JP2020120808A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine including a plurality of abnormality determination processes in a token putout device.SOLUTION: A game machine comprises: game medium putout means for putting out game media; game medium detection means for detecting game media to be put out from the game medium putout means; time measuring means that measures a first time which is the time when the game medium detection means detects a game medium, and also measures a second time which is the time when the game medium detection means continuously detects game media, the time between a time after having detected a game medium and a time until detecting a next game medium; and abnormality determination means that, when a criterion time of the first time is (a) and a criterion time of the second time is b, if the first time measured by the time measuring means is longer than 2a+b, determines that the operation state of the game medium putout means is abnormal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

The medal payout device for storing and paying out medals is provided with a sensor for detecting the medals to be paid out. The main control unit outputs a detection signal indicating that the sensor has detected the medal. Is configured to count the number of medals paid out.
Then, the main control unit controls to stop the payout of the medal payout device when the desired number of medals has been paid out (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2009-011640, A

However, the conventional game machine has room for improvement.

To achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention provides a game medium payout means for paying out a game medium, a game medium detection means for detecting a game medium paid out from the game medium payout means, and a game medium detection means. Is measuring the first time, which is the time when the game medium is detected, and when the game medium detecting means continuously detects the game medium, the next game medium is detected after the game medium is detected. When the time measuring means for measuring the second time which is the time until detection and the reference time for the first time are a and the reference time for the second time is b, the time measuring means measures the time. In addition, when the first time is longer than 2a+b, an abnormality determining unit that determines the operating state of the game medium payout unit to be abnormal is configured.

It is a front view showing the appearance of the game machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the composition of the control system of the game machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a plan view showing the appearance of the payout device without the hopper of the medal payout device. It is a timing chart of a detection signal when the operating state of the medal payout device is normal. It is a timing chart of a detection signal when the operating state of the medal payout device is abnormal. 7 is a flowchart showing an abnormality determination process of counting the number of times of abnormality determination. 6 is a flowchart showing a stepwise abnormality determination process. (A)-(f) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a stepwise abnormality determination process. It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main control unit and a medal payout device. The timing chart of a motor current and a detection signal is shown, (a) is when the operating state of the medal payout device is normal, and (b) is when the operating state of the medal payout device is abnormal. It is a timing chart which shows a motor current at the time of starting and stopping. The data of the detection signal output from the medal payout device is shown, (a) is the data of the first time and the second time, and (b) is the average data of the first time and the second time. The screen displayed on the display is shown, (a) is the selection screen when the front door is closed, (b) is the selection screen when the front door is open, and (c) is the selection screen This is a dedicated screen for halls. The positional relationship between the payout sensor and the rotary plate (without slit) is shown, (a) is a plan view showing the external appearance of the payout device, and (b) is an enlarged view of the rotary plate. The positional relationship between the dispensing sensor and the rotary plate (with slits) is shown, (a) is a plan view showing the appearance of the dispensing device, and (b) is an enlarged view of the rotary plate. The rotary plate (with a slit) is shown, (a) is a front view of the rotary plate, (b) is a timing chart of detection signals when the operating state of the medal payout device is normal, (c) is the operation of the medal payout device It is a timing chart of the detection signal when the state is abnormal. The modification of a rotary plate (with a slit) is shown, (a) is a front view of a rotary plate, (b) is a timing chart of the detection signal when the operating state of the medal payout device is normal, (c) is a medal payout 6 is a timing chart of a detection signal when the operating state of the device is abnormal.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
It should be noted that the game machine is installed in a game hall or the like and has various types, but as an example of the present invention, a case where the game machine is applied to the slot machine 1 will be described.

[Slot machine body]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a box-shaped housing 1b having a plurality of reels 41a, 41b and 41c rotatably supported therein and a front opening. It is configured with a front door 1a that opens and closes an opening on the front surface side of the housing 1b.
Then, inside the slot machine 1, a main control unit 7 configured by a microcomputer and the like, and a sub-control for controlling notification means such as the lamp 9a, the speaker 9b, and the display 9c according to a command from the main control unit 7. The part 8 and necessary machines and devices are stored.

On the front door 1a, a lamp 9a for effecting and notifying by light emission, a display 9c for effecting by displaying a moving image or a still image on the screen, and the symbols displayed on each reel 41a, 41b, 41c can be visually recognized. The display window 2b is provided on the upper side of each of the plurality of operation units related to the game operation.

As the operation unit, for example, a medal which is a disc-shaped game medium is inserted, a medal insertion port 2 which is a game medium insertion port, a bet button 2a for throwing medals accumulated as credits in the machine into the game, A start lever 3 for starting the rotation of the reels 41a, 41b, 41c and three stop buttons 5a, 5b, 5c for stopping the rotating reels 41a, 41b, 41c are provided.

Further, a speaker 9b for outputting a voice message, a sound effect, and the like, and a medal payout opening 6a, which is a payout opening for medals, are provided below the front door 1a in order to perform various effects and notifications. A medal is paid out to the player from the exit 6a.

FIG. 2 shows the slot machine 1 with the front door 1a opened, and is a door body that is attached to the housing 1b of the slot machine 1 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge or the like.
At the center of the housing 1b, reels 41a, 41b, 41c, and a drum unit 4 including a reel motor (not shown) for rotating each reel 41a, 41b, 41c and a sensor for detecting a rotation position are provided.
Further, a medal payout device 6 for storing and paying out medals is provided below the housing 1b.
Next, the configuration of the medal payout device 6 will be described.

[Medal payout device]
The medal payout device 6 functions as a game medium payout unit, and includes a hopper 60 that stores medals that are game media, and a payout device 61 that pays out the medals in the hopper 60 toward the medal payout outlet 6a. ..

As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper 60 is a synthetic resin tank container-like storage portion having an opening that opens upward, and has a sufficient capacity so as not to run out of medals during a game. For example, when the winning combination is established in the game, the medals stored in the hopper 60 are paid out by the payout device 61.
Further, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 2 are detected by the sensor in the medal selector 10 and, after being sorted, in the case of a suitable medal, they are guided into the hopper 60 via the guide rail 20. ..

The payout device 61 is a device that serves as a base of the hopper 60, and includes a payout sensor 61a, a payout disc 61d, and a hopper motor 61b.

The payout sensor 61a functions as a game medium detection unit, and is, for example, a photo interrupter or the like, and is a non-contact type sensor that can detect an object without contact.
Specifically, in the payout sensor 61a, the light projecting section and the light receiving section are arranged to face each other in a U-shape with a certain interval in one package, and detect the light from the light projecting section. It is a detection unit that determines the presence or absence of a detected object by detecting that the object is blocked by the light receiving unit.
The light projecting unit is configured as a light projecting element, for example, an infrared light emitting diode having a high directivity, and the light receiving unit is configured as a light receiving element, for example, a phototransistor or a photo IC.
Then, the payout sensor 61a outputs a detection signal to the main control unit 7 every time the medal paid out from the medal payout device 6 is detected.
The specific detection of medals by the payout sensor 61a will be described later.

The payout disc 61d is attached to the payout device 61 on the upper surface that communicates with the bottom of the hopper 60.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the payout disc 61d is a disc-shaped member that is rotatably arranged in the clockwise direction on the bottom side of the hopper 60, and one medal is provided along the circumference of the rotation. Plural (five in the present embodiment) medal holes 610 for engaging are formed at equal intervals.
Each medal hole 610 is a through hole having a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the medal, and has a depth larger than the thickness of one medal so that the medals are engaged one by one.
Further, the medal hole 610 is formed in a curved shape in which the center side of the payout disc 61d smoothly spreads outward so that the falling medals smoothly fall into the medal hole 610.
The surface on which the payout disc 61d is mounted is inclined, for example, about 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and is configured such that the hopper payout opening 61f side from which the medals are paid out is high and the opposite side is low. ..

The hopper motor 61b is built in the inside of the payout device 61, and the main controller 7 controls the rotation of the hopper motor 61b, whereby the payout disc 61d rotates about the rotation shaft 611, and the hopper 60 inside the hopper 60 is rotated. Pay out medals.
Then, the medals paid out by the rotation of the payout disc 61d are paid out from the medal payout outlet 6a via the return passage 40 arranged on the back surface of the front door 1a.

With such a configuration, the payout device 61 can pay out medals by rotating the payout disc 61d by the rotation of the hopper motor 61b, and the payout sensor 61a detects the paid out medals. A detection signal can be output to the main controller 7.
In addition to the non-contact type sensor using the photo interrupter described above, the game medium detecting means may be, for example, a medal to be paid out or a contact type micro switch operated by being pushed by the surface of the rotating plate 61e described later. May be used to detect a medal.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the detection signal when the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is normal.
As shown in FIG. 5, the payout sensor 61a detects a medal each time one medal is paid out, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 7.
Then, the main controller 7 can control the number of medals paid out by detecting the detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a.

Specifically, the main control unit 7 determines the payout of one medal by detecting the falling edge of the detection signal output by the payout sensor 61a.
The time required for the medal payout device 6 to pay out one medal is usually about 80 ms (=20 ms+60 ms) because the detection signal ON state is 20 ms and the detection signal OFF state is 60 ms on average. is there.

In the present embodiment, with respect to the detection signal, the reference time of the time (hereinafter, referred to as the first time) during which the payout sensor 61a detects the medal, which is the ON state of the detection signal, is a, and the medal is continuously detected. At this time, the reference time of the time (hereinafter, referred to as the second time) between the detection of the medal and the detection of the next medal, which is the OFF state of the detection signal, is set to b, and the medal payout device 6 is operated. The operating condition is being determined.
It should be noted that the logic of the detection signal may be either positive logic or negative logic, as long as it is possible to determine the abnormality of the operating state for the medal payout device 6.

Next, the detection signal when the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal will be described.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart of detection signals when the medal payout device 6 is abnormal.
When the medal payout device 6 is not driven, the main control unit 7 outputs an H level hopper drive signal, and when driving the medal payout device 6, outputs a L level hopper drive signal to control the medal payout. It is carried out.
Here, the first time period (ON state of the detection signal) shown in FIG. 6 is longer than the first time period shown in FIG.
Specifically, during the first time period shown in FIG. 6, the H level state is maintained after the first medal is paid out and until the second medal is paid out.
This is due to an illegal act of irradiating the payout sensor 61a with an illegal electric wave at a specific timing (radio wave goto), which is originally the second time, and the two medals after the first medal is paid out. This is because the medal was forcibly masked to the H level even before the medal was paid out.
Thus, it has been reported that the detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a is illegally processed to pay out more medals than the number of medals originally supposed to be paid out.
This is because the main control unit 7 judges the payout of one medal at the falling edge of the detection signal, but counts the detection of the falling edge of the detection signal slightly due to incorrect processing of the detection signal. This is because more medals will be paid out than expected (overpaid).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the first time is longer than the time corresponding to the two paid-out medals (reference time a×2 for the first time+reference time b×1 for the second time) The operating state of the medal payout device 6 is determined to be abnormal.
This is when continuously detecting medals, and when the first time when the detection signal is ON is 20 ms and the second time when the detection signal is OFF is 60 ms, the second time is at the H level. This is because it is necessary to irradiate an illegal electric wave for 60 ms at the shortest in order to achieve the above.
That is, if the payout sensor 61a can be irradiated with an illegal radio wave of a shortest period of 60 ms, the overpayment can be illegally realized.
Therefore, when the reference time of the first time is a and the reference time of the second time is b, the main control unit 7 causes the measured first time (ON state of the detection signal) to be longer than “2a+b”. In this case, the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is determined to be abnormal.
This makes it possible to determine an illegal act for the medal payout device 6 at an early stage, so that it is possible to prevent overpayment of medals due to the above-mentioned illegal act.
Further, compared to the case where the abnormality is uniformly determined for a predetermined payout time or longer (for example, 100 ms or longer), the ON state and the OFF state of the detection signal are used as a reference, so that the influence of the individual difference of the payout sensor 61a or the like is reduced. There is a merit that it is hard to receive.
Further, it can be easily used as a sensor other than the payout sensor 61a (for example, a sensor for detecting a medal in the medal selector 10 or a sensor for detecting a rotational position of each reel 41a, 41b, 41c).

It is desirable that the number of medal holes 610 formed in the payout disc 61d be small.
This is because the number of medal holes 610 is small and the payout time for one medal is long and the determination time is long.

[Abnormality determination processing that counts the number of times an abnormality is determined]
Next, an abnormality determination process of counting the number of times of abnormality determination will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In addition, when the first time (ON state of the detection signal) described above is longer than “2a+b”, when the first time is “2a+b” or more, the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal. You may judge.
Further, when the number of times the first time described below is determined to be abnormal (hereinafter referred to as the abnormal number A) is greater than a preset number, when the abnormal number A is equal to or greater than the preset number, The operating state of the medal payout device 6 may be determined to be abnormal.
Hereinafter, the program configuration of the abnormality determination processing for determining the abnormality when the first time is “2a+b” or more and when the abnormality number A is the preset number or more will be described using a flowchart.

First, the main control unit 7 determines whether or not the first time is “2a+b” or more (S100).
At this time, the main control unit 7 functions as a time measuring unit and an abnormality determining unit, and based on the detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a of the medal payout device 6, the first time reference time a and the first time described above. The reference time b of 2 hours is measured.
Then, the main control unit 7, based on the measured reference time a of the first time and reference time b of the second time, the first time is “2a+b” for each detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a. It is determined whether or not it is the above, and if the first time is “2a+b” or more (S100: Yes), the process proceeds to S110.
On the other hand, when the first time is less than “2a+b” (S100: No), the abnormality determination process ends.

Next, the main control unit 7 counts the number of times the first time is determined to be “2a+b” or more (S110).
The main control unit 7 functions as a frequency counting unit, and when the first time is determined to be “2a+b” or more in S100, increments the abnormal frequency A by 1, and then advances the processing to S120.

Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether the number of abnormalities A is equal to or greater than a preset number of times (S120).
If the result of determination in S120 is that the number of abnormalities A is equal to or greater than the set number (S120: Yes), the main control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal (S130), and performs the abnormality determination process. To finish.
On the other hand, when the number of abnormalities A is less than the set number of times (S120: No), the main control unit 7 ends the abnormality determination process without determining that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal.

As described above, the main control unit 7 determines whether or not the first time is “2a+b” or more each time a medal is paid out, and determines that the first time is “2a+b” or more as abnormal. Further, the number of times the abnormality is determined is counted as the abnormality number A.
Then, when the number of abnormalities A is equal to or greater than the preset number, the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is officially determined to be abnormal.
For example, in order to strengthen the security of the slot machine 1, if the time for determining an abnormality is set to be short in the payout time of medals, the main control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal even if it is accidentally delayed. It may be judged.
Then, each time an employee of the game arcade is determined to be abnormal, a confirmation work must be performed, resulting in a reduction in the operation of the gaming machine.
On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, when the number of abnormalities A is equal to or greater than the preset number, the operation state of the medal payout device 6 is officially determined to be abnormal, and therefore incorrect determination can be prevented. ..
As a result, the abnormality determination process can be performed in consideration of the erroneous detection of the detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a.

[Stepwise abnormality determination processing]
Next, stepwise abnormality determination processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the step-by-step abnormality determination processing, the error level is lowered from level 1 to level 2 and from level 2 to level 3 to strengthen the monitoring of fraudulent activity and to determine the operating state of the medal payout device 6. it can.

First, the main controller 7 sets the error level to "level 1" (S200).
The error level is a threshold value set for the first time period, and by presetting a plurality of different error levels, the main control unit 7 can determine the operating state of the medal payout device 6 step by step. It will be possible.
Note that the set error level is maintained until one payout is completed, and the determination process continues until the abnormality determination process ends for each of the paid out medals.
Then, when one payout is completed, the error level is initialized (level 1).

Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is “300 ms” or more (S210).
Since the main control unit 7 performs the abnormality determination process with the threshold of level 1, it determines whether the first time is “300 ms” or more.
When the first time is “300 ms” or more (S210: Yes), the main control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal (S280), and ends the abnormality determination process.
On the other hand, when the first time is less than “300 ms” (S210: No), the main control unit 7 advances the process to S220.

Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is “200 ms” or more (S220).
The main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is less than “300 ms” but is “200 ms” or more.
When the first time is “200 ms” or more (S220: Yes), the main control unit 7 sets the error level from level 1 to level 2 having a lower threshold value for security enhancement (S230).
At this time, the abnormality determination process is performed while maintaining the transferred level until the one-time payout in the medal payout device 6, which is the error level initialization condition, is completed.
On the other hand, when the first time is less than “200 ms” (S220: No), the main control unit 7 ends the abnormality determination process.

Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is “200 ms” or more (S240).
At this time, the main control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal when the first time is “200 ms” or more in the state where the level 2 is maintained at the error level (S240: Yes). (S280), the abnormality determination process ends.
On the other hand, when the first time is less than “200 ms” (S240: No), the main control unit 7 advances the process to S250.

Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is “100 ms” or more (S250).
The main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is less than “200 ms” but is “100 ms” or more.
When the first time is “100 ms” or more (S250: Yes), the main control unit 7 sets the error level from level 2 to level 3, which is a lower threshold value, for security enhancement (S260).
At this time, as in the case of level 2, the abnormality determination processing is executed in a state where the shifted level is maintained until the one-time payout in the medal payout device 6, which is the error level initialization condition, is completed.
On the other hand, when the first time is less than “100 ms” (S250: No), the main control unit 7 ends the abnormality determination process.

Next, the main control unit 7 determines whether the first time is “100 ms” or more (S270).
At this time, the error level is maintained at the set level 3, the abnormality determination process is performed, and the main control unit 7 determines that the first time is “100 ms” or more (S270: Yes), the medal. It is determined that the operating state of the dispensing device 6 is abnormal (S280), and the abnormality determination process ends.
On the other hand, when the first time is less than “100 ms” (S270: No), the main control unit 7 ends the abnormality determination process.

As a result, for example, in order to enhance security against fraudulent activity, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection that occurs because the time for determining an abnormality is set short in the medal payout time.

Next, the stepwise abnormality determination processing will be described with reference to each of the cases (a) to (f) shown in FIG.
In each of the cases (a) to (f) shown in FIG. 9, the “error level” column shows the current error level for each payout medal, and the “first time” column shows The detected time for each medal is shown.
Further, in each of the cases (a) to (f) shown in FIG. 9, the case where the number of payouts of the medal payout device 6 is 5 is taken as an example, and the initialization of the error level is carried out by this single payout. Is required to be completed.
That is, the stepwise abnormality determination process is initialized to level 1 at the time when one payout is completed, even if the error level is set to level 2 or level 3.

In case 1 of FIG. 9A, the first time of the medal paid out for the first piece is “20 ms”, which is not “300 ms” or more, or “200 ms” or more, and thus the error level is level 1. Maintained.
However, the first time of the second paid-out medal is “250 ms”, which is less than “300 ms”, but is “200 ms” or more, so the error level is shifted from level 1 to level 2. To be strengthened.
After the third coin, the abnormality determination process is performed with the threshold value of level 2. However, since none of the medals paid out after the third coin has the first time of “200 ms” or more or “100 ms” or more, The control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is “no abnormality”.

In case 2 of FIG. 9(b), as in case 1 of FIG. 9(a), the first time of the second medal paid out is “250 ms”, which is less than “300 ms”, but “200 ms”. Because of the above, the error level is shifted from level 1 to level 2 and strengthened.
Further, the first time of the medal paid out on the fourth coin is "150 ms", which is less than "200 ms", but is "100 ms" or more, so the error level shifts from level 2 to level 3. Will be further strengthened.
For the fifth sheet, the abnormality determination process is performed with the threshold value of level 3, but since the first time is not “100 ms” or more, the main control unit 7 determines the operating state of the medal payout device 6 as “no abnormality”. It will be.

In case 3 of FIG. 9C, the first time until the fourth coin is paid out is the same as that of case 2 of FIG. 9B, so when the fourth medal is paid out, The error level will be enhanced by moving to level 3.
However, the first time of the medals paid out on the fifth coin is "150 ms", and the abnormality determination process is performed with the threshold value of level 3, but the first time is "100 ms" or more, so the main control The unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is “abnormal”.

In case 4 of FIG. 9D, the first time of the first paid-out medal is “350 ms”, which is equal to or longer than “300 ms”. Therefore, the main control unit does not perform the error level transition. 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is “abnormal”.

In the case 5 of FIG. 9E, the first time of the medal paid out for the first piece is “20 ms”, which is neither “300 ms” nor “200 ms”. The abnormality determination processing is performed while maintaining the above.
However, since the first time of the medals paid out to the second coin is “350 ms”, which is “300 ms” or more, the main control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is “abnormal”. It will be.

In case 6 of FIG. 9F, the first time of the first paid-out medal is “20 ms”, and the abnormality determination process is performed while maintaining the level 1 threshold value.
However, the first time of the second paid-out medal is “250 ms”, which is less than “300 ms”, but is “200 ms” or more, so the error level is shifted from level 1 to level 2. To be strengthened.
Therefore, after the third coin, the abnormality determination process is performed with the threshold value of level 2, but the first time of the medal paid out on the third coin is “250 ms”, and the first time is “200 ms” or more. Therefore, the main control unit 7 determines that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is “abnormal”.

In this way, the main control unit 7 sets the first threshold value (300 ms in the present embodiment) set for the first time, the second threshold value (200 ms in the present embodiment) lower than the first threshold value, and the second threshold value. A third threshold value (100 ms in this embodiment) lower than the threshold value is set in advance, and when the first time period is equal to or longer than the first threshold value, the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is determined to be abnormal, and the first time period is determined. When it is less than the first threshold value and equal to or more than the second threshold value, the first threshold value is updated to the second threshold value, and the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is determined in stages.

Although the stepwise abnormality determination processing has been described by taking the case of using three-step thresholds of the first threshold value to the third threshold value as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the first threshold value to the fourth threshold value. It is also possible to use four levels of thresholds, and it is possible to arbitrarily set a plurality of levels of thresholds.
If the first time is less than the first threshold (300 ms in the present embodiment) and equal to or more than the second threshold (200 ms in the present embodiment), the first threshold is updated to the second threshold, and the medal The case where the operating state of the dispensing device 6 is determined has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first threshold is updated to a third threshold (100 ms in the present embodiment) different from the second threshold. The operating state of the medal payout device 6 can also be determined.

Next, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main control unit 7 and the medal payout device 6, and FIG. 11 shows currents flowing in the hopper motor 61b when the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is normal and abnormal. It is a timing chart showing a detection signal output from a payout sensor 61a.
As shown in FIG. 10, the main control unit 7 functions as a time storage unit, a time measuring unit, a number counting unit, and an abnormality determining unit.
As described above, the medal payout device 6 has the payout sensor 61a and the hopper motor 61b. The payout sensor 61a functions as a game medium detecting means and the hopper motor 61b functions as payout driving means.
The current measuring means for measuring the current flowing through the hopper motor 61b can be measured by providing the current sensor 61c in the power supply line of the hopper motor 61b.
With such a configuration, the main control unit 7 performs the abnormality determination process by comparing the detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a with the current flowing in the hopper motor 61b.

[Abnormality determination process using current of hopper motor]
Next, the abnormality determination process using the current of the hopper motor 61b will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the current flowing through the hopper motor 61b exceeds the threshold value (Ith1) when the payout device 61 pays out medals.
This is because a load (torque) is applied to the hopper motor 61b as the payout device 61 pays out medals, but the current flowing through the hopper motor 61b increases in proportion to the load.
That is, when the detection signal is output from the payout sensor 61a that detects the payout of medals, the current flowing through the hopper motor 61b exceeds the threshold value (Ith1).
However, there is a case where a fraudulent act of forcibly driving the hopper motor 61b and paying out medals is performed despite the detection signal being at the L level.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the detection signal output from the payout sensor 61a is compared with the current flowing in the hopper motor 61b, and the first time (the ON state of the detection signal) is not detected. When the flowing current value exceeds the threshold value (Ith1), it is determined that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal.
In this way, by performing the abnormality determination process using the current of the hopper motor 61b, it is possible to further strengthen the security against the illegal act of the medal device 6.

However, the medal payout device 6 has a tens of dozens compared to the current flowing at the constant speed rotation due to the influence of the inrush current at the time of starting the energization of the hopper motor 61b and the instantaneous surge current due to the counter electromotive force at the time of stopping the energization. A double current may flow through the hopper motor 61b, and such a large current may exceed the threshold value (Ith1).
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a larger threshold value (Ith2) for detecting an inrush current, a surge current or the like is set than a threshold value (Ith1) for detecting a current flowing when the hopper motor 61b rotates at a constant speed. Then, a two-step threshold value (Ith1<Ith2) is used.
By setting such a two-step threshold value, a current exceeding the threshold value (Ith2) due to the influence of the inrush current, the surge current, or the like can be excluded from the abnormality determination processing.
As a result, it is possible to detect the change in the current flowing through the hopper motor 61b with high accuracy without being affected by sudden current fluctuations, and therefore it is possible to perform the highly accurate abnormality determination processing of the medal payout device 6.

Further, if such a two-step threshold value (Ith1<Ith2) is used, "medal jamming" and "misconduct" that occur when medals are caught in the payout disc 61d of the payout device 61 or the medal payout opening 6a is blocked. Can be distinguished.

That is, when the “medal jam” occurs, the hopper motor 61b is forcibly stopped, so a large load is applied, and the current flowing through the hopper motor 61b exceeds the threshold value (Ith2). Become.
Therefore, the first time (the ON state of the detection signal) is not detected when the “medal jam” occurs and when the “illegal act” is performed, and the current value flowing through the hopper motor 61b exceeds the threshold value (Ith1). In some cases, it is possible to make a distinction based on whether or not the threshold value (Ith2) is exceeded, and it becomes possible to detect an illegal act at an early stage.

[Abnormality determination process using sampled first time data and second time data]
Next, the abnormality determination process using the data of the first time and the second time sampled for each fixed section will be described.

The main control unit 7 functions as a time storage means, and the first time and the second time (payout time per time) are accumulated and stored in a predetermined ring buffer of RWM (Read Write Memory).
Therefore, in the storage area of the RWM, it functions as a ring buffer that stores the first time and the second time for each constant section.
For example, when the fixed interval is 100 times and the data of the first time and the 100th time of 100 times from the first time to the 100th time are respectively stored, when the 101st payout ends, the first time The 101st data is overwritten in the storage area in which the 1st data, which is the data of 1, is stored, whereby the time storage means discards the 1st data and newly stores the 101st data. ..

Then, the main control unit 7 respectively sets the first time and the second time based on the average data obtained by averaging the data of the first time and the second time for every 100 times stored in the ring buffer. Update.
Further, the main control unit 7 functions as a time measuring unit and an abnormality determining unit, so that when the updated reference time of the first time is a and the updated reference time of the second time is b, the first time is , "2a+b", it is possible to determine that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal.

That is, the abnormality determination process can be performed by updating the first time and the second time at any time based on the average data of the first time and the second time sampled for each certain interval. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent an erroneous determination caused by the individual difference of the payout sensor 61a or the deterioration over time.

Subsequently, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 7 sets the “average data” and a predetermined reference value (hereinafter, referred to as an exchange reference value) on the basis of the average data obtained by averaging for each certain section. As a result of the comparison, when it is determined that the “average data” has reached the “replacement reference value”, the notification that prompts the replacement of the payout sensor 61a is performed.

Next, from the data of the first time and the second time as shown in FIG. 13A, the data of the first time and the second time for every 100 times stored in the ring buffer are averaged, and the exchange criterion A comparative example of the "average data" and the "exchange reference value" and the notification means will be described by taking the case where the first time of the value is 40 ms and the second time is 80 ms as an example.

In addition, FIG. 13B shows the average data of the first time and the second time each time the predetermined number of times is reached. As an example, “factory shipment”, “10,000 times”, “100” The figure shows the times when the number of times reached "10,000 times", "when reached 2 million times" and "when reached 5 million times", respectively.

For example, “factory default” indicates the first time and the second time before being installed in the game arcade, and is data of initial values.
“At the time of reaching 10,000 times” indicates the average data of the first time and the second time of 9900 times to 10000 times when the medals are paid out 10,000 times.
Then, at “10,000 times”, both the first time and the second time are below the replacement reference value, so that the determination result of the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is “normal”.

On the other hand, “at the time of reaching 5 million times” indicates the average data of the first and second hours of 4999900 to 5,000,000 times when the medals are paid out 5,000,000 times.
And when "5 million times reached", the second time is below the exchange reference value, but since the first time is 42 ms, it exceeds the exchange reference value of 40 ms of the first time, so the medal The determination result of the operating state of the dispensing device 6 is “replacement request”.
In this way, when it is determined that the "replacement reference value" has been reached in either the "average data" of the first time or the second time, a notification indicating the necessity of component replacement will be given. ..

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a notification means for displaying the necessity of component replacement will be described.
The notification means is, for example, a display device 9c such as a liquid crystal display, which displays a moving image or a still image on the screen and produces an effect according to the progress of the game.
14 shows a screen displayed on the display 9c. FIG. 14(a) shows a selection screen when the front door 1a is closed, and FIG. 14(b) shows a selection screen when the front door 1a is open. FIG. 14C is a hall-only screen selected on the selection screen.
The selection screens shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B are, for example, screens displayed on the display 9c when the setting key is at a predetermined position with respect to the setting key switch provided inside the slot machine 1. Is.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the "hall-only screen" is in a selectable state when the front door 1a is in the open state.
Therefore, when the front door 1a is in the open state, the employee of the amusement arcade touches the display area of the "hall-only screen" on the selection screen of FIG. Can be displayed.

The “hall-only screen” shown in FIG. 14C is a screen that displays the necessity of replacing parts (various sensors) provided in the slot machine 1.
For example, on this screen, as an example, in addition to the payout sensor 61a provided in the medal payout device 6, a sensor for detecting a medal in the medal selector 10 and a sensor for detecting the rotational position of each reel 41a, 41b, 41c, etc. It indicates the need for replacement.
When the "average data" reaches the "replacement reference value", the display 9c prompts the replacement of the parts provided in the slot machine 1, so that it is possible to recognize the optimum part replacement time. it can.
In the example shown in FIG. 14C, the sensors provided in the medal selector 10 and the drum unit 4 have no problem, but the “average data” of the payout sensor 61a provided in the medal payout device 6 is the “replacement standard”. Since the "value" has been reached, a notification prompting replacement of the payout sensor 61a is made.
By notifying such necessity of component replacement, effective maintenance can be performed, so that stable operation of the slot machine 1 can be ensured.
The notification means is not limited to the display 9c, and may be replaced by prompting an announcement by a voice message from the speaker 9b or lighting or blinking with the lamp 9a.
This makes it possible to realize a safer and more reliable medal payout device 6.

Next, detection of medals paid out from the payout device 61 will be specifically described.
FIG. 15 shows the positional relationship between the payout sensor 61a and the rotary plate 61e. FIG. 15A is a plan view showing the appearance of the payout device 61, and FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of the rotary plate 61e. ..
As shown in FIG. 15, a hopper payout outlet 61f is provided at one side edge on the upstream side of the inclined surface of the payout device 61, and from this hopper payout outlet 61f to the medal payout outlet 6a located under the front door 1a. Medals will be paid out toward.
In addition, a rotary plate 61e that rotates in one direction in association with the movement of medals to be paid out is provided near the hopper payout opening 61f, and a payout sensor 61a is provided near the rotary plate 61e. There is.
A plurality of fan-shaped rotating pieces 620 (three in the present embodiment) are provided around the rotating plate 61e. When the medals are paid out, the rotating pieces 620 are U-shaped payout sensors. By entering between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of 61a, the light projected from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked.
Therefore, when the payout device 61 is not paying out medals, the rotary plate 61e does not rotate, so that the rotary piece 620 does not block the light, and the light receiving unit detects the light transmitted from the light projecting unit.

On the other hand, when the payout device 61 is paying out medals, the rotating piece 620 of the rotary plate 61e rotates in association with the movement of the paid-out medals, so that the payout sensor 61a enters between the light emitting part and the light receiving part. To do.
As a result, the rotating piece 620 that entered between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit blocks the light from the light projecting unit, and the light receiving unit detects that the light is blocked. To detect.
As a result, a detection signal is output from the payout sensor 61a every time a medal is paid out, and the number of medals paid out is counted by this detection signal.
Then, the main control unit 7 subtracts the payout number of medals determined according to the game result each time the detection signal is detected, and drives the hopper motor 61b when the determined payout number of medals is reached. Control to stop.

On the other hand, in the rotary plate 61e shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a slit 622 which is not provided in the rotary plate 61e shown in FIG. 15 is formed in the rotary piece 620.
The slits 622 are shorter in the circumferential direction than between the rotary pieces 620 formed on the rotary plate 61e, and are formed so as to be distinguishable between the rotary pieces 620. By providing such slits 622, It is possible to detect an abnormal state in which the rotary plate 61e rotates in the opposite direction to the original direction.

[Abnormality determination process using a rotating plate with slits]
Here, with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, an abnormality determination process using the rotating plate 61e specifically including the rotating piece 620 in which the slit 622 is formed will be described.

17 shows an example in which the rotary plate 61e has three rotary pieces 620. FIG. 17(a) is a front view of the rotary plate 61e, and FIG. 17(b) is a detection signal when the medal payout device 6 is normal. 17C is a timing chart of the detection signal when the medal payout device 6 is abnormal.
The rotary plate 61e shown in FIG. 17 is configured to include a first rotary piece 620a, a second rotary piece 620b, and a third rotary piece 620c.
The slit 622 is not formed in the first rotary piece 620a, one slit 622 is formed in the second rotary piece 620b, and two slits 622 are formed in the third rotary piece 620c. A different number of slits 622 are formed for each rotating piece 620.
That is, the rotating plate 61e is provided with the first rotating piece 620a, the second rotating piece 620b, and the third rotating piece 620c, which have different shapes.

By thus forming the slit 622 on the rotary piece 620 of the rotary plate 61e, the rotation direction of the rotary plate 61e can be detected.
Specifically, while the payout device 61 is paying out medals, as described above, the light from the light projecting portion is once blocked by the rotating piece 620, but by passing through the slit 622 formed in the rotating piece 620. The number of slits 622 allows the light receiving section to detect light.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 17B, the detection signal of the first paid-out medal is the waveform of the first rotating piece 620a, and the detection signal of the second paid-out medal is the As the waveform of the second rotating piece 620b, the waveform of the third rotating piece 620c is output as the detection signal of the third payout medal.

On the other hand, when the rotating plate 61e is rotating in the opposite direction to the original direction, as shown in FIG. 17C, the detection signal of the medal paid out for the first sheet is the waveform of the third rotating piece 620c, The detection signal of the medal paid out for the first piece is the waveform of the second rotating piece 620b, and the detection signal of the medal paid out for the third piece is the waveform of the first rotating piece 620a.
Therefore, the rotation direction of the rotary plate 61e can be detected by providing the rotary plate 61e including the first rotary piece 620a, the second rotary piece 620b, and the third rotary piece 620c having different shapes.

Further, the short OFF state when the payout sensor 61a detects the slit 622 formed in each rotating piece 620 is set to the ON state, and the ON state is regarded as the first time, so that the first time is "2a+b". If it is longer than the above, it is possible to execute a plurality of abnormality determination processes described above, such as an abnormality determination process for determining that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal.
Therefore, according to the rotating plate 61e of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the abnormality determination process for payout of medals and detect the rotating direction of the rotating plate 61e with only one payout sensor 61a, so that the number of parts can be reduced. The manufacturing cost of the slot machine 1 can be suppressed.

Subsequently, the modification shown in FIG. 18 is an example in which the rotary plate 61e has four rotary pieces 620.
Also in the case where the rotary plate 61e has the four rotary pieces 620, as described above, at least the first rotary piece 620a, the second rotary piece 620b, and the third rotary piece 620c each having a different shape are included, and the payouts are arranged in this order. By forming the sensor 61a so that it can be detected, the rotation direction of the rotating plate 61e can be detected.
Here, when the rotary plate 61e includes four or more rotary pieces 620, the other rotary piece 620d formed next to the third rotary piece 620c needs to be other than the second rotary piece 620b.
Therefore, in the modification shown in FIG. 18, the case where the other rotary piece 620d has the same shape as the first rotary piece 620a other than the second rotary piece 620b is shown as an example. May be the third rotation piece 620c or another shape.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 18B, the detection signal of the first paid-out medal is the waveform of the first rotating piece 620a, and the detection signal of the second paid-out medal is the The waveform of the second rotating piece 620b, the detection signal of the third payout medal is the waveform of the third rotating piece 620c, the detection signal of the fourth payout medal is the waveform of the other rotating piece 620d. Are output respectively.

On the other hand, when the rotary plate 61e is rotating in the opposite direction to the original direction, as shown in FIG. 18C, the detection signal of the medal paid out for the first coin is the waveform of the other rotary piece 620d. The detection signal of the medal paid out to the second piece is the waveform of the third rotating piece 620c, and the detection signal of the medal paid out to the third piece is the waveform of the second rotating piece 620b is the fourth piece. The detection signals of the medals thus generated are the waveforms of the first rotating piece 620a.
As a result, unlike the waveform shown in FIG. 18B in which the rotary plate 61e is rotating in the normal direction, it is possible to detect that the rotary plate 61e is rotating in the opposite direction.
Therefore, the main controller 7 can determine that the operating state of the medal payout device 6 is abnormal with a relatively simple configuration.
Also, when the rotary plate 61e has four or more rotary pieces 620, the payout sensor 61a detects the slits 622 formed in each rotary piece 620, as in the case where the three rotary pieces 620 are formed. By setting the short OFF state at this time to the ON state and regarding the ON state as the first time, it is possible to perform a plurality of abnormality determination processes for payout of medals described above.

The number of the slits 622 formed in the first rotary piece 620a, the second rotary piece 620b, and the third rotary piece 620c is not limited to the number described above, and the slits 622 may be formed so as to have mutually different shapes. Good.
Further, the lengths of the plurality of rotary pieces 620 circumferentially provided on the rotary plate 61e may be formed so as to be different from each other in the circumferential direction, and the length of the ON state of the detection signal may be different for each rotary piece 620.
Further, the shape of the rotating piece 620 of the rotary plate 61e is changed so that the reference time a of the first time when the detection signal is in the ON state is short and the reference time b of the second time when the detection signal is in the OFF state is long. Since the difference between the first time and the second time can be made clearer, the accuracy of the abnormality determination processing can be improved.
Further, the game medium detecting means is pushed by the surfaces of the rotating first rotating piece 620a, the second rotating piece 620b, and the third rotating piece 620c in addition to the non-contact type sensor using the photo interrupter described above. The slits of different shapes formed on the rotating piece 620 may be detected by using a contact-type micro switch or the like that is operated by being operated.

As described above, according to the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention, when the reference time of the first time is a and the reference time of the second time is b, based on the detection signal of the medal payout device 6, Since the abnormality determination means for determining the operating state of the medal payout device 6 as the abnormality when the first time is longer than “2a+b” is provided, it is possible to monitor the fraudulent activity of processing the detection signal.
As a result, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts of illegally paying out medals, so that it is possible to avoid unexpected damage to the game arcade.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the conventional game machine does not include the abnormality determining means as in the present invention, and therefore, there is a possibility that medals will be paid out illegally due to radio wave irradiation or the like. It was
According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to solve all or some of the problems to be solved by the conventional gaming machine.

Although the preferred embodiments of the gaming machine of the present invention have been described above, the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the present invention has been described by being applied to the slot machine 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other gaming machines such as pachinko machines (for example, ball slot).
Further, the payout sensor 61a for detecting payout of medals provided in the medal payout device 6 has been described as an example of a plurality of abnormality determination processes of the sensor and a notification method for prompting replacement, but the present invention is not limited to this. ..
For example, a sensor provided on the drum unit 4 for detecting the rotational position of each reel 41a, 41b, 41c, a sensor provided on the medal selector 10 for detecting passage of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 2, It can be applied regardless of the installed optical sensor or mechanical sensor.

1 slot machine (game machine)
6 medal payout device (game medium payout means)
7 Main control section (time measuring means, abnormality determining means, number counting means, time storing means)
8 Sub-control unit 9c Display (informing means)
60 hopper 61 dispensing device 61a dispensing sensor (game medium detecting means)
61b Hopper motor (discharging drive means)
61c Current sensor (current measuring means)
61d Dispensing disk 61e Rotating plate 61f Hopper outlet 610 Medal hole 611 Rotating shaft 620 Rotating piece 621 Central shaft 622 Slit a First reference time b Second reference time A Abnormal number of times

Claims (7)

A game medium payout means for paying out a game medium,
A game medium detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out from the game medium paying means,
While the game medium detecting unit measures the first time, which is the time during which the game medium is detected, and when the game medium detecting unit continuously detects the game medium, after the game medium is detected. Time measuring means for measuring the second time which is the time until the next game medium is detected,
When the reference time of the first time is a and the reference time of the second time is b, and when the first time measured by the time measuring means is longer than 2a+b, the game medium payout means Abnormality determining means for determining the operating state as abnormal,
A gaming machine comprising: The game medium payout means is provided with a number counting means for counting the number of times the operation state is determined to be abnormal
The abnormality determination means,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the number of abnormal times counted by the number-of-times counting means is larger than a preset number, the operating state of the game medium payout means is determined to be abnormal. The abnormality determination means,
A first threshold value set at least for the first time period, a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value, and a third threshold value lower than the second threshold value are preset,
When the first time is equal to or more than the first threshold, the operating state of the game medium payout means is determined to be abnormal, and the first time is less than the first threshold and equal to or more than the second threshold. In this case, the first threshold value is updated to one of the second threshold value and the third threshold value, and the operating state of the game medium payout means is determined stepwise. The gaming machine described in 2. A payout driving means that is driven to pay out the game medium;
Current measuring means for measuring the current value of the payout driving means,
Equipped with
The abnormality determination means,
The first time measured by the time measuring means is compared with the current value of the payout driving means measured by the current measuring means, and the first drive time of the payout driving means is detected although the first time is not detected. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the current value exceeds a threshold value, the operating state of the game medium payout means is determined to be abnormal. A time storage means for storing the first time and the second time,
The abnormality determination means,
On the basis of average data obtained by averaging the stored first time and second time by the time storage means for each constant section,
The first time and the second time are respectively updated, and when the updated reference time of the first time is a and the updated reference time of the second time is b, the time is measured by the time measuring means. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the first time is longer than 2a+b, the operating state of the game medium payout means is determined to be abnormal. When the abnormality determination means determines that the average data has reached a preset replacement reference value, a notification means is provided to notify the replacement of the game medium detection means. The gaming machine according to Item 5. A game medium payout means for paying out a game medium,
Based on detecting a plurality of rotating pieces provided on a rotary plate that rotates in one direction according to the payout of the game medium, a game medium detecting means for detecting payout of the game medium,
The rotating piece includes at least a first rotating piece having a different shape, a second rotating piece, and a third rotating piece, which are formed side by side in this order.
When the second rotary piece is not detected after the first rotary piece, when the third rotary piece is not detected after the second rotary piece, and when the other rotary piece is not formed after the third rotary piece. In the case where the first rotation piece is not detected after the third rotation piece, when the other rotation piece is formed after the third rotation piece, the first rotation piece is formed after the other rotation piece. In the case where one of the cases is not detected, in the case of any of the above, an abnormality determination means for determining the operating state of the game medium delivery means as an abnormality,
A gaming machine comprising: