JP2012010721A - Hopper device and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently remove dust adhering onto storage tokens and dust inside a device without requiring a complicated mechanical configuration.SOLUTION: A dust fall hole 18 is arranged in a support plate 11 for supporting a rotation plate 30. When a fixed time elapses without performing a start operation or a settlement operation during a period when whole rotation reels 6A are stopped and also a driving motor 50 is stopped driving, the driving motor 50 is driven for a fixed time, on the basis of a prescribed driving mode. When a game start operation or settlement operation is performed before the termination of the driving for the fixed time, the driving of the driving motor in the predetermined driving mode is stopped. During a period when the driving motor 50 is driven in the predetermined driving mode, the tokens are not put-out even when the rotation plate 30 is rotated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hopper device used in a gaming machine, which relates to a hopper device that pays out medals using a rotating plate, and a gaming machine incorporating the hopper device.

In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a hopper device for paying out medals is provided inside the housing, and the inserted medals are stored in the hopper device, and the stored medals are paid out when winning a prize. ing. Therefore, when playing a game for a long time, dust or the like may enter the hopper together with the inserted medal, and conversely, even if the game is not played for a long time, dust or the like may accumulate inside the hopper. . Such dust or dust hinders the smooth operation of the hopper device and may cause a failure, so it should be removed as much as possible.
As a countermeasure against such dust in the hopper, a dust-dropping hole is provided in a support plate of a rotating plate that sends out medals in the hopper. In addition to this, a brush-like wiping member is provided at the medal payout outlet of the gaming machine to wipe out the dust of the payout medal (Patent Document 1), and a fan is provided below the rotating plate to blow or suck the dust. A technique (Patent Document 2) has been devised.

JP 2006-230740 A (FIG. 3) JP 2009-142549 A (FIG. 3)

However, it is not easy to remove dust adhering to the medal in the hopper with only the dust drop hole, and it is not preferable in terms of cost to add a new structure to the existing apparatus.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a hopper device capable of efficiently removing dust adhering to a stored medal and dust inside the device without making a major modification to the conventional device, and a gaming machine equipped with the hopper device The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in each claim has the following configuration.
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
The invention described in claim 1 is a hopper device (1) built in a gaming machine (slot machine S), wherein a medal storage unit (20) and medals stored in the medal storage unit (10) are stored. A rotating plate (30) provided with a medal holding portion (medal hole 31, bottom medal conveying portion 32) for receiving and holding, a drive motor (hopper motor 50) for rotating the rotating plate (30), and the rotation The dust drop hole (18) formed through the support plate (11) facing the bottom surface of the plate (30), and the rotation concave portion (31, 32) held by the medal holding portion (31, 32) of the rotation plate (30). 12) a medal discharge mechanism (40) for changing the direction of a medal moving in the rotation direction together with the rotary plate (30) and discharging the medal to the outside of the rotation recess (13), and the drive motor A game control device (main control device 7A) for controlling the game of the gaming machine (S), and a control unit (hopper control unit 75) for controlling the operation of (50). According to the hopper device (1), the control unit (75) drives the drive motor (50) and rotates the rotating plate (30) based on a payout signal to pay out medals.

Here, the control unit (75) in the present invention may be provided in the hopper device (1) or may be incorporated in the game control device (7A) of the gaming machine.
In the present invention, the control unit (75), when not driving out the payout signal from the game control device (7A) for a certain period of time while the drive motor (50) is stopped driving, 50) is driven for a certain period based on a preset driving mode, and before the driving for a certain period based on the preset driving mode of the driving motor (50) is completed, from the game control device (7A) When a payout signal is input, the drive motor (50) is configured to stop driving in the preset drive mode, and the drive motor (50) is configured in a preset drive mode. During the driving, the medal is not paid out from the medal discharge mechanism (40) even if the rotating plate (30) rotates.

Here, the “preset driving mode” preferably includes a driving pattern of the driving motor (50) that is different from the normal medal payout, and the rotational speed, rotational time, and rotational direction of the driving motor (50). Or the like can be programmed in advance in the control unit (75). There may be a plurality of driving modes. The “certain period” means a period until a drive pattern having a preset driving mode is completed.
Further, here, “the medals are formed so as not to be paid out even if the rotating plate (30) rotates” means that, for example, the medal discharging mechanism (40) rotates the rotating plate (30) in reverse (drive motor). When (50) is driven in reverse), the medal is not discharged (the stopper for changing the direction of the medal is arranged in that way), and the medal It includes that the stopper for changing the direction is freely movable and formed so that the medal does not move in the direction of the discharge port when the stopper is immersed.

When a payout signal is input from the game control device (7A) of the gaming machine, the hopper device (1) in the present invention drives the drive motor (50) to rotate the rotating plate (30) and pays out medals. put out. At this time, the number of payouts can be grasped by counting the detection signal of the detection unit for detecting the paid-out medals. The detection signal counting means may be provided in the game control device (7A) or may be provided in the control unit (75).
On the other hand, when a payout signal is not input from the game control device (7A) for a certain period of time, the drive motor (50) is driven in a predetermined drive mode. The drive mode includes driving the drive motor (50) by rotating the rotating plate (30) a predetermined number of times or a predetermined angle, driving the drive motor (50) in reverse, repeating forward and reverse rotation, , Including repeatedly turning on and off the drive motor (50). In order to drive the drive motor (50) by rotating the rotating plate (30) by a predetermined angle, the driving motor (50) is driven so that the rotating plate (30) rotates by an angle at which the medal is not paid out. Is included. By performing such driving, the medal stored on the upper surface of the rotating plate (30) is agitated, dust and the like adhering to the medal is removed, and falls from the dust drop hole (18).

  Further, medals are not paid out from the medal discharge mechanism (40) while the drive motor (50) is driven in the “predetermined drive mode”. For example, when the medal discharge mechanism (40) is configured not to pay out medals when the drive motor (50) is rotated forward, and not to pay out medals when the drive motor (50) is rotated reversely, the control unit (75) No medal is paid out while the drive motor (50) is driven in reverse. In addition, when the medal discharge mechanism (40) is configured to change the course of the medal with a stoppable stopper, the course of the medal is changed while the control unit (75) is immersing the stopper. No medal will be paid out. Alternatively, even when the drive motor (50) is driven so that the rotating plate (30) rotates by an angle at which the medal is not paid out, the medal is not paid out. However, in this case, it is preferable to return the rotating plate (30) to the original position by reverse driving after the driving.

According to the present invention, when the non-operation time of the drive motor (50) exceeds a certain time, the drive motor (50) is automatically driven in a drive mode different from normal, and dust inside the hopper can be removed. it can. If a payout signal is input from the game control device (7A) of the gaming machine (S) while dust is being removed inside the hopper, the dust drop operation is immediately interrupted and the payout is made. You can move on to processing.
In the present invention, when the payout signal is not input from the game control device (7A) of the gaming machine for a certain period of time, the driving motor (50) is driven in a predetermined driving mode, but the gaming machine (S) When a predetermined game start signal (for example, a game medal insertion signal or a start switch operation signal) is not input for a certain period of time from the game control device (7A), the drive motor (50) is driven in a predetermined drive mode. You may form as follows. Alternatively, when either the payout signal or the game start signal is not input for a certain period of time, the drive motor (50) may be driven in a predetermined drive mode.

(Claim 2)
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a symbol display device capable of variably displaying and stopping a plurality of symbols, a start switch (5C) for starting variation of the symbol of the symbol display device, and storing and paying out medals At least a hopper device (1) and a game control device (main control device 7A) for controlling the operation of the symbol display device and the hopper device (1), and the start switch (5C) can be operated by inserting medals. When the symbol of the symbol display device is stopped in a predetermined winning manner after the start switch (5C) is operated, the hopper device pays out and inserts the number of medals according to the winning. The medal can be handled as a credit stored inside the gaming machine within a predetermined number of ranges and stored as a credit based on the operation of the bet switch (5B). A gaming machine formed so that a part of the medals replaced is replaced with inserted medals, and all of the medals stored as the credits are paid out from the hopper device (1) based on the operation of the settlement switch (5E) Related to (S).

Here, the “symbol display device” includes a rotating reel (6A) displaying a plurality of symbols and a reel motor (6B) for rotating the rotating reel (6A). A reel device (6) that displays symbols in a variable manner, a liquid crystal display device that can display multiple symbols on a liquid crystal screen, and a stopless belt that displays multiple symbols on multiple rollers. An apparatus is included in which the symbols are displayed in a variable manner by rotating the transfer roller.
In addition, here, “the symbols are stopped in a predetermined winning manner” includes that the symbols constituting the winning combination are stopped in a predetermined arrangement on a predetermined active line.

In addition to the above configuration, the gaming machine (S) may include a stop switch (5D) for stopping the symbol variation of the symbol variation device.
A gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine (S) including the hopper device (1) according to claim 1. That is, the hopper device (1) is a rotating plate (30) provided with a medal storage unit (20) and a medal holding unit (31, 32) for receiving and holding a medal stored in the medal storage unit (20). 30), a drive motor (50) for rotating the rotating plate (30), and a dust drop hole (18) formed through the support plate (11) facing the bottom surface of the rotating plate (30). And the direction of the medals that are held in the medal holding portions (31, 32) of the rotating plate (30) and are moving in the rotating direction together with the rotating plate (30) in the rotating recess (12), A medal discharging mechanism (40) for discharging the rotating recess (12) to the outside, and the driving motor (50) is driven and the rotating plate (30) is rotated to pay out medals. .

  The game control device (7A) is configured such that the start switch (5C) is activated when the symbol display device is stopped and the drive motor (50) of the hopper device (1) is stopped. When a fixed time has passed without operation or adjustment switch (5E) being operated, the drive motor (50) is driven for a fixed period based on a preset drive mode, and the drive motor (50) When a medal is inserted, or when the bet switch (5B) is operated, or the start switch (5C) is operated before driving for a certain period of time based on the preset driving mode is completed. Or when the settlement switch (5E) is operated, the drive of the drive motor (50) in the preset drive mode is stopped, and the drive motor (50) Is driven in a preset drive mode During it is characterized in that the rotary plate (30) is formed so as medals from the medal discharging mechanism be rotated (40) is not paid out.

Here, “the symbol display device has been deactivated” means that the rotary reel (6A) and the driving device for rotating the belt are all stopped driving, or all the symbols on the LCD screen are stopped and displayed. And the case where the symbol is not displayed on the liquid crystal screen (other than the symbol is displayed).
According to the present invention, when either the non-game time (exactly the non-operation time of the symbol display device) or the non-operation time of the hopper device (1) exceeds a certain time, the drive motor (50) is automatically activated. It can be driven in a driving mode different from normal, and dust inside the hopper can be removed. And, if some action to start the game is performed while dust is being dropped inside the hopper, or if an action to operate the hopper device (1) is performed, Immediately interrupting the dust removal operation, it is possible to shift to game execution processing and payout processing.

  If the non-operation time of the hopper device (1) exceeds a certain time, the drive motor (50) starts to drive in a predetermined drive mode even when a game is being performed. It may be.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, a hopper device capable of efficiently removing dust adhering to a stored medal and dust inside the device without making major modifications to the conventional device and A gaming machine provided with this hopper device can be provided.

FIG. 4 is an external front view of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view which opened the front door of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a perspective view of a hopper apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a hopper apparatus. It is a top view of a main-body part. It is a top view of a rotation recessed part. It is an enlarged view of a dust pit. It is a timing chart which shows the measurement time of a timer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the normal rotation of the angle which does not pay out a medal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a dust removal process. It is a top view of the main-body part which shows the other example of a rotating plate and a dust drop hole.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example of a medal gaming machine.
(Slot Machine S)
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine S has a plate-like front door 3 attached to the front side of a box-shaped housing 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. As shown in FIG. A reel device 6 as a symbol display device having a reel motor 6B (see FIG. 3) and three rotating reels 6A on which a plurality of symbols (not shown) are displayed, and storing and paying out medals. The hopper device 1 for taking out, the control device 7 for controlling the operation of the slot machine S, and the power supply device 8 are housed and fixed.

  The front door 3 is attached through a hinge (not shown) so that the front opening of the housing 2 can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1, the central portion in the height direction is used for the operation of the slot machine S. The operation unit 5 is provided with related operation switches and the like. A front panel 3A having a symbol display window 60 through which the symbol of the rotary reel 6A can be viewed from the front side is provided above the operation unit 5, and a character corresponding to the model of the slot machine S is provided below the operation unit 5. Each of the lower panels 3C is displayed. An upper panel 3B is provided above the front panel 3A, and a medal payout port 3E for discharging medals paid out from the hopper device 1 is provided below the lower panel 3C and below the front door 3. Thus, a lower plate 3D capable of storing medals discharged from the medal payout opening 3E is formed.

Further, the front door 3 is provided with an effect display device 9 for causing various effects accompanying the game. The effect display device 9 includes a lamp 9A disposed around the upper panel 3B, an image display unit 9B provided on the upper panel 3B, and a speaker 9C provided on the back wall of the lower plate 3C. The image display unit 9B displays a character / graphic moving picture or the like using a liquid crystal display device or a dot matrix.
The operation unit 5 includes a medal slot 5A for inserting medals, a bet switch 5B for replacing medals stored as credits with inserted medals, and a lever-shaped start for starting rotation of the rotating reel 6A. A switch 5C, a stop switch 5D composed of three button switches for individually stopping the rotation of the rotary reel 6A, and a settlement switch 5E for paying back the credited medal are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a medal selector 4 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 5A is built in the back side of the front door 3, and a medal canceled by the medal selector 4 is displayed. A medal passage 3F for guiding to the lower plate 3D is provided.
The control device 7 includes a control board on which various electronic components such as an IC are mounted, and a board case for housing the control board. As the control board, as shown in FIG. 3, a main board and a sub board are provided.
The main board is provided with various electronic components such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O, and functions as various control units when the CPU reads a program stored in the ROM. Specifically, the main board constitutes a main controller 7A for controlling the operation of the reel device 6 and the hopper device 1 while performing the lottery, and controls the bets and credits as shown in FIG. A medal insertion control unit 70 to perform, a combination lottery control unit 71 for performing a combination lottery for determining whether or not a “combination” consisting of a combination of symbols is won, a reel control unit 72 for controlling the reel device 6, It functions as a winning determination control unit 73 for determining presence / absence, a gaming state control unit 74 for controlling a gaming state such as a bonus game, and a hopper control unit 75 for controlling the operation of the hopper device 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the medal sensor 4A, the bet switch 5B, the start switch 5C, the stop switch 5D, the settlement switch 5E, and the payout sensor 80 are connected to the input side of the main controller 7A. Here, although not particularly shown, the medal sensor 4A is a detection unit built in the medal selector 4 and detects the inserted medal. The payout sensor 80 will be described later.
As shown in FIG. 3, the reel motor 6B, the medal cancellation device 4B, the numerical value display unit 61, and the hopper motor 50 are connected to the output side of the main controller 7A.
Here, the medal cancellation device 4B is built in the medal selector 4, although not particularly shown, and is for canceling the game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 5A. Specifically, although not particularly illustrated, a projecting claw is protruded from the medal guide path of the medal selector 4 by energization of the solenoid, and the game medal flowing down the medal path is discharged from the medal path upstream of the medal sensor 4A. The discharged game medals fall on a medal passage 3F provided on the back surface of the front door 3 and are paid back to the lower plate 3D from the medal payout opening 3E.

As shown in FIG. 1, the numerical value display 61 is a display provided below the symbol display window 60 of the upper panel 3A, and uses a 7-segment LED or a liquid crystal display to display the number of games, the number of payouts, It is for displaying numerical values related to games such as the number of credits.
Although not particularly shown, the sub board is also equipped with electronic components such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and, like the main board, the CPU reads various programs stored in the ROM and functions as various control units. To do. Specifically, the sub board constitutes a sub control device 7B for inputting a signal from the main board and controlling the operation of the effect display device 9, and although not particularly shown, the effect using the effect display device 9 is performed. It functions as an effect control unit for controlling. As shown in FIG. 3, the parts of the lamp 9A, the image display unit 9B, and the speaker 9C are connected to the output side of the sub-control device 7B.

An outline of the operation of the slot machine S having the above configuration will be described.
The medal insertion control unit 70 receives the medal detection signal of the medal sensor 4A or the operation signal of the bet switch 5B, and validates the operation of the start switch 5C. Here, the slot machine S is configured so that a maximum of three medals can be placed (betted) in one game, and up to 50 medals inserted from the medal slot 5A can be stored as credits. ing. When a medal is credited, the numerical value is displayed on a credit display portion provided at a predetermined position of the numerical value display portion 61, and a predetermined number of 1 to 3 is displayed every time the bet switch 5B is operated. Is subtracted from the display, and the number of medals is regarded as bet.

Then, based on the operation signal of the start switch 5C, the part lottery control unit 71 performs part lottery. In the role lottery, a random number generated by a random number generation circuit (not shown) (or a count value of a loop counter as the random number generation circuit) is read at the timing of receiving the operation signal of the start switch 5C and stored in the ROM. This is done by collating with the lottery table. In addition, the combination includes a small combination in which medals are paid out, a re-playing combination that allows the next game to be played without a bet, and a special combination that shifts to a bonus game in which the winning probability of the small combination is set high.
After the role lottery, based on the operation signal of the start switch 5C, the reel control unit 72 drives the reel motor 62 to start the rotation of the rotary reel 6A. The reel control unit 72 grasps the current position of the symbol of each rotating reel 6A based on a detection signal of a reel sensor (not shown) provided in each rotating reel 6A while the rotating reel 6A is rotating. Further, the reel controller 72 stops the rotation of the reel 6A by stopping the driving of the reel motor 6B based on the operation signal of the stop switch 5D. At this time, when the result of the lottery is lost, the symbols constituting the winning combination are predetermined under certain conditions when the predetermined combination is won so that the stopped symbols are not arranged in any winning manner. The stop time of the rotating reel 6A is controlled by adjusting the time from when the operation signal of the stop switch 5D is received until the drive of the reel motor is stopped so that the display mode is stopped.

  When all the three rotating reels 6A are stopped, if the symbols constituting the winning combination of each rotating reel 6A are displayed in an arrangement corresponding to the winning combination, the winning determination control unit 74 responds to the winning combination. Determine processing. Specifically, when a symbol of a small role is displayed (winning), a medal corresponding to the winning small role is paid out, and when a replay symbol is displayed, replaying is performed. When the symbol is displayed, the shift to the bonus game is determined. Based on this determination, the hopper control unit 74 operates the hopper device 1 to pay out the number of medals according to the combination, the medal insertion control unit 70 performs an automatic betting process, or the gaming state control unit 73 performs a bonus game. Or to start.

(Hopper device 1)
Here, the mechanical configuration of the hopper device 1 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper device 1 includes a main body 10 including a rotating plate 30 for sending out medals and a hopper motor 50, and a medal storage 20 provided above the main body 10. . Further, a medal discharge port 17 for discharging medals sent out by the rotary plate 30 is formed in the front portion of the hopper device 1. Then, when the hopper motor 50 is driven to rotate in the forward direction and the rotating plate 30 rotates in the direction of the white arrow (forward rotation direction) shown in FIG. 6, the medal fitted in the medal hole 31 of the rotating plate 30 becomes the medal outlet 17. It is formed so that it can be discharged one by one.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 10 is a box formed with an inclined upper surface. A substantially circular rotating recess 12 is formed in the support plate 11 constituting the upper surface of the main body 10, and a rotating plate 30 having a plurality of medal holes 31 is disposed in the rotating recess 12. A hopper motor 50 (see FIG. 2) for rotating the rotary plate 30 is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 11, and a rotary shaft 51 that interlocks with the drive shaft of the hopper motor 50 protrudes from the support plate 11 and rotates. It is located at the center of the recess 12. The rotating plate 30 is fixed to the rotating shaft 51 and is rotatable in the horizontal direction inside the rotating recess 12.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotating recess 12 is formed with a notch 15 in which a part of the peripheral wall 14 forming the rotating recess 12 is notched. A concave bottom surface 13 of the rotary concave portion 12 and a medal discharge port 17 in front of the main body portion 10 communicate with each other. A medal discharge mechanism 40 is provided between the notch 15 and the medal discharge port 17.

  The medal discharge mechanism 40 includes a discharge recess 41 that allows the cutout portion 15 and the medal discharge port 17 to communicate with each other, and a fixed pin 42 and a movable pin 43 provided in the discharge recess 41. The fixing pin 42 is a columnar protrusion provided at the end of the notch 15. The movable pin 43 is a columnar protrusion that protrudes from a long hole formed in the discharge recess 41, and is disposed at a position that maintains a gap smaller than the diameter of the medal M between the fixed pin 42. The movable pin 43 is always urged by a spring (not shown) so as to be in the above-described position, and along the elongated hole to a position where the distance from the fixed pin 42 is slightly larger than the diameter of the medal. You can move. That is, the medal is formed so as to pass between the fixed pin 42 and the movable pin 43 in a horizontal state. A payout sensor that detects the passage of a medal by detecting the movement of a detection piece (not shown) fixed below the movable pin 43 inside the main body 10 and in the vicinity of the discharge recess 41. 80 is provided. A payout guide 16 is attached to the discharge recess 41, and a gap between the payout guide 16 and the discharge recess 41 serves as the medal discharge port 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the concave bottom surface 13 of the rotary recess 12 is rotated in the reverse direction (rotated when the hopper motor 14 is driven in reverse) while moving outward from the rotation center (rotary shaft 51) of the rotary plate 30. A slit-shaped dust drop hole 18 that is curved in the direction in which the plate 30 rotates (in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 6) is formed. A plurality of dust drop holes 18 penetrates the support plate 11 and are provided on the lower side of the concave bottom surface 14, and dust, dust, cigarette ash, etc. fall from the dust drop holes 18 into the main body 10. Can be made. Here, in view of the fact that the dust drop hole 18 has a shape as illustrated, the moving speed of the rotating plate 30 increases as the distance from the rotation center increases, so that the movement of dust accompanying the rotating rotating plate 30 is considered. This is because the hole width in the rotation direction increases as the distance from the rotation center increases. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the hole width w2 in the rotational direction on the circumferential side of the concave bottom surface 13 of the dust drop hole 18 is the hole width w1 in the rotational direction on the center side of the concave bottom surface 13. Therefore, even if dust or the like moves around the concave bottom surface 13 at a high speed, it can fall without passing through the dust drop hole 18. The dust drop hole 18 may be formed to be curved in the direction shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotating plate 30 has eight medal holes 31 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the medal diameter, and an inclined portion 35 is formed around the medal hole 31. A ridge 36 is formed between adjacent medal holes 31. The medal stored above the rotating plate 30 by the inclined portion 35 can be smoothly guided to the medal hole 31, and the medal stored above the rotating plate 30 while the rotating plate 30 is rotating by the ridge portion 36. Can be stirred.
Further, on the back surface of the rotating plate 30, a bottom medal transport unit 32 is formed as a medal holding unit that holds the medal M fitted in the medal hole 31 and discharges it to the side of the rotating plate 30. The bottom medal transport portion 34 is a bottom-view gear-shaped convex portion formed on the back surface of the rotating plate 30, and as shown in FIG. It has a medal insertion groove 33 that is open on the side, and a protrusion 34 that is formed by curving an opening portion of the medal insertion groove 33 in a direction reverse to the plan view. The height (thickness) of the bottom medal transport unit 34 is formed to be slightly larger than the thickness of one medal.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the medal storage part 20 is a box having a storage part 21 that opens upward, and an overflow opening 22 is formed in the side part. The overflow opening 22 is for discharging medals stored in the storage unit 21 to a predetermined amount or more from the storage unit 21 through the overflow guide 23. The overflowed medal is on the side of the hopper device 1 in the housing 2. Is transferred to a sub-tank 90 (see FIG. 2) installed adjacent thereto. An opening 24 (see FIG. 5) whose center coincides with the rotary plate 30 when the medal storage unit 20 is mounted on the main body 10 is formed at the bottom of the medal storage unit 20 and is inserted into the storage unit 21. The medal is stored above the rotating plate 30 through the opening 24. The medals stored in the storage unit 21 are fitted into the medal holes 31 of the rotating plate 30, and a plurality of medals are stacked and stored in the medal hole 31 in the horizontal direction.

(Operation of the hopper device 1)
The movement of medals during the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation of the hopper device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
First, among the medals fitted in the medal hole 31 of the rotating plate 30, the medal at the bottom is held in the medal insertion groove 33 when the medal hole 31 is positioned above the rotating plate 30. It fits inside the hole 31. On the other hand, when the medal hole 31 is located on the lower side of the rotating plate 30, it falls out of the medal insertion groove 33 (or, when the rotating plate 30 is rotating, it jumps out of the medal insertion groove 33 by centrifugal force). Thus, the medal hole 31 comes off and comes into contact with the peripheral wall 14 of the rotary recess 12.

  When the hopper motor 50 is driven to rotate in the forward direction and the rotating plate 30 is rotated in the forward direction, the medal that protrudes from the medal hole 31 and contacts the peripheral wall 14 below the rotating recess 12 It is pushed by the outer curved portion 34b of the 32 projections 34 and rolls in the rotational direction along the peripheral wall 14. As shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, the medal that has rolled to the vicinity of the discharge recess 41 is in contact with the fixed pin 42 and the movable pin 42 and is prevented from moving in the rotational direction. Since it is further pressed by the outer curved portion 34b of the protrusion 34 as it rotates, the movable pin 43 is pressed to widen the gap between the fixed pin 42 and the movable pin 43 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. . That is, the outer curved portion 34b and the movable pin 43 play a role of changing the course of the medal. When the diameter portion of the medal passes between the fixed pin 42 and the movable pin 43, the movable pin 43 returns to the original position by the biasing force, so that the medal is flipped away in the direction of the medal discharge port 17. Note that the medals stacked above fall into the medal hole 31 from which the medals have been discharged, and move together with the rotating plate 30 while being held in the medal insertion groove 33.

  On the other hand, when the hopper motor 50 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction and the rotating plate 30 is rotated in the reverse direction, the medals protruding from the medal hole 31 below the rotating recess 12 and contacting the peripheral wall 14 It is pushed by the inner curved portion 34a, rolls in the rotational direction along the peripheral wall 14, and is stored inside the medal hole 31 so that the medal hole 31 is scooped up by the inner curved portion 34a as it moves upward on the slope. Is done. The medal carried to the vicinity of the discharge recess 41 spills from the medal insertion groove 33 along the outer curved portion 34b, but the movement in the rotation direction is not prevented by the fixed pin 42 and the movable pin 43, and the path Is not changed, it continues to move in the rotational direction along the peripheral wall 14 while being located between the outer curved portion 34b and the inner curved portion 34a.

As described above, the hopper device 1 does not pay out medals when the hopper motor 50 is operated in reverse. That is, the medal discharge mechanism 40 is formed so as to be unable to be paid out by rotating the hopper motor 50 in the reverse direction. In the present embodiment, by using this reverse operation that does not pay out medals, dust collected from the inside of the medal reservoir 20 or between the rotating plate 30 and the support plate 11 from the dust drop hole 18 is efficiently obtained during non-games. Dust removal processing is performed to eliminate it automatically.
(Hopper control unit 75)
Next, the hopper control unit 75 that controls the operation of the hopper device 1 will be described in detail.

The hopper control unit 75 includes a drive signal output unit 76, a timer 77, and a number counter 78 as shown in FIG. The drive signal output unit 76 outputs a drive signal for driving the hopper motor 50, the timer 77 is for measuring a predetermined non-game time, and the number counter 78 counts the detection signal of the payout sensor 40 Is to do.
Specifically, the drive signal output unit 76 is configured to drive the hopper motor 50 in the forward direction based on the payout determination signal from the winning determination control unit 73 and the operation signal of the settlement switch 5E when credited. A normal rotation signal is output, and when the sheet counter 78 finishes counting the number of sheets to be paid out, a drive stop signal for stopping the driving of the hopper motor 50 is output. On the other hand, when a predetermined time-up signal is input from the timer 77, a dust drop operation based on a predetermined drive pattern can be performed, which will be described later.

  The timer 77 is a time measuring means such as a pulse counter, and measures the non-game time of the slot machine S or the non-operation time of the hopper device 1. The timer 77 is provided with a timer A that counts the standby time y of the reel device 6 and a timer B that counts the non-operation time x of the hopper motor 14 although not particularly shown. As shown in FIG. 9A, the timer A starts time counting when the reel device 6 is on standby, that is, when all of the rotating reels 6A stop rotating, and when a predetermined time y1 has elapsed, When the predetermined time y2 after the elapse of y1 elapses, a time-up signal is output when the predetermined time y3 elapses after the e2 elapses, although not shown. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the hopper motor 14 is switched from ON to OFF, the timer B accurately counts the number of medals 78 and the hopper motor 14 is driven. Time count starts from the time of stopping, and when the predetermined time x1 has elapsed, and when the predetermined time x2 after x1 has elapsed, the time is up when the predetermined time x3 has elapsed since x2 Output a signal. In this way, the timer 77 counts as long as the non-game state or the non-operating state continues, and outputs a time-up signal every predetermined time set in advance. When the game is started during the time count, specifically, when the operation signal of the start switch 5C is input, the time count is ended and the count is reset.

The number counter 78 counts the detection signal of the payout sensor 40 based on the payout determination signal from the winning determination control unit 73, and outputs a count up signal to the drive signal output unit 76 when the counting of the number of payouts is completed. To do.
(Dust removal inside the hopper)
Next, dust removal processing inside the hopper by the hopper control unit 75 described above will be described. The dust removal process is a process of operating the hopper motor 50 without paying out medals with a predetermined drive pattern during non-game. This process is performed by executing a predetermined drive pattern stored in the ROM as a program.

  First, as the rotation pattern of the rotary plate 30 when performing the dust removal process, reverse rotation and normal rotation of the angle α at which no medal is paid out are set. More specifically, “the angle α at which the medal is not paid out” means that, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 34-1 of the rotating plate 30 ejects one medal M1 (more precisely, the payout sensor). From the position P (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the rotating plate 30 (when the hopper motor 50 is stopped by detecting the last payout medal 40), the protrusion 34- adjacent to the rear side in the rotation direction of the protrusion 34-1 2 is the rotation angle of the rotating plate 30 up to the position S (indicated by a solid line) of the rotating plate 30 when it moves to the position immediately before the medal M2 is discharged. Although the angle α varies depending on the structure of the medal discharge portion of the hopper device 1, in the present embodiment, the medal is discharged when the rotation plate 30 is rotated by one medal hole (that is, 45 °). It is preferable that the angle is less than half (that is, 22.5 ° or less). Needless to say, this angle varies depending on the number of medal holes. For example, when there are six medal holes, it is preferably 30 ° or less, and when there are four medal holes, it is preferably 45 ° or less.

The following three patterns are provided as driving patterns for the hopper motor 50.
Pattern A: The rotating plate 30 is reversed a predetermined number of times (3 times, 5 times, etc.). According to this driving pattern, the dust attached to the medal can be removed by centrifugal force without the medal being paid out. Further, since the rotating plate 30 moves in a direction different from the normal direction, dust or the like staying at the bottom is easily stirred and dropped.
Pattern B: The operation of rotating the rotating plate 30 reversely a predetermined number of times (such as once or ½ time) and rotating it forward by an angle α at which the medal is not paid out is repeated a predetermined round. According to this drive pattern, the effect of stirring is improved by changing the rotation direction for a moment.

Pattern C: ON / OFF of the hopper motor 50 is repeated a predetermined number of times in reverse. According to this drive pattern, the medal inside the storage unit 21 is shaken in small increments, and the effect of dust removal is improved.
Here, the rotation speed and rotation angle of the rotating plate 30 can be grasped from the rotation speed and driving time of the hopper motor 50. The rotation speed and rotation time of the motor are pre-programmed so that the behavior of the rotating plate 30 becomes a pattern as described above by driving the hopper motor 50, and the drive signal output unit 76 follows the hopper motor 50 according to those programs. Will be controlled.

Note that the rotation pattern and the drive pattern are not limited to the above-described three patterns, and various patterns can be provided such as, for example, repeating a short time forward and reverse rotation a predetermined number of times. Further, the rotation speed may be made slower or faster than the normal medal payout. In short, any pattern may be used as long as the hopper motor 50 is driven in a driving mode different from that in a normal medal payout.
Furthermore, the execution timings of the drive patterns A to C described above are also programmed in accordance with the time count of the timer 77 shown in FIG. As an example, pattern C is executed when x1 and y1 have passed, pattern A is executed when x2 and y2 have passed, and pattern B is executed when x3 and y3 (not shown) have passed. Can be set. As another example, the pattern A is executed at the timing of z1 after the elapse of x1 and y1 is set, and the pattern B is executed at the timing of z2 after the elapse of x2 and y2 has elapsed. can do. In addition to this, various patterns are assumed and may be set as appropriate.

The flow of dust removal processing will be described based on the flow of FIG.
First, at step 100 in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not all the rotating reels 6A have stopped or the payout of medals has ended. If all the rotating reels 6A are not stopped or the medals have not been paid out, the operation is continued in the next step 101 as it is. That is, rotation processing of the rotating reel 6A by the reel control unit 72 and driving processing of the hopper motor 50 by the hopper control unit 75 are performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that all of the rotating reels 6A are stopped or the payout of medals has been completed, the timer 77 starts time counting in step 102.

  Then, the process proceeds to the next step 103, where it is determined whether or not there is a start operation or a settlement operation. Here, the “start operation” is an operation of the start switch 5C after the start switch 5C is enabled. In other words, the start switch 5C is operated when the operation of the start switch 5C is not activated, such as when a bet has not been made, the game time limit (so-called wait time) has not elapsed, or a predetermined error has occurred. However, the determination of this step is not Yes. Further, the “settlement operation” is an operation of the settlement switch 5E for refunding credits. That is, even if the settlement switch 5E is operated when there is no credit, the determination of this step is not Yes. The reason for determining whether or not a settlement operation is performed is to deal with a case where the game has been interrupted for a long time while crediting the medal.

If it is determined No in step 103, that is, if neither a start operation nor a settlement operation is performed, it is determined in the next step 104 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. The “predetermined time” here is a time set to execute the dust removal process by the output of the time-up signal of the timer 77 (timers A and B), and is an example of the execution timing described above. Then, x1 or y1 in FIG. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step 103. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step 105.
In step 105, the hopper motor 50 starts the dust drop drive based on a preset drive pattern. Then, in the next step 106, it is determined whether or not there is a game start operation or a payment operation. Here, the “game start operation” is an operation necessary to start a game, and can be any one of insertion of medals, operation of the bet switch 5B, and operation of the start switch 5C. The insertion of a medal is determined by the detection signal of the medal sensor 4A, and the operation of the bet switch 5B is effective when the bet switch 5B is operated when the credit is 1 or more (or a specified number or more).

If it is determined No in step 106, it is determined in the next step 107 whether or not a predetermined drive pattern has been completed. If the predetermined drive pattern is not completed in step 107, the process returns to step 106. If the predetermined drive pattern is completed, the hopper motor 50 stops the dust dropping drive in the next step 108. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 110.
In step 110, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. The “predetermined time” here is x2 or y2 (or x3 or y3) in FIG. 9 in the case of the above example. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step 111, where it is determined whether a start operation or a settlement operation has been performed. If step 111 is No, the process returns to step 110. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 110 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step 105. In this way, even after the dust removal driving process is executed once, the start operation is not performed (that is, the rotating reel 6A does not start rotating), and the credit settlement is not performed (that is, the hopper device 1 does not operate). If the predetermined time elapses, the execution of the dust drop driving process is repeated again. In this case, it is also possible to perform a pattern process different from the dust drop driving process performed previously.

  When it is determined Yes in Step 106, that is, while the hopper motor 50 is operated with a predetermined drive pattern, a medal is inserted, the bet switch 5B is operated, or the start switch 5C is operated, or If the settlement switch 5E has been operated, the process proceeds to step 109. In step 106, the hopper motor 50 stops the dust drop drive (that is, stops the drive pattern that does not pay out medals). Then, the process proceeds to step 112. As described above, during the dust drop driving, not only the start operation but also the game start operation is stopped, the dust drop drive is stopped immediately after the bet. Where the probability is high, in Step 103 or Step 111, the hopper motor 50 is in a normal state, whereas in Step 106, the hopper motor 50 is driven in a driving mode different from the normal state and the medal is not paid out. For this reason, it is preferable to stop the driving hopper motor 50 as soon as possible to return to the normal standby state.

  If it is determined YES in step 111, the process proceeds to step 112. In step 112, the timer 77 ends the time count and resets the count. Then, in the next step 113, game execution processing or payout processing is performed. That is, when the start switch 5C is operated after betting, the rotating reel 6A starts to rotate, and when the settlement switch 5E is operated, the hopper motor 50 is driven to pay out medals. When the dust removal process is stopped by inserting a medal or operating the bet switch 5B in the flow of steps 106 to 109, the process of step 113 is performed after the start switch 5C is operated. Then, the dust removal process ends.

In step 103 and step 111 described above, it may be determined whether or not a medal is inserted or the bet switch 5B is operated.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the hopper device 1 is operated in a state where medals cannot be paid out during non-game, the rotation of the rotating plate 30 is performed while stirring the medals stored in the medal storage unit 20. Since the centrifugal force is applied to drop the dust, and the dust is dropped from the dust drop hole 18 provided below the rotating plate 30, the non-game time can be effectively utilized to clean the inside of the hopper. In addition, during the dust removal process, the hopper motor 50 is driven in a driving mode different from the normal driving mode, so that the dust adhered to the medal and the dust staying in the rotating recess 12 are effectively removed. Can do. Furthermore, since the driving pattern of the dust removal process can be changed as the non-game time elapses, the movement of medals in the hopper can be diversified and the effect of dust removal can be improved. In addition, when the game start operation is performed during the dust removal process or when the settlement operation is performed, the process is stopped, so that the game and the credit settlement are not hindered.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, by making the shape of the dust drop hole 18 bean type, it was easy to discharge the dust accumulated at the bottom of the rotating recess 12, but the structure for dust removal assistance is It is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a protrusion 36 that is curved in the forward rotation direction is provided on the back surface of the rotating plate 30, a plurality of circular dust holes 18 are provided below the rotating recess 12, and A dust drop hole 18 is also provided on the upper side near the center of the recess 12. Then, as the rotating plate 30 rotates, the protrusion 36 rotates the concave bottom surface 13 so that dust can be guided to the dust drop hole 18. The protrusion 36 may be curved in the reverse direction. However, the dust removal process in the present embodiment can make the medal unpaid state even if the hopper device 1 does not have such a special structure, and is provided with even a dust drop hole 18. If so, the effect of removing dust can be sufficiently exhibited. In other words, there is an advantage that it is possible to cope with only the exchange of programs without modifying the conventional apparatus.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the driving pattern in the dust removal process, the reverse rotation and the normal rotation at an angle at which the medal is not paid out are provided. If the rotation plate 30 can be continuously rotated in the forward rotation direction, a new operation can be added to the drive pattern. For example, the medal is guided to the discharge recess 41 by the protrusion and recess provided on the concave bottom portion 13 of the rotary recess 12, and the medal is paid out when the protrusion and protrusion protrudes, and the medal is paid out when the protrusion and protrusion are immersed. If it is formed so that it does not come out, during the dust removal process, the intrusion protrusion is immersed, the rotating plate 30 is rotated in the forward direction without paying out medals, or the hopper motor 50 Can be operated to repeat ON and OFF by forward rotation. Even in this case, it is preferable to add reverse driving to the pattern in order to efficiently stir the medals inside the storage unit 21.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the hopper control unit 75 is provided in the main control device 7A of the slot machine S. However, the hopper control unit 75 is disposed in, for example, the hopper device 1 as a separate substrate independent of the main control device 7A. May be. In this case, the hopper control unit 75 may cause the dust removal process to be executed when the payout signal (including both payout by winning and payout by the settlement switch 5E) is not input for a certain time from the main control device 7A. . Specifically, when the payout operation is completed in step 100 in FIG. 11, the timer 77 starts time counting in step 102, and in steps 103 and 111, it is determined whether or not a payout signal has been received from the main controller 7A. When the predetermined time elapses, the dust removal process is executed. When a payout signal is received at 106, the dust removal process is stopped. In such a case, even when a game is being performed but no medal is paid out from the hopper device 1, the dust removal process is performed. Moreover, when formed in this way, even when the hopper device according to the present invention is used in a gaming machine that does not have a credit function (that is, there is no bet switch or a settlement switch), the dust removal process is performed. be able to.

Of course, even when the hopper control unit 75 is provided in the main control device 7A, the dust removal process may be executed based on the non-game time as in the above-described embodiment, and the hopper control unit 75 is controlled by the main control. When the apparatus 7A is provided, the dust removal process based on the non-operation time of the hopper motor 50 may be executed.
In addition, when turning on / off the power of the slot machine S, a predetermined pattern of dust removal processing is executed, or the hopper motor 50 is operated for a certain period of time with standby power outside the hall opening hours or at night. You may make it perform dust removal processing.
The present invention can also be applied to medal gaming machines other than slot machines. For example, the present invention may be used for a gaming machine in which a symbol change display and a stop display are performed by a liquid crystal display device or a belt as a symbol display device.

S slot machine (game machine)
1 Hopper device 2 Housing 3 Front door 5 Operation unit
5A medal slot 5B bet switch
5C Start switch 5D Stop switch
5E Settlement switch 6 Reel device (design display device) 6A Rotating reel 7 Control device 7A Main control device (game control device)
8 Power supply device 9 Production display device
10 Body 11 Support plate
12 Rotating recess 13 Concave bottom
14 Perimeter wall 17 Medal outlet
18 Dust pit
20 Medal storage part 21 Storage part
30 Rotating plate 31 Medal hole
32 Bottom medal transport section (medal holding section) 33 Medal insertion slot
40 Medal ejection mechanism 41 Ejection recess
42 Fixed pin 43 Movable pin
50 Hopper motor 51 Rotating shaft
60 Symbol display window 61 Numerical display
75 Hopper control unit (control unit) 76 Drive signal output unit
77 Timer 78 Number counter
80 Dispensing sensor 90 Sub tank

Claims (2)

A hopper device built in a gaming machine,
A medal reservoir,
A rotating plate including a medal holding unit that receives and holds the medal stored in the medal storing unit;
A drive motor for rotating the rotating plate;
A dust drop hole formed through the support plate facing the bottom surface of the rotating plate;
A medal discharge mechanism for changing the course of a medal held in the medal holding portion of the rotating plate and moving in the rotating direction together with the rotating plate in the rotating recess, and discharging the medal to the outside of the rotating recess;
A controller for controlling the operation of the drive motor,
In a hopper device that pays out medals by driving the drive motor and rotating the rotating plate based on a payout signal output by a game control device that controls a game of a gaming machine,
When the control unit does not input a payout signal from the game control device for a predetermined time while driving of the drive motor is stopped, the control unit drives the drive motor for a predetermined period based on a preset drive mode,
If a payout signal is input from the game control device before driving for a predetermined period based on a preset drive mode of the drive motor, the drive motor is driven in the preset drive mode. Stop,
While the drive motor is driven in a preset drive mode, the hopper device is formed so that medals are not paid out from the medal discharge mechanism even if the rotating plate rotates. A symbol display device capable of variably displaying and stopping a plurality of symbols, a start switch for starting variation of the symbol of the symbol display device, a hopper device for storing and paying out medals, the symbol display device and the hopper device A game control device for controlling the operation of
The start switch can be operated by inserting a medal.
When the symbol displayed by the symbol display device after operation of the start switch is stopped in a predetermined winning manner, the number of medals corresponding to the winning is paid out from the hopper device,
The inserted medals can be treated as being stored inside the gaming machine as credits within a predetermined number of ranges, and a part of the medals stored as credits based on the operation of the bet switch can be used as inserted medals. Instead, in a gaming machine configured to pay out all medals stored as the credit from the hopper device based on the operation of the settlement switch,
The hopper device includes a medal storage unit, a rotating plate including a medal holding unit that receives and holds the medal stored in the medal storing unit, a drive motor for rotating the rotating plate, and the rotating plate. A dust drop hole formed through a support plate facing the bottom surface of the sword and a path of a medal that is held in the medal holding part of the rotating plate and moves in the rotating direction together with the rotating plate in the rotating recess And a medal discharging mechanism for discharging to the outside of the rotating recess, the medal being paid out by driving the drive motor and rotating the rotating plate,
The game control device is configured to operate the start switch or the checkout switch for a certain period of time when the symbol display device is stopped and the drive motor of the hopper device is stopped. When the time has elapsed, the drive motor is driven for a certain period based on a preset drive mode,
If a medal is inserted to start a game or the bet switch is operated before the driving for a certain period of time based on a preset driving mode of the driving motor is completed, or the start switch is When it is operated, or when it corresponds to either the case where the settlement switch is operated, the drive of the drive motor in the preset drive mode is stopped,
The gaming machine is configured so that medals are not paid out from the medal discharging mechanism even when the rotating plate rotates while the driving motor is driven in a preset driving mode.