number of sensors of two or more may be provided.

FIG. 10 shows details of the panel of the power supply unit 205.
In FIG. 10, a power switch 2051 is a power on / off switch, a power supply pilot lamp 2052 is a lamp (LED) that is lit when the power is on, and a stop presence / absence switch 2053 is a stop that limits the number of medals to be paid out. Is a switch for setting “Yes” or “No”. The stop / presence switch 2053 is normally set to “none” and is not frequently used. A setting key switch 2054 is a switch for changing a setting, a setting change / reset switch 2055 is a switch for changing a setting value or resetting the apparatus, and an AC100V pilot lamp 2056 is a power source of the casing. The lamp indicates that AC 100 V is supplied, and the AC power output and power cable 2057 are for supplying power.

The operation of the apparatus and method according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the auxiliary tank 70 is provided with a plurality of sensors S10-A to S10-D. By these sensors S10-A to S10-D, the medal storage amount of the auxiliary tank 1 can be known step by step. Based on the set value of the internal setting, one of these sensors S10-A to S10-D is selected, and an overflow error is determined based on the selected sensor.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a circuit for selecting a plurality of sensors S10-A to S10-D. For example, this circuit selects the sensor S10-D when the set value = 1, selects the sensor S10-C when the set value = 2 or 3, and selects the sensor S10-B when the set value = 4 or 5. When the set value = 6, the sensor S10-A is selected.

  By selecting the sensor as described above, the timing of the overflow error changes according to the set value (for example, when the set value = 1, the number of medals in the auxiliary tank 70 becomes 50 or more. An error is notified, and when the set value = 6, the error is also notified when the number of sheets is 500 or more). By observing the notification of the overflow error, the player can estimate the set value to some extent.

  Here, as described above, if the sensor S10-D is selected when the set value = 1, and the sensor S10-A is selected when the set value = 6, the calculation is simply performed and the set value = 6. When the setting value = 1, a difference of 10 times occurs in the frequency of occurrence of overflow errors (because the detection level of the sensor S10-D = 50 sheets and the detection level of the sensor S10-A = 500 sheets). Based on this difference, the player can estimate the set value.

  As described above, according to the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the setting inference element different from the existing model is added, so that the player's willingness to play can be enhanced.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the overflow error notification process.

S1: The output of the selected stored medal amount detection sensor is monitored. It is checked whether or not a medal is detected by the selected sensor S10, that is, whether or not there is continuity.
S2: Based on the output of the selected stored medal amount detection sensor, it is determined whether the stored medal amount exceeds a predetermined threshold (whether the selected sensor has detected a medal). This corresponds to the conventional determination of an overflow error. When the predetermined threshold is not exceeded (NO), the processes of S1 and S2 are repeated. The state where the selected sensor S10 is not conductive corresponds to this.

S3: When the amount of stored medals exceeds a predetermined threshold (YES), an overflow error is notified. This corresponds to the state in which the selected sensor S10 is conductive. At this time, for example, the notification is made with a continuous tone “Peep” or an intermittent tone “Peep, Peep”.
S4: Monitor the output of the stored medal amount detection sensor.

S5: It is determined whether or not a medal in the auxiliary tank 70 has been taken out. If no medal is detected by the selected stored medal amount detection sensor (when no medal is detected), “YES”, the process proceeds to the next step S6. When the medal is detected again by the selected stored medal amount detection sensor, the answer is “NO”.
S6: When a medal is taken out (YES in S5), the error is canceled.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of sensor selection processing.

S20: The process is executed when the power is turned on or when the setting is changed.
S21: The setting value set by the setting change processing unit 200d is checked.
S22: A sensor corresponding to the set value is selected. For example, when the setting value = 1, the sensor S10-D is selected, when the setting value = 2 or 3, the sensor S10-C is selected, and when the setting value = 4 or 5, the sensor S10-B is selected. When S = 6, the sensor S10-A is selected.

  According to the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the invention, by selecting a sensor based on a set value, the timing of the overflow error changes according to the set value. The player can estimate the set value to some extent by observing the notification of the overflow error. According to the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a setting inference element different from that of the existing model, and to increase the player's willingness to play.

  In the above description, the stored medal amount detection sensor S10 is provided in the auxiliary tank 70. However, together with or instead of this, the stored medal amount detection sensor S10 is provided in the hopper tank 1 as shown in FIG. It may be. In this case, the stored medal amount detection sensor selection unit 200c selects one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors S10-A to D of the hopper tank 1 based on the setting value output from the setting change processing unit 200d, and overflows. The error determination unit 200b performs determination based on the output of the selected stored medal amount detection sensor S10. The contents of these processes are as described above.

  The hopper tank 1 and the auxiliary tank 70 are components of the “dispensing device” as described above, and both store medals. Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the payout device for storing medals and paying out the stored medals is provided with a plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors for detecting different stored medal amounts, respectively. Based on this, one of a plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors is selected, and an overflow error is determined based on the output of the selected stored medal amount detection sensor.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, in the present specification, “unit” such as a game control unit does not necessarily mean a physical means, but includes a case where the function of each unit is realized by software. Furthermore, the function of one part may be realized by two or more physical means, or the function of two or more parts may be realized by one physical means.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. They are a front view (Drawing 1 (a)), a right view (Drawing 1 (b)), and a top view (Drawing 1 (c)) of a hopper device. It is a disassembled perspective view by the side of the hopper tank of a hopper apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view by the side of the hopper chassis of a hopper apparatus. It is explanatory drawing (front view) of the positional relationship of a hopper apparatus and an auxiliary tank. It is a top view of an auxiliary tank. It is a layout (AA arrow sectional view of an auxiliary tank) of a storage medal amount detection sensor concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a front view of the power supply part of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of selection of the stored medal amount detection sensor concerning Embodiment 1 of the invention. It is a flowchart of the overflow error alerting | reporting process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a flowchart of the sensor selection process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a layout (cross-sectional view of a hopper tank) of another stored medal amount detection sensor according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Hopper tank (dispensing device)
2 Hopper device (dispensing device)
70 Auxiliary tank (dispensing device)
100 gaming machine 200a gaming control unit 200b overflow error determination unit 200c storage medal amount detection sensor selection unit (selection unit)
200d Setting change processing unit S10-A to S10-D Reservation medal amount detection sensor

Claims (3)

A game control unit that performs an internal lottery based on a player's gaming operation and a winning determination based on the result of the internal lottery, and controls the payout of medals according to the winning, and stores the medals and pays out the stored medals. A payout device to be issued, an overflow error determination unit that generates an overflow error by determining the amount of stored medals in the payout device, and a setting value for the internal lottery is set and the setting value is output in accordance with a predetermined procedure In a gaming machine comprising a setting change processing unit to
A plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors that detect different stored medal amounts, and a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors based on the setting value output from the setting change processing unit. ,
The overflow error determination unit makes a determination based on an output of the stored medal amount detection sensor selected by the selection unit. A game control unit that performs an internal lottery based on a player's gaming operation and a winning determination based on the result of the internal lottery, and controls the payout of medals according to the winning, and stores the medals and pays out the stored medals. A method of determining an overflow error in a gaming machine comprising: a payout device to be issued; and a plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors for detecting different stored medal amounts in the payout device,
Setting a set value for the internal lottery according to a predetermined procedure;
Selecting one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors based on the set value;
Determining whether the stored medal amount has reached a predetermined amount based on the selected output of the stored medal amount detection sensor. A game control unit that performs an internal lottery based on a player's gaming operation and a winning determination based on the result of the internal lottery, and controls the payout of medals according to the winning, and stores the medals and pays out the stored medals. A program for causing a computer to execute a method of determining an overflow error in a gaming machine comprising a payout device to be issued and a plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors for detecting different stored medal amounts in the payout device,
Setting a set value for the internal lottery according to a predetermined procedure;
Selecting one of the plurality of stored medal amount detection sensors based on the set value;
And a step of determining whether or not the stored medal amount has reached a predetermined amount based on the output of the selected stored medal amount detection sensor.

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