JP2017012591A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine having a medal selector capable of preventing an illegal act reliably while suppressing an increase of costs by adopting a simple structure.SOLUTION: A game machine 10 comprises: a game control device 200 for controlling a game; a performance control device 300 for controlling a performance based on the game; and a medal selector 17 for detecting medals M inserted to execute the game. In the medal selector 17, a medal passage 90 for passing the inserted medals M one by one is formed. In the medal passage 90, a plurality of markers 95 are disposed and an imaging device 93 for imaging the medal passage 90 at a prescribed time is provided. The performance control device 300 comprises determination means 330 for determining whether or not a shield mode of the markers 95 is a mode different from the passage of the medals M in an image taken by the imaging device 93, and notification means 320 for notifying a player of occurrence of an abnormality when the determination means 330 has determined that the shield mode is the different mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal gaming machine provided with a medal selector for selecting the suitability of medals inserted from a medal insertion slot opened in front of a front door.

A spinning-type game machine or the like is provided with a medal selector that detects insertion of a medal as a game medium. In the conventional medal selector, a photo sensor or the like is provided on a passage through which medals pass, and medals are counted when passage of medals is detected. On the other hand, in such a medal selector, a medal with a thread tied is inserted from a medal insertion slot, and the medal moves back and forth between the insertion sensors by manipulating the thread, as if multiple medals were inserted. Fraudulent misconceptions, or a fraudulent instrument with a light emitter attached to the tip of an elongated plate-like member is inserted from the medal insertion slot, and the light emitter is aligned with the position of the insertion sensor and flashes in the same manner as when the medal passes. By doing so, cheating such as counting medals occurred.
In order to counter such illegal acts, a gaming machine has been proposed in which a camera capable of photographing a part of a medal passage is mounted and a medal or a foreign object is detected by performing image analysis (for example, Patent Document 1). ).

JP2013-75018A

  However, in the medal selector mounted on the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to increase the resolution of the camera to such an extent that the shape of the medal can be specified. In addition, it is necessary to perform advanced image analysis when specifying the shape of the medal and calculating the passing speed of the medal, but it is necessary to provide a high-speed control system in order to perform a determination process of continuously inserted medals. is there. For this reason, there has been a problem of cost increase due to complicated control.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, even if a camera is used to detect medals and foreign objects, a medal selector that can prevent fraudulent activity while suppressing an increase in cost by adopting a simple structure. The purpose is to provide a gaming machine equipped with.

  The gaming machine of the present invention includes a game control device 200 that controls a game, an effect control device 300 that controls an effect based on the game, and a medal selector 17 that detects a medal M inserted to execute the game. In the gaming machine 10 provided, the medal selector 17 is formed with a medal passage 90 through which the inserted medals M pass one by one, and a plurality of markers 95 are arranged in the medal passage 90, and the medal An imaging device 93 that captures the passage 90 at a predetermined time is provided, and the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the shielding mode of the marker 95 is different from that when the medal M passes in the captured image by the imaging device 93. Determination means 330 for determining whether or not, and when the determination means 330 determines that the shielding mode is a different aspect, an effect control means (notification means) 320 for notifying that an abnormality has occurred is provided. Feature To.

  Here, the “marker” in the present invention refers to a mark provided so as to be identifiable by the photographing apparatus 93. For example, the background portion of the medal passage 90 where the marker 95 is not present may be used as long as it can be distinguished from the medal passage 90 of the medal selector by a difference in contrast (lightness). And those that can be detected by infrared rays.

  According to the present invention, in the medal selector 17, by photographing the plurality of markers 95 provided in the medal passage 90 with the photographing device 93, the passage of the medal M is identified in time series, and the movement of the medal M is abnormal. It is possible to notify in some cases or when a foreign object is inserted. In particular, it is possible to determine when there is an abnormality in the movement of the medal M or when a foreign object has been inserted, as long as the shielding mode of the marker 95 by the medal M can be identified without photographing the medal M itself and specifying the shape. .

Further, the present invention further allows the plurality of markers 95 to be arranged in one or a plurality of rows along the traveling direction of the medal M in the medal passage 90.
According to the present invention, in particular, by arranging the markers 95 in a plurality of rows, it is easy to identify continuously inserted medals M, and the foreign matter identification accuracy is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the plurality of markers 95 are arranged such that an interval with respect to the moving direction of the medal M and an interval with respect to the width direction of the medal passage 90 are smaller than a half of the diameter of the medal M. It is possible to be.
By arranging the marker 95 as in the present invention, the rough shape of the circular medal can be specified in the medal passage 90, and the medal and the foreign object can be distinguished.

1 is an external front view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with a front door opened. It is an embodiment of the present invention and is a front view of a medal passage. FIG. 4 is an end view of the medal selector according to the AA portion of FIG. 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a simulation of the size of a marker from a gap between consecutive medals according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the shielding aspect of a marker. It is an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing an operating state of the medal selector. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the input, control and output of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the shielding aspect at the time of the passage of a medal. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an aspect when a small diameter medal is inserted. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an aspect when an unauthorized device is inserted. It is an embodiment of the present invention, and is a conceptual diagram of a method for detecting the movement speed of medals. It is embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a passage determination process.

  In this specification, when the definition etc. about a direction are not shown in each description location, it defines as follows. In other words, as a general rule, the direction from the gaming machine 10 toward the player's side when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 10 is the “front” direction, and the opposite direction is the “rear” direction. And Similarly, the left and right directions such as “left” and “right” and the up and down directions such as “up” and “down” are also the left and right directions or the up and down directions as viewed from the player. I mean. However, regarding the medal selector 17, when the medal selector 17 is observed with the front door 14 of the gaming machine 10 being opened, the direction toward the viewer's front side is the “front” direction, and the opposite direction is “ The “back” direction. Similarly, the left and right directions such as “left” and “right” and the up and down directions such as “up” and “down” are also the left and right directions or the up and down directions when viewed from the observer. I mean.

(Game machine 10)
A slot machine as the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The slot machine as the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a square box-shaped housing 12 having a front opening that opens in the front direction, and a front door 14 that covers the front opening of the housing 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. And.

At the upper part of the front door 14, an upper panel 20 made of a thin resin is provided. At the approximate center of the upper panel 20, the symbols on the circumference of three rotating reels 62 (left rotating reel 64 on the left side, middle rotating reel 66 in the center, right rotating reel 68 on the right side) are seen. A transmissive symbol display window portion 16 is formed. The symbol display window 16 is formed to show the player a total of nine symbols arranged in three rows and three rows when the rotation of all three rotary reels 62 is stopped. The symbol display window portion 16 is provided on the front side of the rotary reel 62, and is used for visually recognizing a plurality of symbols stopped on an effective line 86 to be described later when the rotation of the rotary reel 62 is stopped. is there. The rotary reel 62 is capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols via the symbol display window section 16.
The number of rotating reels is not limited to three, but may be two or less, or four or more.

In the rear direction (backward direction) of the symbol display window section 16, three reel drive motors (not shown), a total of three rotary reels 62 respectively rotated by the respective reel drive motors, A reel unit 60 having a reel drive motor and a unit holder (not shown) for holding the rotary reel 62 is disposed. The reel unit 60 is provided with a reel position sensor (not shown) for detecting that the rotational position of the rotary reel 62 is a reference position (reference position). The reel drive motor is driven based on a drive signal for driving the reel drive motor output from the game control device 200.
A lower panel 22 is provided at the lower part of the front door 14. The front door 14 is provided with an operation unit 30 that is located above the lower panel 22 and protrudes toward the front of the front door 14.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the medal M can be inserted as a condition for starting the game in advance from a medal insertion slot 38, which will be described later, and a credit function capable of storing up to 50 credit medals inside. (The function of electronically storing and managing the number of inserted sheets as electronic data). Note that the maximum number of credit medals that can be stored is 50, which is the maximum number of credit medals.
On the upper right side of the operation unit 30, a medal slot 38 for inserting a medal M as a game medium is provided.

  Inside the housing 12 (on the housing 12 side of the front door 14), in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 38, whether or not the medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 is genuine is selected, A medal selector 17 for guiding only the regular medal M to the hopper unit 24 is provided. The detailed structure of the medal selector 17 will be described later.

Note that a medal discharge path 25 is provided inside the housing 12, and the medal discharged path 25 is a medal that has been excluded as an unauthorized medal by the medal selector 17 or a medal M that has been paid out from the hopper unit 24. The medal payout exit 28 is passed through.
Below the medal slot 38 is provided a settlement switch 36 for paying out all medals credited by the credit function.

  Three stop switches 50 corresponding to the three rotary reels 62 are provided at the center of the operation unit 30 in order to stop the rotation of the corresponding rotary reels 62 by operation. The stop switch 50 includes a left stop switch L for stopping the left rotation reel 64, a middle stop switch C for stopping the middle rotation reel 66, and a right stop switch R for stopping the right rotation reel 68. have. That is, these stop switches 50 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating reels 62, and after starting the display of the variation of the symbols of the plurality of rotating reels 62, the variation of the symbols of the rotating reel 62 is displayed by the player's operation. It is for stopping individually.

  On the left side of the stop switch 50, a start switch 40 is provided for starting rotation of the rotary reel 62 on condition that the medal M is inserted or the max bet switch 34 is operated. In other words, the start switch 40 is for starting the change display of the symbols on the rotary reel 62 by the player's operation.

Above the start switch 40, there is provided a max bet switch 34 for substituting three medals by subtracting the number of medals that can be inserted until the maximum number of inserted medals (specifically three) is reached from the number of credited medals. ing.
Here, in the RBB, which will be described later, the above-mentioned three-sheet loading is set to two-sheet loading.
In addition to the max bet switch 34, or instead of the max bet switch 34, a single bet switch may be provided in which the number of credited medals is reduced by one and replaced with one medal.

  Inside the housing 12 corresponding to the lower part of the front door 14, a medal M can be stored and a hopper unit 24 that can pay out the medal M, and an operation for turning on or off the power is performed. A power supply unit 43 having a possible power switch and supplying power to each component is arranged.

  A medal payout port 28 through which a medal M is paid out from the hopper unit 24 in a predetermined case is formed at the lower portion of the front door 14. Below the medal payout port 28, a dish-shaped medal tray 26 that opens upward is formed to store the medal M paid out from the medal payout port 28. If the number of medals credited is less than the maximum number of credit medals, the acquired medal M is added to the number of credit medals without being paid out from the medal payout exit 28 until the number reaches 50. .

  The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment enables a game to be started by operating the max bet switch 34 or the like or inserting a predetermined number of medals M. Then, when the start switch 40 is pressed, the rotation of the rotary reel 62 is started and the game is started, and a winning lottery of winning or losing a plurality of winning combinations is performed. Then, based on the operation timing of the stop switch 50 corresponding to each rotary reel 62 and the result of the winning lottery, the gaming machine 10 stops the rotation of the rotating reel 62 so as to match the result of the winning lottery. The gaming machine 10 has a predetermined profit when a combination of symbols constituting the winning combination is a predetermined effective line (a combination of symbols of a predetermined combination is aligned on the line). This is a line to be awarded, and is hereinafter referred to as an active line 86.) When the player stops on the line, a prize or the like is awarded, and a predetermined profit such as paying out a predetermined number of medals M is given to the player. As a result, one game is completed.

  Specifically, the effective line 86 includes a plurality of symbols that can be visually recognized from the symbol display window 16 among the symbols displayed on the three rotating reels 62, one for each rotating reel 62. Among the lines that penetrate through all of the rotating reels 62 (which may be bent in the middle), the lines define the combinations of symbol combinations that are effective for winning a prize. The effective line 86 is set by betting medals M of a predetermined bet number (a predetermined number, 2 or 3 in the present embodiment). The effective line 86 of the present embodiment is composed of only one connecting the middle stage of the left rotating reel 64, the middle stage of the middle rotating reel 66, and the middle stage of the right rotating reel 68.

  In the present embodiment, two or three medals M can be bet per game according to the gaming state of the game control device 200, and two medals M are betted. Even when three medals M are bet, the above-mentioned effective line 86 is effective.

The front door 14 is provided with an effect device 70 for notifying the player of various information such as winning of the role lottery by sound, light, video, or the like. The effect device 70 includes a speaker 72, an effect lamp 78, and a display device 84.
The speaker 72 includes an upper speaker 74 disposed on the upper left and right of the front door 14 and a lower speaker 76 disposed on the lower left and right of the front door 14.
The effect lamp 78 is disposed at the upper part of the front door 14.
The display device 84 is a liquid crystal display device for displaying various images on the screen.

(Medal selector 17)
The medal selector 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As described above, the medal selector 17 selects whether or not the medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 is genuine, and guides only the regular medal M to the hopper unit 24. In addition, the medal selector 17 in the present embodiment also detects a foreign object such as an illegal instrument.

The medal selector 17 includes a selector body 91 whose appearance is fixed to the front door 14, and a selector cover 96 that covers the front surface of the selector body 91. 3 and 4, the medal selector 17 includes a medal passage 90 for guiding the medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 to the hopper unit 24, a marker 95 provided in the medal passage 90, a game The guide rail 97 for guiding only the regular medal M to the downstream of the medal passage 90 when the medal is received by the machine 10, the insertion sensor 92 for detecting the medal M passing through the guide rail 97, and the medal passage 90 are photographed. And a photographing device 93 for the purpose. In this embodiment, a medal having an outer diameter of 25 mm is used as a regular medal M. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a medal having an outer diameter of 30 mm may be used as a regular medal M.
Details of each component of the medal selector 17 are as follows.

(Medal passage 90)
The medal passage 90 is a passage for guiding the medal M provided on the front surface of the selector body 91, as shown in FIG. In the medal passage 90, an insertion portion 90a for receiving the medal M inserted from the medal insertion port 38 and an opening of a discharge portion 90b for discharging the medal M toward the hopper unit 24 are formed. The medal passage 90 is directed downward from the insertion portion 90a, changes its direction obliquely downward to the right in the vicinity of the center of the selector body 91, and reaches the discharge portion 90b in the vicinity of the lower right end of the selector body 91.

In addition, the medal passage 90 includes a passage back surface 91a that is the back surface of the medal passage 90 and corresponds to a flat portion of the selector body 91, a flange 91b that is both walls of the medal passage 90, and stands from the passage back surface 91a, and a flange 91b. And a medal guide 96a (see FIG. 4) that covers the end of each. Here, the interval between the flanges 91b, in other words, the width of the medal passage 90 is formed slightly wider (diameter +0.5 mm) than the diameter of the medal M. The height of the flange 91b, in other words, the depth of the medal passage 90 is formed slightly higher than the thickness of the medal M (thickness + about 0.5 mm). Further, on the selector cover 96 side of the medal passage 90, an opening window 96b is formed along the medal passage 90 and slightly narrower than the width of the medal passage 90 (the width of the medal passage 90 is about −1.0 mm). ing.
In the medal passage 90 formed with the above dimensions, the medals M can roll one by one from the insertion portion 90a to the discharge portion 90b.

  In addition, a straight line portion of the medal passage 90 that is inclined obliquely to the right and corresponding to an intermediate portion between a middle marker 95C and a right marker 95R, which will be described later, has a rectangular opening. A guide bar 94 projects into the passage 90 (see FIG. 4). The guide bar 94 is constantly urged from the rear to the front by a spring.

(Marker 95)
The markers 95 are a plurality of marks provided so as to be identifiable by the photographing device 93, and are arranged in three rows along the medal passage 90 on the passage back surface 91a. The marker 95 includes a left marker 95L that forms a left column, a middle marker 95C that forms a central column, and a right marker 95R that forms a right column with respect to the center line of the medal passage 90.
The distance between the left marker 95L and the middle marker 95C is always equal to the distance between the middle marker 95C and the right marker 95R, and the distance is shorter than half the diameter of the medal M. .

Further, in the straight portion of the medal passage 90, the intervals between the adjacent left markers 95L, the adjacent middle markers 95C, and the adjacent right markers 95R are equal, and the interval is the interval between the left marker 95L and the middle marker 95C. And the interval between the middle marker 95C and the right marker 95R. On the other hand, in the curved portion of the medal passage 90, the interval between the adjacent middle markers 95C is not different from the straight portion, but the interval between the adjacent left markers 95L is wider than the interval between the adjacent middle markers 95C, and is adjacent to the right marker. The interval between 95Rs is narrower than the interval between adjacent middle markers 95C. This is because, in the curved portion of the medal passage 90, the intervals between the adjacent left markers 95L, the adjacent middle markers 95C, and the adjacent right markers 95R are arranged so that the angles from the center of the curve are equal. .
These markers 95 can be photographed by the photographing device 93 through an opening window 96b provided on the front surface of the medal passage 90.

  As for the size of the marker 95, as shown in FIG. 5, assuming that medals M are continuously inserted, there is a gap in which a triangle of 14.66 mm (base) × 7.33 (height) fits on the left and right. You can see that it happens. Therefore, if the size of the marker 95 is a square shape of less than 5 mm square, when the medal M is continuously inserted, the whole can be identified. In the present embodiment, in consideration of the resolution of the camera of the photographing apparatus 93, the square shape is 4 mm square.

  The marker 95 according to the present embodiment is given a color that can be identified by the difference in contrast (darkness) from the back of the passage 91a (background portion) where the marker 95 does not exist. Note that the marker 95 may be formed of a reflective material, a fluorescent material, or the like as long as it can be distinguished from the passage back surface 91a. Further, when the photographing apparatus 93 is an infrared camera, the marker 95 may be detected by infrared rays.

(Guide rail 97)
The guide rail 97 is provided in place of a part of the flange 91b on the lower end side of the straight portion that is inclined diagonally to the right of the medal passage 90. The guide rail 97 includes a rail surface that is flush with the medal contact surface of the flange 91b and a guide surface that is flush with the medal contact surface of the medal guide 96a. The guide rail 97 is movable in the vertical direction by an electromagnetic coil (not shown). Specifically, the guide rail 97 moves upward when a medal is received in the gaming machine 10 and forms the same surface as the medal contact surface of the flange 91b, thereby guiding the medal M to the discharge unit 90b. On the other hand, when the medal is not accepted, the guide rail 97 moves downward, and becomes one step lower than the medal contact surface of the flange 91b, so that the medal M is discharged from the opening window 96b.

  Here, “when a medal is received” refers to a state in which the gaming machine 10 receives a medal M. For example, before the game starts when the credit of the medal M has not reached the maximum value (specifically, 50). On the other hand, “when no medal is accepted” refers to a state where the gaming machine 10 does not accept the medal M. For example, when the credit of the medal M reaches the maximum value, from the start to the end of the game, while the medal M accompanying the winning is paid out, during the settlement, the power of the gaming machine is shut off, etc. Is mentioned.

(Input sensor 92)
The insertion sensor 92 is a sensor provided in the vicinity of the discharge portion 90b of the medal passage 90, and detects the passage of the medal M. Specifically, the insertion sensor 92 is attached so as to be fitted into a rectangular cutout formed in the vicinity of the discharge portion 90b of the medal passage 90, and constitutes a part of the medal passage 90.
Only the medal M guided by the guide rail 97 reaches the insertion sensor 92. That is, the insertion sensor 92 detects the passage of the medal M guided by the guide rail 97 when accepting the medal.

  In addition, the input sensor 92 of the present embodiment is configured by one photosensor. Specifically, the input sensor 92 includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so as to face each other with a gap therebetween, and the medal M rolling on the medal passage 90 passes between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. . That is, the insertion sensor 92 is configured such that the optical path from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the medal M rolling on the medal passage 90, and thereby detects the passage of the medal M. When the insertion sensor 92 detects the passage of a medal, a detection signal is output toward the game control device 200. In the present embodiment, the game control device 200 determines whether or not the detection signal is output at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 1 millisecond interval). Based on the determination result, the number of medals M is counted.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to use an insertion sensor 92 in which two photosensors are arranged in series with respect to the advancing direction of the medal M. However, the significance of arranging two photosensors in series is to prevent an illegal act in which a medal M tied with a thread is inserted from the medal insertion slot 38 and the medal M reciprocates back and forth of the insertion sensor 92 by manipulating the thread. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the fraudulent act can be prevented by a passage determination process described later. Therefore, the input sensor 92 can be configured by a single photosensor, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by reducing the number of sensors.

(Shooting device 93)
The photographing device 93 is a device composed of a digital camera provided in the selector cover 96 and its control board. As shown in FIG. 4, the photographing device 93 is installed at a distance from the medal passage 90 so that the entire medal passage 90 can be photographed.

  Here, the shielding mode of the marker 95 by the medal M will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the blackened portion of the marker 95 shows a state where it is shielded by the medal M (the same as in FIGS. 9 and 12). In this photographing apparatus 93, the shielding mode of each marker 95 is not shielded as shown in FIG. 6 (a), completely shielded as shown in FIG. 6 (b), and shown in FIG. 6 (c). Each aspect of such a partially occluded state is identified.

The resolution of the photographing device 93 does not have to be high enough to specify the shape of the medal M, the illegal device, etc., and the marker 95 is not shielded as described above in (a), (b) As long as the state of all shielding is identified. Further, the frame rate (the number of captured images per second) of the imaging device 93 may be such that, for each marker 95, the unshielded state (a) and the fully shielded state (b) can be identified. .
Specifically, the resolution of the photographing apparatus 93 is 720 × 480 pixels as a standard, but the effect of this embodiment can be achieved even with a VGA (640 × 480 pixels) size CCD camera available at low cost. .

Further, the frame rate of the imaging device 93 can be as follows.
The moving speed of the medal M in the medal passage 90 does not exceed 610 mm / sec and even at the fastest, 700 mm / sec. However, as described above, if the size of the marker 95 is a square of 4 mm square, it is desired to observe the shielding situation of the marker 95 with high accuracy. In this case, in order to detect a change of about half (2 mm) of the size of the marker 95, it is necessary to perform photographing and determination at an interval of 2.8 milliseconds (frame rate is 360 fps). However, as described above, in the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the unshielded state and the shielded state can be distinguished. Therefore, an interval of 11 milliseconds (frame rate is 90 fps) to detect a change of about one third of the medal M, that is, 8 mm, and 17 milliseconds to detect a change of about half of the medal M, that is, 12 mm. An interval (frame rate is 60 fps) is sufficient.
The image capturing device 93 is connected to the effect control device 300, and image data captured by the image capturing device 93 is transmitted to the effect control device 300, and a passage determination process is performed in the determination unit 330 described later.

(About operation of medal selector 17)
The operation when the medal M is inserted into the medal selector 17 will be described.
First, FIG. 7A shows a case where a regular size medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 at the time of “receiving a medal”. The guide rail 97 is moved upward at the time of receiving a medal and forms the same surface as the medal contact surface of the flange 91b. The medals M that have entered the medal passage 90 from the medal insertion slot 38 through the insertion portion 90a roll in the medal passage 90 one by one. At this time, when the medal M comes into contact with the guide bar 94, the medal M passes through the guide bar 94 while pushing backward, since the upper end is held by the medal guide 96a and the lower end is held by the guide rail 97. The medal M that has passed over the guide rail 97 reaches the insertion sensor 92 and is detected to pass, and then reaches the hopper unit 24.

  Next, FIG. 7B shows a case where a regular size medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 at “when no medal is accepted”. In “when no medal is accepted”, the guide rail 97 moves downward and is one step lower than the medal contact surface of the flange 91b. Similarly to “when receiving a medal”, the medals M that have entered the medal passage 90 from the medal insertion slot 38 through the insertion portion 90a roll in the medal passage 90 one by one. The medal M starts rolling on the guide rail 97 moved downward from the vicinity where the medal M contacts the guide bar 94. At this time, since the upper end of the medal M is not held by the medal guide 96a, the guide bar 94 cannot be pushed backward, and conversely, the medal M is discharged from the opening 96b while falling down. The discharged medal M passes through the passage opening 96c and the medal discharge path 25 and reaches the medal tray 26.

  Next, FIG. 7C shows a case where a small-diameter medal MS having a smaller diameter than the normal size is inserted into the medal insertion slot 38 at “when receiving a medal”. Similar to the regular size medal M, the guide rail 97 moves upward and forms the same surface as the medal contact surface of the flange 91b. The small-diameter medal MS that has entered the medal passage 90 from the medal insertion port 38 through the insertion portion 90a may fall into the selector cover 96 from the opening portion 96b because the left and right ends are not held by the medal guide 96a. When the small diameter medal MS comes into contact with the guide bar 94 when rolling in the medal passage 90 and reaches the vicinity of the guide bar 94, the top end of the small diameter medal MS is not held by the medal guide 96a. 94 cannot be pushed backward, and is discharged from the opening 96b while falling to the near side. The small-diameter medal MS discharged from the opening 96b passes through the passage opening 96c and the medal discharge path 25 and reaches the medal tray 26. The small-diameter medal MS is discharged from the opening 96b even when “when no medal is accepted”, passes through the passage 96c and the medal discharge path 25, and reaches the medal tray 26.

  In the medal selector 17 of the present embodiment, the imaging device 93 captures the medal passage 90 in both “when medal is received” and “when no medal is received”, and the image captured by the imaging device 93 is analyzed. The passage determination process related to the medal M and the foreign object is performed. Details of the passage determination process will be described later.

(Control device 100)
As shown in FIG. 8, a control device 100 for controlling the overall operation of the gaming machine 10 is formed inside the gaming machine 10. The control device 100 receives a game control device 200 that controls the game state by advancing the game and information (commands) from the game control device 200, and controls the production according to the progress of the game. There is provided an effect control device 300 that performs control for giving an effect of notifying the player of information relating to game content.

  In addition, between the game control device 200 and the production control device 300, in order to prevent unauthorized operation to the game control device 200, it is performed by one-way communication from the game control device 200 to the production control device 300, Communication in the reverse direction from the control device 300 to the game control device 200 is not performed (that is, not bidirectional communication). The game control device 200 receives signals from the start switch 40, the stop switch 50, the max bet switch 34, the checkout switch 36, and the closing sensor 92, performs a role drawing, and controls the operations of the reel unit 60 and the hopper unit 24. The effect control device 300 receives a signal from the game control device 200, controls the operation of the effect device 70 such as the display device 84, receives a photographed image from the photographing device 93, and performs a passage determination process. On the output side of the effect control device 300, the display device 84, the speaker 72, and the effect lamp 78 as the effect device 70 are connected.

  Note that the main board having the game control device 200 and the sub board having the effect control device 300 are housed in dedicated board cases, respectively. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the game control device 200 is housed inside the main board case, and the effect control device 300 is housed inside the sub board case. The main board case is fixed to the upper part inside the housing 12 and the sub board case is fixed to the left side from the front inside the housing 12.

  The game control device 200 and the effect control device 300 are configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O port (not shown). The CPU has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and executes various programs by executing a program stored in the ROM. The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU and fixed data such as various tables, and the RAM stores a temporary storage area when the CPU executes the programs, for example, the state of the gaming machine 10 It is used as a storage area for storing the area and the lottery result of the role lottery.

(Game control device 200)
The game control device 200 of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a replay time (RT) in which a normal game or a replay role (replay role) winning probability is set higher than that of a normal game. The bonus game executed by winning the bonus transition combination is controlled.

  In addition, the game control device 200 notifies the stop operation order of the stop switch 50, the winning symbol, etc. as the gaming state, and assist time for assisting to stop the combination of symbols related to the combination on the active line 86. It also controls the (AT) state.

Note that the devices (game control device 200 and effect control device 300) for controlling each state are not limited to the game control device 200, and may be controlled by the effect control device 300. In addition, some means may be controlled by another control device, and may be controlled across both control devices. At this time, direct transmission from the effect control device 300 to the game control device 200 is not performed, but a predetermined stop operation order is notified from the effect control device 300 and the game control is performed by a player's stop operation or the like. Information can be transmitted indirectly to the device 200.
The assist time (AT) state is formed to be a special game that is more likely to give a benefit that is beneficial to the player than the normal state (non-assist time (AT) state).

In other words, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the game state can be shifted by winning a normal game in the normal game state and a lottery (AT lottery) on whether or not to shift in the normal state. And an assist time state (AT state) that can give more benefits than the normal state.
The game control device 200 includes means for lottery selection means 210, reel control means 220, payout control means 240, game control means 250, AT lottery means 260, and transmission means 280. Details of each means will be described later.

  Of these means, the AT lottery means 260 may be included in the effect control device 300 instead of the game control device 200. At that time, since direct transmission of data from the production control device 300 to the game control device 200 is not performed, when such transmission is necessary, the order of stop operations by the stop switch 50 by the production control device 300 Information from the effect control device 300 is transmitted to the game control device 200 through indirect transmission means such as the player informing the player with the effect device 70 and stopping the player in the stop operation order. The

With the above configuration, the game control device 200 performs lottery drawing, controls rotation and stop of the rotary reel 62, determines stop symbols when all of the rotary reels 62 stop, and advances the game Will function as.
The game control device 200 is for controlling a game and for progressing the game. Hereinafter, the game in the present embodiment will be described.

  When the specified number of bets (three) is set, one active line 86 (see FIG. 1) is set. In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, 3 is set as the prescribed bet number. As a method for setting the bet number, there are a method for inserting the medal M from the medal insertion slot 38 and a method for setting the credit medal as the bet number by operating the max bet switch 34. Then, when the start switch 40 is operated on condition that the specified bet number (three) is set, the bet number is fixed and either of a plurality of combinations is won by the combination lottery means 210 or A lottery lottery (role drawing) is performed. At almost the same time as the winning lottery, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of rotation of the rotary reel 62 in the previous game. When elapses, rotation of all three rotary reels 62 starts. In the present embodiment, the prescribed number is set to 2 only during a bonus game (RBB) described later.

  In the present embodiment, as a role, it is roughly divided into a small role (a role with payout of medals M), a re-playing role (a role that can start the next game without using the medal M owned by the player, A so-called replay role) and a transitional role (a role that accompanies a game state transition) are provided.

  After the rotation of the rotary reel 62 is started, a predetermined condition (in this embodiment, a process of accelerating the rotary reel 62 is executed, and then a predetermined sensor detects that the rotational position of the rotary reel 62 is the reference position. Is established, the stop switch 50 can be operated (stop operation enabled state).

  Thereafter, when one of the three stop switches 50 is operated, the rotation of the rotary reel 62 corresponding to the stop switch 50 is stopped. When all the three stop switches 50 have been operated, the rotation of all three rotary reels 62 is stopped.

  At this time, when a predetermined symbol combination is prepared on the effective line 86, processing corresponding to the symbol combination is performed. The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is formed such that a profit is given to a player when a predetermined combination of symbols is aligned on the active line 86. For example, when the combination of symbols corresponding to the small role is aligned on the active line 86, the number of medals M corresponding to the small role is awarded to the player.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as a game, a normal game that is normally performed, an RT game having a higher probability of winning a replay role than the normal game, and a role lottery means 210 in the normal game and the RT game Bonus internal games (specifically RBB winning) that shifts from normal games when a bonus (RBB) is won by winning a lottery but the symbol related to the bonus transferring role does not stop on the active line 86 Middle game), and a bonus game (RBB) that shifts when the symbol related to the bonus transition role stops on the active line 86 and can give a larger profit to the player than the normal game. Yes.
The bonus game is a game that starts from the next game of the aligned game when a bonus transition combination as a transition combination is won and a combination of symbols corresponding to the bonus transition combination is arranged on the active line 86.

  In addition, even if the combination of symbols corresponding to the bonus transitional combination is not prepared on the active line 86 in the game at the time of winning, the bonus transitional combination of the symbol corresponding to the bonus transitional combination on the effective line 86 will be performed after the next game. It is effective to win the bonus transition until the combination is complete. Other combinations will be invalid after the next game if there is no combination of symbols corresponding to the combination on the active line 86 in the game at the time of winning. The bonus game ends when the total number of medals M paid out to the player during the bonus game exceeds a preset number (specifically, 150).

  In addition, when the combination of symbols corresponding to the re-playing role (replaying role) is arranged on the active line 86, the medal M will not be paid out, but in the next game, the number of bets can be increased without using the medal M owned by the player. Can be set automatically and play games.

(Role lottery means 210)
The role lottery means 210 is a means provided in the game control device 200, and is for performing a lottery (role lottery) of winning or losing a plurality of roles in response to an operation of the start switch 40. . The role lottery means 210 has a lottery table for determining whether or not a role is won for main games, bonus games (RBB), bonus internal games (RBB winning games) and RT. A plurality of games are provided for each game and stored in the ROM of the game control device 200. The role lottery means 210 compares predetermined lottery data with random numbers extracted from random numbers generated by predetermined random number generation means (random number generation circuit) having a loop counter that repeatedly counts integer values within a predetermined range. Then, it is determined whether or not it is won.
Note that the random number acquisition method is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  Note that the lottery probability used for the role lottery of the role lottery means 210 is configured to be changeable by the administrator of the game hall within a pre-programmed range. Specifically, a plurality of setting values (specifically, by operating a setting change switch (not shown) in the housing 12 for changing a setting value that is a value for defining the lottery probability) Can change the lottery probability by selecting any one of 1 to 6). In the present embodiment, six set values 1 to 6 are provided, and the lottery probability is defined to be advantageous to the player in principle as the set value increases.

(Reel control means 220)
The reel control means 220 is a means provided in the game control apparatus 200, and is for stopping the rotation of each rotary reel 62. The reel control unit 220 stops the rotation of each rotary reel 62 based on the lottery result of the combination lottery unit 210 and the rotation position of the corresponding rotary reel 62 when each stop switch 50 is operated. Note that the reel control means 220 may set a condition for stopping whether or not the order (stop operation order) when each stop switch 50 is operated to stop meets a predetermined condition as necessary.

(Discharge control means 240)
The payout control means 240 is for performing predetermined processing such as payout of medals M based on the game result. The payout control means 240 controls the payout operation of the hopper unit 24 when it is determined that there is a payout of the medal M as a result of the stop control of the rotating reel 62 by the reel control means 220, and the number of medals M according to the winning combination To the player.
(Game control means 250)
The game control means 250 controls the game.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the game control means 250 includes a normal game control means 251, an RT control means 252, and a bonus control means 253.
(Normal game control means 251)
The normal game control means 251 controls the progress of normal games. Here, the normal game refers to a game other than a replay time (RT), a bonus internal medium game, and a bonus game (RBB) described later.

(RT control means 252)
The RT control means 252 controls a replay time (RT) and a bonus internal medium game with a high probability of winning a replay role. Here, the bonus internal medium game means that in the case of a normal game, when the bonus transition combination is won by the combination lottery of the combination lottery means 210, but the symbol related to the bonus transition combination does not stop on the active line 86. It is a game that moves.
(Bonus control means 253)
The bonus control means 253 controls bonus games (RBB). This bonus game is executed by winning a bonus transition combination. If the total number of medals paid out to the player during the bonus game exceeds a preset number, the bonus game ends and the game shifts to a normal game.

(AT lottery 260)
The AT lottery means 260 determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to the AT state when a predetermined combination is won. Specifically, the AT lottery means 260 performs a lottery (AT lottery) that triggers the transition to the AT state, and determines the transition to the AT state by winning the lottery.

Here, when the AT lottery is won, the gaming state first shifts to the AT state. Then, when the game is a normal game, when the transition to the RT game is triggered when the RT transition symbol is stopped and displayed, the assist time (AT) and the replay time (RT) are combined (assist replay time) ART. It is supposed to be.
(Transmission means 280)
Transmitting means 280 is for transmitting a signal to effect control device 300.
The transmitting unit 280 transmits at least information related to the result of the lottery by the winning lottery unit 210, information related to the pressing order of the stop switch 50, and information related to the gaming state to the receiving unit 310 described later.

(Production control device 300)
The effect control device 300 includes each means of receiving means 310, effect control means 320, and determination means 330.
With the above configuration, the effect control device 300 receives a signal from the game control device 200 and performs an effect accompanying the progress of the game.
(Receiving means 310)
The receiving unit 310 receives a signal from the transmitting unit 280.
The receiving unit 310 receives from the transmitting unit 280 at least information related to the result of the lottery by the winning lottery unit 210, information related to the pressing order of the stop switch 50, and information related to the gaming state.

(Production control means (notification means) 320)
The effect control means 320 controls the display device 84 having a liquid crystal display device, the speaker 72, and the effect lamp 78, and performs an effect according to the result of the role lottery and the progress of the game. The effect control means 320 executes the effect by displaying a specific image on the display device 84, outputting a predetermined sound from the speaker 72, or lighting or blinking the effect lamp 78.
In addition, when the determination unit 330 described later determines that the shielding mode of the marker 95 is a mode different from that when the medal M passes, the effect control unit 320 serves as a notification unit that notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred. Announcement is executed.

  In the abnormality notification, characters such as “selector error” can be displayed on the display device 84, or an error message or a warning sound can be generated from the speaker 72. In addition, error information may be sent from the gaming machine 10 to the hall computer to notify that there is an abnormality on the hall computer side.

(Determination means 330)
The determination unit 330 determines whether or not the shielding mode of the marker 95 is different from that when the medal M is passed in the captured image by the imaging device 93.
Specifically, the determination unit 330 analyzes the image data received from the imaging device 93, identifies the shielding mode of each marker 95, and whether the identified shielding mode matches the shielding mode when the medal M passes. A passage determination process is performed to determine whether or not. The passage determination process includes a shape determination for determining whether or not the medal M is present in the medal passage 90, and a speed determination for determining whether or not the medal M is passing normally based on the moving speed of the medal M. There is. When the result of the shape determination and the speed determination does not match the shielding mode when the medal M normally passes, the determining unit 330 determines that the shielding mode is different from that when the medal passes, and the result is the effect control unit. Output to 320.
Details of the shape determination and speed determination will be described below.

(1) Shape Determination As shown in FIG. 9A, when the medal M starts to pass through the insertion portion 90a, the uppermost marker 95 is shielded. In this state, it cannot be determined whether the medal M has been inserted into the medal passage 90 or whether a foreign object such as an illegal instrument has been inserted.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9B to 9D, in the state where the medal M passes through the insertion portion 90a, a plurality of continuous middle markers 95C, adjacent left markers 95L and right markers 95R are provided. Shielded. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the middle marker 95C that is continuous and the left marker 95L and the right marker 95R adjacent to the middle marker 95C among the shielded middle markers 95C are shielded, As shown in FIG. 9C, when two continuous middle markers 95C and the left marker 95L and right marker 95R adjacent to each of the two middle markers 95C are shielded (however, on the downstream side of the medal passage 90) The left marker 95L and the right marker 95R are partially occluded), as shown in FIG. 9D, the three adjacent middle markers 95C and the left of the shielded middle marker 95C adjacent to the middle middle marker 95C. There are cases where the marker 95L and the right marker 95R are shielded (however, the most downstream middle marker 95C is partially shielded). As described above, the installation interval of the markers 95 of the present embodiment is a distance smaller than half the diameter of the medal M. Therefore, the rough shape of the medal M can be specified from the shielding mode of the marker 95, and it is determined that the medal M exists in the medal passage 90.

When there are a plurality of medals M in the medal passage 90, such as when medals M are continuously inserted, the presence of the plurality of medals M can be specified.
Further, when a token other than the regular size medal M is inserted, for example, when a small-diameter medal MS having an outer diameter smaller than that of the regular medal M is inserted, as shown in FIG. Since it is not shielded, it is determined that there is something other than the medal M in the medal passage 90. As a result, it is determined that “the shielding mode is different from that when the medal passes”.

  Further, for example, when an unauthorized device X that causes the insertion sensor 92 to malfunction by aligning the light emitter with the position of the insertion sensor 92 is inserted, only the left marker 95L is continuously shielded as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is determined that there is something other than the medal M in the medal passage 90. As a result, it is determined that “the shielding mode is different from that when the medal passes”.

(2) Speed determination When the medal M normally passes, the medal M drops or rolls by gravity from the insertion section 90a toward the discharge section 90b through the medal passage 90. Here, as shown in FIG. 12A, the moving speed of the medal M can be calculated by measuring the time from when one marker 95 is shielded until it is not shielded. Also, as shown in FIG. 12B, the medal M is measured by measuring the time from when the medal M shields one marker 95 until the other marker 95 on the downstream side of the same row is shielded. Can be calculated. And when this moving speed deviates from the predetermined appropriate range, it can be determined that “the shielding mode is different from that when the medal passes”. In consideration of continuous insertion of medals M, it is desirable to calculate the moving speed of medals M by measuring the passage time of two distant left markers 95L or two distant right markers 95R. .

  Here, as an appropriate range, for example, the speed in consideration of contact resistance and rolling resistance when the medal M rolls in the medal passage 90 is set as a lower limit value, and the speed when there is no resistance is set as an upper limit value, respectively. Can be specified.

  As an example of the movement speed deviating from the appropriate range, a medal M tied with a thread was inserted from the medal insertion slot 38, and an illegal act was performed in which the medal M reciprocated back and forth of the insertion sensor 92 by manipulating the thread. A case is assumed. In this case, the medal M may go backward from the insertion sensor 92 against the gravity toward the insertion portion 90a. Here, if the moving speed when moving from the insertion portion 90a to the discharge portion 90b deviates from the meaningful appropriate range consisting of the upper limit value and the lower limit value described above, it is determined that the shielding mode is different from that when the medal passes Will be.

(About the judgment process flow)
Based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the passage determination process executed by the determination unit 330 will be described.
First, in step 100, a photographing process by the photographing device 93 is executed. In order to detect the movement of the medal with high accuracy, the photographing device 93 needs to photograph the medal passage 90 every about 2.8 milliseconds (frame rate is 360 fps). The shooting speed is sufficient every time (the frame rate is 90 fps) or about every 17 milliseconds (the frame rate is 60 fps). In other words, this embodiment can be realized with a VGA size CCD camera that has a low frame rate, is inexpensive, and is easily available. Then, the image data is transferred to the effect control device 300 every time one photographing process is completed. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 101.

Shape determination is performed from step 101 to step 103.
First, in step 101, the determination unit 330 analyzes the shielding mode of the marker 95 from the image data transferred to the effect control device 300. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 102.
In step 102, it is determined whether or not there is a shielded marker 95 in the medal passage 90. If there is a shielded marker 95, that is, if something is present in the medal passage 90, the process proceeds to the next step 103. On the other hand, if there is no shielded marker 95, that is, if there is nothing in the medal passage 90, the process returns to step 100.

  In step 103, it is determined whether or not there is a shielding mode other than the medal M in the medal passage 90. Here, the shield mode of the medal M is a case where a plurality of continuous middle markers 95C and the adjacent left marker 95L and right marker 95R are shielded, as shown in FIGS. 9B to 9D. . On the other hand, the shielding modes other than the medal M are, for example, a small-diameter medal MS having an outer diameter smaller than that of the appropriate medal M as shown in FIG. 10, and an improper instrument that erroneously operates the insertion sensor 92 as shown in FIG. 11. This is a shielding mode when an object other than the medal M is inserted, such as when X is present. When one or more medals M have already been inserted into the medal passage 90 and a foreign object is inserted, that is, when there are both a shielding mode of the medal M and a shielding mode other than the medal M. Is determined to have a shielding mode other than the medal M. If it is determined that there is a shielding mode other than the medal M, the process proceeds to step 106. On the other hand, if it is not determined that there is a shielding mode other than the medal M, the process proceeds to the next step 104.

In step 104 and step 105, speed determination is performed.
First, in step 104, the moving speed of the medal M is calculated from the change in the shielding mode. Here, when the velocities of a plurality of medals M are calculated, the average value is acquired. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 105.
In step 105, it is determined whether or not the calculated medal movement speed deviates from an appropriate range. When the medal moving speed deviates from the appropriate range, for example, when the medal with thread is going backward in the medal passage 90 and the moving speed is a negative value, it is determined that the medal moving speed deviates from the appropriate range. , Go to Step 106. On the other hand, when the medal movement speed does not deviate from the appropriate range, that is, when the medal passage 90 rolls from the insertion portion 90a toward the discharge portion 90b as usual, the processing returns to step 100.

  As a result of the shape determination, when it is determined in step 103 that there is a shielding mode other than the medal M in the medal passage 90, and as a result of the speed determination, it is determined in step 105 that the medal moving speed is out of the appropriate range. In other words, in the passage determination process, if it is determined that “the shielding mode is different from that when the medal passes”, the effect control means 320 controls the effect device 70 in step 106, and an abnormality has occurred. Inform the effect. Then, the process proceeds to next Step 107.

  In step 107, it is determined whether or not the passage determination process executed by the determination unit 330 is to be terminated. Here, the case where the passage determination process is ended can be set, for example, at the time of opening when the front door 14 is opened or at the time of payment when the payment switch 36 is operated. If it is determined to end the passage determination process, the passage determination process is ended. On the other hand, if it is not determined to end the passage determination process, step 107 is repeated.

(Summary)
In the present embodiment, a plurality of markers 95 are arranged in a medal passage 90 through which the medals M formed in the medal selector 17 pass one by one, and a photographing device 93 for photographing the medal passage 90 at a predetermined time is provided. Then, when the determination unit 330 analyzes the image captured by the imaging device 93 and determines that the shielding mode of the marker 95 is different from the mode when the medal M passes, the effect control unit 320 indicates that an abnormality has occurred. Informed.

  According to the present embodiment, by photographing the plurality of markers 95 provided in the medal passage 90 with the photographing device 93, the passage of the medal M is identified in time series, and the movement of the medal M is abnormal or It is possible to notify when a foreign object is inserted. In particular, even if the medal M itself is photographed and the shape of the marker 95 is not specified without specifying the shape, it is possible to determine when the movement of the medal M is abnormal or when a foreign object is inserted. ing.

  In the present embodiment, when a small medal MS having a diameter smaller than a prescribed medal is inserted, it is removed in the medal passage 90, and in the shape determination even if the medal passage 90 rolls, It is determined that the shielding mode is different from the time, and the abnormality is notified.

The conventional medal selector 17 prevents the insertion of a foreign object such as an illegal instrument by devising the shape of the medal passage 90, or the credit sensor medal adding action by arranging two photo sensors in series in the insertion sensor 92 I was preventing. In the present embodiment, it is possible to supplement the medal M detection process in the game control device 200 by detecting the abnormality related to the medal M in the effect control device 300. By providing the determination means 330 in the game control device 200, it is not necessary to provide the input sensor 92.
Further, when the game control device 200 determines that the medal insertion is normal, the effect control means 300 may determine the abnormality.

  When a camera with low image processing performance is assumed like the photographing apparatus 93 of the present embodiment, the identification process of the marker 95 is simplified and the identification is not easy (for example, the identification rate is less than 50%). Even if it exists, it can be determined that the entire region of the marker 95 is shielded. This is because, since the outer diameter of the medal M is defined by the medal passage 90, it is not always necessary to determine the size of the medal M in the shape determination. Also, in the speed determination, the medal M that rolls in the medal passage 90 has a large variation in speed, so that it is determined that the effect of identifying the position accuracy of the medal M is small. Therefore, in the identification processing of the medal M of this method, it is not always necessary to have a high-resolution, high-speed camera or a high-speed control system for processing images, and a camera with low image processing performance that can be obtained at low cost. The photographing apparatus 93 can be realized sufficiently.

(Modification 1)
The markers 95 in the present embodiment are arranged in three rows with respect to the medal passage 90, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be in one row.
When only one row of markers 95 is arranged at the position of the middle marker 95C shown in FIG. 3, the continuously inserted medals M cannot be identified. In addition, it becomes difficult to detect when an illegal instrument is inserted from the left and right of the medal passage 90. However, it can be dealt with by devising the arrangement. For example, when one row of the markers 95 is arranged at the position of the left marker 95L, the continuously inserted medals M can be identified, and the unauthorized instrument X as shown in FIG. 11 can be identified. Therefore, although the accuracy of the three-row method cannot be obtained, a certain degree of shape determination is possible. On the other hand, speed determination can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the three-row system as long as the marker 95 is offset from the center of the medal path 90 to the left and right.
When the one-row system is used, the number of markers 95 is reduced, and the load on the control system is reduced.

(Modification 2)
The same effect can be obtained even if the three rows of markers 95 in the present embodiment are, for example, four rows or five rows, and the accuracy of specifying the shape of the medal M and the detection of inserted foreign matter in the shape determination is improved. However, as the number of rows of the markers 95 increases, the distance between the left and right of the markers 95 becomes shorter, and the identification accuracy of the markers 95 decreases, and there is a concern that the control system load increases due to the increase in the number of markers 95. Therefore, considering the effect of the present embodiment, it is considered that the number of columns of the marker 95 is sufficient as three.

10 gaming machine 12 chassis
14 Front door 16 Symbol display window
17 Medal selector 20 Upper panel
22 Lower panel 24 Hopper unit
25 Medal discharge path 26 Medal tray
28 Medals outlet 30
34 Max bet switch 36 Checkout switch
38 Medal slot 40 Start switch
43 Power supply unit 50 Stop switch L Left stop switch C Middle stop switch R Right stop switch 60 Reel unit
62 Rotating reel 64 Left rotating reel
66 Medium rotation reel 68 Right rotation reel
70 Production equipment 72 Speaker
74 Upper speaker 76 Lower speaker
78 Lamp for production 84 Display device
86 Effective line 90 Medal passage
90a Input section 90b Discharge section
91 Selector body 91a Rear of passage
91b Flange 92 Input sensor
93 Imager 94 Guide bar
95 Marker 95L Left marker
95C Middle marker 95R Right marker
96 Selector cover 96a Medal guide
96b opening window 96c passage
97 Guide rail 100 Controller
200 Game control device 210 Role lottery means
220 Reel control means 240 Discharge control means
250 Game control means 251 Normal game control means
252 RT control means 253 Bonus control means
260 AT lottery means 280 Transmission means
300 Production control device 310 Receiving means
320 Production control means (notification means) 330 Judgment means
M medal MS small diameter medal
X Fraud

Claims (3)

A game control device for controlling the game;
An effect control device for controlling effects based on the game;
In a gaming machine comprising a medal selector for detecting a medal inserted to execute a game,
The medal selector is formed with a medal passage for passing the inserted medals one by one,
A plurality of markers are arranged in the medal passage,
A photographing device for photographing the medal passage at a predetermined time;
The production control device
In the captured image by the imaging device, a determination unit that determines whether or not a shielding mode of the marker is different from a mode when the medal passes,
A gaming machine comprising: an informing means for informing that an abnormality has occurred when the judging means judges that the shielding mode is different.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of markers are arranged in one or a plurality of rows along a traveling direction of the medal in the medal passage.   The plurality of markers are arranged such that an interval with respect to the advancing direction of the medal and an interval with respect to the width direction of the medal passage are less than a half of the diameter of the medal. The gaming machine described.