JP4149371B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that is installed and used in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor.

  Slot machines that are installed and used in amusement halls such as pachinko parlors are called pachislot machines. In such a pachislot machine, a game can be started by inserting a predetermined number of medals when the game is played. The pachislot machine is provided with a symbol display device that sequentially displays the arranged symbols. The symbol display device is a reel drive type that actually drives the reel to display the symbols, a liquid crystal panel or a CRT display. There are electronic ones that display symbols on top. When an operation for starting the game of the pachislot machine is performed, an electronic lottery is performed inside, and the lottery result is displayed on the outside by the symbol display device. As a result of the lottery, when the winning is displayed by the symbol display device, medals are paid out according to the winning combination, or the game state shifts to a game state advantageous for the player having a high lottery probability.

  The pachislot machine's medal payout device has a medal payout device that stacks medals in a columnar shape, and pays out a predetermined number of medals sequentially from the medals at the bottom of the stacked medals, and a medal that uses a hopper There is a payout device. In a pachislot machine having a device for paying out medals using a hopper, a medal hopper that stores and pays out medals inside the pachislot machine, and a dish-shaped tray and a medal serving as a medal receiving part exposed to the outside of the pachislot machine A medal passage is provided between the hopper and the medal outlet. As a result of the lottery, when a winning combination for paying out medals is won, the medal hopper is driven and the medals are discharged one by one from the medal discharge port to the medal passage, and the medals are paid out to the tray through the medal passage. When the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out to the tray, the driving of the medal hopper is stopped and the payout of medals is completed.

  By the way, there are no obstacles in the medal passage, and members that are used illegally when the medal is not discharged are inserted from the medal passage outlet on the receiving portion side into the medal discharge port, and a medal feeding device such as a medal hopper In spite of not being elected, there was an act of illegally discharging medals into the medal passage. In order to prevent the medal from being illegally paid out by such an action, a detection sensor that detects the passage of an object on the medal path and a determination unit that determines a medal and others based on a signal from the detection sensor are provided. There has been considered a slot machine that detects that an illegally used member such as an elongated member is inserted into the medal passage.

  However, in the slot machine as described above, for example, the detection signal is complicated to distinguish between detection based on a medal discharged from the medal delivery device or detection based on an illegally used member. It is difficult to determine whether the determination unit is normal based on a simple detection signal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reliably and easily detect when an illegally used member is inserted into the medal discharge port from the medal passage outlet on the receiving side. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that prevents a medal from being illegally paid and suffering damage.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention is provided in a hopper device, and medals discharged at regular intervals from a discharge disk that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed by a drive controller through a medal passage. paid out Ru a gaming machine, the first detection sensor and the pan side than the first position a on the medal passage for detecting that the first position on the medal passage medal passes In addition, a second detection sensor that detects that a medal has passed through a second position that is larger than the medal diameter and smaller than the predetermined interval, and the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor include: And an operation control means for shifting to a game prohibited state in which a game is impossible when turned on at the same time .

  Further, when only one of the second detection sensor and the first detection sensor is continuously turned on, the game is prohibited.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the first detection sensor for detecting that the medal after being discharged from the medal delivery device has passed is provided at the first position on the medal passage, and the first detection sensor is provided on the medal passage. A second detection sensor for detecting the passage of the medal after passing through the position, the distance between the first position and the second position is larger than the medal diameter, and the medal sending device When the first detection sensor is in the ON state and the second detection sensor is in the ON state, the distance is smaller than the distance generated by the interval between the preceding medal discharged to the medal path and the subsequent medal. By providing an operation control means for shifting to a game prohibition state that suppresses at least the continuation of the game, the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor are simultaneously turned on in normal payout of medals. If a member used illegally such as a long and narrow member is inserted in the medal path, or if the medal delivery device is out of order and the interval for discharging the medal is out of order, the first detection sensor and the second detection Both the sensor and the sensor are turned on to reliably detect this member, and by suppressing the continuation of the game in response to this detection, it is possible to prevent the medal from being paid out illegally. It should be noted that this configuration enables early detection even when an error such as a failure occurs in the control relating to medal sending, and prompt action can be taken.

  Further, when only one of the second detection sensor and the first detection sensor is continuously turned ON, an illegal member such as an elongated member is inserted into the medal path by shifting to the game prohibited state. When the detection sensor is continuously turned on, the continuation of the game is suppressed accordingly, and the medal can be prevented from being paid out illegally.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine (game machine) 2 has an upper front door 4 provided at the upper part and the lower front door 5 provided at the lower part on the front surface of the storage box 3. A display window 6 is provided in the upper front door 4, and a first reel 7 a, a second reel 7 b, and a third reel 7 c are disposed behind the display window 6. Various symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first, second, and third reels 7a, 7b, and 7c at a constant pitch. When the reels are stopped, three symbols per reel are displayed through the corresponding display windows 6. Displayed externally. As a result, a total of five straight pay lines for combining the symbols of each reel are formed, three horizontally and two diagonally. A liquid crystal display device 8 is provided on the side of the first, second, and third reels 7a, 7b, and 7c, and performs, for example, effects using animation display.

  Various buttons such as a single bet button 10, a MAX bet button 11, and a payout button 12 that are operated at the start of the game are provided on the upper portion of the lower front door 5. Since the functions of these operation buttons are well known, the details thereof are omitted. Also, below these operation buttons, a start lever 15 that is operated after a medal bet is placed, and first, second, and third buttons 16 for stopping a reel that starts rotating by operating the start lever 15. , 17 and 18 are provided.

  The lower front door 5 is provided with a medal slot 20 for inserting a medal 30 (see FIG. 2) when playing a game. A selector 21 is incorporated in the medal path formed continuously from the medal insertion slot 20, and when the inserted medal 30 is an inappropriate medal, it is transferred to a tray (receiving part) 23 via the medal payout slot 22. Discharged. In addition, the selector 21 receives the inserted medal 30 when the medal 30 is inserted at an inappropriate timing, for example, when it is inserted in the middle of a game or while various buttons are pressed. 23 is discharged. Since the number of medals 30 to be inserted prior to the start of the game is limited to 1 to 3, the medals 30 inserted after the fourth piece are discharged to the tray 23 when the credit function is not used.

  On the other hand, when the credit function is in the ON state, the fourth and subsequent inserted medals 30 are detected through a medal sensor (not shown), and are stored in the slot machine 2 up to 50. The number of stored medals 30 is displayed on the outside by the credit number display unit 25. In the case of using this credit function, the bet number is subtracted from the credit number by the insertion signal generated in response to the operation of the one bet button 10 or the MAX bet button 11 described above. In addition, if the winning combination is displayed as a result of the game and the winning combination is displayed, the medal to be paid is credited until the upper limit of the credit function is reached, and the payout button 12 for settlement is operated. When it is done, it is paid out to the tray 23.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a hopper device (medal feeding device) 31 and an overflow storage box 32 are provided below the storage box 3. The hopper device 31 pays out one medal 30 from the outlet 33 according to the winning combination to be won one by one. A storage tank 34 for storing medals for payout is provided at the top of the hopper device 31. In addition, the regular medal 30 inserted from the medal insertion slot 20 is stored in the storage tank 34. The overflow storage box 32 stores the medals 30 that have overflowed from the storage tank 34 of the hopper device 31.

  A disc-shaped rotatable discharge disk is provided at the bottom of the hopper device 31, and a storage hole for storing medals is formed on the surface of the discharge disk. When the discharge disk rotates, the medals stored in the storage holes are discharged from the discharge port 33 at regular intervals. The medals discharged from the discharge port 33 are paid out to the tray 23 through a medal passage formed continuously from the discharge port 33.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a medal passage formed from a medal hopper to a tray, which is cut vertically. A medal passage 35 is formed from the discharge port 33 of the hopper device 31 to the tray 23. The medal passage 35 is inclined downward from the hopper device side toward the tray side, whereby the medals discharged from the discharge port 33 flow down the medal passage 35 and flow into the tray 23. Although not shown, the number of medals discharged from the hopper device 31 is detected based on the movement of the operating member that reciprocates each time the medals are discharged.

  The medal passage 35 is provided with first and second detection sensors 40 and 41 which are turned on when the paid-out medal passes. The discharge medal detection sensor 35, the first detection sensor 40, and the first detection sensor 40 are arranged in order from the hopper device side. Two detection sensors 41 are arranged. Each of the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 is a reflection type photosensor. Each of the first and second detection sensors 40 and 41 includes a light projecting unit and a medal that project light. And a light receiving portion for receiving the reflected light.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first detection area 43 that is widened in the width direction of the medal path 35 by the first detection sensor 40 is formed at the first position, and the medal path is based on the detection signal from the first detection sensor 40. It is detected that the medal has passed the first position on 35. A second detection area 45 that is widened in the width direction of the medal passage 35 by the second detection sensor 41 is formed at a second position that is located closer to the tray than the first position, and a detection signal from the second detection sensor 41 is detected. Based on this, it is detected that the medal has passed through the second position, whereby the first detection sensor 40 detects the passage of the medal after being ejected from the hopper device 31, and the second detection sensor 41 is in the first position. The passage of medals after passing through is detected. The first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 have the distance Ds between the first position and the second position larger than the medal diameter (hereinafter, medal diameter) D and are discharged by the hopper device 31 at regular intervals. The medals 30 are arranged so as to be smaller than the interval Dm.

  When the medal 30 enters the first and second detection areas 43 and 45, the first and second detection sensors 40 and 41 are switched from OFF to ON, and when the medal 30 retreats from the first and second detection areas 43 and 45. Switch from ON to OFF. Detection signals output from the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 that are switched from OFF to ON are input to an abnormality determination unit 65 (see FIG. 5) described later. Whether or not there is an abnormality is determined based on the detection signal input from the second detection sensor 41. The first and second detection sensors 40 and 41 are always turned off and turned on when the medal 30 enters the first and second detection areas 43 and 45. However, the first and second detection sensors 40 and 41 are always turned on. A detection sensor that turns off when a medal enters the second detection area may be used. This also makes it possible to detect that the medal has passed the first and second positions.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the slot machine 2. The operation of the slot machine 2 is controlled by the control unit 50. In addition to a CPU (operation control means) 51, a memory 53, and a ROM 55, the control unit 50 is provided with an electronic lottery unit 57, a winning combination determining unit 58, a throwing number counting unit 60, a hopper drive controller 64, an abnormality determining unit 65, and the like. ing.

  The inserted number counting unit 60 counts the number of medals inserted when playing a game, and counts the number of 1-3 medals inserted when playing a game based on an output signal from the inserted medal sensor 67. Then, the CPU 51 determines the number of winning winning lines to be activated according to the counting result in the inserted number counting unit 60. The number of credits is counted by a credit medal counter (not shown).

  The reel drive controller 70 rotates the first, second, and third reels 7a, 7b, and 7c by driving the stepping motors assembled to the reels based on a command from the CPU 51. The CPU 51 sends a command to the reel drive controller 70 based on the game control program stored in the ROM 55. The game control program is shifted to the BB (Big Bonus) mode and the RB (Regular Bonus) mode in addition to the normal mode. The program that executes the game is included.

  A position signal is input to the CPU 51 from photosensors 72, 73, and 74 that monitor the rotation of each reel, whereby the position of the symbol formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel is grasped by the CPU 51, and the first, second, and second Stopping of the three reels 7a, 7b, and 7c is controlled by the reel drive controller 70. The ROM 55 stores various data for grasping the symbol position according to the position signal, and the symbol table is referred to by the CPU 51 when the reel is driven.

  As the start lever 15 is operated, the start signal sensor 77 is turned on and the electronic lottery unit 57 is activated. The electronic lottery unit 57 includes a random number generator and a random number sampling circuit, and draws one random number each time a game is started. The random number selected by lottery is input to the winning combination determining unit 58. The winning combination determination unit 58 determines what type of winning combination is awarded in the game currently being executed according to the input random number. In determining the winning combination, the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 55 is referred to, and a winning combination such as BB, RB, etc. is given.

  When each stop button 16, 17, 18 is pushed by the player, a stop signal is input to the CPU 51 via the input I / F 80, and each reel stops. When a winning is obtained, the CPU 51 sends out payout data to the hopper drive controller 64 in order to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination. The payout data includes the number data of medals to be paid out, and this number data is temporarily stored in a storage unit included in the hopper drive controller 64. The number of medals ejected from the hopper device 31 is counted by the hopper drive controller 64 based on the detection signal output from the ejected medal detection sensor 37. The hopper drive controller 64 counts the number and the number indicated by the stored number data. The correct number of medals are discharged to the hopper device 31 by comparing the number.

  The rotation speed of the discharge disk provided in the hopper device 31 is determined in advance by the hopper drive controller 64, and the discharge disk rotates according to this rotation speed, and the distance Dm between the preceding medal discharged from the discharge disk and its subsequent medal. Is larger than the distance Ds between the first position and the second position, and the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 are not simultaneously turned ON when the medal is paid out.

  ON / OFF of the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 is monitored by the abnormality determination unit 65, and the medal 30 discharged to the medal passage 35 first traverses in front of the first detection sensor 40, and then 2 Cross the front of the detection sensor 41. When the medal 30 crosses in front of each detection sensor, each detection sensor is switched from OFF to ON, and when a medal passes, it switches from ON to OFF.

  The abnormality determination unit 65 stops the operation of the slot machine 2 when one of the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 is turned on while the other medal sensor is turned on. The operation inhibition signal is generated, and the CPU 51 detects the operation inhibition signal. For example, when the first detection sensor 40 is turned on while the second detection sensor 41 is turned on, the abnormality determination unit 65 switches from OFF to ON and generates an operation inhibition signal, and the CPU 51 outputs the operation inhibition signal. Detect. Upon detecting the operation prohibition signal, the CPU 51 sends a command for prohibiting the operation to each unit, and the voice control unit 82 operates in response to this, and the speaker 84 outputs an emergency voice for notifying the outside of the slot 84. Stops. The abnormality determination unit 65 measures the time when the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 are turned on based on the clock signal from the clock generator 66, and is preset in the abnormality determination unit 65. When the timed time becomes longer than the set threshold value, the abnormality determination unit 65 inputs an operation prohibition signal to the CPU 51.

  The CPU 51 sets a flag 1 associated with the detection (ON state) of the first detection sensor 40 and clears the flag 1 associated with the detection (ON state) of the second detection sensor 41. Therefore, if the detection of the first detection sensor 40 is performed and the flag 1 is set while the flag 1 is standing, the abnormality determination unit 65 continuously turns on the detection of the first detection sensor 40. Therefore, the CPU 51 detects that the operation prohibition signal is generated, and performs control processing for prohibiting the operation. By this process, an elongated member is inserted into the medal passage 35 and the discharged medal detection sensor 37 related to the medal payout of the hopper device 31 is mischievous, so that the number of medals is not detected and the count is detected. Therefore, the hopper device 31 tries to pay the player a medal according to the winning role, and it is an illegal act to try to pay more medals even though the medal corresponding to the winning role has been paid out. Can be prevented.

  The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the slot machine 2, a game is played from the normal mode. When 1 to 3 medals are inserted when playing a game, the inserted number counting unit 60 counts the number of inserted medals. When the start lever 15 is operated to start the game, the first, second, and third reels 7a, 7b, and 7c start to rotate.

  When the start lever 15 is operated, the electronic lottery unit 57 executes a random number extraction process, and the winning combination lottery is performed based on the extracted random number. The CPU 51 validates the operation of each of the stop buttons 16, 17, 18 according to the lottery result of the winning combination. The CPU 51 monitors the positions of the symbols formed on each reel based on the position signals from the photosensors 72, 73, 74, and the reel drive controller 70 determines whether the winning symbol determined by the winning combination determining unit 58 is the winning symbol. Stop control of the first, second and third reels 7a, 7b and 7c is performed so as to stop on the winning line.

  As a result of the lottery of the winning combination, if any of the small combination, BB, or RB is won and these are won, the CPU 51 refers to the payout table stored in the ROM 55 and sends the payout data to the hopper drive controller 64. Then, under the control of the hopper drive controller 64, the hopper device 31 is driven to start paying out medals. The medals discharged from the hopper device 31 are paid out to the tray 23 through the medal passage 35. The hopper drive controller 64 counts the number of medals paid out based on the detection signal input from the discharged medal detection sensor 67 when the medals are paid out to the tray 23. When the count number becomes equal to the payout number, the driving of the hopper device 31 is stopped and the payout of medals is completed.

  Normally, the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 are not simultaneously turned ON during a game. When both the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 are turned on, the abnormality determination unit 65 inputs an operation prohibition signal to the CPU 51, and the operation of the slot machine 2 stops. For example, when an elongated member is inserted into the medal passage 35 from the tray side in order to illegally take out a medal from the hopper device 31, the passage of the member is detected via the second detection sensor 41, and then the first detection sensor The passage of the member is detected via 40. At this time, while the second detection sensor 41 is ON, the first detection sensor 40 is ON and the abnormality determination unit 65 detects an abnormality, and an emergency sound is output from the speaker 84 to the outside. Stops. Also, when the time during which one of the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 is turned on becomes longer than a predetermined threshold, emergency sound is output from the speaker 84 to the outside and the slot is turned on. The operation of the machine 2 stops.

  In the above embodiment, the reflective photosensors are used for the first and second detection sensors 40 and 41, but medals may be detected using other sensors. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to detect the passage of medals using a transmissive photosensor. The first medal sensor 90 and the second detection sensor 91 have light projecting units 90a and 91a that emit light and light receiving units 90b and 91b that receive light from the light projecting units 90a and 91a, respectively, and a medal path. A light projecting portion of each detection sensor is provided on the upper side with respect to 35, and a light receiving portion is provided on the lower side. A detection area extending in the width direction of the medal path 35 is formed by the light projecting units 90a and 91a and the light receiving units 90b and 91b. The first and second detection sensors 90 and 91 are switched from OFF to ON when the light from the respective light projecting units is blocked, and switched from ON to OFF when the light from the light projecting unit enters the light receiving unit. The detection signals output from the first and second detection sensors 90 and 91 are input to the abnormality determination unit 65 to determine whether or not there is an abnormality. By using the transmissive photosensor, it is possible to reliably detect that the medal has passed the first position and the second position.

  In the above embodiment, the first detection sensor 40 and the second detection sensor 41 are always operated to detect an object inserted into the medal passage from the tray side. However, the time for operating the first and second detection sensors is as follows. Not limited to this. For example, in a slot machine provided with a shutter that opens or closes a discharge port provided in the hopper device, or a slot machine in which the medal passage and the discharge port of the hopper device are combined only when a medal is discharged, the first and second By operating the detection sensor only at the time of paying out medals, illegal payout of medals can be prevented.

  Further, when a detection signal is input from the second medal detection sensor to the abnormality determination unit and then a detection signal is input from the first medal detection sensor, an operation prohibition signal may be sent to the CPU 51. However, in this case, in order to distinguish the detection signal input when the medal is continuously paid out and the detection signal input when the member is inserted from the medal payout port, the abnormality determining unit is previously distinguished. A threshold value is set, and this threshold value is compared with the time interval when the detection signals from the first and second detection sensors are detected to determine whether or not there is an abnormality.

  Further, the CPU is provided with a measuring means for measuring the time after detection by the second detection sensor, and when the measured value of the measuring means reaches a reference time or more according to the medal payout interval based on the driving of the hopper device, or If the CPU does not input a medal payout signal to the hopper device, and if the second detection sensor detects that the game is prohibited, the act of trying to insert an elongated member Is preferable because it can be prevented. Therefore, when the state that can be regarded as not driving the hopper device is satisfied and the flag 1 is not set, the detection of the second detection sensor is performed and the process of clearing the flag 1 is attempted. Then, the abnormality determination unit determines that the detection of the second detection sensor is an abnormal state in which the ON state is continuously continued and generates an operation prohibition signal, and the CPU detects the operation prohibition signal and detects the operation prohibition. Control processing for this. In addition, the condition stop flag was set in response to the measurement stop by the measuring means and the clearing condition of the measurement value being detected at least one of the next first detection sensor or the second detection sensor or exceeding the reference time. Such as the case.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of this invention. It is the fragmentary sectional view perspective view which exposed the hopper apparatus inside a slot machine, and a saucer part. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected from the hopper apparatus to the saucer. It is explanatory drawing which observed the medal passage from the top. It is a schematic block diagram of a slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of this invention. It is a schematic sectional view of a medal passage using a transmission type photo sensor for the first detection sensor and the second detection line sensor.

Explanation of symbols

2 Slot machines (game machines)
23 saucer (receiving part)
31 Hopper device (medal feeding device)
35 medal passage 37 discharged medal detection sensor 40 first detection sensor 41 second detection sensor 51 CPU (operation control means)
64 Hopper drive controller 65 Abnormality determination unit 84 Speaker

Claims (2)

In a gaming machine that is provided in a hopper device, and medals discharged at regular intervals from a discharge disk that rotates according to a predetermined rotation speed by a drive controller are paid out to a tray through a medal passage.
A first detection sensor for detecting that the first position on the medal passage medal passes,
A second detecting unit that detects that a medal has passed through a second position on the medal path, which is closer to the tray than the first position and spaced apart from the medal diameter and smaller than the predetermined interval; A detection sensor;
When the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor are turned on at the same time, an operation control means for shifting to a game prohibited state in which a game is impossible ;
Game machine characterized by comprising a.     2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein, when only one of the second detection sensor and the first detection sensor is continuously turned on, the gaming machine shifts to the gaming prohibition state.

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