JP3224150B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

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 an improvement in a mechanism for counting inserted medals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of slot machine, inserted medal detecting means for detecting each inserted medal inserted from a medal insertion slot one by one and outputting a inserted medal detection signal; A medal counting means for counting the number of inserted medals based on the inserted medal detection signal, a start switch for outputting a start signal for starting the rotation of the spinning reel, and a inserted medal counting based on a start signal from the start switch. There is known a device provided with a count value determining means for determining the count value of the means.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional slot machine, when the start switch is operated immediately after inserting the medals, the inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot are detected by the inserted medal detecting means. Therefore, there is a problem that the count value of the inserted medal counting means is determined before the inserted medal detection signal is output from the inserted medal detecting means.

For example, if a player inserts three medals from the medal insertion slot and immediately operates the start switch by the player, the third inserted medal reaches the inserted medal detecting means. However, when the inserted medals are detected by the inserted medals detecting means and "2" is counted by the inserted medals counting means, the count value is determined.

Therefore, even if the third medal is detected by the inserted medal detecting means, it is not counted by the inserted medal counting means. Further, the third inserted medal may not be returned to the player but may be swallowed into the slot machine. If the third inserted medal is swallowed into the slot machine in this manner, the player loses one medal, and therefore, a significant disadvantage is given to the player, causing trouble. .

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to reliably count all the inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot. It is like that.

[0007]

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 present invention provides a medal slot (60) and a medal inserted from the medal slot (60).
The medal passage (120) through which (M) flows, and this medal passage (12
0) is located between the medal return path (121), a branch point of the medal return path (121) and the medal path (120), and the medal slot (60), and the medal path (121). 120) is located between the medal return path (121) and the medal slot (60). A passing medal detecting means (126) for detecting an inserted medal flowing down the medal passage (120) and outputting a passing medal detection signal;
A return medal detection unit (127) that detects a inserted medal (M) flowing down the (121) and outputs a return medal detection signal, and passes based on a passing medal detection signal from the passing medal detection unit (126). In addition to counting the number of medals, passing medal counting means (131) for outputting a passing medal counting signal, and counting the number of returned medals based on the returned medal detection signal from the returned medal detecting means (127), Return medal counting means (132) for outputting a counting signal,
Based on the passing medal counting signal from the passing medal counting means (131) and the returning medal counting signal from the returning medal counting means (132), the number of returned medals is subtracted from the number of passing medals, and the number of inserted medals is counted. Inserted medal counting means
(133) and start from the start switch (80)
Insert a medal when starting a game with a traffic light
The medals inserted from are returned by the returned medal detection means (127).
The start time is longer than the time until
Start delaying the start signal from the switch (80)
A delay means (136) is provided, and a start delay means (136) is provided.
After the delay, the thrown medal counting means (133)
It is characterized in that it is formed to acquire the number of incoming medals .

[0008]

According to the present invention, therefore, according to the present invention, the inserted medal counting means (133) uses the passing medal counting signal from the passing medal counting means (131) and the returned medal counting signal from the returned medal counting means (132). Based on this, the number of returned medals is subtracted from the number of passed medals, and the difference is counted.
According to (122), it is determined that the medal (M) conforms to the standard, and the number of inserted medals flowing down the medal path (120) as it is can be accurately and reliably counted.

[0009]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a slot machine, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the slot machine, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the medal passage of a medal. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine.

[0010] First, referring to FIG.
The outline of the ten front panels will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 has a rectangular window 20 at almost the center of the height thereof, and three rotating reels 30 to 32 are arranged in the window 20, respectively. I have. The three rotating reels 30 to 32 are individually driven to rotate by a driving force of a reel driving device 33 provided inside the slot machine 10 and including, for example, three stepping motors (not shown).

On the glass surface of the window 20, as shown in FIG. 2, a total of five lines 21 to 25 for displaying winning lines of the three rotating reels 30 to 32 are displayed. The lines 21 to 25 are a substantially horizontal center line 21 and upper and lower prize lines that are vertically separated from and parallel to the center line 21.
22, 23, and two diagonal lines of the upper and lower prize lines 22, 23, and are composed of a diagonally right-up diagonal line 24 and a diagonally right-down diagonal line 25, which intersect at a point X in the center.

At the right end of each of the five lines 21 to 25, five effective line display lamps 40 to 44 arranged vertically are arranged as shown in FIG. On the left side of the rotating reels 30 to 32, as shown in FIG. 2, three display units 50 to 52 arranged vertically are arranged. Each display unit 50 ~
52, for example, can display two digits of seven segments.

As shown in FIG. 2, among the three display units 50 to 52, for example, the number of effective games during a large bonus and the number of JACs during a bonus
The number of valid times is displayed as a two-digit number. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the number of stored medals is displayed as a two-digit number, for example, in the stored medal number display section 51 in the middle stage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the number of payout medals is displayed as a two-digit number on the payout medal number display section 52 at the lower stage. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion slot 60 for a player to insert medals is arranged on the lower right side of the rotating reels 30 to 32 obliquely in FIG. In addition, below the three rotating reels 30 to 32,
As shown in FIG. 2, three stop switches 70... For individually stopping the respective rotating reels 30 to 32 are arranged in correspondence with the respective rotating reels 30 to 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the left side of the three stop switches 70, a lever-shaped start switch 80 for outputting a start signal for starting the rotation of the rotating reels 30 to 32 is provided. Have been. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion switch 90 for inserting a stored medal is provided above the start switch 80. The medal switch 90 includes three switch 91 to 93 arranged side by side. Of the three on-off switches 91 to 93, the one-off switch 91 on the left end as viewed from the left
Is operated, 1 is used to insert one stored medal.
A sheet insertion signal is output. Further, when the central two-sheet insertion switch 92 is operated, a two-sheet insertion signal for inserting two stored medals is output. Further, when the three-insertion switch 93 at the right end is operated, a maximum number of stored medals, that is, a three-insertion signal for inserting three medals is output. Note that the medal switch 90 is set to 3
Although the switch is composed of the closing switches 91 to 93, the number of closing switches may be one, or may be shared with other switches.

A clearing switch 100 is provided below the medal switch 90, as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal outlet 110 is arranged below the front surface of the slot machine 10. Next, the outline of the medal path of the inserted medals provided inside the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the medal passage 120 has a medal slot at the front of the slot machine 10.
60 (FIG. 2), the inside thereof is inclined downward, and the lower end thereof communicates with a hopper (not shown).
Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the medal passage 120 branches off from the medal passage 120, and the medal passage 120 and the slot machine 10
A medal return path 121 is provided to connect the medal discharge port 110 (FIG. 2) on the front of the medals. The medals flowing down the medal return path 121 are returned from the medal outlet 110.

Further, in the medal passage 120, as shown in FIG. 3, a standard such as the size and thickness of the inserted medal M is provided between the medal insertion slot 60 and the branch point of the medal return path 121. A medal sorting machine 122 for sorting is arranged.
Then, the unspecified medals M are stopped at the medal selector 122 or returned from the medal selector 122 to the player through the medal return path 121.

At the branch point between the medal passage 120 and the medal return passage 121, as shown in FIG. 3, a flow path switching device 123 for switching the flowing direction of the inserted medals M flowing down the medal passage 120 is arranged. I have. FIG.
As shown in the figure, an on-off valve 124 for opening and closing the medal return path 121
The on-off valve 124 is normally kept closed with the medal return path 121 closed, and when energized, the on-off valve 12
4 is rotated downward to open a medal return path 121.

When the start switch 80 is operated, or when the total number of medals M inserted from the medal slot 60 is a specified number, for example, the maximum number of game medals (for example, three) is set to the maximum number of stored medals. (For example, 50
When the number of added medals M exceeds the number of added medals (for example, 53 medals), the inserted medals M are thereafter transferred to the medal return path 121.
Through to be returned to the player.

The structure of the flow switching device 123 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. Meanwhile, medal passage
As shown in FIG. 3, a passing medal detecting means 126 is disposed between the medal insertion slot 60 and the medal selector 122 in the 120, relatively close to the medal insertion slot 60. The passing medal detecting means 126 is composed of, for example, a photo sensor and the like.
Detection is performed for each sheet, and a passing medal detection signal is output. That is, since the passing medal detecting means 126 is disposed on the upstream side of the medal selecting machine 122,
Regarding the medals M detected in 6, all inserted medals M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 are detected, regardless of whether or not they conform to the standard.

The passing medal detecting means 126 is not limited to a non-contact type sensor such as a photo sensor, but may be a contact type micro switch or the like. In the middle of the length of the medal return path 121, as shown in FIG. 3, a return medal detecting means 127 is arranged. Returned medal detection means 127 is similar to passing medal detection means 126 described above,
For example, a medal return path 12
The inserted medal M flowing down 1, ie, the medal sorter 122,
Alternatively, the medals M returned to the player through the channel switching device 123 are detected one by one, and a returned medal detection signal is output.

The returned medal detecting means 127 is not limited to a non-contact type sensor such as a photo sensor, but may be a contact type micro switch or the like. Next, FIG.
The control circuit of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit of the slot machine 10 is mainly configured by a central controller 130 composed of a CPU.

On the input side of the central control unit 130, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the start switch 80 (FIG. 2)
The second return medal detecting means 126, 127 (FIG. 3) and the medal insertion switch 90 (FIG. 2) are respectively connected. As shown in FIG. 1, a flow switching device 123 (FIG. 3) and three rotating drums 30 are provided on the output side of the central control device 130.
To 32 are respectively connected to a reel driving device 33 composed of three stepping motors and the like for individually rotating and driving the reel driving devices 33 to 32.

As shown in FIG. 1, the central controller 130 counts the number of passing medals based on a passing medal detection signal from the passing medal detecting means 126 and outputs a passing medal counting signal. 131, a returned medal counting unit 132 that counts the number of returned medals based on the returned medal detection signal from the returned medal detecting unit 127, and outputs a returned medal counting signal, and a passing medal from the passing medal counting unit 131. Based on the counting signal and the returned medal counting signal from the returned medal counting means 132, the inserted medal counting means 133 for subtracting the returned medal number from the passing medal number and counting the inserted medal number.
When the count value of the inserted medal counting means 133 exceeds the maximum number of game medals, for example, “3”, a stored medal that counts the number of inserted medals based on the returned medal detection signal from the returned medal detecting means 127. Based on the insertion signal from the medal insertion switch 90 and the counting means 134, the stored medal counting means 134 is caused to subtract the counted value, and the subtracted count value is added to the counted value of the inserted medal counting means 133. The stored medal subtraction means 135, a start delay means 136 for outputting a start delay signal with a delay of a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) after input of a start signal from the start switch 80, and a start delay signal from the start delay means 136 Based on the count value determining means 137 for determining the count value of the inserted medal counting means 133 and the start delay signal from the start delay means 136, On the basis of the reel drive control means 138 for operating the reel drive device 33 and the start delay signal from the start delay means 136, the solenoid 125 of the flow path switching device 123 is excited to open the medal return path 121. A switching control unit 139 and a game control unit 140 that performs overall game control such as determination of a game result and payout of medals are provided.

Next, the operation of the slot machine 10 having the above configuration will be described. When three medals M are inserted from the medal slot 60 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10, each medal M is taken into the slot machine 10 through the medal slot 60, as shown in FIG. To
It flows down the medal passage 120. As shown in FIG. 3, first, three inserted medals M flowing down the medal passage 120 are detected one by one by the passing medal detecting means 126, and a passing medal detection signal is output from the passing medal detecting means 126. Is output.

As shown in FIG. 1, the passing medal detection signal outputted from the passing medal detecting means 126 is outputted to the inserted medal counting means 133, and the passing medal counting means 131 receives the passing medal detecting signal every time. , Is incremented by one. That is, since the initial value of the passing medal counting means 131 is “0”, the number of passing medals becomes “3”. The passing medal counting means 131 outputs a passing medal counting signal meaning the passing medal number “3”.

As shown in FIG. 3, the three inserted medals M that have passed through the passing medal detecting means 126 are then subjected to sorting of the inserted medals M, for example, in size and thickness, at a location of a medal selector 122. At this time, if the inserted medal M conforms to the standard, as shown in FIG. 3, after passing through the medal selector 122, it flows down the medal passage 120 as it is.

For this reason, the medals do not flow down to the medal return path 121, so that no returned medal detection signal is output from the returned medal detecting means 127. Therefore, the count value of the returned medal counting means 132 does not change. That is, since the initial value of the returned medal counting means 132 is “0”, the returned medal number is “0”. Returned medal counting means 132 outputs a returned medal counting signal indicating the number of returned medals “0”.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the inserted medal counting means 133 is based on the passing medal counting signal output from the passing medal counting means 131 and the returned medal counting signal output from the returned medal counting means 132. Then, the number of returned medals is subtracted from the number of passed medals, and the number of inserted medals is counted. Here, since the number of passed medals is “3” and the number of inserted medals is “0”, the number of inserted medals is “3-0”.
It becomes “3”.

Thereafter, when another medal M is inserted from the medal insertion slot 60, the number of passing medals of the passing medal counting means 131 becomes "4". If the inserted medal M conforms to the standard, the number of returned medals of the returned medal counting means 132 remains “0” and does not change. At this time, the inserted medal number of the inserted medal counting means 133 is “4-0”,
The number of inserted medals should be “4”.

However, since the number of inserted medals of the inserted medal counting means 133 is "3" which is the maximum number of inserted medals, the number of inserted medals does not change from "3". On the other hand, the excess of the maximum inserted number of the inserted medal counting unit 133, that is, “1” is added to the count value of the stored medal counting unit 134. That is, since the initial value of the inserted medal counting means 133 is “0”, the number of stored medals is “1”.

Thereafter, when the start switch 80 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 is operated, a start signal is output from the start switch 80. Start switch
The start signal from 80 is output to the start delay means 136 as shown in FIG.
After the input of the start signal, a start delay signal is output with a delay of a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms).

The start delay signal output from the start delay means 136 is, as shown in FIG.
7, and the count value determination means 137 outputs a count value determination signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the count value determination signal from the count value determination means 137 is output to the inserted medal counting means 133. The inserted medal counting means 133 further outputs a signal indicating the number of inserted medals “3”. Game control means 140
Is output to

When the game control means 140 inputs the above signal, the game proceeds under the condition of three medals inserted. That is, all the five active line display lamps 40 to 44 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 are turned on, and the five lines 21
All of ~ 25 are valid. At the same time, start delay means 13
The start delay signal output from 6 is sent to the reel drive control means 138 via the start delay means 136 and the count value determination means 137 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the start delay signal is input, the reel drive control means 138 controls the reel drive device.
33 is operated, and the rotation of the three rotating reels 30 to 32 is started. Further, the start delay signal output from the start delay unit 136 is output to the flow path switching control unit 139 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the start delay signal is input, the flow path switching control means 139
The solenoid 125 (FIG. 3) is excited, and the medal return path 121
Release. When the medal return path 121 is opened, thereafter, the inserted medals M inserted into the medal insertion slot 60 are returned to the player from the medal path 120 through the medal return path 121.

On the other hand, when three medals M are inserted and one of the medals M does not conform to the standard,
In particular, when the one medal M is smaller than the specified diameter, the medal M falls from the medal selector 122 to the medal return path 121 and is returned to the player. At that time, the medals M flowing down the medal return path 121 are detected by the returned medal detecting means 127,
Each time the return medal counting means 132 receives the return medal detection signal, the count value is incremented by "1". That is, since the initial value of the returned medal counting means 132 is “0”, the number of returned medals is “1”. Returned medal counting means 132 outputs a passed medal count signal indicating the number of passed medals “1”.

The passing medal counting means 131 outputs a passing medal counting signal meaning the passing medal number "3". Therefore, the inserted medal counting means 133
Is "3-1" and becomes "2". Therefore, if the start switch 80 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 is operated at this time, the game proceeds under the condition of two medals inserted.

On the other hand, when three medals M have been inserted and the third medal M does not conform to the standard, and immediately after the third medal M is inserted, The case where the switch 80 is operated will be described. At this time, it takes, for example, 200 to 400 ms for the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 to flow down the medal passage 120 and pass through the medal selector 122 before being detected by the returned medal detection means 127.

Therefore, in general, the third medal M
When the start switch 80 is operated, for example, within 200 to 400 ms after the is inserted, the returned medal M is not detected by the returned medal detecting means 127 at that time. Therefore, when the start switch 80 is operated, the number of medals passed by the passing medal counting means 131 is “3” and the number of medals returned by the returning medal counting means 132 is “0”. The number of inserted medals is “3-0”, which is “3”.

However, the start signal from the start switch 80 is output to the start delay means 136 as shown in FIG. 1, and the start delay signal is output from the start delay means 136 with a predetermined delay after the input of the start signal. Is done. The predetermined time is set to, for example, 500 ms, and the set time corresponds to the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60.
Is set to be longer than, for example, 200 to 400 ms after flowing down the medal passage 120 and passing through the medal sorting machine 122 until it is detected by the returned medal detecting means 127.
Therefore, a sufficient time is secured until the returned medal detecting means 127 detects the third inserted medal M.

That is, in 200 to 400 ms, the medal M inserted in the third piece is detected by the returned medal detecting means 127, and a returned medal detection signal is output. As shown in FIG. 1, the return medal detection signal is transmitted to the return medal counting unit 13.
2 and the number of returned medals becomes “1”. Therefore, the number of inserted medals of the inserted medal counting means 133 is "3
-1 "and" 2 ".

Thereafter, a start delay signal is output from the start delay means 136 with a delay of 500 ms. The output start delay signal is sent to the count value determination means 137, as shown in FIG. 1, and when the count value determination means 137 inputs the start delay signal, the count value determination signal is output.

The output count value determination signal is sent to the inserted medal counting means 133 as shown in FIG. 1, and the inserted medal number is determined to be "2". For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the signal indicating the number of inserted medals “2” is output from the inserted medal counting means 133 to the game control means 140,
The game proceeds under the condition of two medals inserted.

On the other hand, the start delay signal output from the start delay means 136 is sent to the reel drive control means 138 as shown in FIG. The reel drive control means 138
As shown in FIG. 1, when the start delay signal is input, the reel driving device 33 is operated, and the rotation of the three rotating reels 30 to 32 is started.

Further, the start delay signal is output to the flow path switching control means 139 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, when the start delay signal is input, the flow path switching control unit 139 excites the solenoid 125 (FIG. 3) of the flow path switching device 123 to switch the flow path. Channel switching device 123
After the start signal is generated from the start switch 80,
Since the switching is performed with a delay of 00 ms, even if the medal M inserted into the third piece conforms to the standard, the flowing time for the medal M to flow down the medal passage 120 as it is after passing through the medal selector 122 is set. We can secure enough.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the start delay means 136 is configured to output the start delay signal with a delay of a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) after input of the start signal from the start switch 80. The start signal from the start switch 80 is supplied to the inserted medal counting means 133.
Directly. In this case, when the start switch 80 is operated, the flow path switching device 123 is activated via the flow path switching control means 139 immediately. For this reason, the medals inserted immediately before the operation of the start switch 80 flow down the medal return path 121, and are detected by the return medal detection means 127 in the middle of the flow.

Further, the start delay means 136 performs a predetermined time after the input of the start signal on the condition that the passing medal detection signal from the passing medal detecting means 126 is generated before the start signal from the start switch 80 is generated. (For example, 500 ms), a start delay signal may be output with a delay, or a passing medal detection signal from the passing medal detecting means 126 may be generated before a start signal from the start switch 80 is generated. If a start signal is input within a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) after the input of the passing medal detection signal, the start signal may be invalidated.

[0050]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the present invention, the number of inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot and determined by the medal selector to conform to the standard can be accurately and reliably counted as the number of inserted medals flowing down the medal path as it is, so that the player can It is possible to provide a highly reliable slot machine that allows players to enjoy games with peace of mind.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the slot machine.

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

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a medal path of a inserted medal.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Slot machine 20 Window 21 Center line 22 Upper prize line 23 Lower prize line 24 Upward diagonal line 25 Downward diagonal line 30-32 Spinning reel 33 Reel drive 40-44 Active line display lamp 50 Bonus related count display 51 Number of stored medals display section 52 Number of payout medals display section 60 Medal slot 70 Stop switch 80 Start switch 90 Medal slot switch 91 1 slot switch 92 2 slot switch 93 3 slot switch 100 Clearing switch 110 Medal slot 120 Medal passage 121 medal return passage 122 medal sorting machine 123 channel switching device 124 off valve 125 solenoid 126 passes medal detection unit 127 returns medal detection unit 130 the central controller 131 copies
Excessive medal counting means 132 Returned medal counting means 133 Inserted medal counting means 134 Reserved medal counting means 135 Reserved medal subtraction means 136 Start delay means 137 Count value determination means 138 Reel drive control means 139 Channel switching control means 140 Game control means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medal slot, a medal path through which a medal inserted from the medal slot flows, a medal return path branched from the middle of the medal path, and a junction between the medal return path and the medal path. And a medal selector for determining whether or not the inserted medal flowing down the medal passage conforms to the standard, and a medal selector positioned between the medal selector and the medal slot. ,
Passing medal detecting means for detecting inserted medals flowing down the medal passage and outputting a passing medal detection signal, and returning medal detecting means for detecting inserted medals flowing down the medal returning path and outputting a returned medal detection signal And a passing medal counting means for counting the number of passing medals based on a passing medal detection signal from the passing medal detecting means, and outputting a passing medal counting signal; and Return medal counting means for counting the number of returned medals and outputting a returned medal counting signal; passing medal counting signal from the passing medal counting means; and returning medal counting signal from the returned medal counting means, A medal counting means for subtracting the number of medals returned from the number of medals and counting the number of inserted medals is provided. , A game by the start signal from the start switch
When starting, medals inserted from the insertion of medals
From the time until is detected by the return medal detection means
Even a long time, the start signal from the start switch
Start delay means to delay the start
After being delayed by the step, the inserted medal counting means
A slot machine formed so as to obtain the number of inserted medals from the slot machine.