JP4470709B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can change a setting related to a probability of winning a game.

A slot machine (synonymous with a revolving game machine) and some pachinko machines incorporate a missed element into the game, in which case the player is given a gaming medium such as a medal or pachinko ball as a prize or It gives a chance to get a lot of free gifts. The probability of winning a game can be set for each gaming machine, and the amusement hall side appropriately changes the probability of winning a gaming machine in the amusement hall, and the element of “luck” is called “selection of gaming machines”. To improve the gameplay.
The winning probability is an important matter directly related to the profit of the player, and a setting device and an operation for changing the setting related to the winning probability of the game so that the game hall side cannot change the setting unilaterally during business hours. The part is provided in the gaming machine, and it is structured so that it cannot be remotely controlled.

However, some players take illegal measures such as taking the fact that the probability setting device is provided in the gaming machine and inserting a metal wire through the gap between the front panel and the outer frame, for example. There are those who make full use of the setting device in an unauthorized manner and attempt to obtain an unfair advantage by arbitrarily changing the probability of winning.
On the other hand, conventionally, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a condition for being regarded as a valid setting change action is set and whether or not the probability setting change action is valid based on the condition. Countermeasures such as determining and issuing an alarm when a setting change act is determined to be inappropriate have been considered.
JP 2003-245402 A

In order to determine whether or not the probability setting change action is valid as described above, an extra program is required.
On the other hand, the gaming machine has detailed specifications regarding functions and performance, and the engineer designs the gaming machine so that the maximum capability is exhibited within the frame of the established standard.
In such a situation, the program for enhancing the game content and the display function is given priority, and there is no room for adding a program for determining whether or not the probability setting change action is valid.
Therefore, there is a high possibility that the above prior art will not be implemented even if there is an anti-fraud effect.

A front panel assembled in a laterally openable manner on the front side of the outer frame configured in a box shape,
A variable display device for independently rotating a plurality of drums having a game symbol on the outer peripheral surface within a cover case and changing the drum symbol at a position visible from a display window provided on the front panel;
In a gaming machine having an operation unit for manually changing a setting related to a probability of winning a game provided at a place where the front panel is opened and operated,
A setting change confirmation means that changes to a mode that can be visually discriminated with an operation to change the setting related to the probability;
The setting change confirmation means provided inside the outer frame that can be operated only by opening the front panel and changed to a mode that can be visually discriminated in accordance with an operation to change the setting related to the probability is displayed before the change. A manual reset unit for returning to a state,
The setting change confirmation means includes:
A fixed guide frame fixed to a side surface of the cover case of the variable display device;
One of the drum located at the edge of the front Symbol cover case along the fixed guide frame is fitted slidably transversely reciprocating direction normal by an elastic body (hereinafter, referred to as "end drum" in this paragraph .)) A slider biased toward the side,
A mechanical brake that is formed at an end of the slider facing the end drum and that engages or contacts the end drum by the biasing force of the elastic body to stop its rotation;
A confirmation button that is fixed to a rod protruding from the end of the slider opposite to the brake and is visible with the front panel open and can be picked with a finger to move the rod in the axial direction ;
And locking means for locking the slider in which the brake is moved against the biasing force of the elastic body at a position not engaged or in contact with the end drum to the moving position,
A solenoid that operates when the setting related to the probability is changed and releases the lock of the slider by the locking means,
In addition, the manual reset unit is configured by the confirmation button that is fixed to the shaft end of the rod protruding from the slider and can move the rod in the axial direction while being picked by a finger .
The solenoid of the setting change confirmation means is operated in conjunction with an operation for changing the setting relating to the probability, and the confirmation of the slider , the rod, and the confirmation is performed by releasing the lock of the locking means by the operation of the solenoid. button is moved toward said end drum side by the urging of the elastic body, thus stopping the rotation brake of the slider is in engagement or contact with the end drum Rutotomoni of the confirmation button Display that the setting related to the probability has been changed by the position change toward the end drum side after the displacement ,
Further, the confirmation button of the manual reset unit is manually moved in a direction against the urging of the elastic body and to a position where the brake does not engage with or contact the end drum, and at the moving position, the Provided is a gaming machine in which a slider is locked by the locking means and a reset of the setting change confirmation means is displayed by a position change away from the end drum after the confirmation button is displaced. .

When the setting relating to the probability of the game is changed, the setting change confirmation means presents a change in a mode that can be at least visually discriminated, such as popping out a button, regardless of whether or not it is illegal. When the probability setting action is normal, the operator or the like performs a reset operation of the manual reset unit as a final confirmation of the setting. Then, the setting change confirmation unit returns to the state before the change. Therefore, for example, as one usage method, after the setting change, the resetting of the setting change confirmation means is suspended, and after the setting change of all scheduled gaming machines is completed, the setting change confirmation means is reset one by one. This can be useful for preventing forgetting to change the settings.
On the other hand, when the player changes the setting relating to the probability illegally during business hours, the setting change confirmation means changes in the same manner. However, in order to return the setting change confirmation means to the state before the change, it is necessary to open the front panel and operate the manual reset unit, so a player who cannot open the front panel resets the setting change confirmation means. Cannot be done. Therefore, since the trace of the setting change illegally remains as a visible change of the setting change confirmation means, it is easy to find and subsequent measures can be performed quickly.
Further, since the setting change confirmation means of the present invention does not require an advanced program for determining whether or not the setting change action is illegal, it hardly gives a burden to the control program of the gaming machine. Therefore, it can be carried out easily even within a limited performance range, and a reliable crime prevention effect can be obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, illustrating a slot machine as an example. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the power supply device, FIG. 2 is a side view of the power supply device with a part cut away, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line ZZ in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the power supply apparatus showing a state immediately after the setting change, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the power supply apparatus showing another form, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view of a setting change confirmation means showing another embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the drum including a partially enlarged view.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine has a door-type front panel 2 attached to the front surface of the outer frame 1 so that it can be opened and closed with the left side as a fulcrum. The outer frame 1 is formed in a box shape by a bottom plate 1a, a left side plate 1b, a right side plate 1c, a frame top plate 1d, and a back plate 1e, and a power supply device 3 is on the bottom plate 1a near the wall of the left side plate 1b. is set up. The front panel 2 has a lock device 4 on the free end side and is usually locked. The lock of the lock device 4 is released by using a dedicated key.

  The power supply device 3 releases a variable display device 7 that rotates a plurality of (for example, three) drums 5a, 5b, and 5c independently to change a symbol that can be seen from the display window 6 of the front panel 2 and a medal that is a game medium. For supplying power to various electrical components such as a medal discharge device 8 or a game control main board (not shown), and a power supply board is built in (not shown).

  The power supply device 3 is covered with a metal square case body 9 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. For example, a power switch 10, an error release switch 11, a dedicated switch is provided on the front surface of the front panel 9 f of the case body 9. Switches such as a key switch 12, a stop switch 13 and a settlement changeover switch 14 which are operated with the keys are collected. The key switch 12 is connected to the main board via the power supply board built in the case body 9 and is turned on using a dedicated key when setting the probability of winning the game. . Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the front panel 9f front surface of the case body 9 having such a key switch 12 is used for changing the setting regarding the probability of winning the game provided at the place where the front panel 2 covering the front is opened and operated. It is an operation part. In addition, the position of such an operation part is not limited to the power supply device 3, You may make it provide in the arbitrary places in an apparatus.

Therefore, the slot machine of the present invention is characterized by the provision of the setting change confirmation means 15 that operates by changing the setting related to the probability of winning a game.
The setting change confirmation means 15 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a fixed guide frame 16 fixed to the inner surface of the front panel 9 f of the case body 9, and fits in the fixed guide frame 16 in the front-rear direction. A slidable slider 17, a confirmation button 18 provided at the tip of the slider 17, an elastic body 19 that urges the slider 17 in the forward direction, and the slider 17 is locked in the retracted position. And a solenoid 21 for releasing the lock of the lock means 20, and the confirmation button 18 protrudes and appears outside the front panel 9 f of the case body 9.

  The locking means 20 includes a cam groove 22 provided on a side surface of the slider 17 and a locking member 23 in which a hook hook 23 a at the front end is inserted into the cam groove 22. The cam groove 22 has an inclined surface 22a that rises in the forward direction of the slider 17, and a vertical surface 22b that descends vertically from the top of the inclined surface 22a. On the other hand, the locking member 23 is formed of a linear spring material, and the base portion 23b wound in a circle is passed through the fixing pin 24 and attached to the fixed guide frame 16 and is also elastically inserted into the cam groove 22 by itself. The hook 23a that has been plunged is brought into contact with the inclined surface 22a of the cam groove 22 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid 21 is arranged such that a key-type push-up bar 21b provided at the upper end of the plunger 21a intersects with the hook bar 23a of the locking member 23, and pushes up when the plunger 21a rises. The tip of the locking member 23 is lifted when the hook 21b hits the hooking hook 23a. The solenoid 21 is connected to the power supply board of the power supply device 3 and is set to be energized unconditionally when a setting change relating to the probability of winning a game is made.

Next, a method of using the setting change confirmation unit 15 of the present invention will be described.
Normally, the setting change confirmation means 15 is in a state in which the confirmation button 18 is pushed in as shown in FIGS. This state is maintained by the hook 23a of the locking member 23 being hooked on the vertical surface 22b of the cam groove 22 while the slider 17 is in the retracted position and receiving the repulsive force of the elastic body 19.

  In this state, the hit probability setting is changed according to a predetermined procedure. For example, when changing the probability setting in the slot machine of the embodiment, first, the front panel 2 is opened, the power switch 10 of the power supply device 3 is turned off, and then the key switch 12 is turned on with a dedicated key. Return the power switch 10 to ON. Then, a new probability is selected by operating a setting switch (see reference numeral 25 in FIG. 4) on the back side of the front panel 2, and finally a switch lever (not shown) for starting the drums 5a, 5b, and 5c on the front surface of the front panel 2. )) ON to confirm.

  When the probability setting is changed in this way, the solenoid 21 is energized through the power supply board. As a result, the plunger 21a and the push-up bar 21b are raised, and the hooking bar 23a of the locking member 23 is lifted as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, the hooking rod 23a is disengaged from the vertical surface 22b of the cam groove 22, so that the slider 17 moves forward by the urging of the elastic body 19, and the check button 18 protrudes from the front surface of the case body 9 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the energization of the solenoid 21 is limited, and the plunger 21a and the push-up rod 21b that have been raised are immediately lowered. As a result, the locking member 23 loses the support of the thrust bar 21b and lowers the hook bar 23a by its own elasticity. In this state, the hook 23a of the locking member 23 is at the lowest point of the inclined surface 22a of the cam groove 22 as shown in FIG. The operator who has changed the setting can visually confirm that the probability has been set by looking at the protruding confirmation button 18.

  Next, the operator pushes back the confirmation button 18 in the protruding state to return the setting change confirmation means 15 to the state before the change. As a result, the hook 23a of the locking member 23 rises along the inclined surface 22a of the cam groove 22 and finally exceeds the top of the inclined surface 22a. Thereby, the hooking rod 23a is lowered along the vertical surface 22b by the elasticity of the locking member 23, and returns to the state of FIG. Accordingly, the confirmation button 18 of the setting change confirmation means 15 is always pressed until the next setting is changed.

  As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the confirmation button 18 constitutes a manual reset unit that manually resets the setting change confirmation unit 15.

  The above description corresponds to a method in which the operator who changes the setting resets the setting change confirmation unit 15 to the state before the change immediately after the change is confirmed. For example, after the change is confirmed, the setting change confirmation unit 15 The setting change confirmation means 15 may be reset one by one after the setting change operation is completed for all scheduled slot machines (a plurality may be set as one unit). By doing so, forgetting to change the setting can be prevented.

  Next, the case where the setting regarding the probability of winning a game is performed by an unauthorized means will be described. For example, when a player inserts a metal wire such as a wire from the gap between the front panel 2 and the outer frame 1 and performs an unauthorized work on the power supply device 3 to change the probability setting, such an unauthorized setting change Similarly to the above, energization of the solenoid 21 is executed, and the confirmation button 18 protrudes. However, the reset operation of the setting change confirmation means 15 requires firstly opening the front panel 2 and secondly manually resetting the confirmation button 18 which is a manual reset unit. The setting change confirmation means 15 cannot be reset. Accordingly, since the trace of the unauthorized setting change remains clearly as the change of the confirmation button 18, the discovery becomes easy. It is to be noted that fraudulent acts can be detected immediately when an employee opens the front panel 2 and checks the confirmation button 18 for a slot machine that seems to be suspicious from the release status of medals. Even if you do not notice fraud during business hours, you can discover fraud by opening the front panel 2 and checking the confirmation button 18 after the end of business. If there are holes for work, they can be repaired to prevent the damage from spreading.

[Other forms for carrying out the invention]
The setting change confirming means 15 described above only exhibits a visual change that the confirmation button 18 protrudes, but adds an ability-exercising element that temporarily stops the gaming function of the gaming machine to such a visual change. May be. In order to temporarily stop the gaming function of the gaming machine, it is necessary to provide a game stop means in the setting change confirmation means 15. Two specific examples of the game stop means will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First of all, the game stop means in FIG. 6 is linked to the slider 17 in the main power source of the slot machine or, for example, on the front surface of the fluctuation display device 7, medal discharge device 8, main board or front panel 2 and / or in the machine. This is a switch 26 that cuts off the power supply to the gaming electrical parts such as certain lamps. The switch 26 is provided with a switch shaft 27 protruding through the fixed guide frame 16 on the rear surface of the slider 17 of the above-described embodiment, and when the switch shaft 27 is deep in the switch 26, that is, the confirmation button 18 is pressed. In the normal state, the circuit is closed. On the other hand, when the switch shaft 27 is shallow in the switch 26 or completely disengaged, that is, when the confirmation button 18 is popped out, the circuit is opened. Therefore, if the setting change confirmation means 15 is not reset after the setting is changed, the main power of the slot machine is turned off, or the electric parts for gaming are stopped and the game is disabled, or the lamps are turned off and the continuation of the game is significantly hindered. Come on. Therefore, the player who performed fraud has to call the employee. Of course, a player who has committed fraud is afraid of discovering fraud, so he abandons the fraud.

  7 to 9 is a mechanical brake 28 that stops the rotation of the drum 5a of the variation display device 7. The brake 28 is configured by a non-cylindrical pin (in the embodiment, a quadrangular column) that protrudes from the tip of the slider 17 of the embodiment instead of the confirmation button 18. On the other hand, the confirmation button 18 is fixed to the shaft end of a rod 29 projecting from the rear end of the slider 17, and thus the movement of the confirmation button 18 is opposite to that of the confirmation button 18 of the above embodiment. That is, it is normal when the confirmation button 18 is away from the fixed guide frame 16 side. If the probability setting is changed in this state, the confirmation button 18 moves to the fixed guide frame 16 side, and the confirmation button 18 is moved to FIG. When pulled as indicated by the dotted line, the setting change confirmation means 15 is reset.

The setting change confirmation means 15 is fixed to the cover case 30 of the variable display device 7 so that the brake 28 faces the rotation center of the drum 5a, and the setting of the probability is changed. After that, the solenoid 21 is energized, and is fitted into the receiving hole 31 at the center of rotation of the drum 5a shown in FIG. 9 in a state where the lock by the locking member 23 is released and the slider 17 is moved as shown in FIG. Maru. When the brake 28 is fitted in the receiving hole 31, the drum 5 a and the cover case 30 are connected via the setting change confirmation unit 15, so the drum 5 a does not rotate.
On the other hand, the brake 28 is moved to the fixed guide frame 16 side when the slider 17 is moved by pulling the confirmation button 18, and is disengaged from the receiving hole 31 of the drum 5a, so that the drum 5a can freely rotate.

  Even in the case of the setting change confirmation means 15 in which the game stop means is the brake 28, the game cannot be performed unless the setting change confirmation means 15 is reset after the setting change, so that the probability change by the fraud means can be effectively prevented.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shaft end of the brake 28 is formed in a conical shape, and the back of the receiving hole 31 is formed in a concave shape that fits into the conical shape of the brake 28, so Even if there is some deviation in the core of the hole 31, it can be fitted smoothly. In the embodiment, since the brake 28 is fitted into the receiving hole 31 by the urging force of the elastic body 19 (coil spring), when the brake 28 and the receiving hole 31 are displaced in the rotation direction, the brake 28 is first elastic. Even if it is pushed by the body 19 and does not mesh, it enters into the receiving hole 31 and the directions of the two which are shifted when the drum 5a rotates due to an incomplete brake state coincide with each other and immediately fit completely. . Therefore, even if the directions of the brake 28 and the receiving hole 31 do not initially coincide with each other depending on the stop position of the drum 5a, it is possible to perform fitting without difficulty.

  In addition, the brake 28 of the game stop means does not perform the work like the receiving hole 31 on the drum 5a, but causes the tip to enter the turning region of the spoke 32 of the drum 5a, or the spoke 32 or the trunk of the drum 5a. 33 may be brought into contact with somewhere.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is of course not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the confirmation button 18 of the setting change confirmation unit 15 of the embodiment may be illuminated so that it is lit brightly in a reset required state.
In the embodiment, the setting change confirmation unit 15 is not visible from the outside of the slot machine. However, the setting change confirmation unit 15 may be visible from the outside of the slot machine.
In the embodiment, the confirmation button 18 serves as both a manual reset unit and a member that presents a visual change. However, for example, a manual operation is performed in which a lamp or the like is installed as an element that exhibits a visual change and the lamp or the like is turned off. A separate switch may be provided as a manual reset unit.

  Further, the above-described game stop means can be made independent of the setting change confirmation means 15 of the present invention, and can be combined with the prior art for judging an unauthorized setting change under some condition. For example, as a means for determining an unauthorized setting change, if it is determined that the setting change time is during business hours and whether the front panel 2 is open at the time of the setting change, and if it is determined to be an unauthorized change, the solenoid The game stop means is actuated by energizing 21. Such a fraud prevention device is difficult to implement at the present time for the reason described in the problem column, but may be useful if there is a change in the situation such as a change in the standard of the gaming machine in the future.

  In the embodiment, the slot machine is exemplified as the gaming machine, but the gaming machine includes a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball, and the like.

It is a principal part expanded sectional view of a power supply device. It is a side view of the power supply device with a part cut away. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line ZZ in FIG. 1. It is a front view of the slot machine with a part cut away. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the power supply device which shows the state immediately after a setting change. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the power supply device which shows another form. It is a front view of the slot machine which notched a part showing other forms. It is a front view of the setting change confirmation means which shows another form. It is a perspective view of a drum including a partially enlarged view.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer frame 2 ... Front panel 5a, 5b, 5c ... Drum 6 ... Display window 7 ... Variable display apparatus 9f ... Front panel (operation part)
15 ... Setting change confirmation means 16 ... Fixed guide frame 17 ... Slider 18 ... Confirmation button (manual reset section)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Elastic body 20 ... Locking means 21 ... Solenoid 28 ... Brake 29 ... Rod 30 ... Cover case

Claims (1)

A front panel assembled in a laterally openable manner on the front side of the outer frame configured in a box shape,
A variable display device for independently rotating a plurality of drums having a game symbol on the outer peripheral surface within a cover case and changing the drum symbol at a position visible from a display window provided on the front panel;
In a gaming machine having an operation unit for manually changing a setting related to a probability of winning a game provided at a place where the front panel is opened and operated,
A setting change confirmation means that changes to a mode that can be visually discriminated with an operation to change the setting related to the probability;
The setting change confirmation means provided inside the outer frame that can be operated only by opening the front panel and changed to a mode that can be visually discriminated in accordance with an operation to change the setting related to the probability is displayed before the change. A manual reset unit for returning to a state,
The setting change confirmation means includes:
A fixed guide frame fixed to a side surface of the cover case of the variable display device;
One of the drum located at the end of the fixed guide frame before Symbol cover case always by the elastic body fitted slidably transversely reciprocating along the inside (hereinafter, "end drum" in the claims A slider that is biased toward the side,
A mechanical brake that is formed at an end of the slider facing the end drum and that engages or contacts the end drum by the biasing force of the elastic body to stop its rotation;
A confirmation button that is fixed to a rod protruding from the end of the slider opposite to the brake and is visible with the front panel open and can be picked with a finger to move the rod in the axial direction ;
And locking means for locking the slider in which the brake is moved against the biasing force of the elastic body at a position not engaged or in contact with the end drum to the moving position,
A solenoid that operates when the setting related to the probability is changed and releases the lock of the slider by the locking means,
In addition, the manual reset unit is configured by the confirmation button that is fixed to the shaft end of the rod protruding from the slider and can move the rod in the axial direction while being picked by a finger .
The solenoid of the setting change confirmation means is operated in conjunction with an operation for changing the setting relating to the probability, and the confirmation of the slider , the rod, and the confirmation is performed by releasing the lock of the locking means by the operation of the solenoid. button is moved toward said end drum side by the urging of the elastic body, thus stopping the rotation brake of the slider is in engagement or contact with the end drum Rutotomoni of the confirmation button Display that the setting related to the probability has been changed by the position change toward the end drum side after the displacement ,
Further, the confirmation button of the manual reset unit is manually moved in a direction against the urging of the elastic body and to a position where the brake does not engage with or contact the end drum, and at the moving position, the The slider is locked by the locking means, and the reset of the setting change confirmation means is displayed by a position change away from the end drum after the confirmation button is displaced. Gaming machine.

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