JP4401718B2 - Medal selector and gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  A gaming machine such as a slot machine allows a player to enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of medals into the gaming machine. The medals necessary for the game can be borrowed with a medal lending machine provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by inserting it into the medal slot of a desired gaming machine. The gaming machine is provided with a medal selector for discriminating inserted medals and counting the number of medals.

  This type of medal selector is provided with a downwardly inclined medal passage in which a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot rolls. In the vicinity of the exit of the medal passage, a sensor for counting medals (for example, a photo interrupter: a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged opposite to each other in a case having a detection groove, and an object passing between the detection grooves is detected without contact The number of medals inserted is counted here. The medal selector of the current gaming machine is provided with two sensors, and medals are detected according to the detection order of the two sensors. When the number of inserted medals reaches a predetermined number, the game can be started. Additional medals are treated as credits.

  A small part of the players performed a dishonest act (so-called goto act). For example, there is a person who tries to play a game without inserting a regular medal by inserting a foreign object from the medal slot and causing the sensor to malfunction. In practice, a method of misrecognizing a medal as if it was actually inserted by reciprocating between two sensors with a rod-shaped foreign object is employed.

JP 2001-17611 A

  The medal selector described in Patent Document 1 is for preventing fraud, and two sets of detectors for detecting the passage of an input such as a game medal are provided in the medal passage along the moving direction of the input. Each set consists of two detectors arranged vertically in a direction crossing the moving direction of the input. Only when two detectors in each set observe the input at the same time, the passage of the input is detected. With such a configuration, the detector cannot be erroneously detected using a narrow celluloid board or the like, so that it is difficult to play an illegal game and it is possible to easily detect an illegal game. .

  Even the medal selector described in Patent Document 1 cannot completely prevent fraud. For example, if two narrow celluloid plates are used, the lower detector malfunctions on the one hand, and the two detectors on the other hand reciprocate between the two detectors, the detector outputs the same signal as when a medal is inserted Resulting in.

  The present invention provides a medal selector capable of effectively preventing the above-described fraud and maintaining the current medal counting performance and a gaming machine using the same from the viewpoint of strengthening countermeasures against the fraud. For the purpose. The present invention can effectively prevent fraud without increasing the number of signal lines or complicating the processing of the control program.

A medal selector according to the present invention is a medal selector that selects and discharges medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, and a medal path that rolls medals from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and medals in the medal path A first sensor to a fourth sensor provided on the discharge port side for detecting a medal;
The first sensor is provided on the upstream side of the medal path between the upper edge and the lower edge of the medal path, and the fourth sensor is provided on the downstream side of the medal path and above the medal path. The second sensor is provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the upper edge of the medal path, and the third sensor is provided between the first sensor and the lower sensor. Provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the medal path,
The first to fourth sensors exit from the first sensor and return to the first sensor via the second sensor, the fourth sensor, and the third sensor. The line segments are arranged to form a rhombus in the medal passage,
When the medal rolls in the medal passage and the center reaches the middle between the first sensor and the fourth sensor, the first sensor to the fourth sensor medal simultaneously move around the outer periphery of the medal. It is arranged to detect.

  A first AND circuit that combines outputs of the first sensor and the second sensor, and a second AND circuit that combines outputs of the third sensor and the fourth sensor. Also good.

  A first AND circuit that combines the outputs of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, and a combination of the outputs of the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor. The second AND circuit may be provided.

According to the present invention, a medal selector that selects and discharges medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, a plurality of sensors that are provided in the medal selector and detects medals inserted, and is inserted based on an output of the sensor In a gaming machine comprising a control unit for counting the number of medals,
The medal selector includes a medal path for rolling medals from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and first to fourth sensors provided on the medal ejection slot side of the medal path to detect medals. ,
The first sensor is provided on the upstream side of the medal path between the upper edge and the lower edge of the medal path, and the fourth sensor is provided on the downstream side of the medal path and above the medal path. The second sensor is provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the upper edge of the medal path, and the third sensor is provided between the first sensor and the lower sensor. Provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the medal path,
The first to fourth sensors exit from the first sensor and return to the first sensor via the second sensor, the fourth sensor, and the third sensor. The line segments are arranged to form a rhombus in the medal passage,
When the medal rolls in the medal passage and the center reaches the middle between the first sensor and the fourth sensor, the first sensor to the fourth sensor detect the medal at the same time. Placed in
The controller counts the number of medals based on the logical product of the signals of the first sensor and the second sensor and the logical product of the signals of the third sensor and the fourth sensor. is there.

According to the present invention, a medal selector that selects and discharges medals inserted from a medal insertion unit, a plurality of sensors that are provided in the medal selector and detects medals inserted, and is inserted based on an output of the sensor In a gaming machine comprising a control unit for counting the number of medals,
The medal selector includes a medal path for rolling medals from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and first to fourth sensors provided on the medal ejection slot side of the medal path to detect medals. ,
The first sensor is provided on the upstream side of the medal path between the upper edge and the lower edge of the medal path, and the fourth sensor is provided on the downstream side of the medal path and above the medal path. The second sensor is provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the upper edge of the medal path, and the third sensor is provided between the first sensor and the lower sensor. Provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the medal path,
The first to fourth sensors exit from the first sensor and return to the first sensor via the second sensor, the fourth sensor, and the third sensor. The line segments are arranged to form a rhombus in the medal passage,
When the medal rolls in the medal passage and the center reaches the middle between the first sensor and the fourth sensor, the first sensor to the fourth sensor detect the medal at the same time. Placed in
The control unit includes a logical product of signals of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, and a logic of signals of the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor. The number of medals is counted based on the product.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent fraud and maintain the current medal counting performance. In other words, the present invention can reduce the erroneous detection of medal insertion due to fraud without increasing the number of signal lines or complicating the processing of the control program.

  A slot machine and medal selector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal selector provided in a slot machine (game machine). In FIG. 1, 1 is a medal selector, 11 is a medal passage provided therein, 12 is a medal exit of the medal selector 1, and S1a, S1b, S2a, and S2b are photo interrupters provided in the medal passage 11 (for medal detection). Sensor: a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged opposite to each other in a case having a detection groove, and a passing object between the detection grooves is detected without contact). M indicates the inserted medal. The medal M inserted from the upper part of the medal selector 1 falls along the medal passage 11, the traveling direction thereof is changed to a slant sideways, and is discharged from the medal outlet 12. Note that irregular medals of different sizes fall in the middle of the medal passage and return to the medal return slot.

  Four medal sensors S1a, S1b, S2a, and S2b are provided in the vicinity of the medal outlet 12 along the direction in which the medal advances. The medal sensor S1a is provided in the approximate center on the upstream side of the medal passage 11, the medal sensor S2b is provided in the approximate center on the downstream side, and the medal sensor S1b is between the medal sensor S1a and the medal sensor S2b, and the medal passage 11 The medal sensor S2a is provided between the medal sensor S1a and the medal sensor S2b and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the medal passage 11 (note that the vertical relationship between the medal sensors S1b and S2a is reversed). May be). These are for counting the number of medals. Each medal sensor detects the passage of medals sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why the four medal sensors are provided is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the medal passage is normal. In other words, by providing four photocouplers adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also counterfeiting of medals and fraud using a celluloid plate. be able to. Further, by providing medal sensors S1a, S1b, S2a, and S2b on the side far from the medal entrance, it is difficult to perform fraud.

  The medal selector shown in FIG. 1 is characterized in that four medal sensors S1a, S1b, S2a, and S2b are arranged in a rhombus shape in the medal passage 11. In this way, two medal sensors S1a and S2b are provided in the approximate center of the medal passage, and two medal sensors S1b and S2a are provided on both sides of the medal passage, thereby allowing two plates for solicitation (so-called cell plates) to be used. In this case, it is possible to detect an illegal act without malfunction, and when the cell plate passes through the center of the medal path 11, it is possible to detect the illegal act even when a thin cell plate is used.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 5A shows an output circuit of the medal selector 1. FIG. 5B is a timing chart of each medal sensor output and a composite output thereof. In the following description, the logic of each signal is assumed to be positive logic, but the same applies to the case of negative logic. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the medal M passes the medal sensors S1a, S1b, S2a, S2b.

  In FIG. 5A, G1 and G2 are AND gates, and the outputs of the medal sensors S1a and S1b are synthesized by G1 (specifically, as a logical product) and output. The same applies to the medal sensors S2a and S2b.

  In FIG. 5B, symbols a to e correspond to FIGS. 6A to 6E. According to FIG. 5B, the output A of the circuit G1 becomes H level when the medal M is detected by the three medal sensors S1a, S1b, S2a as shown in FIG. As shown in (d), when it is no longer detected by the medal sensor S1a, it returns to the L level. Similarly, the output B of the circuit G2 becomes H level in the state of FIG. 6C, and returns to L level in the state of FIG. FIG. 5B shows a timing chart when a medal is inserted (that is, in a normal state).

  Next, operations of the gaming machine and the medal selector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, when a player inserts a medal from a medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130, the medal is guided to a medal slot of the medal selector 1. The medal guided to the medal insertion part is guided to the medal passage 11 and the medal selection is performed. That is, first, it is determined by a magnet provided at a corner near the entrance of the medal passage 11 whether the inserted medal is made of iron or an iron alloy. The medal made of iron or iron alloy is an illegal medal and is attracted to the magnet, so that the medal made of iron or iron alloy can be selected. In this case, the illegal medal cannot be returned even by the rejector, and it is desirable that the staff member is notified by a warning sound or a lamp and the staff member removes the medal.

  When the medal ingestion is permitted, the medal is counted through the medal sensors S1a, S1b, S2a, S2b, and then sent out from the medal discharge unit 12 into the hopper tank 122 of the hopper device 121.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined number of medals that can be used in one game have already been counted by the medal sensors S1 and S2, or after the start button 134 provided on the front surface of the front door 130 is pressed, If more medals are inserted before the game ends, the medals sent to the medal passage 11 collide with a block piece in the middle of the passage, change the direction of travel to the medal return unit 5 and pay out. Guided to mouth 135. In this way, taking in a predetermined number of medals or medals during the start of the game is prevented.

  When a correct medal M is inserted (normal state), signals such as output A and output B in FIG. 5B are obtained based on the sensors S1 and S2. The phase of the output A signal is ahead of that of the output B. When such a signal is input, the main board 200 sets the number of medals inserted to +1.

  On the other hand, when the fraudster moves the wire 90 attached to the tip of the wire 90 as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C along the path indicated by the dotted line in FIG. And B are as shown in FIGS. Since the signals in FIGS. 7A to 7C can be clearly distinguished from the signals in the normal state in FIG. 5B, the main board 200 does not determine that a medal has been inserted. Therefore cheating ends in failure.

  Further explanation will be given. FIG. 8A shows a case where an illegal act is performed using a plate 91 having the same size as a medal, and outputs A and B at this time are as shown in FIG. 7A. The reference numerals A and B are the same as the signals in the normal state, but signals C and D are always generated when the plate 91 is pulled back. Since these signals are different in phase from the signals in the normal state (the output B is more advanced), they can be clearly distinguished from the signals in the normal state, and the main board 200 does not determine that a medal has been inserted. Since the signals of the codes C and D indicate the reverse flow of medals, it is determined as such, a reverse flow error occurs, and the game cannot be continued.

  FIG. 8B shows a case where an illegal act is performed using a plate 91 that is about half the size of a medal, and outputs A and B at this time are as shown in FIG. 7B. When the medal sensors S2a and S2b are brought into the detection state, either the medal sensor S1a or S1b is always in the non-detection state, so that a gap t is generated between the portion E of the output A and the portion F of the output B. Since such a gap t does not occur in the normal signal, the main board 200 does not determine that a medal has been inserted when the gap t exists.

  FIG. 8C shows a case where an illegal act is performed using two thin plates 91 less than half of a medal, and outputs A and B at this time are as shown in FIG. 7C. Since the thin plate 91 cannot simultaneously detect the medal sensors S1a and S1b, the output A remains undetected. Therefore, the main board 200 does not determine that a medal has been inserted. Note that the main board 200 does not determine that a medal has been inserted because only one thin plate 91 less than half of the medal is used for detection of outputs A and B.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, a 3-input AND gate may be used as a medal sensor output signal synthesis circuit. The outputs of the medal sensors S1a, S1b, and S2a are combined by G3 to become an output A. The outputs of the medal sensors S1b, S2a, and S2b are combined by G4 to become an output B. Even when the circuit of FIG. 9A is used, the output signal in a normal state is not different from that in FIG.

  If an illegal act is performed when the circuit of FIG. 9A is used, the output is as shown in FIG. FIGS. 10A to 10C correspond to the cases of FIGS. 8A to 8C, respectively. FIGS. 10A and 10C are the same as FIGS. 7A and 7C. In FIG. 10B, both outputs A and B are not detected. Even if the circuit of FIG. 9A is used, the same processing as in FIG. 5A is possible.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, four medal detection sensors are provided in the medal selector, these are arranged in a diamond shape, and the outputs of a plurality of medal detection sensors are combined. Can be detected and prevented. In addition, by combining the outputs of a plurality of medal detection sensors, the conventional medal detection software or determination circuit can be used as it is. For example, security can be improved easily (without changing software or providing additional signal lines, etc.) even when applied to a gaming machine that has been arranged only at the upper part so far. .

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

It is a perspective view of a medal selector concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine. It is a front view when the front door of the slot machine is opened. It is a functional block diagram of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the synthetic | combination circuit (2 input AND gate) and its input-output signal which concern on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the medal detection in the medal selector which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a timing chart of an output signal when an illegal act is made | formed with respect to the medal selector which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of fraud detection in the medal selector which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a figure which shows the timing of the synthetic | combination circuit (3 input AND gate) which concerns on embodiment of invention, and its input-output signal. It is a timing chart of an output signal when an illegal act is made | formed with respect to the medal selector which concerns on embodiment of invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medal selector 11 Medal passage 12 Medal exit 90 Rod 91 used for fraud 101 Plate used for fraud Slot machine 120 Slot machine body 121 Hopper device 122 Hopper tank 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal insertion port 133 Reject button 134 Start button 135 Discharge port 136 Lead-out path 200 Main board 201 Sub board 202 Operation part 203 Reel unit 204 Production display part S1a, S1b, S2a, S2b Photo interrupter

Claims (2)

A medal selector for selecting and discharging medals inserted from the medal insertion unit, a plurality of sensors provided in the medal selector for detecting inserted medals, and the number of medals inserted based on the outputs of the sensors. In a gaming machine comprising a control unit for counting,
The medal selector includes a medal path for rolling medals from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and first to fourth sensors provided on the medal ejection slot side of the medal path to detect medals. ,
The first sensor is provided on the upstream side of the medal path between the upper edge and the lower edge of the medal path, and the fourth sensor is provided on the downstream side of the medal path and above the medal path. The second sensor is provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the upper edge of the medal path, and the third sensor is provided between the first sensor and the lower sensor. Provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the medal path,
The first to fourth sensors exit from the first sensor and return to the first sensor via the second sensor, the fourth sensor, and the third sensor. The line segments are arranged to form a rhombus in the medal passage,
When the medal is the center roll of the medal passage reaches the middle of the first sensor and the fourth sensor, said first sensor to said fourth sensor simultaneously detects a medal Arranged to
The controller counts the number of medals based on the logical product of the signals of the first sensor and the second sensor and the logical product of the signals of the third sensor and the fourth sensor. A featured gaming machine. A medal selector for selecting and discharging medals inserted from the medal insertion unit, a plurality of sensors provided in the medal selector for detecting inserted medals, and the number of medals inserted based on the outputs of the sensors. In a gaming machine comprising a control unit for counting,
The medal selector includes a medal path for rolling medals from a medal insertion slot to a medal discharge slot, and first to fourth sensors provided on the medal ejection slot side of the medal path to detect medals. ,
The first sensor is provided on the upstream side of the medal path between the upper edge and the lower edge of the medal path, and the fourth sensor is provided on the downstream side of the medal path and above the medal path. The second sensor is provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the upper edge of the medal path, and the third sensor is provided between the first sensor and the lower sensor. Provided between the first sensor and the fourth sensor and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the medal path,
The first to fourth sensors exit from the first sensor and return to the first sensor via the second sensor, the fourth sensor, and the third sensor. The line segments are arranged to form a rhombus in the medal passage,
When the medal is the center roll of the medal passage reaches the middle of the first sensor and the fourth sensor, said first sensor to said fourth sensor simultaneously detects a medal Arranged to
The control unit includes a logical product of signals of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, and a logic of signals of the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor. A gaming machine that counts the number of medals based on the product.

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