JP4216757B2 - Slot machines and gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine formed so that a gaming medium loading device capable of loading a large amount of gaming media such as gaming medals at a time can be used.

  Conventionally, in slot machines, the medal slot is configured to insert game medals one by one (see Patent Document 1). In recent years, slot machines that store a predetermined number of medals to be inserted in the gaming machine (so-called credits) and replace medals by operating a bet switch have become mainstream. For this reason, there are many players who play a game after a certain number of medals are put in the gaming machine in advance. There is also a player's request to avoid touching medals as much as possible because of dirty hands. Therefore, a medal feeding device has been devised that can insert a large number of medals at a time and can transfer medals one by one to the medal selector (Patent Document 2, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-13010, etc.).

  On the other hand, in a slot machine, a payout medal tray for storing payout medals is usually provided below the gaming machine. This is due to the fact that the medal payout device (hopper unit) is installed below the housing and that it is convenient when the accumulated medals are refilled into a transfer box. When the medals that are provided at the center end of the machine are to be thrown into the gaming machine again, the medals must be picked up from the lower medal tray and lifted up to the medal slot. In some cases, the medal was lost, and many players felt that such an operation was troublesome.

Furthermore, there is a similar problem in a so-called parrot gaming machine in which a game ball such as a pachinko ball can be used as a game medium and a game similar to a slot machine can be performed.
JP 2002-95791 A JP 2002-282414 A

Accordingly, the invention described in each claim has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is as follows.
(Claim 1 or 2)
That is, according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, by providing the auxiliary medal insertion slot below the normal medal insertion slot, the player can insert the game medals all at once without lifting the medal to the medal insertion slot. An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that is more suitable for re-inserting paid-out game medals .

(Claim 3 )
The invention described in claim 3 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 or 2 .
That is, the invention described in claim 3 is intended to provide a slot machine capable of automatically transferring game medals inserted into the auxiliary medal slot into the gaming machine (medal selector and payout device).

(Claim 4 )
In addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 , the invention described in claim 4 has the following object.
That is, the invention according to claim 4 is to provide a slot machine capable of transferring a game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot into the gaming machine by the player's will.
(Claim 5 )
The invention according to claim 5 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention according to claim 3 or 4 described above.

That is, the invention according to claim 5 is to provide a slot machine in which the raising mechanism automatically stops its operation unless a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot.
(Claim 6)
The invention described in claim 6 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 5 .
That is, the invention according to claim 6 is to provide a slot machine capable of canceling the throwing-in action by the player's intention.
(Claim 7 )
The invention described in claim 7 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 .

That is, the invention described in claim 7 is intended to provide a slot machine that can eliminate the waste of the operation of the ascending mechanism and can efficiently insert medals.
(Claim 8 )
The invention described in claim 8 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 .
In other words, the invention according to claim 8 eliminates the waste of the operation of the ascending mechanism, can efficiently insert a medal, and can cancel a game medal that is being inserted when the slot machine is not in a medal acceptance state. It is something to be offered.

(Claim 9 )
The invention described in claim 9 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 8 .

That is, the invention of claim 9, wherein, in addition to the time required aims to prevent inserts a game medal auxiliary medal slot.
(Claim 10 )
The invention described in claim 10 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 3, 4 or 9 .
That is, the invention of claim 10, wherein, along the only possible reliably inserts a game medal desired number of the player, and to prevent the circulation in the lifting mechanism of cancellation medals.

(Claim 11 )
The invention described in claim 11 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 9 or 10 described above.
That is, the invention of claim 11, wherein, when the slot machine is not in the medal acceptance condition is intended to prevent inserts a game medal auxiliary medal slot.
(Claim 12 )
The invention according to claim 12 has the following object.
That is, the invention according to claim 12 is a game in which an auxiliary slot is provided below a normal game medium slot, so that the player can throw game media all at once without lifting the game medium to the slot. The purpose is to provide a machine.

The invention described in each claim has been made to achieve each of the above-described objects, and features of each invention will be described below using the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by the following points.
That is, the invention described in claim 1 is provided on the front surface, and is provided with a front medal slot (11) for inserting game medals, and a lower position than the front medal slot (11). From a medal selector (4) for selecting medals, a payout device (hopper unit (5)) for storing game medals that pass through the medal selector (4) and paying out game medals, and the payout device The present invention relates to a slot machine having at least a payout medal tray (12) capable of storing payout game medals.

The slot machine (S) according to the present invention, a game medal is inserted from the front medal slot (11), the plurality of rotating reels displaying the plurality of symbols are connected to the start switch (15) and the stop switch (16). It is formed so that it is rotated and stopped by operation, and a prize is awarded when a plurality of symbols are displayed in a predetermined position mode, and game medals corresponding to the type of prize are paid out to the payout medal tray (12). Is. Therefore, in addition to the above components, a reel unit (3) having a rotating reel and a motor for driving the reel, a control device (main board (100)) for controlling the operation of the reel unit (3), And a power supply device.
Here, the front medal slot (11) is a horizontally long opening through which game medals can be inserted from above, and a plurality of game medals are placed in parallel in the vertical direction on the front side of the slit (11a). In addition, a medal guiding recess (11b) for guiding a game medal is formed in the slit (11a). The front medal slot (11) is provided obliquely below the symbol display window (10) through which the symbol of the rotating reel formed on the front side of the slot machine (S) can be seen.

The medal selector (4) is provided in the transport path until the game medal inserted from the front medal slot (11) is transferred to the payout device, and the appropriate game medal is eliminated by removing the incompatible medal. Is transferred to the dispensing device. Specifically, it has a medal receiving opening and a medal discharging opening (41, 42), and it is possible to determine the authenticity of the game medal passing between them. A proper medal is discharged from the medal discharge port and sent to the payout device, and a non-conforming medal is discharged from the medal discharge unit different from the medal discharge port to the outside (for example, the payout medal tray (12)) It has become.
Furthermore, the medal selector (4) may be formed so that the number of inserted game medals can be counted, and when the inserted medals can be stored (credited) inside the gaming machine, the maximum possible credit number is exceeded. When game medals are inserted, excess medals may be formed so as to be removed outside the machine.

The payout device may be a hopper unit (5) having a medal tank (hopper) for storing game medals and a delivery disk capable of discharging game medals stored in the medal tank one by one. However, the dispensing device is not limited to the hopper unit (5).
According to the present invention, the bottom surface of the payout medal tray (12) is formed in two stages, an upper stage (12B) and a lower stage (12B), and the upper stage (12B) and the lower stage (12A) are arranged between the upper stage (12B) and the lower stage (12A). An auxiliary medal slot (14) provided with an inclined part (slope 12C) that slopes downward from the bottom to the lower stage, provided on the upper stage (12B) of the payout medal tray (12), and capable of batch loading of game medals. An ascending mechanism (30) provided near the auxiliary medal slot (14) for lifting game medals inserted from the auxiliary medal slot (14) upward, and lifted by the ascending mechanism (30) And a transfer means (transfer passage (33)) for transferring the game medals up to the medal selector . Further, a dam (12a) formed to a height of one medal is provided at the boundary between the upper stage (12B) and the inclined part (12C) of the payout medal tray (12), and the payout device (5 ), A medal discharge port (13) for paying out game medals from the auxiliary medal insertion port (14) is formed, and the game medals paid out from the payout device (5) are placed in the weir (12a). It is formed so that it is guided and directly transferred to the auxiliary medal slot (14), and there are game medals that are not lifted by the lifting mechanism (30) in the vicinity of the auxiliary medal slot (14). The game medal paid out from the payout device (5) toward the auxiliary medal slot (14) passes over the weir (12a) and slides on the inclined part (12C) to give out the payout medal tray (12). It is formed so that it may move to the lower stage (12A) .

The auxiliary medal slot (14) according to the present invention enables a medal slot method other than the slot method in which game medals are inserted one by one from the front medal slot (11). That is, game medals can be thrown in at once. Here, “batch insertion” means that the game medals can be inserted in a random manner without adjusting the orientation of the game medals or dividing them into several pieces. Absent.
Specifically, the auxiliary medal slot (14) can be a tray or an opening provided adjacent to the payout medal tray (12) of the slot machine (S), for example, from the medal selector (4). As long as it is located below, it may be provided outside this place. In the present invention, the route through which the game medal inserted from the auxiliary medal slot (14) is transferred to the medal selector (4) is not limited. For example, it may be possible to transfer directly from the auxiliary medal slot (14) to the medal selector (4), or from the auxiliary medal slot (14) to the medal selector (4) through the front medal slot (11). It may be possible. In short, the game medal inserted from the auxiliary medal slot (14) may be formed so as to be transferred to the front of the medal selector (4).

The raising mechanism (30) is a mechanism for lifting game medals inserted from the auxiliary medal slot (14) upward, and has at least a lifting device (32) capable of lifting game medals. ing. In addition to this, the ascending mechanism (30) is a medal feed for separating game medals randomly inserted into the auxiliary medal slot (14), preferably one by one, and feeding them to the ascending device (32). A device (31), a standing device for raising a medal that is sent out in a horizontal state (a state where the front and back surfaces of the medal are up and down, and the same below) from the medal feeding device (31) may be provided.
The lifting device (32) may be of any form as long as it is a device capable of transferring a gaming medal above the auxiliary medal slot (14), such as a screw-type medal lifting machine, a belt conveyor, and a push-up rail. Absent. Further, “upward” includes diagonally upward. Then, the game medals transferred above the auxiliary medal slot (14) by the raising device (32) are sent to the medal selector (4). Further, as the medal feeding device (31), a rotating disk type medal feeding device or a belt drive type medal feeding device can be provided. In this case, all game medals inserted into the auxiliary medal slot (14) may be sent out to the ascending device (32) by the medal feeder (31) (for example, the bottom of the auxiliary medal slot (14)). The medal stored in the auxiliary medal slot (14) can be arbitrarily sent to the medal feeder (31) (for example, the game medal flows naturally to the medal feeder (31)) It may be pushed by hand).

The transfer means may be, for example, a transfer passage (33) containing the lifting device (32).
The ascending mechanism (30) may be automatically activated by inserting a game medal using the medal confirmation sensor (22), or by operating the operation means (drive switch (21)). The operation may be started based on the intention.

Here, “to form the medal discharge port (13) toward the auxiliary medal insertion port (14)” means that the medal discharge portion of the payout device is formed in the vicinity of the auxiliary medal insertion port (14) and the medal discharge port is formed. In addition to the outlet (13) facing the auxiliary medal slot (14), there is a passage (such as a bag) for guiding game medals from the medal discharge section of the payout device to the auxiliary medal slot (14). In addition, the one whose tip is a medal outlet (13) is also included.

In addition, the game medal “directly transferred to the auxiliary medal slot (14)” means that the auxiliary medal slot ( It is not possible to insert in 14), but the paid out game medal itself is transferred or guided to the auxiliary medal slot (14) without any assistance from the player. Specifically, a weir (12a) is provided as a guide for rolling the game medals discharged from the medal discharge port (13) toward the auxiliary medal insertion port (14).

(Function)
According to the present invention, the game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot (14) is lifted by the ascending mechanism (30) and directly to the medal selector (4) located above the auxiliary medal slot (14). Or indirectly transferred. Since the auxiliary medal slot (14) is provided below the front medal slot (11), it is possible to reduce the distance that the player can lift the game medal. When the stored game medals are re-inserted, it is easy to insert them, and there is less fear of dropping the picked-up game medals. In addition, since the auxiliary medal slot (14) is capable of batch loading game medals, there is no need to arrange the direction of medals.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, two types of medal insertion methods can be used. In other words, if you want to insert several game medals at a time, you can use the front medal slot (11) as usual, and if you want to insert a large number of game medals at once, the auxiliary medal slot ( The game medals may be thrown into 14) at once, and the raising mechanism (30) may be operated to automatically transfer the game medals into the slot machine.

  Further, according to the present invention, when a game medal stored in the payout medal tray (12) is reinserted, the distance to move the game medal to the auxiliary medal slot (14) is extremely small, and it becomes easier to insert the game medal. .
Further, according to the present invention, the game medal discharged from the medal discharge port (13) is directly inserted into the auxiliary medal insertion port (14), so that the player can replay the payout medal without touching the game medal. Can be charged.

(Claim 2)
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 described above.
That is, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the transfer means is formed so that a game medal can be transferred to the front medal slot (11).
In the present invention, a game medal inserted from the auxiliary medal slot (14) is once transferred to the medal selector (4) through the front medal slot (11).
Specifically, the upper end of the transfer passage (33) in which the ascending device (32) is built is formed to be equal to or higher than the front medal slot (11), and game medals discharged from the transfer passage (33) It can be formed so as to be transferred or dropped to the slit (11a) of the front medal slot (11).
According to the present invention, when a medal is inserted using the ascending mechanism (30), it is possible to visually recognize how a game medal has been inserted, so that a sense of security can be given to the player.

(Claim 3 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 1 or 2 .
That is, the invention described in claim 3 is provided with an operation start means for starting the operation of the ascending mechanism (30), and this operation start means includes a sensor (medal confirmation sensor (22) for detecting a game medal. ).
The `` sensor '' in the present invention is attached to a position where a game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot (14) can be detected. It can be set as the light-shielding sensor which has. The sensor mounting position is not limited to the position and configuration described above, and for example, a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a medal may be provided in the medal feeding device (31) or the lifting device (32).

(Function)
When the player inserts a medal into the auxiliary medal slot (14), the sensor detects the medal and outputs a medal detection signal to the control unit (lifting mechanism drive control means (300)). Based on this signal, the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) is started.
According to the present invention, the raising mechanism (30) is automatically operated based on the player's medal insertion action.
(Claim 4 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 .

That is, the invention described in claim 4 is provided with an operation starting means for starting the operation of the raising mechanism (30), and this operation starting means is operated by an operation switch (drive) for operating the raising mechanism (30). It is a switch (21)).
In the present invention, the operation of the lifting device (31) for lifting a game medal can be operated according to the player's intention.
The operation switch can be, for example, a lever or button provided near the front medal slot (11), and can be a switch that can output an ON signal when operated by the player.

(Function)
According to the present invention, after a player inserts a game medal into the auxiliary medal slot (14), the medal transfer into the gaming machine can be started by operating the operation switch. It is also possible to insert a game medal into the auxiliary medal slot (14) after operating the operation switch.
(Claim 5 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 5 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 3 or 4 .

That is, the invention according to claim 5 is provided with an operation stop means for stopping the operation of the ascending mechanism (30), and provided with a sensor for detecting a game medal as the operation stop means. When no medal is detected, the ascending mechanism (30) stops operating.
The “sensor” in the present invention functions as a means for stopping the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) by not detecting a medal. Specifically, for example, a sensor that outputs an ON signal when a medal is detected and outputs an OFF signal when a medal is not detected can be used. In the present invention, the control unit of the ascending mechanism (30) (the ascending mechanism drive control means (300)) receives the OFF signal for a certain period of time, or does not receive the ON signal for a certain period of time. The drive of the drive motor (21) is stopped.

As a means for determining whether or not a certain time has elapsed, a timer having a pulse counter, a CR timer (a timer circuit using a capacitor and a resistor), or the like can be used.
It should be noted that when the ON signal is received from the “sensor”, the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) may be started. In this case, the “sensor” also functions as drive starting means.
(Function)
According to the present invention, even if all the inserted game medals have been transported to the medal selector (4), etc., the player can perform the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) after a certain period of time without any operation. Operation stops automatically.

(Claim 6 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 6 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 5 .
That is, the invention described in claim 6 is provided with an operation stop means for stopping the operation of the raising mechanism (30), and the operation stopping means is an operation switch for stopping the operation of the raising mechanism (30). It is characterized by being.
In the present invention, the operation of the raising mechanism (30) can be stopped by the player's intention. The operation switch can be a switch that can output an OFF signal when operated by a player.

Here, the operation switch transmits an OFF signal when operated while the raising mechanism (30) is in operation, and sends an ON signal when operated while the raising mechanism (30) is stopped. It can also be a signal changeover switch. In this case, the operation switch also functions as drive starting means.
(Function)
According to the present invention, the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) can be stopped by the player's intention. Furthermore, even when the raising mechanism (30) is in operation and the sensor (medal confirmation sensor (22)) detects a game medal, the player operates the operation switch (for example, the drive switch (21)). By doing so, the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) is stopped. Thereby, the medal lifting by the raising mechanism (30) can be temporarily stopped by the player's will.

(Claim 7 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 7 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 .
That is, the invention according to claim 7 is the blocker device (43) for preventing the inserted game medal from being transferred to the payout device when the slot machine (S) is not in the medal acceptance state, and the blocker device (43 ) At least blocker signal output means (200), and when the blocker signal output means (200) is outputting a blocker signal, the lifting mechanism (30) is not operated. And

Here, the “blocker signal” is a signal for operating the blocker device (43) output by the blocker signal output means (200) provided in the control device (main board (100)) of the slot machine (S). That is. The blocker device (43) is a medal passage blocking device provided in the medal selector (4), and when a solenoid operates, a claw called a blocker protrudes into the medal passage and discharges a game medal to the outside of the slot machine. It is formed as follows.
The blocker signal is output when the slot machine (S) determines that the medal cannot be accepted. For example, medals cannot be accepted when game medals are inserted in excess of the creditable number or during rotation of the rotating reel. When the medal unacceptable state is resolved, the blocker signal output stops.

(Function)
In the present invention, when the blocker signal is received during the operation of the raising mechanism (30), the operation of the raising mechanism (30) is stopped even if there is no output signal from the “operation stopping means”. In addition, when the blocker signal is output from the control device while the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) is stopped, the signal is invalidated (cancelled or interrupted) even if the signal is output from the “operation start means”. Do not operate the lifting mechanism (30).
By controlling in this way, although the slot machine (S) refuses to accept medals, the ascending mechanism (30) operates and continues to send medals to the medal selector (4), and the medal discharge port (13) There is no inconvenience that medals continue to be discharged without meaning.

(Claim 8 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 8 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 .
That is, the invention according to claim 8 is the blocker device (43) for preventing the inserted game medal from being transferred to the payout device when the slot machine (S) is not in the medal acceptance state, and the blocker device (43 ) At least blocker signal output means (200), and when the blocker signal output means (200) outputs a blocker signal while the lift mechanism (30) is operating, the lift mechanism ( 30) is operated for a predetermined time, and then the operation is stopped, and the raising mechanism (30) is not operated while the blocker signal output means (200) is outputting the blocker signal.

In the present invention, when the lifting mechanism (30) is stopped by the blocker signal, the game medal remaining in the lifting mechanism (30) (for example, in the middle of the lifting device (32) or the transfer passage (33)) is lifted. It is formed so that it can be discharged from the mechanism (30).
Here, the “predetermined time” that operates after receiving the blocker signal is necessary for the game medals at the entrance of the ascending mechanism (30) (for example, the medal feeding device (31)) to pass through the ascending device (32). A sufficient time is preferable.
The “actuation” includes not only operating the game medal in the direction of raising, but also reverse operation, ie, operating in the direction of lowering the game medal.

(Function)
When the blocker signal output means (200) outputs a blocker signal, the ascending mechanism (30) automatically stops operating after continuing the operation for a predetermined time. While the blocker signal is being output, the medal selector (4) cancels the inserted medal by the blocker device (43). It is discharged from the medal outlet (13).
(Claim 9 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 9 is characterized by the following points in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 8 .
That is, the invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the auxiliary medal slot (14) is closed to the auxiliary medal slot when the raising mechanism (30) does not transfer the game medal to the auxiliary medal slot (14). (14) An opening / closing shutter (35) for preventing a game medal from entering the interior is provided.

The opening / closing shutter (35) opens and closes the opening of the auxiliary medal slot (14) by the action of a solenoid, for example, and can prevent a game medal from entering the auxiliary medal slot (14). Any shape is acceptable.
The opening / closing shutter (35) is normally open based on the control of the slot machine (S), and can be formed to close when the game medal is not transferred by the raising mechanism (30). Alternatively, the player may be able to select opening / closing by a predetermined opening / closing switch. Here, `` when the ascent mechanism (30) does not transfer game medals '' means that it is useless even if medals are inserted using the ascent mechanism (30) when the slot machine (S) is not in the medal acceptance state. Cases (cancelled by the medal selector (4)), when the ascending mechanism (30) is stopped, or when the player does not want to insert medals. When to close can be set according to various purposes.

(Function)
According to the present invention, when the open / close shutter (35) is closed by the control of the slot machine (S) or the player's selection, it is not possible to insert a game medal into the auxiliary medal slot (14). Therefore, it is possible to avoid useless operation of the ascending device (30) due to useless use of medals, and if the player does not want automatic introduction of game medals, the game medals will fall into the auxiliary medal insertion slot (14). For example, the trouble that the lifting device (30) operates can be prevented.
(Claim 10 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 10 is characterized by the following points in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 3, 4 or 9 .

That is, the invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that when a predetermined number of game medals are inserted into the auxiliary medal slot (14) during operation of the ascending mechanism (30), the auxiliary medal slot is inserted. (14) is closed, and an open / close shutter (35) is provided for preventing a game medal from entering the auxiliary medal slot (14).
In the present invention, a predetermined number of medals are inserted when the open / close shutter (35) is closed.
Here, the “predetermined number” includes not only the number set in the slot machine, such as 50 maximum credits, but also the number set by the player himself. In the latter case, a number setting means (for example, displaying a numerical value on a predetermined display unit by operating a button) provided by a player can be set as appropriate, and a raising mechanism (30) is provided with a counter. When the number of sheets instructed by the number setting means is reached, the open / close shutter (35) can be closed.

(Function)
According to the present invention, the opening / closing shutter (35) is closed when a predetermined number of game medals are inserted while the lifting device (30) is in operation. That is, when medal insertion by the ascending mechanism (30) is started, it is impossible to insert game medals exceeding the maximum number of credits or the number initially set by the player. Therefore, against the intention of the player, while preventing game medals from being inserted into the auxiliary medal slot (14), adding extra game medals to the auxiliary medal slot (14) will result in excessive credit, It is possible to avoid the waste that the inserted medal is eventually canceled and the inconvenience that the rising mechanism (30) stops due to reception of the blocker signal and the gaming medal remains in the rising mechanism (30).

(Claim 11 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 11 has the following characteristics in addition to the characteristics of the invention described in claim 9 or 10 .
That is, the invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the open / close shutter (35) is closed while the blocker signal output means (200) is outputting a blocker signal.
In the present invention, when the slot machine (S) is not in the medal acceptance state, the open / close shutter (35) is closed.

(Function)
In the present invention, the open / close shutter (35) is closed by the output of the blocker signal regardless of whether or not the lifting mechanism (30) is operated. Therefore, when the slot machine (S) is not in the medal acceptance state, the medal insertion itself into the auxiliary medal insertion slot (14) cannot be performed. Therefore, as a result, it is possible to eliminate the waste of throwing game medals that are not transferred into the slot machine into the auxiliary medal slot (14).
(Claim 12 )
(Feature point)
The invention described in claim 12 is characterized by the following points.

That is, the invention according to claim 12 is provided on the front face, a front slot for inserting game media, and a game medium for selecting the inserted game media located below the front slot. In a gaming machine having at least a detection unit, a payout unit for paying out game media, and a payout tray capable of storing game media paid out from the payout unit , the bottom surface of the payout plate is divided into two stages, an upper stage and a lower stage. Forming an inclined portion that is inclined downward from the upper stage toward the lower stage between the upper stage and the lower stage , provided on the upper stage of the payout tray, and an auxiliary slot that can be used for batch loading of game media, and the auxiliary slot And a lift mechanism for lifting the game medium inserted from the auxiliary slot, and the game medium lifted by the lift mechanism is transferred to the front of the game medium detection unit. And a order of the transfer means, transferring the outlet for paying out game media from the delivery unit, said toward the auxiliary input port to form, game media to be paid out from the payout unit directly the auxiliary input port When the game medium that is not lifted by the raising mechanism remains in the vicinity of the auxiliary slot, the game medium paid out from the payout unit toward the auxiliary slot is the It is characterized in that it is formed so as to slide on the inclined portion and move to the lower stage of the dispensing tray .

Here, the game medium includes a game medal, a coin, a pachinko ball, and the like, and the present invention relates to a game machine such as a parrot game machine in which a game medium is inserted to play a game. Accordingly, in addition to the above components, the reel unit (3) having a rotating reel and a motor for driving the reel, and a control device for controlling the operation of the reel unit (3) may be included. .
Here, the “front slot” may be a ball slot (432) capable of taking a game medium (for example, a game ball) into the game machine. The “game medium detection unit” is provided in a transfer path from the ball throwing unit (432) to, for example, a ball circulation device installed on the back side of the gaming machine, and eliminates incompatible game balls. A ball detection unit (433) for counting game balls as input balls can be used.

The “payout unit” is used to supply game balls to each gaming machine from a ball circulation device installed on the “island” of the game hall, in addition to a discharge port of a gaming medium dispensing device installed inside the gaming machine. It can be an exit (ball outlet (431)). Further, the “payout tray” may be a lower tray (440) capable of storing game balls discharged from the ball discharge port (431), and the “auxiliary input port” may be the lifting mechanism (30). It can be an opening of a device (for example, a ball feeding device (36)) for transporting game media to the player. The transfer means (37) may be a passage through which the game medium can be transferred from the upper end of the ascending mechanism (30) toward the “payout tray”.
(Function)
According to the present invention, the game medium thrown into the auxiliary slot is lifted by the ascending mechanism (30) and transferred directly or indirectly to the game medium detection unit above the auxiliary slot. Since the auxiliary slot is provided below the front slot, the distance for the player to lift the game medium can be reduced, so that it is inserted especially when the game medium stored in the payout tray is re-inserted. It is easy to play, and there is no worry of dropping the game media picked up by hand.

By the way, in the present invention, an operation start means for starting the operation of the raising mechanism (30) is provided, and this operation start means can be a sensor for detecting a game medium. If formed in this way, when the player inserts the game medium into the auxiliary slot, the sensor detects the game medium and the operation of the raising mechanism (30) starts, so the operation of the raising mechanism (30) It is automatically performed based on the player's game medium input action.
Further, an operation switch for operating the lifting mechanism (30) may be provided as the operation start means. If formed in this way, the player can start the game medium transfer into the gaming machine by operating the operation switch after the game medium is inserted into the auxiliary slot, and the operation switch can be operated. After that, the game medium can be inserted into the auxiliary slot.

  Further, an operation stop means for stopping the operation of the raising mechanism (30) is provided, and a sensor for detecting the game medium is provided as the operation stop means, and when this sensor does not detect the game medium for a certain time The raising mechanism (30) may be configured to stop operating. In such a case, even if all the inserted game media are transported to the inside of the game machine (game media detection unit), a certain time elapses without any operation by the player. In this case, the operation of the lifting mechanism (30) is automatically stopped. Alternatively, an operation switch for stopping the operation of the lifting mechanism (30) may be provided as the operation stopping means. In this case, the operation of the ascending mechanism (30) can be stopped by the player's intention. Furthermore, even when the raising mechanism (30) is in operation and the sensor detects the game medium, the operation of the raising mechanism (30) is stopped by the player operating the operation switch. Thereby, the lifting of the game medium by the ascending mechanism (30) can be temporarily stopped by the player's will.

By the way, an opening / closing shutter (35) is provided at the auxiliary slot to close the auxiliary slot and prevent the game medium from entering the auxiliary slot when the lifting mechanism (30) does not transfer the game medium. Can do. If formed in this way, when the open / close shutter (35) is closed by the control of the gaming machine or the player's selection, the gaming medium cannot be thrown into the auxiliary slot. Therefore, it is possible to avoid useless operation of the lifting device (30) due to the insertion of useless game media, and when the player does not want to automatically enter game media, the game media falls to the auxiliary input port and rises. Troubles that the device (30) operates can also be prevented.
The opening / closing shutter (35) can be formed so as to be closed when a predetermined number of game media are input to the auxiliary input port during operation of the lifting mechanism (30), or When the gaming machine is not in the game medium reception state, the open / close shutter (35) may be closed.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
(Claim 1 or 2)
That is, according to the first or second aspect of the invention, by providing the auxiliary medal slot below the normal medal slot, the player can collect game medals all at once without lifting the medal to the medal slot. turned can more suited to cycle the paid out game medals, it is possible to provide a slot machine also game medals paid out from the slot machine Ru can put regardless of a player's hand.
(Claim 3 )
According to the invention described in claim 3 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2 , the following effect is provided.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of automatically transferring game medals inserted into the auxiliary medal slot into the gaming machine (medal selector and payout device).

(Claim 4 )
According to invention of Claim 4 , in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 , there exist the following effects.
That is, according to the invention described in claim 4 , it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of transferring a game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot into the gaming machine by the player's intention.
(Claim 5 )
According to the invention described in claim 5 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 3 or 4 , the following effect can be obtained.

That is, according to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to provide a slot machine in which the raising mechanism automatically stops its operation unless a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot.
(Claim 6 )
According to the invention described in claim 6 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 5 , the following effect is provided.
That is, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of stopping the throwing-in action by the player's intention.
(Claim 7 )
According to the invention described in claim 7 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 , the following effect is obtained.

That is, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine that can eliminate the waste of the operation of the raising mechanism and can efficiently insert medals.
(Claim 8 )
According to the invention described in claim 8 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 , the following effect is obtained.
That is, according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the operation of the ascending mechanism can be eliminated, the medal can be inserted efficiently, and the game medal being inserted can be canceled when the slot machine is not in the medal acceptance state. Machine can be provided.

(Claim 9 )
According to the invention described in claim 9 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 8 , the following effect is provided.
That is, according to the ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent a game medal from being inserted into the auxiliary medal slot except when necessary.

(Claim 10 )
According to the invention described in claim 10 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 3, 4 or 9 , the following effect is provided.
That is, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably insert the game medals as many times as desired by the player and to prevent the cancellation medals from circulating in the raising device.

(Claim 11 )
According to the invention described in claim 11 , in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 9 or 10 , the following effect is provided.
That is, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the slot machine is not in the medal acceptance state, it is possible to prevent a game medal from being inserted into the auxiliary medal slot.
(Claim 12 )
According to invention of Claim 12 , there exist the following effects.
That is, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by providing the auxiliary insertion port below the normal game medium insertion port, the player can input the game media all at once without lifting the game media to the insertion port. A gaming machine capable of being provided can be provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Although not directly related to the present invention, embodiments of the reference invention of the present invention will be described in order to clarify the configuration of the present invention.
(Embodiment 1 of the reference invention )
(Explanation of drawings)
1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the reference invention of the present invention.
1 is a front view of the appearance of the slot machine, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine, FIGS. 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views of the slot machine, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lifting device, and FIGS. FIG.
(Slot Machine S)
As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine S includes a box-shaped housing 1 that opens to the front side and a front door 2 that is attached to the front side of the housing 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, a reel unit 3 having a plurality of rotating reels and a hopper unit 5 for storing game medals and paying out game medals at the time of winning are installed inside the housing 1. Although not particularly shown, a control device (main board 100) for controlling the operation of the reel unit 3 and the hopper unit 5 and a power supply device are incorporated.
The front door 2 is a plate-like door capable of closing the opening of the housing 1 so as to be openable and closable, and forms the front structure of the slot machine S in a closed state. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a symbol display window 10 is formed on the front side of the front door 2 so that the symbol of the rotating reel can be visually recognized. The central portion is an operation unit 18 provided with operation means such as a start switch 15, a stop switch 16, and a bet switch 17. A front medal slot 11 for inserting game medals is provided at the end of the operation unit 18. The start switch 15 is for rotating the rotating reel, and the stop switch 16 is for stopping the rotating reel. The bet switch 17 is used to replace a game medal stored as credit with an inserted medal.

Then, a game medal is inserted or the bet switch 17 is pressed, the rotating reel is rotated by operating the start switch 15, the rotating reel is stopped by operating the stop switch 16, and the symbols displayed on the plurality of rotating reels are displayed. When the player stops at a predetermined position mode, a prize is won and a predetermined number of game medals are paid out.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the front medal slot 11 is provided with a horizontally long slit 11a into which game medals can be inserted one by one from the upper side, and on the front side of the slit 11a, A plurality of game medals can be placed in parallel in the vertical direction, and a medal guiding recess 11b for guiding the game medals is formed in the slit. When inserting game medals, the game medals may be dropped one by one into the slit 11a, or a plurality of game medals are lined up in the medal guiding recess 11b and then swung back and forth, and the games lined up at the front end. It falls to the slit 11a in order from the medal. The game medals thrown into the slit 11a are transferred to the medal selector 4. In addition, on the side of the front medal slot 11, a transfer passage 33 for dropping the game medal transferred by the lifting device 32 to the slit 11a is provided, and below the front medal slot 11, A drive switch 21 is provided to activate and deactivate the ascending mechanism 30, which will be described later.

In addition, a medal discharge port 13 for discharging game medals is formed at the lower part of the front door 2, and a payout medal tray 12 capable of storing the game medals discharged from the medal discharge port 13 is provided. Yes. An auxiliary medal slot 14 is formed at the right end of the payout medal tray 12, which will be described later.
Further, on the back side of the front door 3, as shown in FIG. 3, a medal selector 4 for selecting and counting game medals inserted from the front medal slot 11, and the medal selector 4 and the hopper unit 5 A discharge passage 19 for guiding game medals discharged from the medals discharge port 13 is provided.

Here, the medal selector 4 has a medal receiving port below the slit 11a of the front medal slot 11, and is formed so that the authenticity of the game medal inserted from the front medal slot 11 can be determined. Then, an appropriate game medal can be transferred to the hopper unit 5, and if the inserted medal is not appropriate, the game medal can be discharged to the medal discharge port 13 without being transferred to the hopper unit 5. Is formed.
Specifically, although not particularly illustrated, the medal selector 4 has a medal guiding path for guiding medals to the hopper unit 5, and an insertion medal discharge port 41 is provided at an end of the medal guiding path. (See FIG. 3). An appropriate game medal transferred from the medal receiving port to the medal guiding path is transferred to the hopper unit 5 through the inserted medal discharging port 41.

On the other hand, when an inappropriate game medal is inserted, a blocker device 43 (not shown), which is a passage blocking device, operates to remove the medal from the medal guiding path and drop it from the discharged medal discharge unit 42. . The blocker device 43 is formed such that a claw called a blocker protrudes into the medal guiding path when the solenoid is operated, and the passage of the game medal is prevented. The game medals that cannot be passed by the blocker device 43 are discharged from the medal discharge port 13 to the payout medal tray 12 through the discharge passage 19.
Although not particularly illustrated, the medal selector 4 is provided with a medal sensor 45 for counting the number of game medals transferred to the hopper unit 5, and this count indicates the maximum creditable number (50). Even if it exceeds, the blocker device 43 is operated, and the inserted game medal is discharged to the medal discharge port 13. In addition, the inserted game medal can be discharged to the medal discharge port 13 even when a predetermined game state is reached or a predetermined error occurs. Details of this will be described later. To do.

(Auxiliary medal slot 14)
The auxiliary medal slot 14 is provided separately from the front medal slot 11 and is used for batch gaming medals. In other words, the game medals lent out from the medal lending machine and the payout medals accumulated in the payout medal tray 12 of the slot machine S can be inserted into the front medal slot 11 without being raised by the player.
Specifically, the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14 is a receiving tray provided in the payout medal tray 12 and capable of inserting game medals. Thus, the step is formed so that the game medals stored in the payout medal tray 12 do not move to the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14 against the intention of the player. That is, when a game medal on the payout medal tray 12 is to be inserted into the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14, the game medal must be grabbed or scraped from the payout medal tray 12 by hand, and the auxiliary medal on the step is inserted. The game medal is prevented from moving to the mouth 14.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, even if it forms so that the bottom part of the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14 may incline toward the back and the game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14 slides on the medal feeding device 31. Good.
(Raising mechanism 30)
Next, the raising mechanism 30 will be described.
The ascending mechanism 30 is a mechanism for lifting a game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 upward from the auxiliary medal slot 14 and automatically inserting it into the front medal slot 11.
The ascending mechanism 30 includes a medal feeding device 31, a raising device 32, and a transfer passage 33. The medal feeding device 31 is for sending a game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 to the ascending device 32. The ascent device 32 is for lifting the game medals sent out from the medal feeding device 31 upward, and the transfer passage 33 is a passage through which the game medals are lifted by the ascent device 32 and has an auxiliary medal slot. This is for guiding the game medal inserted in 14 to the front medal slot 11. The medal feeding device 31 and the lifting device 32 are operated by the lifting mechanism driving device 20.

(Medal feeder 31)
As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, the medal feeder 31 is installed on the back side of the bottom of the auxiliary medal slot 14, and the game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 is moved up one by one. It is for sending out. Specifically, it is provided with a delivery disk having a plurality of medal holes, and is formed such that game medals fitted in the medal holes are discharged one by one by rotating the delivery disk. is there.
The medal feeder 31 may be installed on the bottom surface of the auxiliary medal slot 14 or on the side of the auxiliary medal slot 14. However, the player may accidentally touch his hand or the medal hole may be clogged with foreign objects. In order to avoid this, it is preferable to install it at a position where it is not exposed to the outside or to provide a cover. Further, as the medal feeder 31, a belt drive type may be used in addition to the rotary disk type described above.

(Raising device 32 and transfer passage 33)
The ascending device 32 is for transferring the game medals sent from the medal feeding device 31 upward. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion is slightly higher than the front medal slot 11. It is a screw type lifting machine formed in. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the lifting device 32 is a rotary shaft 32b having a spiral projecting portion 32c, and is installed inside a transfer passage 33 that is a rectangular cylinder. Yes. Then, the game medal M is taken in from a medal intake (not shown) provided in the lower portion of the transfer passage 33, and the rotation shaft 32b is rotated in the downward slope direction of the spiral of the overhanging portion 32c, thereby transferring the game medal M. It is configured to move above the passage 33.

Here, when the game medal M sent out from the medal feeder 31 is in a position where the medal intake can be inserted into the medal intake, the overhanging portion 32c is exactly the same height as or slightly lower than the lower end of the medal intake. Thus, the position of the rotation shaft 32b is adjusted. Further, the rotation of the rotating shaft 32b is formed so as to be synchronized with the rotation of the feeding disk of the medal feeding device 31, and when the medal feeding device 31 sends out the game medal M, the projecting portion 32c always takes in the medal. It is located at the same height as the lower end of the mouth.
The transfer passage 33 is formed to have an inner dimension slightly larger than the diameter of the game medal M, and the game medal M is located between the inner surface of the transfer passage 33 and the rotating shaft 32b. As the rotating shaft 32b rotates, the spiral of the overhanging portion 32c moves upward with respect to the game medal M, so that the game medal M is pushed up by the overhanging portion 32c and the inner surface of the transfer passage 33 It rises along. The raised game medals are pushed out from a medal discharge port 33a provided on the front medal insertion port 11 side above the transfer passage 33.

The transfer passage 33 may be formed in a guide rail shape that can hold both ends of the game medal M as shown in FIG.
By the way, the raising device 32 is configured to lift the game medal in a standing state. Therefore, when the game medal is sent out in a horizontal state from the medal feeding device 31, the game medal in the horizontal state is raised. It is desirable to provide a standing means for this purpose. As the standing device, for example, using a slope that gradually becomes perpendicular to the rotating arm from a horizontal state, the game medal in the horizontal state is pushed up on the slope by the rotating arm, and the game medal is raised, or a deformation cam is used. For example, a game medals standing in a horizontal state as the cam rotates. Alternatively, a transfer rail in which game medals discharged from the medal feeding device 31 can move in parallel may be provided so that the game medals gradually change from a horizontal state to a vertical state in the moving process.

Further, as the lifting device 32, a game medal sent out in a horizontal state can be discharged in a standing state, for example, a medal in a horizontal state is accepted, and a game medal is gradually raised in a lifting process and discharged in a standing state. You may use what has a transfer rail. The lifting device 32 is not limited to the one having the above-described configuration, and may be of any form as long as it can lift game medals one by one.
(Raising mechanism drive)
The raising mechanism driving device is for actuating or deactivating the medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32, and includes a drive switch 21 and a drive motor 23 as an operation start unit and an operation stop unit.

  The drive motor 23 is for rotating the feeding disk of the medal feeding device 31 and the rotating shaft 32c of the lifting device 32. Specifically, the drive is received in response to the drive command signal output from the ascending mechanism drive control means 300, and the drive is stopped when the output of the drive command signal is stopped. However, when a blocker signal to be described later is received, it is not driven regardless of the presence or absence of the drive command signal. The drive motor 23 is formed so that the rotation of the feed disk and the rotation shaft 32b is synchronized. In this case, a motor for rotating the feed disk and a motor for rotating the rotating shaft 32b may be provided separately, or both may be formed to be rotatable by a single motor.

The drive switch 21 is a lever or button provided below the front medal slot 11, and is for starting or stopping driving of the drive motor 23.
For example, a lever is provided as the drive switch 21, and when the lever is turned in a predetermined direction, the switch is turned on and the drive motor 23 is driven. The drive motor 23 can be formed to stop. If formed in this way, the player must hold down the drive switch 21 while inserting the game medal into the front medal slot 11, but it is only necessary to release the hand when the required number is inserted, so even if the number is small, as expected Easy to put in.

Further, a button can be provided as the drive switch 21 so that the switch signal is switched ON and OFF each time the button is pressed. That is, the operation is started when operated when the raising mechanism 30 is not operated, and the operation is stopped when operated when the raising mechanism 30 is operated. According to this embodiment, there is an advantage that the game medal is lifted even if the player does not keep touching the switch.
By the way, the medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32 may be formed so as to be automatically operable according to the presence or absence of medals. That is, a medal confirmation sensor 22 for detecting the presence of a game medal is provided as an operation starting means of the raising mechanism 30. The medal confirmation sensor 22 is, for example, a light shielding sensor provided at the auxiliary medal slot 14, and when the medal confirmation sensor 22 detects a game medal, the drive motor 23 is driven to rotate the sending disk. When no game medal is detected, the drive motor 23 is not driven. Since the feeding disk of the medal feeder 31 and the rotating shaft 32b of the ascending device 32 can be rotated at the same time, if there is a game medal at the auxiliary medal slot 14, the ascending device 32 also operates to lift the game medal. To do. If formed in this way, the drive motor 23 is automatically driven as long as a player inserts a game medal into the auxiliary medal slot 14 without operating a switch or the like.

Alternatively, the drive motor 23 may be stopped when the medal confirmation sensor 22 does not detect a medal for a certain period of time. That is, the medal confirmation sensor 22 is also provided with a function as an operation stop means of the ascending mechanism 30. If the medal confirmation sensor 22 does not detect a game medal and a predetermined time (for example, a time sufficient for passing through the transfer passage 33 after the game medal is sent) passes, the game sent from the medal feeding device 31 This is because the medals should not be present in the transfer passage 33, and therefore it is preferable to stop the driving in order to prevent the medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32 from idling.
The medal confirmation sensor 22 may be provided in the medal feeding device 31. For example, a sensor capable of confirming a game medal on the upper surface of the delivery disk is provided. In this case, the raising mechanism 30 does not operate simply by inserting a game medal into the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14, and the raising mechanism 30 is operated by moving the game medal to the upper part of the medal feeding device 31. Therefore, it is possible to store game medals in the auxiliary medal slot 14.

Furthermore, both the drive switch 21 and the medal confirmation sensor 22 can be provided. In this case, for example, the first operation of the ascent mechanism 30 (at the start of the game) is triggered by the medal detection of the medal confirmation sensor 22, and after the blocker signal described later is output during the game and the operation of the ascending mechanism 30 is stopped. The operation can be resumed by operating the drive switch 21. In this case, the drive switch 21 is preferably an ON / OFF switch.
(Introduction of game medals)
Next, a transfer path of inserted game medals in the slot machine S having the above configuration will be described.

First, when a game is first started, a game medal is obtained from a medal lending machine. The medals lent from the medal lending machine may be inserted into the front medal slot 11 or the auxiliary medal slot 14. When inserting into the auxiliary medal slot 14, it is only necessary to literally throw it into the auxiliary medal slot 14 without arranging game medals, so that a player who is not accustomed to throwing medals into the front medal slot 11, It is convenient for a troublesome player to manually insert a large number of game medals.
Next, the case where a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 will be described separately for (1) the case where the drive switch 21 is provided and (2) the case where the medal confirmation sensor 22 is provided.

(1) When the drive switch 21 is provided: A game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 and the game medal is moved onto the delivery disk of the medal feeder 31. When the drive switch 21 is operated, the medal feeding device 31 and the lifting device 32 start to operate. Then, the medal feeding device 31 sends out the game medals one by one to the ascent device 32, and the ascent device 32 lifts the sent out game medals upward. The raised game medals are discharged one by one from the upper end portion of the ascent device 32, and are inserted one by one into the slit 11a of the front medal insertion slot 11 through the insertion transfer means 60. The inserted game medals are stored in the hopper unit 5 through the medal selector 4. Since the number of game medals that have passed through the medal selector 4 is displayed on a credit display section (not shown) provided below the symbol display window 10 of the slot machine S, the player can determine the maximum number of credits (50 The desired number of sheets is inserted within the range of the number of sheets, and the operation of the raising mechanism 30 can be stopped by operating the drive switch 21 again.

When the number of inserted medals exceeds 50, the blocker device 43 of the medal selector 4 is activated, and the game medals that are subsequently inserted are discharged from the medal outlet 13.
(2) When the medal confirmation sensor 22 is provided When a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14, or when the inserted game medal is moved from the auxiliary medal slot 14 to the medal feeder 31, the medal confirmation sensor 22 When a medal is detected, the medal feeding device 31 and the lifting device 32 start to operate. Subsequent game medal transfer paths are the same as described above. When all of the game medals inserted in the auxiliary medal slot 14 or the game medals on the medal feeder 31 are sent out and a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses, the medal feeder 31 and the raising device 32 are activated. Stop.

Here, the slot machine S can operate the start switch by inserting at least one medal, and can rotate the rotating reel. However, when credit is given, instead of inserting the medal, betting A game can be played by operating the switch 17. When the bet switch 17 is operated, a predetermined bet number is subtracted from the credit.
When a game is played and a predetermined winning is achieved, a game medal is paid out from the hopper unit 5. The payout medal is discharged from the medal discharge port 13 and stored in the payout medal tray 12. In addition, when there are no credit medals and the game medals stored in the payout medal tray 12 are reinserted, they can be inserted one by one into the front medal slot 11 or inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14. May be.

  Here, since the auxiliary medal slot 14 is juxtaposed with the payout medal tray 12, when inserting a game medal into the auxiliary medal slot 14, an appropriate amount of game medals are taken out from the payout medal tray 12 to assist It is only necessary to move to the medal slot 14. That is, it is much simpler and simpler than picking up a game medal from the payout medal tray 12, aligning the direction of the medal, and inserting it into the front medal slot 11. Further, there is no inconvenience that the game medal is dropped to the front medal slot 11 while being lifted. It is more effective to provide a transfer path (for example, a slope) for moving game medals between the auxiliary medal slot 14 and the payout medal tray 12.

As described above, the slot machine S according to the present embodiment has two medal insertion slots, the front medal insertion slot 11 where game medals can be manually inserted one by one, and the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14 where game medals can be batch inserted. Therefore, the game medal insertion method can be selected according to the player's preference.
(Insertion medal control)
By the way, the raising mechanism 30 is most preferably operated in conjunction with the gaming state of the slot machine S. This is because the slot machine S is formed so as not to accept inserted medals when a predetermined gaming state is reached. Even if a gaming medal is inserted in such a state, the inserted medal Is canceled and discharged to the payout medal tray 12. Therefore, the reason that the ascending mechanism 30 is operating even though the slot machine S is not in the medal acceptance state is because it is very wasteful.

Then, the control regarding the insertion medal including the operation control of the raising mechanism 30 by the slot machine S will be described in detail.
The inserted medal control is performed by the blocker signal output means 200 and the ascending mechanism drive control means 300 provided in the control device (main board 100) of the slot machine S.
(Main board 100)
The main board 100 is configured around a CPU built in a board case, and includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. Here, the number of CPUs is not limited to one and may be controlled by two or more CPUs. Further, the CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and the like may be integrated to form a one chip. Then, the CPU reads the program stored in the ROM, thereby configuring various means for controlling the operation of the slot machine S.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main board 100 has at least game control means 110, effect control means 120, blocker signal output means 200, and ascending mechanism drive control means 300. The main substrate 100 may have means other than those described above.
The game control means 110 is for receiving operation signals from the start switch 15, stop switch 16 and bet switch 17 to control the operation of the reel unit 3 and the operation of the hopper unit 5. The effect control means 120 is for controlling a display device such as an effect lamp or a speaker. The effect control means 120 may be arranged on a sub board provided separately from the main board 100.

(Blocker signal output means 200)
The blocker signal output means 200 is for outputting a signal for operating the solenoid of the blocker device 43, that is, a blocker signal when it is determined that the slot machine S cannot accept a medal.
Here, the case where it is determined that the medal cannot be accepted is as follows.
(1) In the case of excessive credits In other words, the number of inserted medals exceeds the maximum possible number of credits (50). Specifically, the medal detection signal of the medal sensor 45 of the medal selector 4 is counted, and when this exceeds 50, a blocker signal is output. When credit is subtracted by operating the bet switch 17, the medal unacceptable state is canceled and the output of the blocker signal is stopped.

(2) From the operation of the start switch 15 to the end of the game In detail, when the minimum necessary medals (for example, one piece) are transported to the hopper unit 5 so that the game can be started, the start switch 15 This is the case when it is operated. In this case, the operation signal of the start switch 15 after receiving the medal detection signal from the medal sensor 45 is triggered, and the blocker signal is output. Then, after the start switch 15 is operated, the rotating reel starts to rotate, and when the stop switch 16 is pressed and all the rotating reels stop. The state is released and the blocker signal output stops.

(3) From the replay winning until the end of the next game “Replay” (replaying) is a winning role that allows the player to play again without inserting a game medal. In the case of winning, the replay symbols can be aligned on a predetermined winning active line. When the replay is a winning, a blocker signal is output. In this case, after the replay is won, the start switch 15 is operated to start the rotation of the reel, and the stop switch 16 is pressed to stop all the rotation reels. The blocker signal is output until the operation is completed.

(4) When an error occurs in a gaming machine Specifically, for example, when a sensor provided in the medal selector 4 detects an illegality related to a clogged medal or a medal insertion, when the hopper is empty, For example, it is detected that fraud has been added to the payout. In this case, a blocker signal is output in response to a predetermined error signal. When the error is resolved, the medal unacceptable state is canceled and the blocker signal output stops.
The blocker signal described above is output to the blocker device 43 of the medal selector 4 and simultaneously to the ascending mechanism drive control means 300.

(Climbing mechanism drive control means 300)
The lift mechanism drive control means 300 receives the signals from the operation start means and the operation stop means (medal confirmation sensor 22 or drive switch 21 provided in the lift mechanism 30) and the blocker signal output means 200, and receives the drive motor. It is a control part for controlling the drive of 23 directly.
Specifically, the lift mechanism drive control means 300 receives the medal presence confirmation signal from the medal confirmation sensor 22 or the switch ON signal from the drive switch 21. A drive command signal is output. On the other hand, if the medal presence confirmation signal is not received for a certain time while the drive command signal is being output, or if the drive stop signal switch OFF signal is received or the switch ON signal is not received, the drive command This stops signal output.

  However, when a blocker signal is received from the blocker signal output means 200, even if the signal from the operation start means is being received, the output of the drive command signal is stopped after a certain period of time and the drive motor 23 is driven. Stop. Here, the reason why the output of the drive command signal is stopped after a certain time has elapsed is to discharge the game medals remaining in the transfer passage 33. As an advantage of performing such control, it is considered that many players who use the auxiliary medal slot 14 insert game medals up to the maximum possible credit at a time. For example, the maximum possible credit (50 cards) is inserted. When a game is played and an attempt is made to move to another table when the credits are exhausted, if a game medal remains in the ascending mechanism 30, the player can take out the game medal in the slot machine S. While the cancel button (switch for discharging the stored medal) or the cancel button (switch for discharging the inserted medal) of the medal selector 4 is pressed, the ascending mechanism 30 must be operated again, which is very troublesome. Because it becomes.

When the drive motor 23 receives a blocker signal while driving is stopped, the drive command signal is not output and the drive motor 23 is not driven even if a signal from the operation start means is received.
By the way, as a control method when the blocker signal is received and the output of the drive command signal is stopped and then the blocker signal is interrupted, that is, when the medal unacceptable state is canceled, the following control methods can be mentioned.
One may be formed such that the drive command signal is temporarily interrupted by the blocker signal. If formed in this way, when the slot machine S enters the medal acceptance state, the interrupted drive command signal becomes valid, and the drive motor 23 automatically resumes driving.

The other can be formed such that the drive command signal is canceled by the blocker signal. In this case, the medal confirmation sensor 22 confirms the medal by operating the drive switch 21 or inserting a game medal into the auxiliary medal slot 14, and the ascending mechanism drive control means 300 outputs a drive command signal again. As a result, the drive motor 23 resumes driving.
When a blocker signal is received while the drive motor 23 is being driven, the rotating shaft 32b of the ascending device 32 is reversely rotated for a certain time to transfer the game medal downward, below the medal intake port of the transfer passage 33. It may be discharged from. In this case, the discharged game medal may be returned to the auxiliary medal slot 14 or the payout medal tray 12.

(Flow of game medal ascending drive control)
Next, an example of the game medal ascending drive control by the ascending mechanism drive control means 300 will be described based on the flow of FIG.
First, in the initial state before the game starts, the operation starting means does not function. That is, the drive switch 21 is in an OFF state, the medal confirmation sensor 22 does not detect a game medal, and the ascending mechanism 30 is not operating (the drive motor 23 is not driven).
In step 100, it is determined whether or not a blocker signal is output from the blocker signal output means 200. If the blocker signal output means 200 is outputting a blocker signal, the process returns to step 100. That is, since the subsequent control is not performed while the slot machine S is not in the medal acceptance state, even if a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 or the drive switch 21 is operated, the raising mechanism 30 does not work. On the other hand, if the blocker signal is not output, the process proceeds to the next step 101.

In step 101, it is determined whether the operation starting means is functioning. That is, it is determined whether the drive switch 21 or the medal confirmation sensor 22 is in the ON state. If the detection operation start means is not functioning, the process returns to step 100. On the other hand, if the operation starting means is functioning, the process proceeds to the next step 102.
In step 102, driving of the driving motor 23 is started. That is, the ascending mechanism control / drive control means 300 outputs a drive command signal to the drive motor 23. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 103.
In step 103, it is determined whether a blocker signal is output. If the blocker signal is not output, the process proceeds to the next step 104.

In step 104, it is determined whether the operation stop means is functioning. That is, it is determined whether or not the drive switch 21 is operated to be turned off or whether or not the medal confirmation sensor 22 has detected a game medal for a certain period of time. If the operation stop means is not functioning, the process returns to step 102. On the other hand, if the operation stopping means is functioning, the routine proceeds to step 106.
If it is determined in step 103 that a blocker signal has been output, the process proceeds to step 105.
In step 105, the drive motor 23 is driven for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). This is because game medals remaining in the transfer passage 33 are discharged. Therefore, when the driving motor 23 for the medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32 is provided separately, only the driving motor 23 for the raising device 32 is driven, and the driving motor 23 for the medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32 is the same. In some cases, power is not transmitted to the medal feeder 31. In this case, the drive motor 23 may be reversed. In the case of reverse rotation, game medals remaining in the transfer passage 33 are moved down the ascending device 32 and transferred to the payout medal tray 12 or the auxiliary medal slot 14. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 106.

In step 106, the drive of the drive motor 23 is stopped. That is, the ascending mechanism braking / driving control means 300 stops the drive command signal output to the drive motor 23. Then, the ascending drive control ends.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a game medal is not picked up from the payout medal tray 12 of the slot machine S and inserted into the front medal slot 11, the next auxiliary medal slot is inserted from the payout medal tray 12. Since game medals can be inserted simply by moving the game medals to 14, there is no need to drop game medals, and the auxiliary medal slot 14 can also insert a large number of game medals at one time. There is little dirt on the hands by touching. On the other hand, a player who wants to insert medals one by one can use the front medal slot 11 as before, and can provide a slot machine that can insert medals according to the player's needs. is there.

  Moreover, since the blocker signal is used as the same signal in order to simultaneously perform the effect (prohibition of medal reception) obtained as a result of the operation of the blocker device 43 and the place where the medal sending should be stopped as a result, Even though the inserted medal is discharged from the medal discharge port 13 by the blocker device 43, there is no useless operation that keeps sending the medal to the medal selector 4 while the ascending mechanism 30 is operating, and the medal insertion control is surely performed. There is an advantage of being done. Furthermore, if a blocker signal is output during driving of the drive motor 23, the game medal remaining in the ascending mechanism 30 can be automatically canceled by driving the drive motor 23 for a certain period of time, Even when the game is played for 50 medals and then moved to the next stand, there is no need for an operation for taking out the game medals and the player is not bothered.

(Embodiment 2 of the reference invention )
Embodiment 1 of the above-described reference invention is a configuration in which the raising device 32 and the transfer passage 33 are provided up to the side of the front medal slot 11, and the raised game medal is inserted into the front medal slot 11, As the slot machine, as shown in FIG. 8, the game medals raised from the transfer passage 33 directly to the medal selector 4 may be transferred. If formed in this way, there is an advantage that the transfer passage 33 does not get in the way when a game medal is inserted into the front medal slot 11. However, if it is not possible to see from the front side whether the game medal has been inserted securely, the player may feel uneasy, so make the part where the transfer passage 33 and the transfer passage 33 of the front door 2 are located transparent. It is preferable to make the inside visible.

In the illustrated example, the auxiliary medal slot 14 and the lifting mechanism 30 are installed on the front right side (front medal slot 11 side) of the slot machine S, but may be installed on the front left side. In this case, the lifting device 31 and the transfer passage 33 are disposed obliquely from the auxiliary medal slot 14 to the front medal slot 11 or the medal selector 4. When formed in this way, the player can move the game medal on the payout medal tray 12 to the auxiliary medal slot 14 with the left hand while operating the start switch 15 and the stop switch 16 with the right hand.
Further, the raising mechanism drive control means 300 may be provided separately from the main board 100. For example, a control board as a raising mechanism drive control means 300 for directly controlling the driving of the drive motor 23 is provided at any location of the raising mechanism 30. Signals from the drive switch 21 and the medal confirmation sensor 22 are directly output to the lift mechanism drive control means 300, and the lift mechanism drive control means 300 that receives this signal controls the drive of the drive motor 23. Further, in this case, the blocker signal is directly output to the drive motor 23, and the drive motor 23 can be configured to stop driving by the blocker signal. That is, even when the drive motor 23 receives a drive command signal from the ascending mechanism drive control means 300, the drive motor 23 gives priority to this signal and stops driving when it receives a blocker signal from the main board 100. The drive motor 23 stops driving simultaneously with the output of the blocker signal, so that the drive motor 23 can be stopped reliably and quickly. In this way, by providing the ascending mechanism drive control means 300 independently, the blocker signal that has been conventionally used for the operation of the blocker device 43 of the medal selector 4 is used without squeezing the memory capacity of the main board 100. Thus, there is an advantage that the apparatus can be easily used by attaching the apparatus to the conventional configuration without newly adding a configuration for adding the control signal.

( First embodiment of the present invention )
The first embodiment of the present invention is such that game medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 can be directly inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 4, and is shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the payout medal tray 12, thereby forming a two-stage upper 12B and lower 12A, is provided with a slope 12C that slopes down Ri slope from the top 12B toward the lower 12A. A medal feeder 31 is provided on the upper stage 12B, and a semi-cylindrical cover 34 is formed above the medal feeder 31. An opening is formed on the side of the cover 34 (left side in FIG. 9), and this opening serves as an auxiliary medal slot 14.

On the other hand, the hopper unit 5 is provided with a discharge nozzle 50 in the medal discharge portion. It is formed to be located.
Then, in order to make it easier for game medals discharged from the medal discharge port 13 to move to the auxiliary medal insertion port 14, a circular arc formed at the height of one medal at the boundary between the upper stage 12B and the slope 12C. A weir 12a is formed. That is, the side surface of the game medal discharged in a horizontal state from the medal discharge port 13 abuts on the weir 12a and is guided in the direction of the auxiliary medal insertion port 14.

  Although not particularly shown, a lifting device 32 is provided inside the transfer passage 33, and the transfer passage 33, the medal selector 4, and the discharge nozzle 50 are arranged inside the front door 2 of the slot machine S. Further, the ascending device 32 may be able to transfer game medals to the front medal slot 11, or may transfer game medals to the medal selector 4. Furthermore, although not particularly illustrated, the slot machine S may be provided with a transfer path for transferring game medals canceled by the blocker device 43 from the medal selector 4 to the discharge nozzle 50. Alternatively, separately from the medal discharge port 13 of the discharge nozzle 50, it may have a discharge port through which the canceled medal is discharged.

The medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32 are operated by a medal detection signal from the medal confirmation sensor 22, although not particularly illustrated. When the medal insertion is performed using the ascending mechanism 30, if the game medal is appropriately inserted into the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14, the medal confirming sensor 22 starts the operation of the medal feeding device 31 and the ascending device 32.
The medal feeding device 31 and the raising device 32 may be operated by operating a drive switch 21 (not shown). In this case, when the drive switch 21 is formed so as to be turned on during operation and to be turned off when the hand is released from the switch, the player confirms that an appropriate number of sheets is inserted and then releases the switch. Since it can be set to OFF, it is suitable.

The game medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 due to winning or the like are guided to the auxiliary medal slot 14 as they are guided by the arc-shaped weir 12a. On the other hand, when a game medal stays in the vicinity of the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14, the game medal discharged from the discharge nozzle 50 is not guided by the arc-shaped weir 12a, and is over the staying game medal. It stays in the place so as to be stacked, and is eventually pushed by the subsequent discharge medal, gets over the weir 12a , slides naturally on the slope 12C, and moves from the upper stage 12B to the lower stage 12A.
Further, in the present embodiment, an opening / closing shutter 35 is attached to the auxiliary medal slot 14. The opening / closing shutter 35 is a plate-like door capable of shielding the opening of the auxiliary medal slot 14 from above and below or from the left and right, and a game medal discharged from the medal outlet 13 in a predetermined case is the auxiliary medal slot 14. It is to prevent you from entering. Specifically, although not particularly illustrated, the vicinity of the opening of the auxiliary medal slot 14 is formed to be movable by the action of a solenoid.

Here, the control of the opening / closing shutter 35 will be described.
Although control of the open / close shutter 35 is not particularly shown, it can be performed by a shutter control board. The shutter control board is installed at a predetermined location of the slot machine S, such as in the vicinity of the ascending mechanism 30, and opens / closes the open / close shutter 35 by receiving various signals from the main board 100 and controlling the operation of the solenoid. It is what makes you do.
Next, an example of opening / closing control of the opening / closing shutter will be described based on the flow of FIG.
First, in step 200 in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not a game medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 11. Specifically, this is determined by the presence or absence of a medal detection signal output from the medal sensor 45 of the medal selector 4. If no medal is inserted in the medal slot 11, the process proceeds to the next step 201.

In step 201, it is determined whether or not a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14. This is determined based on whether or not a medal detection signal from the medal confirmation sensor 22 or an operation signal from the drive switch 21 has been received. If no game medal is inserted in the auxiliary medal slot 14, the process returns to step 200. On the other hand, if a game medal is inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14, the process proceeds to the next step 202.
If a medal is inserted into the medal slot 11 in step 200, the process skips step 201 and proceeds to step 202.
In step 202, it is determined whether a predetermined shutter closing condition is met. Details of this will be described later. If the predetermined shutter closing condition is not met, the process proceeds to the next step 203.

In 203, it is determined whether the open / close shutter 35 is open. If the open / close shutter 35 is open, the open / close shutter open / close control is terminated. On the other hand, if the opening / closing shutter 35 is not open, that is, if it is closed, the process proceeds to the next step 204.
In step 204, the opening / closing shutter 35 is opened. That is, the solenoid is operated so that the opening / closing shutter 35 is opened. Then, the opening / closing control of the opening / closing shutter is ended.
If it is determined in step 202 that a predetermined shutter closing condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 205.

In step 205, it is determined whether the open / close shutter 35 is closed. If the open / close shutter 35 is closed, the process returns to step 202. On the other hand, if the open / close shutter 35 is not closed, that is, if it is open, the process proceeds to the next step 206.
In step 206, the open / close shutter 35 is closed. That is, the solenoid is operated so that the opening / closing shutter 35 is closed. Then, the process returns to step 202.
According to this control, when a predetermined shutter closing condition is satisfied, the opening / closing shutter 35 remains closed all the time, and when the shutter closing condition is released, the opening / closing shutter 35 is opened.

Here, the “closing condition” in step 202 in the above flow may be as follows.
(1) When the blocker signal output means 200 outputs a blocker signal The blocker signal is output to the shutter control board. When the shutter control board receives the blocker signal, the open / close shutter 35 is closed. . This is to close the opening / closing shutter 35 when the slot machine S is not in the medal acceptance state so that the game medal cannot be inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14.
(2) Inserting a predetermined number of game medals Although not shown in particular, for example, in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 11, a number setting means that allows the player to specify the number of inserted medals is provided, and the number specified by the number setting means When the game medal is inserted, the opening / closing shutter 35 is closed. In this case, the ascending mechanism 30 is provided with a counting means for counting the number of medals sent out by the medal feeding device 31, for example. Further, as the number setting means, for example, a numerical value is displayed on a predetermined display unit by operating an instruction button, and a player can set a desired numerical value as the number of inserted sheets. When the count value of the counting means reaches the set value of the number setting means, the open / close shutter 35 is closed. If the number setting means is not set, it is preferable to insert up to 50 credits which is the maximum credit. By forming in this way, it is possible to reliably insert the number of medals desired by the player.

(3) During operation of the drive switch 21 This is a case where the drive switch 21 is provided as an operation start means.
When the shutter control board receives an operation signal for the drive switch 21, the open / close shutter 35 is closed. That is, the game medal inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 is prevented from being additionally inserted while the raising mechanism 30 is transferring to the front medal slot 11 (or the medal selector 4). This is to prevent game medals from being inserted into the auxiliary medal slot 14 against the will of the player, and additional game medals are additionally inserted and eventually canceled due to excessive credit. This is also to eliminate useless operation.

(4) When the settlement switch is operated Although not shown in particular, the settlement switch is a switch for paying out credit medals, and is operated by the player when the game is finished, etc. It is for taking out. When the settlement switch is operated, the hopper unit 5 is activated and the game medals are discharged. However, the game medals paid out from the hopper unit 5 are discharged from the discharge nozzle 50 toward the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14. If it is inserted again into the auxiliary medal slot 14 here, there is no meaning of paying back the medal. Therefore, when the settlement switch is operated, the opening / closing shutter 35 is closed.

(5) During operation of the open / close switch Although not shown in particular, a switch for opening / closing the open / close shutter 35 can be provided at a predetermined location, and the open / close shutter 35 can be opened / closed based on the switch operation. That is, when the player does not want to insert a medal into the auxiliary medal slot 14, the open / close shutter 35 is opened and closed by setting the open / close switch to “closed” and “open” when inserting the medal. . For players who do not want to automatically insert game medals (those who want to play games using the conventional insertion method), it is troublesome for the payout medals to roll into the auxiliary medal slot 14 adjacent to the payout medal tray 12. As long as it is. Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to play a smooth game by closing the open / close shutter 35.

In addition to the above, the open / close shutter 35 may be closed when, for example, an error such as a clogged medal in the medal feeding device 31 or the raising device 32 occurs. In short, when the game medal cannot be inserted into the slot machine S or when it is not necessary to insert it, the opening / closing shutter 35 may be configured to block the auxiliary medal insertion slot 14. By forming in this way, it is possible to avoid unnecessary operation of the device, reduce wear of the device and component parts, and reduce unnecessary use of the canceling operation, thereby efficiently playing the game.
The open / close shutter 35 in this embodiment can also be applied to the auxiliary medal slot 14 in the first and second embodiments.

( Second embodiment of the present invention )
The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a parrot gaming machine provided with an automatic loading mechanism 30. Here, the parrot is a gaming machine that uses a gaming ball such as a pachinko ball as a gaming medium to perform a game similar to a slot machine.
As shown in FIG. 11, the parrot P in the present embodiment is formed with a symbol display window 410 on the front surface of the casing 400 so that the symbol of the rotary reel can be visually recognized. A substantially central portion of P is an operation unit 420 provided with operation means such as a start switch and a stop switch. Above the operation unit 420, a ball outlet 431 from which game balls are paid out and an upper plate 430 for temporarily storing the paid-out game balls are provided. In addition, a lower plate 440 for dropping and storing the game balls stored in the upper plate 430 is provided at the lower portion of the housing 400.

  Then, when a game ball is put into the upper plate 430, it moves to a ball throwing unit 432 provided at the bottom of the upper plate 430 and communicating with the inside of the game machine. Although not particularly illustrated, a ball detection unit 433 for detecting a game ball inserted from the ball insertion unit 432 is provided on the back side or the lower side of the ball insertion unit 432. When the insertion switch 421 of the operation unit 420 is operated, a predetermined number of game balls are inserted from the ball insertion unit 432, and the game can be started. Therefore, the rotating reel is rotated by operating the start switch, and the rotating reel is stopped by operating the stop switch. At this time, when the symbols displayed on the plurality of rotating reels are stopped in a predetermined position mode, a winning is achieved, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out.

Here, if the number of balls to be paid out is larger than the number of balls to be thrown in, the game ball is stored in the upper plate 430, but when the upper plate 430 is full, it moves to the lower plate 440, like a pachinko game machine. Can be made. Specifically, for example, the amount of balls stored in the upper plate 430 is detected by a sensor, and when the upper plate 430 becomes full, the payout ball is discharged from the lower plate discharge port 441 instead of the ball discharge port 431. Like that.
And the raising mechanism 30 is incorporated in the parrot P. The configuration of the raising mechanism 30 in the present embodiment is basically the same as that described in the third embodiment. That is, the bottom surface of the lower plate 440 is formed in two stages, an upper stage 440B and a lower stage 440A, and a slope 440C that slopes uphill from the lower stage 12A toward the ascending mechanism 30 is provided. The upper stage 440B is provided with a ball feeding device 36 for feeding a game ball to the ascending device 32, and an opening is formed on the side of the ball feeding device 37 (left side in FIG. 11). This opening is an auxiliary charging opening 14 ', and an open / close shutter 35 is provided here. Further, the lower tray discharge port 441 is formed to be located in the upper stage 440B of the lower plate 440 and in the vicinity of the auxiliary charging port 14 ′.

Since the game medium is not a medal but a game ball, the lifting device 32 is configured so that the spiral shaft provided inside the cylindrical body rotates to transfer the game ball upward. At the tip, there is provided a transfer means 37 formed in a cylindrical shape that can transfer the game ball to the upper plate 230, that is, the ball insertion portion 232. Although not particularly shown, an operation switch for operating the ball feeding mechanism 33 and the lifting device 32 is provided, and only when this switch is operated, the ball feeding device 36 and the lifting device 32 operate to play the game ball. You may make it raise to the upper plate 230. FIG.
In the parrot P having the above-described configuration, when the game balls are no longer in the upper plate 230 and the payout balls stored in the lower plate 240 are reintroduced, the game balls in the lower plate 240 are transferred to the ball feeding mechanism 33. It is only necessary to move the ball to the upper side or operate the operation switch, and it is not necessary to lift the ball up to the upper plate 230 by hand. In addition, since the auxiliary slot 14 ′ is provided on the upper stage 440B of the lower plate 440 and the opening / closing shutter 35 is provided, it is possible to eliminate the throwing of the game ball and the useless operation of the lifting mechanism 30 contrary to the intention of the player. .

It is Embodiment 1 of the reference invention of the present invention, and is an external front view of a slot machine. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of a reference invention of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the reference invention of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a slot machine according to a first embodiment of the reference invention of the present invention. FIG. It is Embodiment 1 of the reference invention of this invention, Comprising: It is a cross-sectional view of a raising apparatus. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control device of a slot machine according to Embodiment 1 of the reference invention of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the lift mechanism drive control according to the first embodiment of the reference invention . It is Embodiment 2 of the reference invention of this invention, Comprising: It is an external appearance front view of a slot machine. It is 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view of a raising mechanism. It is 1st embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a flowchart which shows the opening / closing control of an opening / closing shutter. It is 2nd embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an external appearance front view of a parrot.

Explanation of symbols

S slot machine 1 housing 2 front door 3 reel unit 4 medal selector 5 hopper unit
10 Symbol display window 11 Front medal slot
12 Dispensing medal tray 13 Medal outlet
14 Auxiliary medal slot 15 Start switch
16 Stop switch 17 Bet switch
18 Control section 19 Discharge passage
21 Drive switch
22 Medal confirmation sensor 23 Drive motor
30 Lifting mechanism 31 Medal feeder
32 Lifting device 33 Transfer passage
34 Cover 35 Open / close shutter
36 Ball feeder 37 Transport means
41 Outlet medal outlet 42 Outlet medal outlet
43 Blocker device 45 Medal sensor
50 Discharge nozzle
100 Main board 200 Blocker signal output means
300 Lifting mechanism drive control means M Game medal P Parrot
400 housing 410 design display window
420 Operation part 421 Ball insertion switch
430 Upper plate (dispensing tray) 431 Ball outlet (dispensing section)
432 Ball slot (front slot) 433 Ball detector (game media detector)
440 Lower tray 441 Lower tray outlet (dispensing part)

Claims (12)

A front medal slot for placing game medals on the front,
A medal selector for selecting the inserted game medals located below the front medal slot;
A payout device for storing game medals that have passed through the medal selector and paying out game medals;
In a slot machine having at least a payout medal tray capable of storing game medals paid out from the payout device,
The bottom surface of the payout medal tray is formed in two stages, an upper stage and a lower stage, and includes an inclined portion that slopes downward from the upper stage toward the lower stage between the upper stage and the lower stage ,
An auxiliary medal slot that is provided at the top of the payout medal tray and is capable of batch loading of game medals;
An ascending mechanism provided in the vicinity of the auxiliary medal slot and for lifting the game medal inserted from the auxiliary medal slot;
Transporting means for transporting the game medal that has been raised by the raising mechanism to the front of the medal selector ;
At the boundary between the upper part of the payout medal plate and the inclined part, a weir formed with a thickness of one medal is provided,
A medal discharge port for paying out game medals from the payout device is formed toward the auxiliary medal slot, and game medals paid out from the payout device are guided by the weir and directly into the auxiliary medal slot. Formed to be transported,
When game medals that are not lifted by the ascending mechanism remain in the vicinity of the auxiliary medal slot, the game medals paid out from the payout device toward the auxiliary medal slot pass over the weir and are inclined. A slot machine, wherein the slot machine is formed so as to slide to a lower stage of the payout medal tray .   2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the transfer means is formed so that a game medal can be transferred to the front medal slot. Providing an operation start means for starting the operation of the raising mechanism;
3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation starting means is a sensor for detecting a game medal. Providing an operation start means for starting the operation of the raising mechanism;
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the operation start means is an operation switch for operating the raising mechanism. Providing an operation stopping means for stopping the operation of the raising mechanism;
5. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein a sensor for detecting a game medal is provided as the operation stop means, and the lift mechanism stops operating when the sensor does not detect a medal for a predetermined time. Providing an operation stopping means for stopping the operation of the raising mechanism;
6. The slot machine according to claim 3 , wherein the operation stop means is an operation switch for stopping the operation of the raising mechanism. When the slot machine is not in the medal acceptance state, at least a blocker device for preventing the inserted game medal from being transferred to the payout device, and a blocker signal output means for operating the blocker device,
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein when the blocker signal output means outputs a blocker signal, the raising mechanism is not operated. When the slot machine is not in the medal acceptance state, at least a blocker device for preventing the inserted game medal from being transferred to the payout device, and a blocker signal output means for operating the blocker device,
If the blocker signal output means outputs a blocker signal while the ascending mechanism is operating, the operation is stopped after operating the ascending mechanism for a predetermined time,
The blocker signal output means being output blocker signal, the slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that does not operate the lifting mechanism. The auxiliary medal slot is provided with an opening / closing shutter for closing the auxiliary medal slot when the raising mechanism does not transfer a game medal and preventing the game medal from entering the auxiliary medal slot. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . When a predetermined number of game medals are inserted into the auxiliary medal slot during the operation of the ascending mechanism, the auxiliary medal slot is closed to prevent the game medal from entering the auxiliary medal slot. claim 3 or 4 or 9, wherein the slot machine, characterized in that a closing shutter. 11. The slot machine according to claim 9 , wherein the open / close shutter is closed while the blocker signal output means outputs a blocker signal. A front insertion slot provided on the front side for introducing game media;
A game medium detection unit that is positioned below the front slot and for selecting the inserted game medium;
A payout unit for paying out game media;
In a gaming machine having at least a payout tray capable of storing game media paid out from the payout portion,
The bottom surface of the dispensing tray is formed in two stages, an upper stage and a lower stage, and includes an inclined portion that slopes downward from the upper stage toward the lower stage between the upper stage and the lower stage ,
An auxiliary slot provided at the top of the payout tray and capable of batch loading of game media;
An ascending mechanism provided in the vicinity of the auxiliary slot and for lifting the game medium thrown from the auxiliary slot;
Transporting means for transporting the game medium raised by the lifting mechanism to the front of the game medium detection unit ;
A discharge port for paying out game media from the payout unit is formed toward the auxiliary input port, and a game medium paid out from the payout unit is directly transferred to the auxiliary input port,
When game media that are not lifted by the raising mechanism remain in the vicinity of the auxiliary slot, the game medium that has been paid out from the payout unit toward the auxiliary slot is slid along the inclined part to the payout state. A gaming machine characterized in that it is formed to move to the lower stage of the dish .

Images