JP4171525B2 - Medal selector and gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine and a medal selector used therein.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a player inserts a predetermined number of medals into a gaming machine (sometimes referred to as “game media”, but will be referred to as “medal” in the following description). I can enjoy it. The medals necessary for the game can be borrowed with a medal lending machine provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by inserting it into the medal slot of a desired gaming machine. The gaming machine is provided with a medal selector for discriminating inserted medals and counting the number of medals.

  This type of medal selector is provided with a downwardly inclined medal passage in which a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot rolls. A sensor (for example, a photocoupler or a photo interrupter) for counting medals is provided near the exit of the medal passage, and the number of medals inserted here is counted. In many game machines, the medal selector is provided with two sensors, and the detection of medals is performed according to the detection order of the two sensors. When the number of inserted medals reaches a predetermined number, the game can be started. Additional medals are treated as credits.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a conventional medal selector provided in the slot machine. FIG. 13A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional medal selector. 12 and 13A, 1 is a medal selector, 11 is a medal passage provided therein, 12 is a medal discharge port of the medal selector 1, and S1 and S2 are photocouplers (medals) provided in the medal passage 11. Sensor for detection). M indicates the inserted medal. The medal M inserted from the upper part of the medal selector 1 falls along the medal passage 11, the traveling direction thereof is changed to a slant sideways, and is discharged from the medal discharge port 12. Note that irregular medals of different sizes fall in the middle of the medal passage and return to the medal return slot.

Two medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 12 along the direction in which the medal proceeds. FIG. 13B shows a timing chart of output signals of the sensors S1 and S2 when the medal M passes. The phase of the signal of the sensor S1 provided on the front side is more advanced than that of S2. The passage of medals sent by the sensors S1, S2 is detected. Since two S1 and S2 are provided adjacent to each other, by comparing these outputs, the passing speed and passing direction of medals can be detected. Based on these, not only the number of medals but also the reverse flow of medals ( It is possible to detect that the medal returns to the medal insertion slot) and cheating (playing a game without inserting the medal by causing the sensors S1 and S2 to malfunction due to a foreign object, which will be described in detail later). In addition, the medal passage 11 is bent halfway, and the sensors S1 and S2 are provided on the side far from the medal entrance, thereby making it difficult to cheat.

  A small part of the players performed a dishonest act (so-called goto act). For example, there is a person who tries to play a game without inserting a regular medal by inserting a foreign object from the medal slot and causing the sensors S1 and S2 to malfunction. Actually, a method is adopted in which the two sensors S1 and S2 are reciprocated with a rod-shaped foreign object so as to be mistaken as if an actual medal has been inserted. For example, as shown in FIG. 13C, when a plate 91 (a thin plastic plate called a “cell plate”) attached to the tip of a wire 90 is moved along the dotted line in FIG. , S2 outputs a waveform similar to that shown in FIG.

  In many gaming machines, medals are detected according to the detection order of the two sensors S1 and S2. As a fraudulent act, as described above, the two sensors S1 and S2 are actuated by the rod-shaped foreign matters 90 and 91, and a method of misrecognizing that a medal is actually inserted is employed. Since the sensors S1 and S2 are arranged on the upper side, when returning the foreign matter 90 and 91, the backflow error is detected by lowering the foreign matter 90 and 91 to a point where the sensors S1 and S2 cannot be detected (the phases of S1 and S2 in FIG. 13B). Can be avoided).

  The present invention has an object to provide a medal selector and a gaming machine capable of effectively preventing the above-described fraud and maintaining the current medal detection performance from the viewpoint of strengthening countermeasures against fraud. To do.

The present invention is a medal selector that counts medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, and is provided on a medal passage for rolling medals from a medal insertion port to a medal discharge port, and on the medal discharge port side of the medal passage. In a medal selector comprising a counting sensor for counting medals and a distance sensor for detecting the position of medals in the medal passage,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The distance sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and detects a distance based on a signal reflected by the object.
The distance sensor is arranged as one of the following (A) to (E).
(A) The portion that is bent on the way from the medal slot to the medal outlet, provided outside the medal path, and the signal emitted from the distance sensor and applied to the object is It is arranged so as to pass through the medal passage toward the medal discharge port. (A) It is provided in the vicinity of the medal insertion port and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the distance sensor to irradiate the object. (C) a portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and is arranged so as to be directed substantially vertically downward through the medal passage. The signal that is provided outside the passage and is emitted from the distance sensor to illuminate the object is disposed so as to pass through the medal passage toward the medal insertion slot. Near the mouth and provided outside the medal path, the signal emitted from the distance sensor and irradiated on the object is arranged so as to go through the medal path toward the substantially vertical part. (E) The signal that is provided outside the medal discharge port and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the distance sensor to illuminate an object, passes through the medal passage, and the medal discharge port. It is arranged to go to the bent part on the way to

The present invention is a medal selector that counts medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, and is provided on a medal passage for rolling medals from a medal insertion port to a medal discharge port, and on the medal discharge port side of the medal passage. In a medal selector comprising a counting sensor for counting medals and a speed sensor for detecting the speed of medals in the medal passage,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The speed sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio wave signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and obtains a frequency shift by comparing the signal reflected by the object with the transmitted signal. The speed is detected by converting to
The speed sensor is arranged as one of the following (A) to (E).
(A) The portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, provided outside the medal passage, and the signal emitted from the speed sensor and applied to the object is It is arranged so as to pass through the medal passage toward the medal discharge port. (A) It is provided in the vicinity of the medal insertion port and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the speed sensor to irradiate the object. (C) a portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and is arranged so as to be directed substantially vertically downward through the medal passage. It is provided outside the passage, and is arranged so that the signal emitted from the speed sensor and irradiated on the object passes through the medal passage toward the medal insertion slot. Near the mouth and provided outside the medal path, the signal emitted from the speed sensor and applied to the object is arranged so as to go through the medal path toward the substantially vertical part. (E) The signal that is provided outside the medal discharge port and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the speed sensor to illuminate an object, passes through the medal passage and passes the medal discharge port. It is arranged to go to the bent part on the way to

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a medal path for rolling a medal from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and a distance sensor for detecting a position of the medal in the medal path, and a medal inserted from the medal insertion section A medal selector for counting, and a control unit for determining fraud based on the output of the distance sensor,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The distance sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and detects a distance based on a signal reflected by the object.
The distance sensor is the portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, is provided outside the medal passage, and the signal emitted from the distance sensor and applied to the object is , Arranged to pass through the medal passage toward the medal outlet,
The control unit measures a temporal change in the distance to the medal based on the output of the distance sensor, and determines a fraudulent act when detecting a movement from the medal discharge port to the medal insertion port in the medal passage. Is.

  Preferably, the control unit determines that the act is fraudulent when the inclination direction of the sawtooth waveform included in the output of the distance sensor is different from a predetermined direction.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a medal path for rolling a medal from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and a speed sensor for detecting a position of the medal in the medal path, and a medal inserted from the medal insertion section. A medal selector for counting, and a controller for detecting fraud based on the output of the speed sensor,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The speed sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and detects a speed based on a signal reflected by the object.
The speed sensor is the portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and is provided outside the medal passage, and the signal emitted from the speed sensor and applied to the object is , Arranged to pass through the medal passage toward the medal outlet,
The control unit measures the movement speed of the medal based on the output of the speed sensor, and determines a fraudulent act when detecting the speed from the medal discharge port to the medal insertion port in the medal passage. .

  Preferably, the control unit determines an illegal action when the sign of the output of the speed sensor is different from a predetermined sign.

  According to the present invention, by providing a distance sensor or a speed sensor, it is possible to discriminate a normal medal passage and an illegal act using a cell plate. There is no need to provide a sensor in the medal passage, and there is no fear of clogging up the medal, and monitoring along the medal passage is possible.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
A medal selector and gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a slot machine is taken as an example of a gaming machine. In the embodiment of the present invention, a sensor capable of discriminating an illegal act using a cell plate from a case where a medal is passed is added to prevent the illegal act.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal selector provided in the slot machine. In FIG. 1, 1 is a medal selector, 11 is a medal passage provided therein, 12 is a medal discharge port of the medal selector 1, and S1 and S2 are photocouplers (sensors for medal detection) provided in the medal passage 11. It is. S3 is a non-contact type distance sensor that detects the position of an object (medal, foreign object, etc.) moving in the medal passage 11. The distance sensor will be described in detail later. M indicates the inserted medal.

The first part (about one third of the whole) of the medal passage 11 is almost vertical, and the medal inserted from the medal slot is quickly dropped by its own weight. The medal passage 11 is bent in the middle, and the remaining portion is a straight road inclined downward toward the medal discharge port 12. The medal M inserted from the upper part of the medal selector 1 falls along the medal passage 11, the traveling direction thereof is changed to a slant sideways, and is discharged from the medal discharge port 12. The discharged medals fall into the hopper tank. Note that irregular medals of different sizes fall in the middle of the medal passage and return to the medal return slot.

Two medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 12 along the advancing direction of the medal. These are for counting the number of medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 have, for example, a light emitting part and a light receiving part that face each other and are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and a photocoupler (with a detection optical axis facing the medal path 11 from above) ( Also called “photo interrupter”. The cross section may not be U-shaped, or only the light receiving part may be provided. Each photocoupler detects the passage of medals sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photocouplers are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photocouplers adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction. Further, by providing the medal sensors S1 and S2 on the side far from the medal entrance, it is difficult to cheat.

  The distance sensor S3 is provided on the left side of the medal selector 1 and outside the medal passage 11. The direction of the distance sensor S3 is determined so that a signal (radio wave signal, ultrasonic signal, optical signal, etc.) output from the distance sensor S3 propagates along the downwardly inclined portion of the medal path 11. . Preferably, the signal output from the distance sensor S3 may pass at least a position below the sensors S1 and S2 in order to detect the movement of the tool used for cheating (the reverse movement that would normally not be possible). desirable. The sensor mounting position and the output signal propagation path will be described in detail later. By providing the distance sensor S3 at this position, it is possible to monitor the entire downwardly inclined portion of the medal passage 11 without causing a medal obstacle. The signal does not return to the distance sensor S3 if there is no object such as a medal in the downwardly inclined portion of the medal passage 11, but if there is an object such as a medal, the signal returns to the distance sensor S3. Based on the received signal of the distance sensor S3, the distance to an object such as a medal, that is, its position can be known. For example, it is possible to know the distance by measuring the time from when a pulse signal is transmitted to when the reflected wave is received, or by modulating the signal and comparing the transmitted signal and the received signal.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  2 and 3, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 100 is attached to the slot machine main body 120 and the slot machine main body 120 so that it can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like. The front door 130 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, a game display unit 131 is provided in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided on the further right side of the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  A start button 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and a medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine can first borrow a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and insert a medal directly into the medal slot 132 of the medal slot device. A square window-like display window facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the casing of the slot machine. In the center of the central display window, a symbol display window through which the symbols of the three rotating reels can be seen is formed. The start switch 134 is a lever located obliquely below the rotating reel, and starts driving the reel unit on condition that a game medal is inserted. The reel unit is stopped from being driven by a stop switch. The reel unit is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine. Reference numerals 200 and 201 denote a main board and a sub board, each incorporating a CPU. The main board 200 performs medal insertion detection, payout control, reel control, winning process, and the like. The main board 200 is a control unit that receives signals from the sensors S1 to S3 from the medal selector 1 to detect the number of inserted medals and to detect fraud. The sub-board 201 performs processing such as effect display. An operation unit 202 includes switches such as a start switch 134, a stop switch, and a bet switch. A reel unit 203 includes three rotating reels. An effect display unit 204 includes a game display unit 131, internal illumination of a reel, a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like. The effect display unit 204 notifies the winning combination and the pressing order.

  Next, the operation of the apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the medal selector 1 is provided with a sensor S3 which is a non-contact sensor and can measure a distance from an object. In order to distinguish between normal medal passage and fraud, for example, a radio wave sensor (other sensors may be used as long as the distance to the target can be detected) is attached so that the distance from the medal can be measured. Then, the distance of medals that always pass is measured, and it is determined whether or not movement (return) other than normal movement of medals that have passed has occurred (details will be described later). You may make it transfer to an error state, when it determines with a motion other than the normal motion of a medal.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the distance sensor S <b> 3 is provided on the left side of the medal selector 1 and outside the medal passage 11. At this position, the entire downward inclined portion of the medal passage 11 can be monitored. In FIG. 5, the signal propagation path of the distance sensor S3 is indicated by a dotted line L. In the following drawings, the downward slope portion is represented horizontally for convenience. The distance to the medal passing through the medal passage 11 can be measured by the distance sensor S3.

  Next, an operation when one medal is inserted will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of such a normal medal passing, the detection distance by the distance sensor S3 is as shown in FIG. That is, when there is a medal at position a in FIG. 6A, the medal is not detected by the distance sensor S3, so the maximum distance is detected in FIG. 6B (the portion a in FIG. No object detected). The distance sensor S3 detects a medal only after the medal has dropped and the medal has reached the position of A. At this time, the shortest distance is detected (a in FIG. 6B). When the medal rolls in the medal passage 11 and gradually moves away from the distance sensor S3, the detected distance increases accordingly (a portion of FIG. 6B). Then, the maximum distance is detected again when the medal falls from the discharge port 12 to the hopper tank (part (d) in FIG. 6B). To summarize the above, a saw-tooth waveform (cage portion) rising upward is detected by passing one medal.

  When medals pass continuously as shown in FIG. 7A, a relatively short sawtooth waveform is repeatedly detected as shown in FIG. 7B. The a and a 'portions in the figure mean that one medal is detected. a 'is a detection signal of the last medal. The number of medals inserted can be known by counting the a and a 'portions.

  6 and 7, it can be seen that a sawtooth waveform rising to the right is detected in the case of normal medal movement. This waveform means that the medal is moving from the medal insertion slot toward the medal discharge slot 12. Note that the waveform changes as the mounting position of the distance sensor S3 changes. For example, when the distance sensor S3 is attached in the vicinity of the medal discharge port 12 and the medal insertion port side is viewed from the distance sensor S3, a sawtooth waveform with a lower right shoulder is detected during normal medal movement.

  Next, the operation in the case of an illegal act will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the goto action performed using the cell plate 91, by inserting the cell plate 91 as shown in FIG. 8A, the maximum distance is changed to the shortest distance as shown in part A of FIG. 8D. . When the cell plate 91 gradually moves away from the distance sensor S3 and passes through the sensors S1 and S2 as shown in FIG. 8B, a sawtooth waveform rising upward as shown in part B of FIG. Detected. Then, when the cell plate 91 moves so as not to pass the sensors S1 and S2 and approaches the distance sensor S3 as shown in FIG. 8C, it is a saw-like downwardly sloping like C portion in FIG. 8D. A waveform is detected. The waveform of part C means reverse, and does not appear in normal medal passing. In the case of a go-to action using the cell plate 91, a reversing operation is always required, and at this time, a waveform clearly different from that when passing a normal medal is detected. Therefore, it is determined that a fraudulent act has been made when the waveform of section C appears. When such a sensor value change occurs, the error state may be entered.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the distance sensor is provided to monitor the position of the object in the medal path, thereby discriminating normal medal passage and fraud using the cell plate. Can do. According to the first embodiment of the invention, it is theoretically possible to detect 100% fraud. There is no need to provide a sensor in the medal passage, and there is no possibility of clogging up medals. Monitoring can be performed along the medal path, and the processing is simple.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
In the first embodiment of the present invention, a distance sensor is used as a sensor for detecting the movement of an object in the medal passage. The second embodiment of the invention uses a speed sensor instead of the distance sensor. The speed sensor according to the second embodiment of the invention can be provided at the same position and orientation as the distance sensor according to the first embodiment of the invention, thereby eliminating the possibility of clogging of medals without providing a sensor in the medal path. Moreover, it can be monitored along the medal passage. In the following description, the same reference numeral S3 as that of the distance sensor is used as the reference of the speed sensor.

  A speed sensor is a known sensor, which transmits radio waves, ultrasonic waves, light, and the like, compares a signal reflected by an object with a transmitted signal, obtains a frequency shift, and converts this to a speed, so-called. It uses the Doppler effect.

  The speed sensor can be used in the same manner as the distance sensor, but the output signal is different. The differences will be described below.

  The speed sensor outputs a positive signal when the object moves away, and outputs a negative signal when the object approaches. The absolute value of the signal changes according to the speed. In Embodiment 2 of the invention, fraud is determined by determining the sign of the signal. The sign of the signal can be reversed.

  FIG. 9A shows a detection signal when the medals are inserted one by one as shown in FIG. While a medal is detected in the medal passage 11 (i and c), a positive signal indicating the moving speed of the medal is detected. Since there is nothing to move when the medal leaves the medal passage 11, the speed becomes zero.

  FIG. 9B shows a detection signal when medals are continuously inserted as shown in FIG. While the medal is moving, a positive signal is detected. Since there is nothing to move when the medal leaves the medal passage 11, the speed becomes zero.

  FIG.9 (c) shows a detection signal when the cheating by the cell board 91 shown to Fig.8 (a)-(c) is made | formed. When the cell plate 91 is pulled back (part C), a negative signal is detected. Since a negative signal does not occur when a medal is inserted, it can be determined that it is an improper act when the negative signal is detected. When such a negative signal is detected, an error state may be entered.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the speed sensor is provided to monitor the position of the object in the medal path, thereby discriminating normal medal passage and fraud using the cell plate. Can do. According to the second embodiment of the invention, it is theoretically possible to detect 100% fraud. There is no need to provide a sensor in the medal passage, and there is no possibility of clogging up medals. Monitoring can be performed along the medal path, and the processing is simple. Note that the positive and negative meanings of the signals may be correlated in reverse to the above depending on the attachment position of the speed sensor and the like.

  A supplementary explanation of the distance sensor and the speed sensor will be given. In the following description, the symbol S3 simply means both a distance sensor and a speed sensor. As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the distance sensor or speed sensor S3 transmits a radio wave / ultrasonic wave / optical signal, irradiates the object, and determines the distance or speed based on the signal reflected by the object. It is to detect. Since this type of distance sensor and speed sensor are publicly known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In order to detect the distance or speed of a specific object, the radiation pattern of the output signal of the distance sensor or speed sensor S3 is preferably narrow as shown in FIG. If narrowed, a specific position can be focused. For example, in the medal passage 11 and in the vicinity of the sensors S1 and S2. Since the cell plate 91 always passes through the sensor portion, it is preferable to monitor the vicinity of the sensors S1 and S2. Conversely, if it is made wide as shown in FIG. 10C, a specific position cannot be monitored, but a wide range can be monitored. For example, in order to monitor the entire medal passage 11, it is preferable that the radiation pattern is wide.

  The output of the distance sensor or speed sensor S3 is an analog output or a digital output depending on the type of the sensor. In the case of digital output, the CPU is directly connected to the CPU. By connecting to the sensor, the output data of the sensor can be monitored.

  Next, another mounting position of the distance sensor or speed sensor S3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  S3-a is a case where the inside of the medal passage is monitored from the medal slot. Although the sensors S1 and S2 cannot be monitored, the movement of the cell plate 91 can be detected.

  S3-b is a case where the medal slot is monitored from below the medal selector. Although the sensors S1 and S2 cannot be monitored, the movement near the medal slot can be monitored.

  S3-c is a case where the upstream of the medal passage 11 is monitored from the vicinity of the medal discharge port. A wide range of the medal passage 11 can be monitored.

  S3-d is a case where the upstream of the medal passage 11 is monitored from the outside of the medal selector. A wide range of the medal passage 11 can be monitored along the medal flow.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

It is a perspective view of a medal selector concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine. It is a front view when the front door of the slot machine is opened. It is a functional block diagram of a slot machine. It is explanatory drawing of the medal selector which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of medal | token detection by the medal selector which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention (1 piece insertion). It is explanatory drawing of the medal detection by the medal selector which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention (continuous insertion). It is explanatory drawing of the fraud detection by the medal selector which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a timing chart of the speed sensor output signal of the medal selector which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the radiation pattern of a distance sensor and a speed sensor. It is explanatory drawing of the other attachment position of the distance sensor or speed sensor which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2 of invention. It is a perspective view of the conventional medal selector. It is explanatory drawing of the conventional medal detection operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medal selector 11 Medal passage 12 Medal discharge port 90 Stick 91 used for fraudulent acts Plate (cell board) used for fraud
100 slot machine 120 slot machine main body 121 hopper device 122 hopper tank 130 front door 131 game display portion 132 medal insertion port 133 reject button 134 start button 135 payout port 136 lead-out path 200 main board 201 sub-board 202 operation section 203 reel unit 204 effect display Part S1, S2 Photocoupler S3 Distance sensor or speed sensor

Claims (6)

A medal selector that counts medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, which is provided on a medal passage that rolls medals from a medal insertion port to a medal discharge port, and that is provided on the medal discharge port side of the medal passage. In a medal selector comprising a counting sensor and a distance sensor for detecting the position of a medal in the medal passage ,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The distance sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and detects a distance based on a signal reflected by the object.
The medal selector, wherein the distance sensor is arranged as in any one of (a) to (e) below.
(A) The portion that is bent on the way from the medal slot to the medal outlet, provided outside the medal path, and the signal emitted from the distance sensor and applied to the object is It is arranged to go to the medal outlet through the medal passage
(A) The signal that is provided in the vicinity of the medal slot and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the distance sensor to illuminate the object passes through the medal passage substantially vertically downward. Is located in
(C) The signal that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, is provided outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the distance sensor to irradiate the object. It is arranged to go to the medal slot through the passage
(D) A portion that is provided near the medal discharge port and outside the medal passage, and that the signal emitted from the distance sensor and applied to the object falls substantially vertically through the medal passage. It is arranged to go to
(E) The signal which is provided outside the medal discharge port and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the distance sensor to the object passes through the medal passage toward the medal discharge port. It is arranged so as to go to the bent part on the way A medal selector that counts medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, which is provided on a medal passage that rolls medals from a medal insertion port to a medal discharge port, and that is provided on the medal discharge port side of the medal passage. In a medal selector comprising a counting sensor and a speed sensor for detecting the speed of medals in the medal passage ,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The speed sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio wave signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and obtains a frequency shift by comparing the signal reflected by the object with the transmitted signal. The speed is detected by converting to
The medal selector, wherein the speed sensor is arranged as in any one of (a) to (e) below.
(A) The portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, provided outside the medal passage, and the signal emitted from the speed sensor and applied to the object is It is arranged to go to the medal outlet through the medal passage
(A) The signal that is provided in the vicinity of the medal slot and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the speed sensor to illuminate the object passes through the medal passage substantially vertically downward. Is located in
(C) The signal that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, is provided outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the speed sensor to irradiate the object. It is arranged to go to the medal slot through the passage
(D) A portion that is provided near the medal discharge port and outside the medal passage, and that the signal emitted from the speed sensor and applied to the object falls substantially vertically through the medal passage. It is arranged to go to
(E) The signal, which is provided outside the medal discharge port and outside the medal passage, and is emitted from the speed sensor to irradiate the object, passes through the medal passage to the medal discharge port. It is arranged so as to go to the bent part on the way A medal selector that counts medals inserted from the medal insertion unit, including a medal passage for rolling a medal from a medal insertion port to a medal discharge port, and a distance sensor that detects a position of the medal in the medal passage; and the distance A controller that determines fraud based on the output of the sensor,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The distance sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and detects a distance based on a signal reflected by the object.
The distance sensor is the portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, is provided outside the medal passage, and the signal emitted from the distance sensor and applied to the object is , Arranged to pass through the medal passage toward the medal outlet,
The control unit measures a temporal change in the distance to the medal based on the output of the distance sensor, and determines a fraudulent act when detecting a movement from the medal discharge port to the medal insertion port in the medal passage. A gaming machine characterized by that. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit determines that the fraudulent act is caused when the direction of the inclination of the sawtooth waveform included in the output of the distance sensor is different from a predetermined direction. A medal selector that counts medals inserted from the medal insertion unit, including a medal passage for rolling medals from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and a speed sensor that detects a position of the medal in the medal passage; A controller that detects fraud based on the output of the sensor,
The medal passage is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and has a portion that descends substantially vertically from the medal insertion port and a downwardly inclined straight road portion that faces the medal discharge port. Including
The speed sensor irradiates an object with a signal such as a radio signal, an ultrasonic signal, or an optical signal, and detects a speed based on a signal reflected by the object.
The speed sensor is the portion that is bent on the way from the medal insertion port to the medal discharge port, and is provided outside the medal passage, and the signal emitted from the speed sensor and applied to the object is , Arranged to pass through the medal passage toward the medal outlet,
The control unit measures a moving speed of medals based on an output of the speed sensor, and determines a fraudulent act when detecting a speed from the medal discharge port to the medal insertion port in the medal passage. A gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit determines an illegal act when a sign of an output of the speed sensor is different from a predetermined sign.

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