JP2539440Y2 - Warning display device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a warning display device of a gaming machine and ancillary equipment for a gaming machine which can notify the type of the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in various devices. Things.

2. Description of the Related Art There are known vending machines, currency exchange machines, and the like which are provided with a warning lamp for notifying an abnormality of a device. In addition, a plurality of warning lamps are arranged and also turned on as appropriate to notify an abnormal state to a switchboard, a control panel of various devices, and the like so that various abnormal states of the apparatus can be notified. Things are also known.

Further, in order to be able to identify some abnormal states, a light-emitting diode (LED) and a liquid crystal having a seven-segment arrangement, which are used to display characters, have been put to practical use.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, among the conventional warning display devices, for example,
In the case of using a plurality of lamps, only two types of abnormal information can be reported by lighting or blinking.

In the case where a plurality of lamps are arranged, for example, by changing the color of the lamps, it is possible to display information corresponding to the number of the lamps, but the installation space for these lamps is large, so that a small device is required. Can not be adopted. Also, for example, in a game center where a lot of game machines such as slot machines are installed, the game machines themselves often display colorful light emission. There is a drawback that the warning display is not so noticeable and the discriminating power is poor. Further, in a warning display device using LEDs or liquid crystals arranged in a seven-segment array, different types of information can be displayed on a single display, but the contents of the display cannot be identified from a distance.

[Purpose of the Invention] The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In particular, when using a game machine and ancillary equipment for the game machine, various kinds of abnormal information are separated from a position. However, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive warning display device that can be easily identified and requires only a small installation space.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention uses a single light emitting display so that three or more types of abnormalities can be displayed in an easily identifiable form. Are abnormality identification means for identifying three or more types of abnormalities and outputting corresponding identification signals, at least a continuous lighting pattern, and a blinking pattern for repeating blinking at regular time intervals for each of the three or more types of abnormalities Storage means for storing display pattern data including a periodic pattern in which a combination of a lighting time, a light-off time, and a number of blinks are different and periodically repeated, in association with the identification signal; and an identification signal from the abnormality identification means. Signal selecting means for selecting display pattern data corresponding to the identification signal from the storage means, and according to the display pattern data selected by the signal selecting means. Lighting control means for controlling the lighting of the light-emitting display has been used,
Thus, one light emitting display is driven by a display pattern corresponding to the type of abnormality.

[Operation] According to the above description, one light emitting display is generated in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and ancillary equipment for a gaming machine such as a medal lending machine and a currency exchange machine which are used by being installed together with the gaming machine in a game arcade. Depending on the type of abnormality that has occurred, it will be driven in one of a continuous lighting pattern, a blinking pattern, and a periodic pattern.
It is possible to immediately identify what abnormality has occurred based on the light emission pattern.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment] FIG. 3 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a game medal lending device which is called a medal sand and is used in a game arcade as one of ancillary devices for a game machine. The medal sand 1 is for lending out medals used for the game of the slot machine 2, and is fixed via the mounting plate 3 for every appropriate number of the slot machines 2. The outer shape of the medal sand 1 is a thin vertical box to save installation space.

When 500 yen coins are inserted from the coin insertion slot 5 provided on the front of the medal sand 1, 10 medals are discharged to the medal exit 8 and 20 medals are inserted when the 1000 yen bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 6. Is discharged to the medal discharge port 8. When a bad coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 5, the coin is returned to the coin return slot 7, and the coin insertion slot 6
Is inserted into the bill insertion slot 6 again.

A power lamp 10 that emits blue light and a warning lamp 12 that emits red light are provided on the front upper portion of the medal sand 1. The power lamp 10 is turned on when the power is supplied to the medal sand 1 to indicate that the medal sand 1 is usable. Also, the warning lamp 12, as described in detail below,
When there is an abnormality in the operation of the medal sand 1, the abnormality is displayed by lighting or blinking via the control unit 13.

Inside the main body of the medal sand 1, a control unit 13 for controlling the lighting of the warning lamp 12, a coin sorter 14 for judging the suitability of the inserted coins and bills, and a bill validator 17,
A hopper 15 for sending medals is provided in the medal outlet 8.

In FIG. 1 schematically showing an electrical configuration of the medal sand 1, a control unit 13 includes a microprocessor unit (MPU) 20, a program ROM 21, a RAM 22, a data determination unit 23,
It comprises a pattern data ROM 24 and error determination units 25 and 26.

The program ROM 21 stores a main program for operating the medal sand 1. The other pattern data RO
M24 is used as storage means for storing a plurality of types of periodic patterns for determining the lighting pattern of the warning lamp 12 as pattern data. RAM22 temporarily stores various data when the medal sand 1 is activated,
Used as a work area. And MPU20 and ROM
The operation of the medal sand 1 is controlled by the RAM 22.

The data determination unit 23 determines whether there is any abnormality in the data in the program ROM 20 and the RAM 21 when the power is turned on, and functions as an abnormality identification unit similarly to the error determination units 25 and 26. The determination by the data determination unit 23 is performed, for example, by checking the sum of the hexadecimal data stored in each of them, that is, by determining whether the sum of the hexadecimal data is predetermined for each fixed address section. Then, when a data abnormality is detected, error code “05” is output to MPU 20 as an identification signal.

The error determination unit 25 monitors the operation states of the coin sorter 14 and the bill validator 17. When coins or bills remain in the coin sorter 14 or the bill validator 17 for a certain period of time or more, the error code “03” or “04” indicating that the coin is jammed or the bill is jammed is output to the MP.
Output to U20 as an identification signal. It should be noted that a similar error code is supplied from the error determination unit 25 to the MPU 20 even when the safe storing the inserted coins and bills becomes full.

As is well known, the hopper 15 pays out medals one by one by rotating a disk, and the disk is driven by a motor 27. The drive of the motor 27 is controlled via a motor drive circuit 28 according to a command from the MPU 20. When the motor 27 rotates forward, the hopper 15 performs a normal operation, and sends out medals one by one. The medals sent from the hopper 15 are discharged to the medal discharge port 8, and the medal count switch 29 is turned on during the feeding.

When the hopper 15 operates properly and sequentially sends medals, the medal count switch 29 outputs a detection pulse to the MPU 20 at regular intervals. When the count value reaches “10” when coins are inserted, and when the count value reaches “20” when bills are inserted, the motor 27 stops and the medal discharge ends. The on / off time of the medal count switch 29 is monitored by a timer 30. When the medal count switch 29 has been on for a certain period of time or
Is in the OFF state for a certain period of time despite being driven, the error determination unit 26 outputs an error code “01” or “02” to the MPU 20.

The lamp drive circuit 32 is a lighting control unit that, when an error code is input to the MPU 20 from one of the data determination unit 23 and the error determination unit 25 or 26, the warning lamp 12 is driven in a blinking pattern corresponding to the error code. It has become. For this reason, a predetermined address area is allocated to the pattern data ROM 24 for each error code, and the above-mentioned periodic pattern is stored in each address area. When an error code is input, the MPU 20 outputs the periodic pattern pattern data RO corresponding to the error code.
Acts as signal selection means to read from M24.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a restart switch, which is operated when the operation of the hopper 15 is interrupted due to a medal clogging or the like, and after the operation is canceled, the hopper 15 is restarted.

 The operation of the above configuration is as follows.

When power is supplied to the medal sand 1, the power lamp
10 is continuously lit, indicating that the medal sand 1 is ready for use. Immediately after the power is supplied to the medal sand 1, the data determination unit 23 determines whether the data stored in the program ROM 21 and the RAM 22 is genuine. Therefore, for example, when data in the program ROM 21 is altered by applying a high voltage from the outside due to fraud, data abnormality is detected when the power is turned on.

When the data error of the program ROM 21 or the RAM 22 is detected and the error code “05” is input to the MPU 20, the MPU 20 sends the warning lamp 12 via the lamp drive circuit 32 according to the data in the predetermined address area in the pattern data ROM 24. Are lit continuously as shown in FIG. 2 (E).
As a result, it is possible to identify a data abnormality between the program ROM 21 and the RAM 22 when the power is turned on. Of course, not only when the power is turned on, but also the data content of the program ROM 21 can be checked at appropriate intervals.

When a 500-yen coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 5 and the insertion of a legitimate coin is detected by the coin selector 14, the motor 27 is driven by the motor drive circuit 28 and the hopper 15 starts sending medals. When the medal count switch 29 detects that ten medals have been sent, the motor 27 stops and the hopper 15 turns off.

By the way, when a coin jam occurs in the coin sorter 14, an error code “03” is input from the error determination unit 25 to the MPU 20. The MPU20 generates the error code "0
In response to "3", the pattern data is read from the predetermined address area of the pattern data ROM 24, and the warning lamp 12 is turned on and off with the blinking pattern shown in FIG.
Light emission is performed in a light emission pattern with one cycle of “light off for 1.5 seconds → light on for 2 seconds”. In addition, when the safe storing the inserted coins becomes full, the warning lamp 12 emits light in the same blinking pattern and an abnormal display is performed.

In addition, when there is a banknote jam in the bill validator 17,
When the error determining unit 25 detects that the safe is full of banknotes, the error determining unit 25 generates an error code “04”. In this case, according to the pattern data of the predetermined address area of the pattern data ROM 24, the warning lamp 12 has a light emission pattern having one cycle of "light on for 0.5 seconds → light off for 1.5 seconds" as shown in FIG. 2 (D). It emits light.

The medal count switch 29 is provided in the vicinity of the medal sending port of the hopper 15. Therefore, if jamming, that is, jamming of medals occurs in the middle of the ejection path when medals are ejected, the medal count switch 29 is kept on. If the medal count switch 29 is kept on for a certain period of time or more, the timer 30 detects this, and as a result, the error determination unit 26 outputs an error code “02” to the MPU 20.

When this error code is input, the MPU 20 first outputs a reverse rotation signal to the motor drive circuit 28, and drives the hopper 15 in the reverse direction for a predetermined time via the motor 27. After this reverse rotation, the hopper 15 is driven again in the medal sending direction, but the slight medal jam is thereby eliminated, and the medal count switch 29 is turned off. Thereafter, the sending of the medals is resumed.

However, even if this process is performed, if the medal clogging is not cleared and the medal count switch 29 is kept on, the MPU 20 outputs a stop signal to the motor drive circuit 28 to interrupt the driving of the hopper 15. Then, the pattern data indicating the medal clogging is read from the pattern data ROM 24, and the warning lamp 12 is turned on and off as shown in FIG. 2 (B). Light is emitted in a light emission pattern. After finishing the work for clearing the medal clogging, when the restart switch 31 is turned on to reset the error state, the hopper 15 restarts.

On the other hand, when there are no more medals to be discharged to the hopper 15, even if the hopper 15 is operated by the motor 27, the medal count switch 29 remains off. When the timer 30 detects that the OFF time has exceeded a predetermined time, the error determination unit 26 sends the error code “0” to the MPU 20.
1 "is output. As a result, the motor 27 is also rotated forward after rotating the motor 27 for a certain period of time, but if the medal count switch 29 still does not resume the counting operation, the MP 27
After temporarily stopping the driving of the hopper 15, the U20, according to the pattern data of the predetermined address area of the pattern data ROM 24, performs "ON for 0.5 seconds → OFF for 0.5 seconds" for one cycle as shown in FIG. 2 (A). The warning lamp 12 is driven by the light emission pattern described above, and a warning display indicating the hopper empty is displayed. After refilling medals into the hopper 15, the restart switch 31 may be turned on to drive the hopper 15 again.

As described above, when an operation abnormality occurs in the hopper 15 such as hopper jamming or hopper empty, the player may hit the medal sand 1 or the like. It is preferable to provide a conspicuous display with a narrow blinking interval.

According to the above-described embodiment, even when the medal sand 1 is placed between the game machines of the slot machine 2 incorporating various light-emitting indicators, if the medal sand 1 has an operation abnormality, the abnormality is detected. Since the warning lamp 12 emits light in a unique light emission pattern corresponding to the type, the type of abnormality can be grasped from a remote position without being disturbed by the light emission of the slot machine 2.

In addition, the present invention can be applied not only to the above-mentioned medal sand 1 but also to a warning lamp for displaying an operation abnormality of a game machine sled such as a slot machine 2, for example. Not limited to this, a lamp built in the push button switch can be used for this warning lamp. Further, as described above, two or more warning lamps for displaying different information depending on the blinking period may be provided, and each may be used with a different color.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the warning display device of the gaming machine and the ancillary equipment for the gaming machine of the present invention, a continuous lighting pattern, a blinking pattern, and a lighting time are provided for three or more types of abnormalities. And a periodic pattern in which the combination of the light-off time and the number of times of blinking are made different, and a single light-emitting indicator is continuously lit, blinks, and blinks with a periodic pattern. Because it was configured to be driven by
It is possible to accurately identify the type of the abnormality as well as the type of the abnormality even from a distant position. Further, since the warning display device is inexpensive and can be miniaturized, the space for mounting the warning display device can be saved and the aesthetic appearance is preferable. The present invention can also be applied to devices installed in a narrow space between gaming machines, such as a medal sand, and in combination with ease of identification of display contents, many devices are installed in a game arcade. It is very useful when used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of a medal sand using the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a light emission pattern of a warning lamp. FIG. 3 is an external view of a medal sand using the present invention. 1 ... Medal sand, 2 ... Slot machine 10 ... Power lamp, 12 ... Warning lamp 13 ... Control unit, 15 ... Hopper 24 ... Pattern data ROM 32 ... Lamp drive circuit.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A light emitting display, abnormality identification means for identifying three or more types of abnormalities occurring in a device and outputting an identification signal indicating the type of abnormalities, and three or more types of abnormalities Display pattern data including at least a continuous lighting pattern, a blinking pattern that repeats blinking at a fixed time interval, and a periodic pattern in which a combination of the lighting time, the light-off time, and the number of times of blinking are different and periodically repeated. A storage unit that stores the signal in association with the signal; a signal selection unit that receives an identification signal from the abnormality identification unit and selects display pattern data corresponding to the identification signal from the storage unit; Lighting control means for controlling lighting of the light-emitting display according to display pattern data, wherein one light-emitting display is used as a gaming machine and ancillary equipment for the gaming machine. Gaming machine and warning display device for a game machine accessory equipment, characterized in that it has to be driven by the type of abnormality in corresponding different display patterns without.