JP4874053B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly to a slot machine capable of accurately grasping the number of medals inserted.

  Many proposals have been made for techniques for accurately counting the total number of medals inserted into a slot machine when a player starts a game. The purpose is to prevent illegal operations related to the medal counting by the player, or to eliminate the disadvantage caused to the player due to misidentification of the counting.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 can be cited for the former. An object of the present invention is to prevent an illegal act such as attaching a special board or the like to a slot machine and causing the control unit to be electrically distorted so that medals are excessively paid out. That is, the medal (the game medium in Patent Document 1) is separated from two places in the middle of the medal flow path (game medium flow path) leading from the medal insertion opening (game medium insertion opening) to the storage section, and the medal detection sensor (detection) If a comparison count value of the number of medals output by these two medal detection sensors does not match, an abnormal signal is output. It is possible to discover that an abnormality has occurred in any of the medal detection sensors, and it is possible to suppress fraud.

  As for the latter, for example, Patent Document 2 can be cited. In the present invention, a inserted medal detection sensor (passing medal detection means 126) is disposed between a medal insertion slot and a medal selector (medal sorter 122 in Patent Document 2) relatively close to the medal insertion slot. In addition, a return medal detection sensor (return medal detection means 127) is arranged on the medal return path (medal return path 121). Then, the difference obtained by subtracting the number of return medals counted by the return medal detection sensor from the number of inserted medals (passed medals) counted by the inserted medal detection sensor is obtained as the number of game medals (number of inserted medals). To do. In addition, the game is substantially started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of operation of the start lever (start switch), and thereafter, the number of game medals is acquired.

  If the start lever is operated immediately after the medal is inserted, the medal inserted from the medal slot is detected by the game medal detection means, and before the game medal detection signal is output from the game medal detection means, There is a problem that the count value of the counting means is fixed. The above invention solves such a problem by a characteristic configuration in which start delay means for delaying the start signal is interposed. Therefore, there is no disadvantage that medals inserted by the player after the count value of the game medal counting means is determined are swallowed by the slot machine without being counted.

  JP 2001-198264 A (paragraph numbers 0009 to 0010, etc.)   JP-A-6-63216 (FIG. 3)

  However, the two patent documents cited above have a problem in that they are not able to cope with the point that the other party has taken up as a problem. That is, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the relationship between the start lever operation timing and the determined number of inserted game medals is not considered, all the number of inserted medals can be accurately grasped. I can't say it's done. In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 may be used for fraudulent acts such as attaching an illegal special board to misrecognize the count value or inserting a celluloid from the medal insertion slot to cheat the number of inserted medals. On the other hand, it can be said that it is defenseless. An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of solving such problems and grasping the number of medals inserted more accurately.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a slot machine according to claim 1 includes a medal flow path for guiding a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot into the inside, and a middle of the medal flow path. A medal selector for removing non-standard medals, a medal flow switching device for discharging medals flowing down by switching the flow path to the outside of the medal flow path, the medal selector and the medal flow path The medal return path for receiving medals discharged by the switching device, and the medals arranged and placed upstream of the medal selector one by one, and the fetched medals are once locked and then sent out The formed medal feeding device, the inserted medal detection sensor for detecting the medal temporarily locked by the medal feeding device, and the medal return path A return medal detection sensor for detecting a medal that is disposed and falling; and a game medal detection sensor that is disposed on the most downstream side of the medal flow path and detects a medal that flows down. Based on the medal detection signal output from the inserted medal detection sensor, the medal once locked is released and sent to the downstream of the medal flow path, and output from the return medal detection sensor or the game medal detection sensor. It is configured to take in subsequent inserted medals based on the medal detection signal.

  The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the medal placed in the state locked by the medal feeding device is released and sent out at the same time as the timer, and the return medal detection sensor or the game medal And an abnormality signal output means for outputting an abnormality signal when the time required until the medal detection signal is output from the detection sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold time from the start of the time measurement by the timer. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the slot machine according to claim 3, when a predetermined allowable time has elapsed from the start of timing by the timer without outputting a medal detection signal from the return medal detection sensor or the game medal detection sensor, An abnormal signal is output from the abnormal signal output means.

  Further, in the slot machine according to claim 4, when the number of received game medals reaches the maximum allowable number of medals as a game value that can be stored in the slot machine, the medal flow path switching device The medal feeding device is configured to send out subsequent medals after switching to discharge the medals out of the medal flow path.

  2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the inserted medal is once locked in the medal feeding device, and the subsequent medal is placed in front of the medal feeding device even when the succeeding medal is continuously inserted. Is made to wait. The preceding inserted medal is sent out downstream of the medal flow path by detecting its presence by the inserted medal detection sensor, and the medal is detected by either the return medal detection sensor or the game medal detection sensor. After that, the subsequent inserted medals are not taken into the medal feeding device, so the number of inserted medals, the number of medals stored in the slot machine, and the returned medals Therefore, consistency with the number of sheets is always achieved. Therefore, even if medals are continuously inserted, the number of game medals is not misidentified, and the count of game medals can be accurately grasped.

  3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein each threshold is determined based on an actual measurement result of a time required for the medal to flow down between the medal feeding device and the mounting position of the return medal detection sensor and the game medal detection sensor. Value is set. If the return medal detection sensor or game medal detection sensor detects that the time required from the start of timing to the passage of a medal exceeds the set threshold, an electrical or mechanical fraud The occurrence of an abnormality is reported as an indication that the act may be performed. As a result, fraud can be detected early.

  The slot machine according to claim 3 relates to a situation in which a medal that should have been released downstream from the medal feeding device is not detected by any of the return medal detection sensor and the game medal detection sensor. . In such a situation, it is not possible to keep the standby state for a long time, so it is judged that an abnormality has occurred and the abnormality signal is output when a certain allowable time has elapsed. is there. As a result, fraud can be detected early. Naturally, this allowable time is set longer than the threshold time.

  In the slot machine according to claim 4, since the medal feeding device is configured to take in the inserted medals one by one and send them out one by one, it becomes possible to switch the medal flow path switching device during that time. When the number of game medals to be inserted reaches the allowable number of medals as the game value that can be stored in the slot machine, it can be surely discharged out of the medal flow path.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medal select unit that is a main part of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the mechanism of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front side of a slot machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the back side of the front door.

  First, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the outline | summary of the slot machine 10 is demonstrated very simply. The slot machine 10 includes a housing 11 and a front door 12. The front door 12 is attached to the housing 11 through a hinge 13 so as to be freely opened and closed. Normally, the front door 12 is locked and cannot be opened without permission.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front upper stage of the front door 12 is covered with a synthetic resin panel, and the outer surface of the rotating reel constituting the reel unit installed inside the slot machine main body is passed through a transparent display window 14. A part of can be visually recognized. This rotary reel is composed of three rotary reels, a first rotary reel 15a, a second rotary reel 15b, and a third rotary reel 15c, and a plurality of symbols are printed on each of the cylindrical outer surfaces. Yes. The rotation of the rotary reels 15a to 15c is started all at once by pressing the start lever 16, and thereafter, the first rotary reel stop button 17a, the second rotary reel stop button 17b, and the third rotary reel are selected while selecting the operation order and operation timing. By pressing the rotary reel stop button 17c, the rotary reels 15a to 15c corresponding to the rotary reel stop buttons 17a to 17c sequentially stop rotating. If the rotary reel stop buttons 17a to 17c are not pressed, the rotary reels 15a to 15c are automatically stopped after a predetermined time. And about the stop symbols drawn on the three rows of rotating reels 15a to 15c visible from the display window 14, a specific symbol is placed on one to five pay lines set according to the number of medals bet. When they are ready, the number of medals determined according to the combination of symbols is paid to the player as a prize medal. Above the display window 14, a liquid crystal display unit 18 that enhances the effect and provides necessary information is mounted.

  In order to start the game, the player needs to insert a medal obtained in advance from a medal lending machine through the medal slot 19. As will be described later in detail, the inserted medals are taken into the medal selection unit 20 shown in FIG. It is stored in a hopper tank of a medal payout device (not shown). In addition, medals that are not identified as legitimate ones fall on the medal payout return chute 22 and are discharged from the medal payout outlet 23 to the medal tray 24. The medal payment at the time of winning is performed by operating the medal payout device and discharging the medal stored in the hopper tank to the medal payout return chute 22 through the medal payout communication port 25. The discharged medals are paid to the medal tray 24 from the medal payout opening 23.

  Of the various display units arranged on the front surface of the front door 12, only the credit indicator 26 related to the present invention will be described here. The credit is the number of medals stored in the slot machine 10 as the game value owned by the player. A display for displaying the number of medals numerically is a credit display 26. The credit is added and updated by inserting a medal into the slot machine or winning in a game, and is subtracted and updated by setting a bet number or receiving a medal payout based on the credit. At present, the maximum gaming value for 50 medals is stored as credits. The medals inserted exceeding the maximum number of credits are rejected in the medal select unit 20, flow down the medal payout return chute 22, and are discharged from the medal payout outlet 23 to the medal tray 24.

  Now, in the present invention, the medal payout device is configured such that the preceding inserted medal locking / sending mechanism and the succeeding inserted medal locking / sending mechanism are made independent using, for example, two solenoids, respectively. It can also be realized by operating them alternately. However, here, as a more advantageous embodiment in terms of cost and space, a structure realized by one drive source will be described.

  Inside the medal select unit 20, as shown in FIG. 1A, a medal flow path 30 having a downward slope for allowing the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 19 to flow down is formed. Is in communication with a hopper tank of a medal payout device (not shown) stored in the housing 11 through a medal introduction cage 21. In addition, a medal feeding device 31, a medal selector 32, and a medal flow switching device 33 are disposed in the inclined portion of the medal flow channel 30 in order from the upstream. A medal return path 34 for receiving medals discharged from the medal selector 32 and the medal flow path switching device 33 and falling is formed below the medal flow path 30. Further, the lower end portion of the medal return path 34 is included in the medal payout return chute 22.

  The medal payout device 31 includes an arm 35 having a length along the flow direction of the medal, and a solenoid 36 that acts on one end of the arm 35. The arm 35 is pivotally supported at an intermediate portion thereof, and both end portions are formed so as to be swingable like a seesaw. A locking projection 37 is projected from the downstream end of the arm 35 and is urged by a spring (not shown) so that the locking projection 37 enters the medal channel 30. In addition, the solenoid 36 is configured to act in a direction that resists the biasing force of the spring when the solenoid 36 is operated, so that the locking protrusion 37 is retracted from the medal flow path 30.

  When the medal feeding device 31 is ready to accept medals as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the medal M1 that is inserted first is blocked by the locking protrusion 37 and its position It will be in the state locked by. Further, the succeeding medal M2 inserted after the medal M1 comes into contact with the locked medal M1 and stops. Next, when the solenoid 36 is actuated to retract the locking protrusion 37 from the medal flow path 30, the course is opened as shown in FIG. Rolls out. At the same time, since the upstream end of the arm 35 enters the flow path of the medal flow path 30, the upstream end of the arm 35 prevents the subsequent medal M2 from proceeding. After that, when the arm 35 is returned to the original position, the medal M2 flows down in the form of replacing the medal M1 shown in FIG. 1A and stops and is taken into the medal feeding device 31. Further, when the next medal is inserted, the above operation is repeated.

  Of the medals rolling in a standing posture, the medal selector 32 is configured so that a non-standard medal is dropped from the spot by, for example, forming the medal selector 32 so as not to receive support on the side of the medal. It is a thing.

  In the medal flow path switching device 33, for example, a movable plate 38 having an L-shaped cross section that forms a flow path of a medal that rolls in an upright posture is incorporated in a part of the medal flow path 30. Then, by controlling a solenoid (not shown) acting on the movable plate 38, it can be freely moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the paper surface of FIG. When the movable plate 38 is retracted, the L-shaped bottom surface portion that has previously formed the flow path is removed from the flow path, so that the medal falls from the spot.

  An inserted medal detection sensor 40 is disposed upstream of the medal flow path 30 at a position where a medal temporarily locked by the medal feeding device 31 can be detected. The medal return path 34 is provided with a return medal detection sensor 41 at a position where a medal that falls from the medal selector 32 and the medal flow path switching device 33 can be detected. A game medal detection sensor 42 is disposed on the most downstream side of the medal flow path 30 at a position where a medal taken into the slot machine 10 can be detected. For these detection sensors, light-shielding photosensors are used.

  Next, the operation mechanism of the slot machine 10 of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, the code | symbol S in a figure represents a step. Now, in the initial standby state, the medal feeding device 31 is in a state in which the locking protrusion 37 of the arm 35 protrudes into the medal flow path 30 and can accept the inserted medal. Yes. When the medal M1 is inserted (S00), the medal M1 flows down to a position where it comes into contact with the locking protrusion 37 and stops (S01).

  The inserted medal detection sensor 40 detects the presence of the medal M1 (S02) and transmits a detection signal to a control unit (not shown). In the next step S03, the succeeding medal M2 is placed in a locking posture. However, this is a case where the locking / sending mechanism for the preceding medal M1 is provided independently of each other. In the case of the present embodiment, this time, there is no particular relationship because of the structure of the medal feeding device 31 in which the locking / sending mechanism for the preceding medal M1 and the succeeding medal M2 is interlocked. Then, after the inserted medal detection sensor 40 recognizes the presence of the medal M1, the locking protrusion 37 is retracted, and the medal M1 is sent downstream of the medal flow path 30 (S04). When the inserted medal detection sensor 40 detects that the medal M1 is sent out downstream and no longer exists, the time measurement by the timer provided in the control unit starts (S05).

  The medal M1 that flows down is identified in the medal selector 32 as to whether or not the shape and size of the medal conform to the standard (S06). And when it is identified as a regular medal, the medal is the maximum number of game medals as the number of bets to be newly inserted and the maximum number of game medals as the game value stored in the credit. The control unit determines whether or not the number exceeds 53, which is the total number of the three (S07).

  If the limit number has not been reached, the medal flow switching device 33 is moved to the side where the medal passage is formed and the medal M1 is passed downstream (S08). Subsequently, a determination is made as to whether or not the game medal detection sensor 42 detects the passing of the flowing medal M1 (S09). When the passage of the medal M1 is detected, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit, and whether the time required from the start of time measurement by the timer to the passage of the medal is within a preset threshold range. A determination is made as to whether or not (S10). If it is within the threshold range, it is added and updated as the number of credits as a game medal, and the medal M1 is stored in the hopper tank (S100).

  Further, when the medal M1 is received inside, the control unit causes the medal feeding device 31 to be ready to accept the medal (S11). At this time, if the succeeding medal M2 is locked immediately before the medal feeding device 31, the medal M2 is automatically set as the arm 35 swings to the original position in the medal receiving posture. Are received in the medal feeding device 31. On the other hand, when a subsequent medal is not inserted, the medal payout device 31 maintains an initial standby state in which it waits for the insertion of a new medal while maintaining a posture capable of accepting a medal. In addition, including the other cases described later, the next medal is not accepted unless the existence of the preceding medal is confirmed downstream. Therefore, there is a problem that the medal count is erroneously recognized due to the operation timing of the start lever 16. Absent.

  By the way, in step S10, when the time required from the start of time measurement by the timer to the passage of the medal exceeds the threshold value, the control unit outputs an abnormal signal indicating that there is a possibility of trouble such as an unauthorized operation or a clogged medal. Output (S200). In addition, even when the passage of the medal M1 is not detected in step S09, the control unit waits for the allowable time set to an appropriate value slightly longer than the threshold to elapse (S12), An abnormal signal is output (S200). In response to such an abnormal signal, the abnormality is notified to an attendant of the game hall, a player, or the like by an informing means such as a management computer screen or an indicator lamp of the game hall. The clerk needs to check the cause of occurrence of the abnormal signal, remove any trouble, and reset the medal feeding device 31 to an initial posture in which a new medal can be accepted.

  In step S07, when the number of game medals reserved as the game value has reached the limit number of 53, the medal flow path switching device 33 is operated to the side for discharging medals (S13), and the medal M1 is changed. Drop into the medal return path 34. In step S06, the medal M1 that is not identified as a regular medal is also dropped toward the medal return path 34 by the medal selector 32. Then, it is identified whether or not the returned medal detection sensor 41 has detected the falling medal M1 (S14).

  When the passing medal M1 is detected by the return medal detection sensor 41, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit, and the time required from the start of counting by the timer to the passing of the medal is set in advance. A determination is made as to whether or not it is within the threshold range (S15). If it is within the threshold value range, the medal M1 is returned through the medal payout port 23 (S300), and the medal payout device 31 takes an attitude of accepting medals (S11).

  In step S15, if the time required from the start of timing by the timer to the passage of the medal exceeds the threshold value, the control unit outputs an abnormal signal as a possibility of trouble such as an unauthorized operation or a clogged medal. (S200). If the passage of the medal M1 is not detected in step S14, the control unit waits for the allowable time set to an appropriate value slightly longer than the threshold to elapse (S16), An abnormal signal is output (S200). In response to this, the notifying means notifies an attendant of the game hall, a player or the like of the occurrence of an abnormality.

  It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the medal selection unit part in the slot machine of this invention.   It is a flowchart explaining the mechanism of operation | movement of this invention slot machine.   It is a perspective view showing the appearance from the front side of the slot machine.   It is a perspective view from the back side of the slot machine front door.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 11 Case 12 Front door 19 Medal insertion slot 20 Medal selection unit 21 Medal introduction rod 22 Medal payout return chute 23 Medal payout outlet 25 Medal payout communication port 30 Medal flow path 31 Medal feeding device 32 Medal selector 33 Medal flow path Switching device 34 Medal return path 35 Arm 36 Solenoid 37 Locking protrusion 38 Movable plate 40 Inserted medal detection sensor 41 Return medal detection sensor 42 Game medal detection sensor M1 (previous) medal M2 (subsequent) medal

Claims (4)

A medal flow path that guides medals inserted from the medal insertion slot to the inside, a medal selector that is arranged in the middle of the medal flow path to exclude non-standard medals, and a medal that flows down by switching the flow path The medal flow path switching device for discharging out of the medal flow path, the medal selector and the medal return path for receiving medals discharged by the medal flow path switching device, and disposed upstream of the medal selector. A medal feeding device that is formed so that each medal is taken in one by one, and the taken medal is once locked and then sent out;
An inserted medal detection sensor that detects a medal that is temporarily locked by the medal feeding device, a return medal detection sensor that is disposed in the medal return path and detects a falling medal, and on the most downstream side of the medal flow path A game medal detection sensor that detects a medal that is disposed and flows down;
The medal feeding device releases the medal that is once locked based on the medal detection signal output from the inserted medal detection sensor and sends it to the downstream of the medal flow path. A slot machine configured to receive a subsequent inserted medal based on a medal detection signal output from a game medal detection sensor.   Until a medal detection signal is output from the timer that starts timing at the same time that the medal placed in the locked state by the medal feeding device is released and sent out, and the return medal detection sensor or the game medal detection sensor 2. The slot according to claim 1, further comprising: an abnormal signal output means for outputting an abnormal signal when a time required exceeds a predetermined threshold time from the start of time measurement by the timer. Machine.   An abnormal signal is output from the abnormal signal output means when a predetermined allowable time has elapsed from the start of timing by the timer without outputting a medal detection signal from the return medal detection sensor or the game medal detection sensor. The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above-mentioned.   When the number of accepted game medals reaches the maximum allowable number of medals as a game value that can be stored in the slot machine, the medal flow path switching device is discharged out of the medal flow path. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the medal feeding device is configured to send out a subsequent medal after switching.

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