JP4241283B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a slot machine commonly called “pachi-slot”.

  A slot machine is known as one of the game tables. Generally, a slot machine includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of patterns, lottery means for determining whether or not an internal winning of a plurality of types of winning combinations is won by lottery, and a start switch for starting the rotation of the reels. Including a start operation unit, a stop switch provided for each of the reels for individually stopping the rotation of the reels, and a combination of the patterns displayed by the reels when stopped. And a determining means for determining a winning based on whether or not the combination is a pattern.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the start operation unit 700 that receives a start operation that triggers the winning combination lottery and the start of reel rotation detects the operation lever 710 operated by the player and the movement of the operation lever 710. An optical sensor 720 is provided as a start switch.

  That is, the operation lever 710 is swingable in the vertical direction by the support shaft 740 in the holder case 730 opened at the front end side, and is neutral by the bias of the spring 742 fitted to the shaft body 711 of the operation lever 710. Is supported by a support shaft 740. An operation ball 712 operated by the player is provided at the front end of the operation lever 710.

Further, an optical sensor 720 serving as a start switch is provided at the bottom of the holder case 730. At the optical axis position of the optical sensor 720, a detected portion 760 ′ provided at the rear end of the operation lever 710 faces the optical axis so that the operation lever 710 is neutral. Then, the optical sensor 720 is turned off. On the other hand, when the player hits the operation ball 712 of the operation lever 710, the operation ball 712 is rotated downward, so that the detected portion 760 ′ at the rear end is rotated upward and is off the optical axis. For this reason, the light reaches the light receiving portion, the optical sensor 720 is turned on, and the game in the slot machine is started.
A start operation unit 700 having the above-described configuration is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-328352

  In the slot machine, a counter that is incremented within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535) is mounted on the control board, the counter value is latched at the operation timing of the operation lever, and to which range the latched counter value belongs. Then, a winning combination (hereinafter referred to as a winning combination) to be won in the game is determined. That is, for example, if the counter value is 0 to 220, the big bonus (BB), if 221 to 330, the regular bonus (RB), if 331 to 1400, the cherry,. Moreover, when it does not belong to any range, it will be out of place.

However, in the conventional start operation unit in which the timing at which the operation lever is operated coincides with the timing at which the counter is latched, there is a problem that unauthorized operation is easily performed.
Specifically, a device for performing an unauthorized operation aiming at the value of the counter serving as a winning combination (for example, a movable head that moves an operation lever by a solenoid method or the like, and a timer that can set an operation cycle of the movable head) There is a problem in that an illegal game is performed in which a movable head is operated when a counter value enters a range in which a bonus is won, forcibly inviting a bonus win.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of suppressing unauthorized operations with a simple mechanism.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of reels provided with a plurality of types of pictures, lottery means for determining whether or not an internal winning of a plurality of types of winning combinations is won, and the reels. A start operation unit including a start switch for starting the rotation of the reel, a stop switch provided for each of the reels, for individually stopping the rotation of the reel, and the reel at the time of the stop. And a determination means for determining a winning based on whether or not the combination of the patterns is a predetermined combination of patterns, and the start operation unit includes at least a player And an operation lever for detecting the movement of the operation lever as the start switch. The operation lever is linked to the movement of the operation lever. Linking the movable member to be movable by the anchoring means is inserted into the mounting hole formed in the rear end of the shaft of the operating lever, provided movably with respect to the shaft member, wherein the linkage movable member The member to be detected corresponding to the sensor is movably attached.
According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the operation lever is swingably attached to a holder case that houses the operation lever, and the rear end of the shaft body of the operation lever The linkage movable member is provided so as to be able to swing in a direction substantially coinciding with the swinging direction of the operation lever itself.
According to a third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the detected member is rotatably held around the shaft of the operation lever, and is in accordance with a rotation stop position. And having an outer shape whose posture changes.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, the detected member is formed with a through-hole through which the linkage movable member passes, and a cross-sectional shape of the through-hole of the detected member or the target At least one of the cross-sectional shapes of the outer shape of the detection member is a non-rotating body shape having an outer shape line whose distance from the rotation center changes.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detected member corresponding to the sensor that detects the movement of the operation lever is freely movable via the associated movable member that moves in conjunction with the movement of the operation lever. Deviation occurs between the operation of the detected member and the operation of the operation lever. For this reason, for example, even if the operation lever is operated at the timing aimed at the winning combination, the timing at which the sensor actually detects the operation of the detected member is delayed, which is effective in preventing illegal games. Moreover, the linkage movable member which changes the detection timing by a sensor can be easily attached to the shaft body which comprises an operation lever.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the swinging direction of the operating lever and the swinging direction of the linking movable member are substantially coincident with each other, so that a greater change in the swinging direction can be obtained. That is, the detection timing by the sensor changes greatly.
According to the invention according to claim 3, since the stop position of the detected member changes in conjunction with the movement of the operation lever, and the posture of the detected member changes, the range detected by the sensor varies. The detection timing by the sensor changes.
According to the invention of claim 4, at least one of the cross-sectional shape of the through hole of the detected member or the cross-sectional shape of the external shape of the detected member has a non-rotating body having an external line whose distance from the rotation center changes. Because of the shape, the range detected by the sensor varies depending on the position of the detected member, and the detection timing of the sensor changes.
The present invention can provide a gaming machine capable of preventing unauthorized gaming with a simple mechanism, and has extremely high practical value.

  A plurality of reels provided with a plurality of types of designs, lottery means for determining whether or not internal winning of a plurality of types of winning combinations is won, and a start operation unit including a start switch for starting rotation of the reels; Whether a combination of a stop switch provided for each of the reels and individually stopping the rotation of the reel and the pattern displayed by the reel at the time of the stop is a predetermined pattern combination And a determination means for determining whether to win based on whether or not the start operation unit is provided with an operation lever operated by a player and a sensor for detecting movement of the operation lever as the start switch. In the operation lever, an interlocking movable member that moves in conjunction with the swing of the operation lever is inserted into an attachment through hole formed at the rear end of the shaft body. A detected member having a non-rotating body-shaped outer shape that is movably attached by a locking means so as to be substantially coincident with the swinging direction of the operation lever, and whose posture changes according to the stop position. By mounting it freely, we realized a game table that changed the timing at which the sensor detects the movement of the control lever.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine as a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In overview, the slot machine 100 includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of patterns, lottery means for determining whether or not an internal winning of a plurality of types of winning combinations is won by lottery, and rotation of the reels. A combination of a start operation unit including a start switch, a stop switch provided for each of the reels, for individually stopping the rotation of the reels, and the picture displayed by the reel at the time of stop, And a determining means for determining a winning based on whether or not the combination of the predetermined patterns. Hereinafter, it explains in full detail in order.

In the center of the main body 101 of the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1, three reels (a left reel 110, a middle reel 111, and a right reel 112) having a plurality of types of patterns arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored. It is configured to be able to rotate inside. In this embodiment, an appropriate number of patterns (for example 2
1 picture) is printed, and this belt-like member is affixed to a predetermined circular frame material to constitute each of the reels 110 to 112.

  When viewed from the player, approximately three patterns on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in the vertical direction from the pattern display window 113 so that a total of nine patterns can be seen. Then, by rotating each of the reels 110 to 112, the combination of pictures that can be seen by the player varies. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  In addition, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating each picture displayed on the picture display window 113 is disposed on the back surface of each reel 110 to 112. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each pattern so that each pattern can be illuminated evenly.

  In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor are provided. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the parts. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the pattern on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target pattern is displayed on the winning line 114.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of game media (in the present embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100. Of the five winning lines 114, for example, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added. When three medals are inserted and three medals are inserted, the five added with the right-down winning line and the upper-right winning line become effective as the winning line. Note that the number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five.

  The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. The re-game lamp 122 is a lamp for notifying the player that the current game can be re-played (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a re-game which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. .

  The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus such as a big bonus or a regular bonus) is won internally in an internal lottery described later. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies that a medal can be inserted. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp. The medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100.

  In this embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one, and when the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, three are inserted. The medal slot 134 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the medal insertion button 130 or 131, or an actual medal can be inserted from the medal insertion slot 134.

  The payout number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The game number display 126 is a display for displaying the number of games during the big bonus game (in the BB game), the number of winnings of a predetermined winning combination, and the like. The stored number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100.

  The start operation unit 700 is a unit including a start switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when the desired number of medals is inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 and the start operation unit 700 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by the operation of the start operation unit 700. Note that a light emitter may be provided inside each stop button 137 to 139, and when the stop button 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter may be turned on to notify the player.

  The storage / settlement button 132 settles a medal electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and discharges it to the tray 210 from the medal payout outlet 155, and the four or more sheets inserted into the medal slot 134. This is a button for switching between a storage function for electronically storing up to 50 medals and medals obtained by winning.

  The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed.

  The door key 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout exit 155 is a payout exit for paying out medals. The medal tray 210 is a container for collecting medals paid out from the medal payout opening 155. In the present embodiment, the medal tray 210 employs a tray that can emit light, and may be hereinafter referred to as a tray lamp.

  The sound hole 160 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The upper lamp 150, the side lamp 151, the center lamp 152, the waist lamp 153, the lower lamp 154, and the saucer lamp 210 are decorative lamps for exciting the game. The ashtray unit 200 is a container for containing cigarette butts, and is screwed inside the tray 210.

  The reel panel 161 is a panel having a pattern display window 113, and the title panel 162 is a panel on which the model name of the slot machine and various designs are drawn. The rendering device 600 is a liquid crystal display device with a door in this embodiment.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. The slot machine 100 includes a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game, and a sub-control unit (not shown) that controls various devices in accordance with signals transmitted from the main control unit 300.

<Configuration of main controller>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 310 that is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire main control unit 300, a data bus and an address bus for the CPU 310 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit, It has the structure described below.

  The clock correction circuit 314 is a circuit that divides the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and supplies it to the CPU 310. For example, when the frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 is 12 MHz, the divided clock is 6 MHz. The CPU 310 operates by receiving the clock divided by the clock correction circuit 314 as a system clock.

  The CPU 310 is connected to a timer circuit 315 for setting a monitoring cycle for constantly monitoring the states of sensors and switches, which will be described later, and a transmission cycle of motor drive pulses, via a bus. When the power is turned on, the CPU 310 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 312 to the timer circuit 315 via the data bus.

  The timer circuit 315 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 310 at each interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 310 executes monitoring of each sensor and transmission of drive pulses. For example, when the system clock of the CPU 310 is set to 6 MHz, the frequency division value of the timer circuit 315 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 312 is set to 44, the reference time for this interrupt is 256 × 44 ÷ 6 MHz = 1. 877 ms.

  Connected to the CPU 310 are a ROM 312 for storing programs for controlling each IC, lottery data used for internal winning lottery, reel stop positions, and a RAM 313 for storing temporary data. Has been. Other storage means may be used for these ROM 312 and RAM 313, and this point is the same in each control unit.

  Further, the CPU 310 is connected to an input interface 360 for receiving an external signal, and the medal acceptance sensor 320, the start lever sensor 720, the stop button sensor 322, and the medal insertion button via the input interface 360 at every interruption time. The state of the sensor 323 and the adjustment / storage switch 324 is detected, and each sensor is monitored.

  Two medal acceptance sensors 320 are installed in the passage inside the medal insertion slot 134 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. The stop button sensor 322 is installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139 and detects the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The start lever sensor 720 is installed as a start switch in the start operation unit 700 and detects a start operation by the player. Hereinafter, the start lever sensor 720 may be simply referred to as a sensor 720.

  The medal insertion button sensor 323 is installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131, and detects an insertion operation when a medal electronically stored in the RAM 313 is inserted as a game medal. For example, when the medal insertion button sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 130 becomes H level, the CPU 310 electronically inserts one stored medal and the medal insertion button sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 131 When the H level is reached, three stored medals are electronically inserted. When the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, two are inserted when the number of stored medals is two, and one is inserted when the number is one.

  The settlement / storage switch 324 is provided on the settlement / storage button 132. When the settlement / storage button 132 is pressed once, the stored medals are settled. When the settlement / storage button 132 is pressed once more, the storage mode in which the medals to be paid out are stored electronically is set. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The CPU 310 further has an input interface 361 and output interfaces 370 and 371 connected to an address bus via an address decoding circuit 350. The CPU 310 exchanges signals with external devices via these interfaces.

  An index sensor 325 is connected to the input interface 361. Specifically, the index sensor 325 is installed at a predetermined position on the mounting base of each of the reels 110 to 112, and becomes H level each time the light shielding piece provided on the reel passes through the index sensor 325. When detecting this signal, the CPU 310 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The output interface 370 has a reel motor driving unit 330 for driving the reels, and a motor for a hopper (a device for paying out medals accumulated in the bucket from the medal payout outlet 155, not shown). Hopper motor drive unit 331, a game lamp 340 (specifically, a winning line display lamp 120, a start lamp 121, a replay lamp 122, a notification lamp 123, a medal insertion lamp 124, etc.), and a 7-segment display 341 ( A payout number display 125, a game number display 126, a stored number display 127, etc.) are connected.

  A random number generation circuit 317 is connected to the CPU 310 via a data bus. The random number generation circuit 317 increments a value within a certain range based on a clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 (12 MHz) and the crystal oscillator 316 (14 MHz), and can increment the count value to the CPU 310. It is a counter and is used for various lottery processes including an internal lottery of a winning combination to be described later.

  The random number generation circuit 317 in this embodiment includes two increment counter units. For example, a first counter unit that increments a value from 0 to 65535 using the clock frequency of the crystal oscillator 316 for generating random number 1 and 0 to 16777215 using the clock frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 for generating random number 2. And a second counter unit that increments the value of. For example, the first counter unit is used for winning lottery, and the second counter unit is used for effect lottery.

  Specifically, the first counter unit has a configuration in which two 8-bit counters IC1 and IC2 are connected, and can count from 0 to 65535. When the signal of the start lever sensor 720 is input, each counter IC1, IC2 latches and stores the counter value at that time. The latched values of the counters IC1 and IC2 are taken into the CPU 310 in the interrupt processing of the CPU 310, as will be described later. The second counter section has a configuration in which three 8-bit counters are connected, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first counter described above.

  Furthermore, an output interface 371 for transmitting a command to a sub-control unit (not shown) is connected to the data bus of the CPU 310.

<Basic control of games>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the basic control of the game in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment.
This main process is performed mainly by the CPU 310, and is repeatedly executed unless a power cut or the like is detected.

  When the power is turned on while the reset switch (not shown) of the main control unit 300 is pressed, step 101 (S101) is first executed. When the power is simply turned on, the processing is started from the previous state (the state at the time when the power is turned off).

  In S101, an initialization command (a command including an initialization command) is transmitted to a sub-control unit not shown. In S102, processing relating to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not medals have been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on according to the number of medals inserted. It is not necessary to insert a medal when winning the re-game in the previous game.

  In S103, processing related to a game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start operation unit 700 has been operated. If it is determined that the start operation unit 700 has been operated, in S104, a valid pay line 114 is determined according to the number of inserted medals. In S <b> 105, the random number acquired in the interrupt process described later is read from the RAM 313.

  In S106, an internal lottery of a winning combination is performed using the random number value acquired in S105 and the winning combination lottery data table stored in the ROM 312. In S107, an effect lottery is executed. In the effect lottery, the contents of the effect when the effect is executed are determined by lottery. Even in the production lottery, there is lottery data for production, and the value obtained by dividing the lottery data for production by predetermined data (values of the entire range of random numbers used in the production lottery) is the winning probability for each production.

  In S108, the reel stop control table to be used is selected. In S109, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started. In S110, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped based on the reel stop control table selected in S108. .

  In S111, a winning determination is performed. Here, when a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is a winning combination. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is arranged on the validated winning line 114, it is determined that the bell is won. In addition, if “7-7-7” is prepared, it is determined that a BB winning is achieved. The winning result is stored as a winning result code.

  In S112, if any winning combination with payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. In S113, a game state control process is executed. In this game state control process, control for shifting the type of game is performed. For example, in the case of winning a BB game, preparation is made so that the BB game can be started from the next time. Prepare to start the game.

  In S114, it is determined whether or not the game is over. If the game is over, the processing of FIG.

  One game is completed as described above, and thereafter, the game progresses by repeating this.

  It should be noted that various commands (main control commands) are transmitted from the main control unit 300 to a sub-control unit (not shown) as necessary. Examples of main control commands include the following. Steps in parentheses indicate transmission timing.

  That is, a start lever operation command (command indicating acceptance of the start lever: S103), an effect command (command storing the contents of the effect determined in the effect lottery: S107), a first stop operation command (the first stop operation is performed) The information indicating the reels stored is stored and the command transmitted when the first stop operation is performed: S110, the first reel stop command (information indicating the first stopped reel is stored, and the first reel is stopped. Command transmitted at the time: S110), a similar second stop operation command, second reel stop command, third stop operation command, third reel stop command (S110), winning determination information command (command storing a winning result) : S111) exists. Although not particularly shown, the effect command is also transmitted when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when a bonus is awarded (when RB or BB is awarded)).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process in the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, which is a process executed periodically (for example, 1.87 ms) by the CPU 310.

  In S201, the state of the port to which the signal of the start lever sensor 720 of the start operation unit 700 is input (here, port 0, expressed as P0 in FIG. 4) is confirmed. In S202, it is determined whether or not the value of port 0 is 1 (a start signal is input). If the value is 1, the process proceeds to S203, and if not, the process proceeds to S207.

  In S203, 8-bit data (D0 to D7) of one 8-bit counter IC1 in the first counter unit is read. In S204, the data (D0 to D7) is stored in a predetermined area (area 1) of the RAM 313. .

  In S205, the 8-bit data (D0 to D7) of the other 8-bit counter IC2 in the first counter unit is read. In S206, the data (D0 to D7) is stored in a predetermined area (area 2) of the RAM 313. The appearance of area 1 and area 2 is as shown in FIG.

  In S207, other processing (processing other than random number storage, for example, driving processing of the reels 110 to 112) is executed. Then, the interrupt process ends.

<Start operation unit>
Next, the start operation unit 700 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the outer shape of the start operation unit 700. The start operation unit 700 includes at least an operation lever 710 operated by the player and a sensor 720 that detects the operation of the operation lever 710. The shaft 711 forming the operation lever 710 and the sensor 720 are housed in a holder case 730 that can be divided into a cylindrical main body portion 731 and a sub body portion 732.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the start operation unit 700 with the sub-body portion 732 of the holder case 730 removed. The sub-body portion 732 of the holder case 730 is a cylindrical member and has a pair of locking arms (not shown) that are locked in locking holes 733 formed in a main portion 731 of the holder case 730 described later. The main body portion 731 of the holder case 730 is detachable. Although not shown in the figure, a guide piece projects from a portion of the sub body portion 732 that fits into the main body portion 731.

  A sensor case 722 fitted with a sensor substrate 721 provided with a sensor 720 constituting a start switch in the slot machine 100 is fitted to the other end side of the sub-body portion 732 of the holder case 730. For this reason, a pair of fitting claws 734 are provided on the other end side of the sub body portion 732, and the sensor case 722 is detachably attached by the fitting claws 734. In FIG. 6, illustration of the sensor substrate 721 and the sensor case 722 is also omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the operation lever 710. The operation lever 710 includes an operation ball 712 as an operation unit operated by a player, a shaft body 711 serving as a main body of the operation lever 710, and the shaft body 711. A support shaft 740 that is pivotally attached to the holder case 730 and a linkage movable member 750 that is movable in conjunction with the movement of the shaft body 711 are configured.

  The operation ball 712 is a substantially spherical synthetic resin member fixed to the tip portion of the shaft body 711 and serves as an operation unit operated by the player. In the illustrated embodiment, it is formed in a roughly spherical shape, but may be any other shape as long as it is easy for the player to operate. Although not shown, a light emitter such as a decorative lamp or a light emitting diode may be incorporated in the operation ball 712.

  The shaft body 711 includes a large-diameter portion 711a to which the operation ball 712 is fixed, a medium-diameter portion 711b in which a shaft hole 713 for being pivotally attached to the holder case 730 is inserted through the support shaft 740, and the The linkage movable member 750 can be partitioned into a small diameter portion 711c to which the linkage movable member 750 is movably attached.

  As described above, the shaft hole 713 through which the support shaft 740 is inserted is formed in the middle diameter portion 711b of the shaft body 711 so as to penetrate the end portion near the small diameter portion 711c in the diameter direction. FIG. 7 shows a state where the support shaft 740 has already been inserted into the shaft hole 713. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the support shaft 740 is inserted into a support shaft hole 735 formed in the main body portion 731 of the holder case 730 in a series so as to pivotally mount the operation lever 710.

  In the small diameter portion 711c, an attachment hole 714 for movably attaching an associated movable member 750 described later is opened in the diameter direction. Further, a latching groove 715 for fitting a fastening means such as an E-ring when the shaft body 711 is assembled is formed near the tip of the small diameter portion 711c.

  Then, an attachment through hole 716 through which an associated movable member 750 to be described later is inserted is opened in the axial direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body 711 from the tip portion of the small diameter portion 711c to the attachment hole 714 ( FIG. 11).

  The linkage movable member 750 is a synthetic resin member as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example. That is, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 9, the linkage movable member 750 has a flange portion 751 at the center of the longitudinal direction, and an attachment arm 752 for attaching to the shaft body 711 extends on one side. On the other side, an attachment shaft 753 for attaching a later-described detected member 760 is extended.

  The attachment arm 752 has a pair of arm portions 754 and 754 that are bifurcated, and a hook portion 755 that expands the diameter is provided at the tip of each arm portion 754. The arm portions 754 have inward elasticity. For this reason, when inserted into the axial mounting through hole 716 provided in the small diameter portion 711 c of the shaft body 711, the latching portions 755 and 755 are once reduced in diameter and pass through the mounting through hole 716. When the latching portion 755 reaches the mounting hole 714 in the diameter direction, the latching portion 755 is restored and fitted into the mounting hole 714, and the latching jaw 755 a is latched on the edge of the mounting hole 714.

  Here, an axial mounting through-hole 716 provided in the small-diameter portion 711c of the shaft body 711, a mounting arm 752, a hooking portion 755 of the mounting arm 752, and a mounting hole 714 provided in the diameter direction of the shaft body 711 are provided. Constitutes a retaining means.

  At this time, the diameter of the mounting arm 752, that is, the outer space of the arm portion 754 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting through hole 716 of the shaft body 711, and the mounting arm 752 of the linkage movable member 750 is connected to the shaft body 711. Is set to such an extent that sufficient play is generated around the attachment arm 752 when the attachment through hole 716 is attached. For this reason, the linkage movable member 750 can swing in all directions around the latching portion 755 fitted in the mounting hole 714 of the shaft body 711. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, an adjustment piece 756 is projected from the base end portion of the mounting arm 752, that is, the portion where the base end of the arm portion 754 and the flange portion 751 intersect, and the size and shape of the adjustment piece 756 are provided. By changing the above, the size and direction of the play can be adjusted.

  For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the support shaft that supports the shaft body 711 so that the swinging direction of the linkage movable member 750 is substantially coincident with the swinging direction of the shaft body 711, that is, the swinging direction of the operation lever 710. A pair of adjustment pieces 756 and 756 are projected in the same direction as the direction 740. According to this configuration, the swinging direction of the linkage movable member 750 is regulated by the adjustment piece 756, and thus a detected member 760 (described later) provided on the linkage movable member 750 is inadvertently brought into contact with the sensor 720. Can be prevented. The swing range of the mounting piece 757 provided at the tip of the linkage movable member 750 configured as described above is expressed by an inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal line, for example, as shown in FIG. If represented by θ = 1.2 ° on the upper side and the amplitude L at the tip of the mounting piece 757, L = about 0.3 mm on the upper side. The linkage movable member 750 also swings downward in the same range as described above.

  On the other hand, the mounting shaft 753 extending from the flange portion 751 to the side opposite to the mounting arm 752 has a pair of mounting pieces 757 and 757 at the tip. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the attachment piece 757 is formed in a generally arrowhead shape, and a wedge-shaped escape groove 758 is formed between the attachment pieces 757 and 757. For this reason, each attachment piece 757 has inward elasticity. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting shaft 753 has a circular cross-sectional shape.

  On the mounting shaft 753, a detected member 760 corresponding to the sensor 720 serving as the start switch, that is, the optical sensor 720, capable of blocking the optical axis is mounted so as to be freely movable. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the member to be detected 760 is a substantially triangular prism-shaped member having a circular through hole 761 at the center.

  The member to be detected 760 in the example shown in the figure has a cross-sectional shape that is approximately a regular triangle, and each vertex is chamfered in an arc shape. Further, in the center, a circular through hole 761 penetrates in the longitudinal direction of the member. Accordingly, the detected member 760 has a rotating body shape in which the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 761 is the same distance from the center, and the outer cross-sectional shape is a non-rotating body shape in which the distance from the center changes.

  In order to attach the detected member 760 as described above to the mounting shaft 753 of the shaft body 711 described above, the through hole 761 of the detected member 760 may be pushed toward the mounting piece 757 of the mounting shaft 753. That is, the attachment piece 757 formed in the shape of an arrowhead is pressed inward by the inner wall of the through hole 761 from the inclined surface, so that the escape groove 758 is deformed in a narrowing direction, and returns when it passes through the through hole 761. Therefore, the stepped portion 757 a of the mounting piece 757 is locked to the edge of the through hole 761.

  At this time, since the outer diameter of the mounting shaft 753 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 761, the detected member 760 can freely move around the mounting shaft 753 with sufficient play. Therefore, the distance from the center of the mounting shaft 753 to the outer shape (outer end) of the detected member 760 varies depending on the position where the detected member 760 stops.

  The operation lever 710 assembled as described above is further assembled in the holder case 730 as shown in FIG. In other words, the operation lever 710 having the shaft 711 with the associated movable member 750 and the detected member 760 is inserted into the swing opening 736 of the holder case 730, and the support shaft 740 is supported from the side by the support shaft 740. By inserting the hole 735 and the shaft hole 713 of the operation lever 710 in series, the operation lever 710 is pivotably attached. Next, a sleeve 741 having a flange portion 741 a is inserted into the small diameter portion 711 c of the shaft body 711, and a coil spring 742 is covered over the sleeve 741, and a retaining ring 745 such as an E ring is inserted into the retaining groove 715 via the washer 743. Fit. Then, the operation lever 710 is kept neutral by the bias of the coil spring 742.

  Therefore, the sensor case 722 provided with the sensor substrate 721 is fitted into the sub body portion 732 of the holder case 730, and further, the sub body portion 732 is attached using an attachment arm (not shown) of the sub body portion 732. The main body portion 731 is coupled. Then, the state shown in FIG. 11 is assembled. In this state, when the player presses the operation ball 712 downward and rotates the operation lever 710 downward, the rear end portion of the operation lever 710 provided with the detection member 760 so as to be freely rotatable rotates upward. Therefore, the detected member 760 blocking the optical axis of the sensor 720 is moved upward, and the sensor 720 is turned on.

  In the start operation unit 700 assembled as described above, a nut (not shown) is screwed into a male screw portion (not shown) of the holder case 730 at a predetermined position of the front door 102 of the slot machine 100. Is attached.

  In the start operation unit 700 in which the detected member 760 configured as described above blocks the optical axis of the optical sensor 720, when the operation lever 710 is operated, the position of the detected member 760 is indefinite. For this reason, the timing at which the optical sensor 720 is turned off when the optical axis is cut off becomes unstable, and so-called “blurring” occurs. For this reason, even if the operation lever 710 is operated at the timing, the sensor 720 is not always turned on at the intended timing.

  Therefore, in the game of the slot machine 100, even if an unauthorized device capable of operating the operation lever 710 is used aiming at a range of counter values to be won, the sensor 720 is not turned on at the targeted timing. It is possible to prevent games from occurring.

<Experimental example>
Next, an experiment was conducted to determine how much delay time is caused by the measuring mechanism shown in the block diagram of FIG. 12 using the detected member 760 having the shape shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C. It is shown in FIGS. 14 (a) to (c). FIG. 15 also shows the experimental results of a conventional start operation unit in which the detected portion is fixed to the shaft of the operation lever as a control.

The measurement mechanism is configured by an activation unit that generates a drive signal, a drive unit that pulls and opens the operation lever 710, and a measurement unit that measures the time difference between the generation of the drive signal and the sensor output.
That is, when the activation means is activated and a drive signal is input to the drive means, the solenoid constituting the drive means pulls the operation lever 710, so that the operation lever 710 swings downward and the optical axis of the sensor 720 The member to be detected 760 that blocks the light is swung upward, and the sensor 720 in the off state is turned on. The time difference between the generation of the drive signal and the actual sensor 720 being turned on at this time was measured by the measuring means.

  Fig.14 (a) is a measurement result by the to-be-detected member of the 1st example shown to Fig.13 (a). The detected member 760A of the first example has a cross-sectional shape obtained by chamfering each apex portion of an equilateral triangle in a circular arc shape, and has a circular through hole 761, and the circular shape with respect to the through hole 761 is circular. The attachment shaft 753 is inserted. The specific dimensions of the detected member 760A are as follows: distance P = 1.11 mm from the center to the bottom, distance Q = 1.73 mm from the center to the apex, through hole inner diameter φ = 1.5 mm, total length L = 4 mm, the outer diameter D of the mounting shaft is 1.2 mm.

  According to this detected member 760A, the delay time is moderately dispersed between 0 and 2.00 ms.

  FIG. 14B is a measurement result by the detection target member of the second example shown in FIG. The detected member 760 </ b> B of the second example has a cross-sectional shape that is chamfered at each vertex portion having a rectangular shape, and has a circular through hole 761, and a circular mounting shaft 753 is formed with respect to the through hole 761. It is inserted. The specific dimensions of the detected member 760B are as follows: long side length P = 3.3 mm, short side length Q = 2.5 mm, through hole inner diameter φ = 1.5 mm, total length L = 4 mm. The outer diameter D of the mounting shaft is about 1.2 mm.

  According to this detected member 760B, the delay time is dispersed between 0 and 1.75 ms, but some concentration is observed. Moreover, the width of the delay time is slightly narrower than that in the first example.

  FIG. 14C shows a measurement result obtained by the member to be detected of the third example shown in FIG. The member to be detected 760C of the third example has a substantially oval cross-sectional shape, and has a regular pentagonal through hole 761, and a circular mounting shaft 753 is inserted into the through hole 761. The The specific dimensions of the member 760 to be detected are the long side length P = 3.5 mm, the short side length Q = 2.5 mm, and the through hole is an inscribed circle having a diameter of 1.5 mm. A regular pentagon having a total length L = 4 mm and an outer diameter D of the mounting shaft D = 1.2 mm.

  According to this detected member 760C, the delay time is moderately dispersed between 0 and 2.51 ms.

  On the other hand, according to FIG. 15 which shows the experimental result of the conventional start operation unit in which the detected portion is fixed to the shaft body of the operation lever, it can be seen that the delay time is very small. For this reason, in the conventional start operation unit, it is possible to aim at the timing of winning the winning combination.

  While the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the linkage movable member 750 can be configured as shown in FIG. That is, in the link movable member 750, a metal shaft pin 759 may be applied instead of the mounting shaft 753 provided integrally with the mounting arm 752 and the flange portion 751. Specifically, when the linkage movable member 750 is molded, the shaft pin 759 is insert-molded into the flange portion 751, and after the detected member 760 is inserted into the shaft pin 759, the tip is bent to prevent it from coming off. That's fine. On the other hand, the shaft pin 759 inserted through the detected member 760 may be driven into the flange portion 751 of the linkage movable member 750. Further, the member to be detected 760 may be the one shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, or may have another shape.

It is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine as a game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main control unit of a slot machine as a game machine according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control of the game of the slot machine as a game stand concerning this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing in the main control unit of the slot machine and a structure diagram showing a data area in a RAM. It is a perspective view of a start operation unit. It is a perspective view of the start operation unit of the state which removed the subbody part of the holder case. It is a perspective view of the operation lever in a start operation unit. It is a perspective view of the linkage movable member equipped with the member to be detected in the start operation unit. It is a perspective view of the linkage movable member in a start operation unit. It is a perspective view of the member to be detected in the start operation unit. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the start operation unit, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of a tip portion of an attachment shaft provided on the linkage movable member. It is a block diagram of the measurement mechanism which measures the time difference of start operation and a start switch. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape and magnitude | size of the to-be-detected member in a start operation unit, (a) shows the 1st example, (b) shows the 2nd example, (c) shows the to-be-detected member of the 3rd example. It is a graph which shows the measurement result by the measurement mechanism shown in FIG. 12, (a) is 1st example, (b) is 2nd example, (c) is each test at the time of using the to-be-detected member by 3rd example. The time difference between the start operation and the start switch at the time is shown. It is a graph which shows the measurement result by the measurement mechanism shown in FIG. 12, and shows the time difference between the start operation and the start switch at the time of each test when using a conventional start operation unit including a fixed detection target part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the linkage movable member in the start operation unit, and a to-be-detected member. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional start operation unit, Comprising: When (a) is an operation lever neutral, and the optical axis of an optical sensor is interrupted and a sensor is OFF, (b) is an operation lever rotating. The case where the sensor is turned on without blocking the optical axis is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 101 Main body 102 Front door 110 Left reel 111 Middle reel 112 Right reel 136 Stop button unit 210 Medal saucer 210 Receptacle 300 Main control part 317 Random number generation circuit 600 Staging device 700 Start operation unit 710 Operation lever 711 Shaft body 712 Operation ball 713 Shaft hole 714 Mounting hole 715 Locking groove 716 Mounting through hole 720 Start lever sensor 721 Sensor substrate 722 Sensor case 730 Holder case 731 Main part 732 Sub body part 733 Locking hole 734 Fitting claw 735 Supporting hole 740 Support shaft 750 Linking movable member 752 Mounting arm 753 Mounting shaft 754 Arm portion 755 Hanging portion 757 Mounting piece 760 Detected member 761 Through hole

Claims (4)

A plurality of reels provided with a plurality of types of designs, lottery means for determining whether or not internal winning of a plurality of types of winning combinations is won, and a start operation unit including a start switch for starting rotation of the reels; Whether a combination of a stop switch provided for each of the reels and individually stopping the rotation of the reel and the pattern displayed by the reel at the time of the stop is a predetermined pattern combination A game machine comprising: determination means for determining a winning based on whether or not,
The start operation unit is provided with at least an operation lever operated by a player, and a sensor for detecting movement of the operation lever as the start switch,
In the operation lever, an associated movable member that moves in conjunction with the movement of the operation lever is inserted into a mounting through hole formed at the rear end of the shaft body of the operation lever, and the shaft body is provided by a retaining means. Movably provided with respect to,
A game table, wherein a detected member corresponding to the sensor is attached to the linkage movable member so as to be freely movable.   2. The gaming table according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever is swingably attached to a holder case that houses the operation lever, and the operation lever itself is rocked at a rear end of the shaft body of the operation lever. A game table, wherein the linkage movable member is provided so as to be swingable in a direction substantially coincident with a moving direction.   3. The game table according to claim 1, wherein the detected member is rotatably held around an axis of a shaft body of the operation lever, and an attitude changes according to a rotation stop position. A gaming table characterized by having an outer shape.   The game table according to claim 3, wherein the detected member is formed with a through-hole through which the linkage movable member passes, and the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole of the detected member or the outer shape of the detected member. A gaming table, wherein at least one of the cross-sectional shapes is a non-rotating body shape having an outer shape whose distance from the rotation center changes.

Images