JP2640201B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the dependable slot machine which processes an inserted medal without fail. CONSTITUTION:A start signal delay means 44 set at the time of inputting the start signal of a start detection means 41 and outputting a delay start signal to a game control means 45 with the prescribed time delayed after the set time is provided between the start detection means 41 and the game control means 45.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly to a slot machine for delaying a start signal from a start switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a slot machine of this kind, a medal detecting means for detecting each inserted medal inserted from a medal slot and outputting a medal detection signal, and a start switch are operated. Detecting a start signal, outputting a start signal, counting means for counting a medal detection signal from the medal detection means, and inputting a start signal from the start detection means. And a game control means for determining the count value of the counting means and proceeding the game under the determined conditions.

The above-mentioned medal detection means has been arranged in the middle of a down flow of medals inserted from a medal insertion slot. More specifically, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot flow down the medal channel, and are selected by the medal selector during the flow. That is, the medal selector detects the diameter, thickness, and the like of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot, and medals out of the specified range are ejected from the branch road as defective medals.

A legitimate medal that has passed through the medal selector further flows down the medal channel and is detected by medal detection means located below the medal selector. The medal detection means detects the number of medals flowing down the medal channel and the like. Then, the medal detection signal of the medal detection means is
It is input to the counting means and counted.

On the other hand, when a start signal from the start detecting means is input to the game control means, the count value of the counting means is determined, and the game proceeds under the determined conditions. That is, when one medal is inserted, one center line becomes valid.

On the other hand, when two medals are inserted, three lines including the upper line and the lower line in addition to the center line become effective. Further, when three medals are inserted, five lines including a right-up diagonal line and a right-down diagonal line are effective in addition to the center line, the upper line, and the lower line.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional slot machine, there is a problem that the determination of the count value of the counting means may be inaccurate.
That is, since the distance from the medal insertion slot to the medal detection means is relatively large, if the start switch is operated immediately after the medal is inserted into the medal insertion port, the inserted medal is detected before the medal detection means. In some cases, the start signal from the start detecting means may enter the game control means.

For example, if a player inserts three medals from the medal slot and immediately after the player operates the start switch, the medals up to the second one are detected by the medal detecting means. The medal detection signal is input to the counting means from the detecting means, and when the counting means counts "2", the start signal from the start detecting means enters the game control means. Therefore, when the counting means counts “2”, the count value is determined.

When the count value of the counting means is fixed at "2", the player throws three medals.
Despite the incident, the game would proceed under the conditions of a two-on state medals. In this way, the player gets three medals.
If the game progresses under the condition of two medals inserted even though the number of medals has been inserted, the disadvantage is given to the player, which causes trouble.

The invention according to claim 1 has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the invention is to provide a method for reliably detecting inserted medals. The goal is to offer high slot machines. In addition to the above, according to the invention of claim 2, the capacity of the game software can be reduced by performing the processing in a circuit as compared with the case of performing the processing in a software manner.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned object, and its contents will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention according to claim 1 is set between the start detection means (41) and the game control means (45) when a start signal of the start detection means (41) is input, and is delayed by a predetermined time from the set time, The game control means (45) is provided with a start signal delay means (44) for outputting a delay start signal.

The second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
In addition to the features described, the start signal delay means (44) includes a charge / discharge circuit (60) for starting charging or discharging in response to a start signal from the start detection means (41), and a charge / discharge circuit (6).
0), and a voltage detection circuit (70) that outputs a delay start signal when the detected voltage reaches a predetermined threshold (Vi). .

[0013]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the start signal delay means (44) is set when a start signal is input from the start detection means (41). A delay start signal is output from the signal delay means (44) to the game control means (45).

After the start signal is output from the start detecting means (41), a delay start signal is input to the game control means (45) with a delay after a lapse of a predetermined time. For this reason, in the game control means (45), the medal detection means (34)
It is possible to wait for the determination of the count value of the counting means (43) until the inserted medal is detected in and until the inserted medal is counted by the counting means (43).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the charge / discharge circuit
(60) starts charging or discharging in response to the start signal from the start detecting means (41). The voltage detection circuit (70) detects a voltage level of the charge / discharge circuit (60), and when the detected voltage reaches a predetermined threshold (Vi), the voltage detection circuit (70) A delay start signal is output at (45).

For this reason, the start signal is input to the game control means (45) with a delay for the charge or discharge time of the charge / discharge circuit (60).

[0017]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a slot machine, and FIG. 4 is FIG.
And FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of the start signal delay circuit diagram.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine. First, the outline of the front panel of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 has a rectangular window 11 at substantially the center of the height thereof, and three rotating reels 12 to 14 are arranged in the window 11, respectively. I have.

On the glass surface of the window 11, a total of five lines 15 to 19 for displaying winning lines of the three rotating reels 12 to 14 are displayed as shown in FIG. The lines 15 to 19 are a substantially horizontal center line 15 and upper and lower prize lines 1 which are vertically separated from and parallel to the center line 15.
6, 17 and the upper and lower prize lines 16 and 17 are arranged diagonally, and are composed of a diagonally right-up diagonal line 18 and a diagonally right-down diagonal line 19 intersected at the center in a crosswise manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion slot 20 for a player to insert a medal is arranged on the lower right side of the rotating reels 12 to 14 as viewed in FIG.
In addition, one credit medal is placed on the left of the medal slot 20.
A credit medal insertion button 21 for coin insertion is arranged. Further, on the right side of the medal insertion slot 20, a 7-segment, two-digit credit number display section 22 for displaying the number of credits of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 20 is arranged.

On the other hand, a credit switching button 23 for clearing credit medals is arranged at the left corner of FIG. 2 opposite to the credit medal insertion button 21. Above the credit switch button 23, a payout medal display section 24 for displaying a 7-segment, 2-digit display, which displays the number of payout medals to be paid out, is arranged.

Below the three rotating reels 12 to 14,
As shown in FIG. 2, three stop switches 25 for individually stopping the rotating reels 12 to 14 are provided corresponding to the rotating reels 12 to 14, respectively. A lever-shaped start switch 26 for starting rotation of the rotating reels 12 to 14 is provided on the left side of the stop switch 20 in FIG.

On the other hand, below the front of the slot machine 10,
As shown in FIG. 2, a medal discharge port 27 is provided.
Next, an outline of the medal detection mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the medal detection mechanism 30 includes a medal slot 20 on the front of the slot machine 10 described above.
A medal passage 31 provided inside the slot machine 10 in which the medal M inserted from FIG. 2 flows down, and a medal M which is located in the middle of the length of the medal passage 31 and has, for example, the size and the like of the inserted medal M. Medal sorter 32 that sorts standards such as thickness
Through the medal sorting machine 32, the fork returns to the left side in the same figure as shown in the same figure, a medal return passage 33 for returning a non-standard medal M, and a regular within the standard flowing down through the medal sorting machine 32. The medal M is detected one by one and outputs a medal detection signal. The medal M is detected by the medal detecting means 34. The medal M detected by the medal detecting means 34 flows down further. Not collected by hopper etc.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit of the slot machine 10 is configured around a central control device 40 composed of a CPU. Central control unit
On the input side of 40, as shown in FIG. 1, it is detected that the medal detecting means 34 (FIG. 3) and the start switch 26 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 are operated, A start detecting means 41 which outputs a start signal and is constituted by, for example, a photo sensor or the like is connected to each other.

On the output side of the central control unit 40, as shown in FIG. 1, a reel driving means comprising three stepping motors and the like for individually driving the three rotating drums 11 to 13 to rotate. 42 is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the central control device 40 is set at the time of inputting a start signal from the start detecting means 41 and a counting means 43 for counting a medal detection signal from the medal detecting means 34. A start signal delay means 44 for outputting a delay start signal with a time delay, a delay start signal from the start signal delay means 44 is input, and when the delay start signal is input, the count value of the count means 43 is determined, The game control section 45 outputs a drive start signal to the reel drive section 42 while causing the game to proceed under the determined conditions.

The delay time of the start signal delay means 44 is such that the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 20 (FIG. 2) flows down the medal passage 31 (FIG. 3), passes through the medal selector 32, and It is necessary that the time is long enough to be detected by the detecting means 34, and if the time is too long, the player feels a delay. Therefore, for example, about 500 to 700 ms is preferable.

Next, a specific circuit configuration of the start signal delay means 44 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the start delay circuit 50 is provided with a start detection means 41, and in this embodiment, a charge / discharge circuit 60 which starts charging or discharging in response to a start signal from a start switch 26.
And a voltage detection circuit 70 that detects the voltage level of the charge / discharge circuit 60 and outputs a delay start signal when the detected voltage reaches a predetermined threshold.

As the charge / discharge circuit 60, an RC series circuit is used as shown in FIG. As the voltage detecting circuit 70, as shown in FIG. 4, two series inverters 71 and 72 are used. Note that a Schmitt trigger circuit may be used instead of the inverters 71 and 72.

First, on the input side of the charge / discharge circuit 60, as shown in FIG.
26 is connected. As the start switch 26, for example, a normally closed switch is used. Photo coupler 61
Is used to insulate the left and right circuits and to protect the circuits. Also, the output terminal of the voltage detection circuit 70
73 is connected to the game control means 45 (FIG. 3).

More specifically, one end of the start switch 26 is connected to a photocoupler as shown in FIG.
The light emitting diode 61 is connected to the cathode of the light emitting diode, and the anode of the light emitting diode is connected to the DC power supply via the protection resistor 62. The other end of the start switch 26 is grounded. An RC series circuit is connected to the phototransistor of the photocoupler 61 , as shown in FIG.

[0031] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, follower
A limiting resistor 63 is connected in series to the collector of the phototransistor of the photocoupler 61.
Capacitor between the phototransistor emitter
64 are connected. In addition, ground is taken between the emitter of the phototransistor of the photocoupler 61 and the capacitor 64.

On the other hand, between the collector of the phototransistor of the photocoupler 61 and the limiting resistor 63, a DC power supply is connected in parallel via an adjusting resistor 65 as shown in FIG. The adjusting resistor 65 is inserted for the purpose of prolonging the charging time of the capacitor 64. And the limiting resistor 63
As shown in FIG. 4, at the midpoint between the two-stage inverters 71, 7 and the capacitor 64, as shown in FIG.
2 is connected.

Next, the start signal delay circuit 50 described above
Will be described with reference to the waveform diagram shown in FIG. When the start switch 26 is operated, the start switch 26 is turned off, and as shown in FIG. 5, the voltage level of the signal A changes from the H level to the L level, and the L level start signal is output.

When the signal A goes low, a photocoupler
61 is turned on, and charging of the capacitor 64 is started.
When the charging of the capacitor 64 is started, the voltage level of the B signal at the middle point between the limiting resistor 63 and the capacitor 64 gradually increases. Then, the voltage level of the B signal becomes a predetermined threshold value.
Upon reaching vi, the voltage level of the output side of the C signal of the inverter 71 and 72, changes from L level to H level, the output terminal 73
Outputs an H level delayed start signal.

Therefore, the C signal rises to the H level after a predetermined delay time t1 has elapsed after the A signal has fallen to the L level, and the output of the delay start signal is delayed accordingly. Thereafter, when the operation of the start switch 26 is stopped, the start switch 26 returns to the on state, and FIG.
As shown in (1), the voltage level of the signal A changes from the L level to the H level, and the output of the start signal is stopped.

When the A signal goes high, a photocoupler
61 is turned off, and discharging of the capacitor 64 is started.
When the voltage level of the signal B reaches a predetermined threshold value Vi, the voltage level of the signal C on the output side of the inverters 71 and 72 changes from the H level to the L level, and the output of the delay start signal from the output terminal 73 is output. Is stopped.

Therefore, after the A signal rises to the H level and the C signal falls to the L level after a predetermined recovery time t2 has elapsed, the output stop of the delay start signal is delayed correspondingly. However, since the discharge curve is steeper than the charge curve, the return time t2 can be shorter than the delay time t1, and the responsiveness can be improved. In the above-described embodiment, a normally closed switch is used as the start switch 26, but a normally open switch may be used as the start switch 26. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram when a normally open switch is used, and FIG.
This is shown as an example. In this embodiment, the start delay circuit 50 used in the first embodiment can be used as it is. However, for the sake of distinction, reference numerals are shown with dashes. Further, the C ′ signal of the last stage is output to the game control means 45 of the next stage after being inverted via the inverter.

According to the present embodiment, a delayed start signal can be generated by utilizing the discharge characteristics of the capacitor 64. Note that the delay time t3 and the recovery time t4 are limited resistance
It can be freely set and changed by setting the resistance value of 63, the capacitance of the capacitor 64, the voltage level of the threshold value Vi, and the like. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing the operation state of the central control unit 40.

In this embodiment, an internal timer of the CPU is used as the start signal delay means 44. First, in step 80, the counting means 43 of the central control device 40, as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not a medal detection signal has been detected.

When a medal detection signal is detected, as shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds from step 80 to step 81, where "1" is added to the count value of the counting means 43. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds from step 81 to step 82, where the game control means 45 of the central control unit 40 determines whether or not a start signal is detected from the start detection means 41.

When the start signal is detected,
As shown in FIG. 7, the process proceeds from step 82 to step 83,
It is determined whether the timer constituting the start signal delay means 44 has been set. In the first time, since the timer is not set, the process proceeds from step 83 to step 84 as shown in FIG. 7, and after the delay time is set in the timer, the process proceeds to step 85.

In step 85, as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out. Then, when the timer times out, as shown in FIG.
The rotation of 14 is started. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a drive start signal is output from the game control means 45 of the central control unit 40 to the reel driving means 42, and the reel driving means 42
Thus, the rotation of the rotating reels 12 to 14 is started.

On the other hand, if no medal detection signal is detected in step 80, the process proceeds directly from step 80 to step 82 as shown in FIG. If no start signal is detected in step 82, the process returns from step 82 to step 80 as shown in FIG.

[0044]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. Claim 1
According to the invention described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable slot machine that can reliably detect inserted medals by delaying a start signal from a start switch.

In addition, according to the second aspect of the present invention, by performing the delay processing in a circuit manner, the capacity of the game software can be reduced as compared with the case of performing the processing in a software manner. It is like that.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a medal detection mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a start signal delay circuit constituting the start signal delay means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of the start signal delay circuit diagram of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a waveform diagram when a normally open switch is used.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing an operation state of the central control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Slot machine 11 Window 12-14 Spinning reel 15-19 Line 20 Medal slot 21 Credit medal insertion button 22 Credit number display section 23 Credit switch button 24 Payout medal display section 25 Stop switch 26 Start switch 27 Medal discharge port 30 Medal Detecting mechanism 31 Medal path 32 Medal sorting machine 33 Medal return path 34 Medal detecting means 40 Central controller 41 Start detecting means 42 Reel driving means 43 Counting means 44 Start signal delay means 45 Game control means 50 Start delay circuit 60 Charge / discharge circuit 61 Photocoupler 62 Protective resistor 63 Limiting resistor 64 Capacitor 65 Adjusting resistor 70 Voltage detection circuit 71,72 Inverter 73 Output terminal 80-86 Step M Medal Vi threshold

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medal detecting means for detecting each inserted medal inserted from a medal insertion slot and outputting a medal detection signal, and detecting that a start switch has been operated and outputting a start signal. Start detection means, counting means for counting a medal detection signal from the medal detection means, and a start signal from the start detection means are input, and when the start signal is input, the count value of the count means is determined, In a slot machine provided with a game control means for causing a game to proceed under the determined conditions, between the start detection means and the game control means is set when a start signal of the start detection means is input,
A slot machine provided with start signal delay means for outputting a delay start signal to the game control means with a delay of a predetermined time from the setting time. 2. A start signal delay means for detecting a charge / discharge circuit which starts charging or discharging in response to a start signal from a start detecting means, and a voltage level of the charge / discharge circuit, and the detected voltage is set to a predetermined value. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage detection circuit that outputs a delay start signal when the threshold value is reached.