JP5816953B2 - Slot machine, gaming device and gaming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine installed in a game arcade, a gaming device attached to the slot machine, a management device for managing the gaming device, and a gaming system including these, and more particularly, the amount exceeding a prescribed number that can be credited. The present invention relates to a slot machine that allows an external device to manage the number of gaming media, a gaming device and a management device that function as the external device, and a gaming system including these.

The slot machine is designed to allow the player to insert a game medal (coin) or game ball (pachinko ball) as a game medium and press the start lever to place a predetermined pattern, number or character on the outer peripheral surface. A plurality of reels (usually three reels) marked with a symbol start rotating, and after rotating at a constant speed, the reels stop when the stop button is pressed at an arbitrary timing, and the combination of symbols on the stopped reels In the case of a combination of symbols related to winning, it is a gaming machine from which a predetermined number of gaming media are paid out.
Such a slot machine has a credit function for internally storing up to a specified number (for example, 50 medals) of inserted game media and paid-out game media, and this credited game media operates a bet button. By doing so, it is possible to spend (multiply) on the game and to pay out by operating the checkout button.
When the specified number of game media exceeds the specified number, the excess game media is paid out directly to the outside and stored in a predetermined tray (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-218892 A

The present invention aims to clearly grasp the quantity of the acquired game media.

To achieve the above object, the slot machine of the present invention determines a charged is the inlet of the game medium, and poured passage for guiding the game medium inserted from said inlet to machine, the propriety of winning for each game a win determination unit stores a winning number setting section for setting a winning number indicating the number of game media to be provided by the winning, to the specified number of game media to be provided by Yu technique medium and winning inserted from the inlet Stores the number of game media based on a credit unit, a credit display unit for displaying the number of credits indicating the number of game media stored in the credit unit, and quantity information for specifying the number of game media input from the outside Management and display of the stored quantity, game media up to the stored quantity can be paid out, and / or information indicating the quantity of stored game media is a predetermined recording medium An output unit that outputs the quantity information to a predetermined gaming device that can be recorded and issued, and a control unit that controls each unit to perform game management, and the control unit determines the credit amount. Monitoring, when the number of credits exceeds the specified number by adding the number of winnings, the excess number information that can specify the amount of excess gaming media is output from the output unit to the gaming device, and the number of winnings In addition, the gaming device is configured to manage the number of gaming media exceeding the specified number by addition based on the excess number information.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing a gaming system including a slot machine, a gaming device, and a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine and the gaming device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration centering on a control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure centering on the control part of the game device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the game signal transmitted / received between each apparatus which comprises the game system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the output process of the excess number information (medal excess signal) output from the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the fraud determination process performed in the game device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the table | surface which linked | related the information (coin ID) which can identify the recording medium which the management apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention manages, and the number of acquisition medals.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a slot machine, a gaming apparatus and a management apparatus, and a gaming system including these according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, a platform device 10 that functions as a gaming device, and a ball management device 70 that functions as a management device are a game hall (hall) in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed. ) And is incorporated as part of a device constituting the gaming system S according to the present invention.
Specifically, the gaming system S includes a slot computer 100, an inter-device 10 and a possession management device 70, as well as a platform computer 30, an island computer 40, a member management device 50, a hall computer 60, a prize exchange device 80, cash A ball rental management device 90, a payment machine 91, and the like are configured such that they can communicate with each other via a predetermined network (for example, a local area network).

The gaming system S according to the present embodiment manages a game medium (hereinafter referred to as a medal) previously deposited by a player as a stored game medium (hereinafter referred to as a stored medal), and when the player comes again later, the stored medal It is constructed as a so-called storage ball replay system that can be replayed by the player, and a stored medal stored in advance by the player managed by the member management device 50 is pulled out in the inter-device 10 and stored in the slot machine 100 attached thereto. You can play games.
In addition, when there is no stored medal stored in advance, by inserting cash into the inter-device 10, a medal can be lent out from the inter-device 10, and a medal-lending game can be performed in the slot machine 100.

  In the slot machine 100, as in the conventional slot machine, when the player inserts a medal and operates the start lever 104, the plurality of reels 121 start to rotate, and after a constant speed rotation, a stop button at an arbitrary timing. The reel 121 stops when the 105 is pressed, and the winning medal is not paid out by winning, although it is determined that the winning combination is determined by the combination of symbols on the stopped reel 121. Instead, By outputting a medal excess signal (described later) indicating the number of winning medals to the inter-device 10 (see FIG. 6), it is possible to pay out the winning medals from the inter-device 10.

The inter-device 10 is an example of a gaming device according to the present invention, and is provided for each slot machine 100 and has a function of paying out medals by computer control, and is based on an excess medal signal input from the slot machine 100. Thus, the number of winning medals in the slot machine 100 is managed, and the winning medals are paid back to the player in response to an input from the player with the number of winning medals as an upper limit.
Further, the inter-device 10 manages the number of payout medals for the amount paid back to the player from the number of winning medals, and updates the number of winning medals by subtracting the number of payout medals from the number of winning medals.

  The stand computer 30 and the island computer 40 are information relay processing devices provided for each slot machine 100 and each gaming machine island to which a plurality of slot machines 100 are attached. The slot machine 100, the inter-device 10 and the member management device Information transmitted and received between the computer 50 and the hall computer 60 is relayed.

  The member management device 50 is an information processing device that manages, for each player (stored medal member), a stored medal previously deposited in the amusement hall, and the deposited medal is deposited every time the medal is pulled out from the inter-device 10. The number of medals is updated by subtracting the number of withdrawals from the number of medals.

  The hall computer 60 is an information processing device that counts predetermined game data, and includes game signals (for example, bonus signals (BB signal, RB signal), medal insertion signal, which will be described later), Medals winning signals, medal lending signals, accumulated medal withdrawal signals, etc.) are collected, and predetermined game data (for example, total game machines) for each slot machine 100, each specific model of the slot machine 100, each gaming machine island, The number of inputs, the total number of winnings, the probability of bonus occurrence, sales, gross profit, divide number, etc.).

The possession management device 70 is an example of a management device according to the present invention, and is connected to a plurality of inter-devices 10. The number of winning medals and the number of payout medals managed by each inter-device 10 are determined for each inter-device 10. It is an information processing device to be managed.
Specifically, the possession management device 70 receives the medal excess signal and the medal payout signal (described later) from each inter-device 10, and stores and manages the number of winning medals and the payout medal for each inter-device 10. To do. In addition, the number of payout medals is subtracted from the number of winning medals, and the number of winning medals is updated. In response to a request from each inter-device 10, the current number of winning medals and the number of payout medals are displayed in the corresponding inter-device 10. Send.
Further, the possession management device 70 associates and stores and manages a coin ID, which is information that can identify the IC coin 82 transmitted from the inter-device 10, and the number of medals to be described later including the number of winning medals. In response to the request signal including the coin ID transmitted from the gift exchange device 80, the acquired medal number associated with this coin ID is returned to the gift exchange device 80.

The prize exchange device 80 is an information processing apparatus that performs exchange processing with prizes according to the number of acquired medals, and information (coin ID) that can specify the number of acquired medals via an attached IC coin reader 81 is provided as an IC. It reads from the coin 82 and performs a settlement process with a prize having a value substantially equivalent to the number of acquired medals.
Specifically, the prize exchange device 80 reads the coin ID from the IC coin 82 by the IC coin reader 81 and transmits a request signal including this coin ID to the possession management device 70, whereby the possession management device 70. The received medal number associated with the coin ID is received, and a settlement process is performed with a prize having a value substantially equivalent to the received acquired medal number.

  The cash lending management device 90 determines the amount of cash put into each inter-device 10 and the number of lent medals lent out from this inter-device 10 and the balance remaining after removing the number of medals. It is an information processing apparatus that manages each time, and further manages the remaining money and the coin ID in association with each other.

  The checkout machine 91 is a cash refund device that returns cash to the player, reads the coin ID from the inserted IC coin 82, and associates the coin ID managed by the cash lending management device 90 with the balance. With reference to the player, the balance corresponding to the read coin ID is paid back to the player.

In such a gaming system S, when the slot machine 100 exceeds an upper limit value that can be credited with a winning medal, the slot machine 100 outputs an excess medal signal indicating the number of winning medal to the inter-device 10.
The inter-device 10 stores and manages the number of winning medals acquired by the slot machine 100 based on the input medal excess signal, displays the stored number of winning medals, and stores medals up to the stored number of winning medals. In addition to paying out to the player, the memorized number of winning medals and the coin ID are output to the possession management device 70 and an IC coin 82 is issued.
Further, the possession management device 70 determines the number of winning medals and the number of payout medals in the slot machine 100 connected to the table device 10 based on the medal excess signal and the medal payout signal input from the table device 10. Are stored and managed based on each signal.
Hereinafter, the slot machine 100, the inter-device device 10, and the possession management device 70 will be described in detail.

[Slot Machine]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slot machine 100 has a credit amount display section 102, a multiplying number display section 102a, a start lever 104, a medal insertion slot 106, and a checkout button on the front side of the front door 101a. 106a, a BET button 107, a plurality of stop buttons 105 (105a to 105c), a medal return slot 108, a medal selector 109 on the rear side of the front door 101a, and a housing 101b. Inside, a drum unit 120, a control unit 150, and a transfer passage 111 are provided.

The medal insertion slot 106 is an insertion slot that accepts medals for the game. In the slot machine 100, there are a method for placing a medal in a game, a method for inserting a medal from the medal slot 106 for each game, and a method for placing (betting) a medal credited inside by a credit function.
The credit function is a function for storing the inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 106 and the winning medals to be paid out according to the contents of the winning a prize up to a prescribed number (for example, 50) as an upper limit. The credit number indicating the number is displayed on the credit number display unit 102.

  The BET button 107 is an operation means (switch) for placing (betting) a credited medal on the game, and the MAXBET button 107a is a maximum number (for example, 3) that can be multiplied per game. It can be applied by a single pressing operation, and the 1BET button 107b can be used to medals one by one for each pressing operation.

The multiplier display unit 102a displays the number of inserted medals to be multiplied in one game, and the number of inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 106 or by operating the BET button 107 is set to a maximum multiplier (for example, three). ) Is displayed.
The number of credits is increased not only by winning medals but also by inserted medals that are inserted after the number of inserted medals reaches the maximum multiplier.

For example, the number of credits starts to increase due to inserted medals after the number of inserted medals reaches the maximum multiplier (3), and increments by 1 each time a medal is inserted. Will be increased to 50 sheets. As a result, up to 53 inserted medals can be inserted.
Note that a winning medal given at the time of winning (except for the replay winning) is added to the number of credits without being added to the multiplier.

  The start lever 104 is configured as a game start means that is operated after a medal is placed. When the start lever 104 is operated, the reels 121a to 121c provided in the drum unit 120 start to rotate, and in the control unit 150, An internal lottery is performed to determine the winning content of the current game from a plurality of lottery targets including a bonus combination, a replay combination, a small combination, and a loser.

  The stop buttons 105a to 105c are provided in the same number as the reels 121a to 121c. When these stop buttons 105a to 105c are pressed, the rotation of the corresponding reels 121a to 121c is controlled to stop based on the press timing and the contents of the internal lottery, and the combination of symbols shown on each stopped reel 121 is controlled. The winning or losing is determined by.

The medal return port 108 is a medal discharge port for returning the inserted medal inserted from the medal insertion port 106 to the player.
The medal selector 109 forms an insertion passage in which the inserted medal is inclined so that it can flow down, and is configured to perform true / false selection of the inserted medal, path switching, and medal passage detection in the insertion passage. The

Specifically, the true / false selection of the inserted medals is performed based on, for example, the diameter size of the medal, and the false medals having an incompatible diameter size are taken into the chute 110 from the receiving port 110a and the medal return port. Ejected from 108, only true medals are guided into the housing 101b.
The switching of the path is performed, for example, by an electromagnetic opening / closing mechanism (not shown) driven and controlled by the control unit 150. When the electromagnetic opening / closing mechanism is turned on, the inserted medal is guided into the housing 101b, and the electromagnetic opening / closing mechanism is turned on. When turned off, the inserted medal is taken into the chute 110 from the receiving port 110 a and discharged from the medal return port 108. This electromagnetic opening / closing mechanism is turned off while the reel 121 is rotating, and the inserted medal inserted while the reel 121 is rotating causes the medal return port 108 to eject the inserted medal.
The medal passage detection is performed using, for example, an optical sensor such as a transmissive or reflective photo interrupter, and this detection signal is input to the control unit 150.

The drum unit 120 includes a plurality of reels 121a to 121c, a motor drive circuit (not shown), a plurality of stepping motors (not shown), and a reel position detection unit (not shown).
A plurality of symbols are drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 121a to 121c. These symbols are visually recognized by the player through the display window 103 of the front door 101a.

The motor drive circuit drives and controls the stepping motor based on the pulse signal from the control unit 150 to start and stop the rotation of the reels 121a to 121c.
When the rotation of the reels 121a to 121c stops, the reel position detection unit detects the rotation stop position of the reels 121a to 121c based on the markers written on the reels 121a to 121c, and the control unit 150 stops by this detection. The combination of symbols is determined.
When the symbol combination is a combination related to a winning set in advance, the control unit 150 outputs a medal winning signal indicating the number of winning medals to be awarded by winning to the computer 30, and the number of credits is increased by this giving. When the number exceeds the stipulated number of credits, an extra medal signal indicating the excess number of winning medals is further output to the inter-device 10.

The transfer passage 111 is a bypass passage that transfers the inserted medal guided into the housing 101b by the medal selector 109 to the inter-device 10 and is formed as an inclined passage through which the inserted medal can flow down.
The inflow port 111a overlaps with the outflow port 109a of the medal selector 109 in a state where the front door 101a is closed, and the outflow port 111b communicates with an opening formed on the side surface of the housing 101b, thereby providing an inter-bed apparatus. 10 is configured to be able to transfer the inserted medal.

The external output terminal board 130 is an example of an output unit according to the present invention, and is an information output board that outputs various game signals generated by the control unit 150 to the outside. All of these game signal output forms are unidirectional output forms output from the slot machine 100 to an external device.
As shown in FIG. 6, the game signal output from the external output terminal board 130 includes a medal insertion signal S1 (insertion number information), a medal winning signal S2 (winning number information), a BB signal S3, and an RB signal. There are S4, medal excess signal S5 (excess number information), and medal settlement signal S6 (settlement number information).

  The control unit 150 includes various circuits such as a clock generation circuit, a random number generation circuit, and an external output circuit, a CPU 151, a ROM 152, a RAM 153, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 151 includes a medal selector 109, a start lever 104, The input of signals from the stop button 105, the BET button 107, the settlement button 106a, etc. is monitored, and based on these input signals, an internal lottery process for determining the winning content of the current game, the rotation / stop of the reel 121 of the drum unit 120 Reel control processing for performing control, winning determination processing for determining whether or not a winning combination is achieved from a combination of stopped symbols, winning medal number setting processing for setting the number of winning medals to be given by winning, memorized medal and winning medals up to a prescribed number Credit processing, signal output processing that generates and outputs the above game signals By executing the processes according to the game, and it is to advance and manage the slot machine game.

The ROM 152 stores a program and data for the CPU 151 to execute each process. The data also stores the number of winning medals awarded for each winning combination.
The RAM 153 stores various work data related to the game. This work data includes a credit number 153a indicating the number of medals to be credited and a multiplier displayed on the multiplier display unit 102a.
Below, each said process performed by the control part 150 is demonstrated.

For example, in the internal lottery process, a random number is acquired at the timing when the start lever 104 is operated, and a plurality of lottery targets including a bonus combination (BB, RB), a replay combination, a plurality of small combinations, and a loss are based on the random number. The winning contents of the game will be determined from among the above.
Further, in the reel control process, when a pressing operation of the stop buttons 105a to 105c is detected, a reel that rotates so as to stop at a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning contents based on the pressing timing and the winning contents in the internal lottery process. 121a to 121c are controlled to stop.
In the winning determination process, a combination of symbols shown on each reel 121 stopped is identified to determine whether or not the winning is achieved.

In the winning medal number setting process, the number of winning medals to be given is set only when it is determined that the combination of the symbols that have been stopped is a winning corresponding to the small role. In this setting, for example, the number of winning medals is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 153.
The number of winning medals to be set is set by referring to the number of winning medals for each type of small combination stored in the ROM 152, with the number of winning medals associated with the small winning combination this time.

In the credit processing, the number of credits 153a is updated while the number of inserted medals and the number of winning medals are added up to a prescribed number (50 cards) that is a creditable upper limit value while monitoring the number of credits 153a.
Further, when the number of credits 153a exceeds the specified number by adding the number of winning medals, a medal surplus signal indicating the number of winning medals is generated.
For example, when the number of credits 153a is “47” and the number of winning medals newly set in this game is “10”, “3” is added to the number of credits 153a and “7” is Since there are excess winning medals, a medal excess signal indicating the number of winning medals of “7” is generated.

In the signal output process, the game signal is generated and output from the external output terminal board 130.
The medal insertion signal S <b> 1 is a signal indicating the number of inserted medals applied to the game by the number of pulses. For example, the medal insertion signal S <b> 1 is generated at the timing when the start lever 104 is operated and output to the computer 30.
The medal winning signal S <b> 2 is a signal indicating the number of winning medals by the number of pulses, and is generated at the timing when the number of winning medals is set in the RAM 153, and is output to the computer 30.
The medal winning signal S2 is also output when it is determined that the stopped symbol combination is a winning corresponding to the replay combination. At this time, a signal indicating the number of medals equal to the number of inserted medals by the number of pulses is output. The

  The BB signal S3 and the RB signal S4 start to be output when the combination of the stopped symbols is determined to be a winning corresponding to the big bonus combination (BB) and the regular bonus combination (RB), and output when each bonus game ends. It will be stopped. These signals are also output to the table computer 30.

  The medal settlement signal S6 is a signal indicating the credit number 153a and the multiplier by the number of pulses, and is generated at the timing when the settlement button 106a is operated, and is output to the inter-unit device 10.

  Specifically, the medal settlement signal S6 differs in output contents depending on the presence or absence of a credit number 153a at the timing when the settlement button 106a is operated. For example, the medal settlement signal S6 is credited at the timing when the settlement button 106a is operated. When there is only the number 153a, the credit number 153a is output as a signal indicating the number of pulses, and when there is only a multiplier, the number is output as a signal indicating the number of pulses.

  On the other hand, when both the credit number 153a and the multiplier are present at the timing when the settlement button 106a is operated, the medal settlement signal S6 indicating the multiplier is output by the first operation of the settlement button 106a, and then the medal The medal settlement signal S6 indicating the number of credits 153a is output by the second operation of the settlement button 106a without the insertion of medals from the insertion slot 106 or the operation of the BET button 107.

  Thus, if you want to change the number of multipliers to be multiplied by the game, for example, you tried to play three-games with three medals first, but you can cancel this and throw one medals into one-game In such a case, the settlement button 106a is operated once to cancel the multiplier (set it to zero), and the BET button 107 (1BET button 107b) is newly operated to change the multiplier. It can be changed easily. In addition, the multiplier for cancellation is stored and managed as the number of adjusted medals in the inter-device 10.

  When there is a credit number 153a and a multiplier at the timing when the settlement button 106a is operated, the medal settlement signal S6 indicating the multiplier is output by the first operation of the settlement button 106a, and then the medal insertion slot. When a medal is inserted from 106 or the BET button 107 is operated, the medal settlement signal S6 indicating the multiplier is output again by the second operation of the settlement button 106a.

The medal surplus signal S5 is a signal indicating the number of winning medals exceeding the specified number according to the number of awarded medals given by the number of pulses. In the credit processing, the credit number 153a is set to the specified number by adding the number of winning medals. Is generated and output to the inter-device 10.
Here, the medal excess signal output processing for generating and outputting the medal excess signal S5 will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not a winning combination is obtained by identifying the combination of symbols that have been stopped (S1). If not winning (S1-No), that is, if the game is lost, the process is terminated.
On the other hand, when winning (S1-Yes), it is further determined whether or not the number of winning medals is zero (S2). Examples of winning with zero winning medals include bonus winning and replay winning, and winning with non-zero winning medals includes small role winning.
When the number of winning medals is zero (S2-Yes), that is, when a bonus winning or a replay winning is made, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the number of winning medals is not zero (S2-No), that is, in the case of small role winning, the number of winning medals is incremented by 1 until the number of winning medals reaches the number of credits 153a (the number of credits 153a + winning) The medal 1) is compared with the specified number (50) (S3).
When the specified number is exceeded (S3-Yes), a one-pulse medal excess signal is output from the external output terminal board 130 (S4), and it is determined whether or not the number of winning medals has been reached (S5). If not reached (S5-No), the medal excess signal is repeatedly output one pulse at a time until the number of winning medals is reached (S3, S4). When the number of winning medals is reached (S5-Yes), the process is terminated. As a result, an excessive medal signal indicating the number of winning medals exceeding the specified number is output to the inter-device 10.

On the other hand, when the prescribed number is not exceeded (S3-No), it is further determined whether or not the number of winning medals has been reached (S5). When the number of medals is not reached (S5-No), until the number of winning medals is reached, Each step of S3, S4 or S3, S5 is repeatedly executed, and when the number of medals is reached (S5-Yes), the process is terminated.
By such a medal excess signal output process, for example, when the number of credits 153a is “47” and the number of winning medals is “10”, a loop for executing the process of S5 after the process of S3 is set to “3. After repeating “S.times.”, The loop for executing the processes of S4 and S5 is repeated “7 times” after the process of S3, and the process is terminated. As a result, “7” indicating the number of surplus winning medals is “7”. The “pulse” medal excess signal is output.

[Between machines]
As shown in FIG. 2, the inter-device 10 is installed for each slot machine 100, and receives the medal excess signal S 5 and the medal settlement signal S 6 output from the external output terminal board 130 of the slot machine 100. In addition to storing and managing the excess winning medals and the adjustment medals acquired by the slot machine 100 based on these inputs, the total number of the winning medals and the adjusted medals (hereinafter acquired medals) The number of medals is paid out based on the input operation by the player, and the acquired medals and coin ID are managed based on the settlement operation by the player. It outputs to the apparatus 70 and issues IC coin 82.
In order to realize such an operation, the inter-station apparatus 10 is configured as follows.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the inter-device 10 includes a bill insertion slot 11, a bill recognition unit 11 a, a stored medal number display unit 12, a stored medal withdrawal button 12 a, and an acquired medal number display unit 13. , Acquired medal withdrawal button 13a, input section 14, member card insertion slot 15, member card reader 15a, IC coin insertion slot 16a, IC coin return slot 16b, IC coin reader / writer 16, settlement button 17, medal payout section 18, The nozzle 18a, the communication part 19, the alerting | reporting part 20, and the control part 21 are provided.
Furthermore, the control unit 21 is provided with a CPU 22, a ROM 23, and a RAM 24, and the CPU 151 controls the above-described operations by using the RAM 24 as a work area based on the program and data recorded in the ROM 23, thereby controlling the above-described units. Has been realized.

The banknote insertion slot 11 is an insertion slot into which a banknote is inserted when a player rents a medal for cash when there is no stored medal previously deposited in the amusement hall by the player. The denomination and authenticity are identified in the bill identifying unit 11a provided inside the insertion slot 11, and the amount is stored in the RAM 24.
Further, by operating the lending button arranged in the input unit 14 within the range of the stored amount, the medal paying unit 18 is driven and controlled by the control unit 21 so that the lending medal is paid out from the nozzle 18a. It has become. The medals are paid out with an input amount of 1000 yen as a unit, and the number of lent medals to be paid out at this time is 50 sheets when the rental medal fee per sheet is 20 yen.

  The medal number display unit 12 is composed of a liquid crystal display, displays the number of medal saved by the player in advance at the game hall, and operates the medal withdrawal button 12a within the range of the displayed medal number. Thus, the medal payout unit 18 is driven and controlled by the control unit 21 so that the stored medal is paid out from the nozzle 18a.

  The acquired medal number display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the total number of acquired medals obtained by the slot machine 100 and the number of adjusted medals (if there is no adjusted medals, only the number of winning medals). When the acquired medal payout button 13a is operated within the range of the displayed acquired medal number, the medal payout unit 18 is driven and controlled by the control unit 21, and the acquired medal is paid out from the nozzle 18a. ing.

  The input unit 14 includes operation buttons such as the above-described lending button and numeric keypad capable of inputting predetermined character information and the like, and inputs a password required for a player who has inserted a member card when withdrawing from a stored medal. The entered password is transmitted to the member management apparatus 50 via the communication unit 19 together with the following member ID.

The membership card insertion slot 15 is an insertion slot for inserting a membership card (for example, an IC card) issued by the amusement hall. When the membership card is inserted, the membership card reader 15a provided inside the membership card insertion slot 15 is used. The member ID, which is information that can identify the stored medal member, is read, and the member ID is transmitted to the member management apparatus 50 via the communication unit 19 together with the password.
Receiving this, the member management device 50 returns the number of stored medal members of the medal member corresponding to the member ID to the inter-device 10 on condition that the member ID or the like is matched. As a result, the transmitted medal number is displayed on the medal number display unit 12, and the medal can be drawn out (paid out) by operating the medal withdrawal button 12a.
The inserted membership card is discharged from the membership card insertion slot 15 based on the operation of the checkout button 17.

The IC coin insertion slot 16a is an insertion slot for inserting an IC coin 82, which is an example of a recording medium. When the IC coin 82 is inserted, the IC coin reader / writer 16 provided inside the IC coin insertion slot 16a performs an IC. A coin ID that is unique information that can identify the IC coin 82 is read from the coin 82.
In this embodiment, this coin ID is information that can specify the number of acquired medals obtained by adding up the number of winning medals and the number of adjusted medals acquired by the slot machine 100. The ID and the number of acquired medals are stored and managed in association with each other.

The IC coin return port 16b operates as an issuing means and is a return port for issuing / returning the IC coin 82. The IC coin 82 is issued / returned from the IC coin return port 16b based on the operation of the settlement button 17. The
At this time, the number of acquired medals can be directly written into the IC coin 82 as a recording medium by the IC coin reader / writer 16, but in this embodiment, the coin ID and the number of acquired medals are held via the communication unit 19. These data are transmitted to the ball management device 70 and stored in and managed by the possession ball management device 70.

  The checkout button 17 is a button that is operated at the end of the game. By operating this button, the member card inserted into the member card insertion slot 15 is ejected, and when there is an acquired medal, 82 is issued / returned from the IC coin return port 16b.

The medal payout unit 18 includes a hopper for storing medals, a motor for paying out (sending out) medals, and a count sensor for counting the number of payouts (the number of payouts) (all not shown), and is arranged in the input unit 14. The payout operation is started based on the operation of the issued lending button, the accumulated medal withdrawal button 12a, and the acquired medal withdrawal button 13a, and the operation is stopped when a predetermined number of medals (for example, 50) are counted.
That is, when these buttons are operated, the medal payout unit 29 pays out medals in units of a predetermined number (50) within the range of the amount of money, the number of stored medals, and the number of acquired medals stored in the RAM 24. It has become.

As described above, regardless of the operation of any of the buttons 14, 12 a, and 13 a, the same number of medals is paid out as one unit by one operation until the number of paid out medals (50) is consumed. This is because the standard for counting the number of games is the same.
In other words, the player counts the number of games that can digest the loaned medal lent out by inserting 1000 yen, and the slot machine setting probability is estimated using this number as a guide, so the lent medal paid out by inserting 1000 yen This is because the number of games that can be digested can be counted with the same standard by paying out medals with the same number as the number as one unit.

The medals paid out from the medal payout unit 18 are discharged to the tray of the slot machine 100 through a nozzle 18a configured as a medal guide path connecting the medal payout unit 18 to the outside of the apparatus.
The hopper communicates with the outlet 111 b of the transfer passage 111 and stores inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 106.
This eliminates the need to replenish medals from the outside to the inter-device 10, thereby reducing replenishment work by the game shop clerk.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the communication unit 19 is connected to the external output terminal board 130 of the slot machine 100, the base computer 30, the member management device 50, and the possession management device 70. It is a communication means for transmitting and receiving signals.

The communication unit 19 receives the medal excess signal S5 and the medal settlement signal S6 from the slot machine 100 with the slot machine 100.
In addition, a medal insertion signal S1 and a medal winning signal S2 are input from the base computer 30 to the base computer 30, and the base computer 30 is provided with a medal loan indicating the number of loaned medals in pulses. A signal S7 and a medal withdrawal signal S8 indicating the number of drawn medal stored medals by the number of pulses are output.
The signal output to the base computer 30 includes an abnormal signal described later, and is input to the hall computer 60 via the island computer 40.

In addition, the stored medal information signal S9, which is information related to a stored medal member such as a password, a member ID, and the number of stored medals, is transmitted to and received from the member management device 50.
A signal such as a medal excess signal S5, a medal settlement signal S6, a medal withdrawal signal S10, and the above-described coin ID and the like are transmitted to and received from the possession management device 70.
The medal payout signal S10 (payout number information) is a signal indicating the number of payout medals to be paid out by operating the acquired medal payout button 13a by the number of pulses.

  The notification unit 20 is made up of light emitting means such as an LED (not shown), and is turned on when an abnormality is determined in the fraud determination process described later to notify the outside of the abnormality.

  In the inter-device 10 having such a configuration, the control unit 21 (CPU 22) functions as an arithmetic processing unit, so that each data is stored and updated in the work area set in the RAM 24, and the slot machine 100 The acquired excess winning medals and the adjusted medals are respectively stored and managed, the number of acquired medals obtained by adding up the stored number of winning medals and the adjusted medals is displayed, and based on the operation of the acquired medal payout button 13a. The payout of medals up to the number of acquired medals is performed, and the number of acquired medals and the coin ID are output to the possession management device 70 based on the operation of the settlement button 17 and the IC coin 82 is issued. ing.

  Specifically, the RAM 24 stores a medal number 24a, a draw medal number 24b, a inserted medal number 24c, a winning medal number 24d, an excess medal number 24e, a payout medal number 24f, and a settlement medal number 24g. Each time a loaned medal is lent, the number of medals is updated by adding to the number of medals 24a, and every time a stored medal is drawn, the number of medals is updated by adding to the number of medals 24b. Is added to the number of inserted medals 24c and updated every time a medal winning signal S2 is input, and this number of pulses is added to and updated by the number of winning medals 24d. The number of pulses is added to the excess medal number 24e and updated every time is input, and this medal number is added to the payout medal number 24f every time there is a refund from the acquired medal. And update, be updated by the settlement medals 24g adds the number of pulses each time the medal adjusting signal S6 is inputted.

Further, the control unit 21 calculates the acquired medal number by adding the excess medal number 24e and the adjusted medal number 24g, and causes the acquired medal number display unit 13 to display the acquired medal number.
At this time, when there is no adjustment medal count 24g (when the medal adjustment signal S6 is not input and the adjustment medal count 24g is zero), the excess medal count 24e is displayed on the acquired medal count display unit 13 as the acquired medal count.

If there is a payout medal number 24f, the acquired medal number is updated by subtracting the payout medal number 24f from the acquired medal number, and the updated acquired medal number is displayed on the acquired medal number display unit 13.
Further, when detecting the operation of the acquired medal payout button 13a, the control unit 21 drives and controls the medal payout unit 18, and pays up to the acquired medal number displayed on the acquired medal number display unit 13 in units of 50 medals. Let me do it.

Further, when the control unit 21 detects the operation of the checkout button 17, when the member card is inserted into the member card insertion slot 15, the control unit 21 transmits the acquired medal number together with the member ID to the member management device 50 and acquires the acquired medal number. Is stored and managed by the member management apparatus 50 as a stored medal, and the member card is discharged.
On the other hand, when the membership card is not inserted into the membership card insertion slot 15, the acquired medal number is transmitted to the ball management device 70 together with the coin ID, and the coin management device 70 is linked with the coin ID and the acquired medal number. In addition, the IC coin 82 is issued from the IC coin return port 16b.

Further, the control unit 21 determines a predetermined abnormality by performing a predetermined calculation process on each of the medals 24a to 24g.
Specifically, the first total medal number obtained by adding the inserted medal 24c, the excess medal number 24e, and the adjusted medal number 24g is calculated, the loaned medal number 24a, the drawn medal number 24b, and the winning medal number Each time the second total medal number obtained by adding 24d and the payout medal number 24f is calculated and the inserted medal number 24c or the adjusted medal number 24g is updated, the first total medal number and the second total medal number When the first total medal number is greater than or equal to the second total medal number, it is determined that the abnormality is a predetermined abnormality related to the illegal act.

  This is based on the inserted medals, excess medals, and checkout medals, which are added elements of the first total medal number, based on loaned medals, withdrawal medals, winning medals, and payout medals, which are added elements of the second total medal number. This is because the first total medal number cannot be larger than the second total medal number. The excess medal number 24e does not include the number of winning medals related to the replay winning, and the winning medal number 24d includes the number of winning medals related to the replay winning. Therefore, the first total medal number is the second number. It cannot be the same as the total number of medals.

However, as an event in which such an impossible event occurs, the following abnormality related to an illegal act or the like can be assumed.
For example, in a game arcade that prohibits the movement of a table between slot machines, if an acquired medal obtained in one slot machine is used in another slot machine, the other slot machine has no rental medal. When the inserted medal is generated, the first total medal number may be greater than or equal to the second total medal number.

  Further, after inserting a special fraudulent instrument having a light emitting element at the tip from the medal insertion slot 106 and causing the tip to reach a sensor (for example, a transmissive photo interrupter) for detecting a game medium, the light emitting element When the number of credits 153a is increased to the specified number in a short time and the number of settlement medals 24g increases based on this, the settlement medals are generated even though there are no winning medals, The first total medal number may be greater than or equal to the second total medal number.

Therefore, by determining whether or not the first total medal number is greater than or equal to the second total medal number, it is possible to determine the predetermined abnormality related to the illegal act as described above.
The determination of abnormality relating to such an illegal act is performed in the fraud determination process executed by the control unit 21. Here, the fraud determination process will be described below with reference to FIG.

The control unit 21 is in a process waiting state until the power is turned on (S11-No). When the power is turned on (S11-Yes), the values of the medals 24a to 24g are initialized (zero clear). (S12).
Thereafter, the change in the value of each medal number 24a to 24g due to the input of each signal from the slot machine 100 or the stand computer 30 or its own payout operation is monitored (S13), and when there is no change, it enters a waiting state (S13). -No) If there is a change (S13-Yes), the value of the number of medals 24a-24g is updated (S14).

Among the changes, it is determined whether or not the inserted medal number 24c or the adjusted medal number 24g is changed (updated) by receiving the medal insertion signal S1 or the medal settlement signal S6 (S15). If there is no update (S15-No), monitoring and updating of the values of the medals 24a to 24g are repeated (S13, S14).
On the other hand, when the inserted medal number 24c or the adjusted medal number 24g changes (updates), it is determined whether or not the first total medal number is greater than or equal to the second total medal number (24c + 24e + 24g ≧ 24a + 24b + 24d + 24f) (S16). If it is larger or the same (S16-Yes), it is regarded as abnormal, and the notification unit 20 (LED) is controlled to be turned on to notify the abnormality to the outside (S19).

Further, at this time, an abnormal signal is output from the communication unit 19 to the hall computer 60 (S20). Next, it waits for a release input from the input unit 14 (S21-No), and if there is a release input (S21-Yes), the abnormality notification and the abnormal output are released and the process proceeds to S12 and the subsequent processing is repeated.
The timing for determining whether the first total medal number is greater than or equal to the second total medal number is when the inserted medal number 24c or the adjusted medal number 24g changes (updates). In the fraudulent acts using the credit function, the illegally acquired medals are either acquired by operating the settlement button 106a of the slot machine or inserted into the game. This is because an illegal act can be quickly determined by monitoring a change in the inserted medal number 24c or the adjusted medal number 24g that appears immediately.

On the other hand, when the first total medal number is smaller than the second total medal number (S16-No), it is determined to be normal, and the IC coin or the membership card is ejected by operating the settlement button 17, and these are ejected. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since (S17). That is, it is determined by this determination whether or not the game is over. When the IC coin or the membership card is discharged and the predetermined time has not elapsed (S17-No), it is determined that the game is still in progress, the process proceeds to S13, and the subsequent processing is repeated.
When the IC coin or the membership card is discharged and a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge (S17-Yes), it is determined that the game is over, and the values of the respective medals 24a to 24g are cleared (initialized) ( S18), the process is terminated.

  When the control unit 21 executes such fraud determination processing, it is possible to surely find out that a medal is brought in due to the movement of the table in a game place where the movement of the table between the slot machines is prohibited, and a light emitting element is provided at the tip. It is possible to reliably detect an act of increasing the number of credits 153a by inserting a special illegal device provided from the medal slot 106.

Note that when determining whether the first total medal number is greater than or equal to the second total medal number, it is not determined as abnormal immediately after the condition is satisfied, but at a timing exceeding a certain allowable number It can also be determined.
For example, it is possible to determine that an abnormality has occurred only when the first total medal number exceeds a value obtained by adding an allowable number (for example, 50) to the second total medal number.
This allowable number is intended to absorb determination errors, and in the case of fraudulent acts using the credit function, 50 medals are stolen at a time, so the determination accuracy is improved by setting the allowable number to 50 or more. Can be made.

[Handball management device]
The possession management device 70 is connected to a plurality of inter-devices 10, receives the medal excess signal, the medal settlement signal, and the medal payout signal from each inter-device 10, and the excess for each inter-device 10. The number of winning medals, the number of paid medals, and the number of paid-out medals are stored and managed, and the number of winning medals and the number of paid medals are summed to calculate the number of acquired medals. Further, the acquired medal number is updated by subtracting the payout medal number from the acquired medal number.
Further, in response to a request from each inter-device 10, the current number of winning medals, the number of payout medals, and the number of acquired medals are transmitted to the corresponding inter-device 10.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the possession management device 70 stores and manages a coin ID, which is information that can identify the IC coin 82 transmitted from the inter-device 10, and the number of acquired medals. In response to the request signal including the coin ID transmitted from the gift exchange device 80, the acquired medal number associated with this coin ID is returned to the gift exchange device 80.
Thereby, in the prize exchange device 80, the coin ID is read from the IC coin 82 using the attached IC coin reader 81, and a request signal including this coin ID is transmitted to the possession management device 70. The number of acquired medals associated with the coin ID can be received from the management device 70, and a settlement process with a prize having a value substantially equivalent to the received number of acquired medals can be performed.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, the number of winning medals exceeding the stipulated number of credits can be used as an external device 10 and a possession management device 70 functioning as a management device. By managing the number of medals in and out of the slot machine 100, the inter-device 10 can manage the number of medals acquired in the slot machine 100, and ensure certain illegal acts. Can be found.

The preferred embodiments of the slot machine, gaming device and management device, and gaming system including these have been described above. However, the slot machine, gaming device and management device, and gaming system according to the invention are described above. It is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the payout device for paying out game media and the hopper for storing the game media are not provided in the slot machine 100, but the payout device and the hopper can be provided as in the conventional slot machine.
Further, although the medal excess signal and the medal settlement signal are output from the slot machine 100, only the medal surplus signal is output, and the credit medal can be paid out from the payout device provided in the slot machine 100 by operating the settlement button 106a. .
Further, in this embodiment, the inserted medal inserted from the medal slot 106 is transferred to the inter-device device 10, but can be discharged to the gaming machine island where the slot machine 100 is installed.

In this embodiment, the medals managed by the gaming device and the management device are limited to winning medals, but the inserted medals can be managed by these devices.
That is, in this embodiment, the medal excess signal is generated and output only for the winning medals as the medals exceeding the specified number, but the specified number is exceeded by the inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 106 in addition to the winning medals. Sometimes, an excess medal signal indicating the number of inserted medals for the excess can be generated and output, and can be managed as an acquired medal by the table unit 10 and the possession management device 70.

In this embodiment, the acquired medal number is linked to the coin ID of the IC coin 82 and indirectly managed by the possession management device 70. However, the acquired medal number is directly stored in the IC coin 82 in the inter-device 10. The number of acquired medals written can be directly read by the IC coin reader 81 in the prize exchange device 80, and a predetermined prize exchange process can be performed.
The recording medium is not limited to an IC coin, and may be an IC card, a magnetic card, or a recording paper such as a receipt on which the number of acquired medals is directly printed.

In the present embodiment, the inter-device 10 is made to function as the gaming device according to the present invention. For example, a call lamp installed in each of the computer 30, the island computer 40, the hall computer 60, or the slot machine is used for gaming. It can also function as a device.
In this case, the intermediary device 10 is only paid out for medals, and other functions such as management of acquired medals, determination of abnormalities related to fraud, etc. are performed on the base computer 30, island computer 40, hall computer 60, call Any of the lamps can be performed, or these functions can be distributed to each device.

  In the present embodiment, the member management device 50 manages the stored medals previously deposited in the game hall, and the acquired ball management device 70 manages the acquired medals. It can also be performed by one management device.

In the present embodiment, the inter-device 10 (game device) is operated as a medal lending device. However, the medal-lending device is provided separately, and the inter-device 10 (game device) is a separate medal lending device. It is also possible to receive a medal lending signal from.
In the present embodiment, the medal can be pulled out from the inter-device 10 (game device). However, the medal-drawing device is provided separately, and the inter-device 10 (game device) stores the separate medal. It may be configured to receive a stored medal withdrawal signal from the medal withdrawal device.

  Further, in this embodiment, the medals paid out from the medal paying unit 18 are guided to the tray of the slot machine 100 via the nozzle 18a. It can also be provided in the lower part.

In the present embodiment, when both the credit number 153a and the multiplier are present at the timing when the settlement button 106a is operated, the medal settlement signal S6 indicating the multiplication is output by the first operation of the settlement button 106a. Thereafter, the medal settlement signal S6 indicating the credit number 153a is output by the second operation of the settlement button 106a without inserting the medal from the medal insertion slot 106 or operating the BET button 107. The medal settlement signal S6 indicating the total amount of the multiplier and the credit number 153a can be output by one operation of the settlement button 106a.
Specifically, for example, when the multiplying number is 3 and the credit number 153a is 50, the pulse signal indicating the number of 53 medals can be output at a time by operating the settlement button 106a.

  In the present embodiment, the output content is changed according to the operation order of the settlement button 106a. However, the output content can be changed depending on the operation mode. For example, when the settlement button 106a is pressed for 1 second or longer, the medal settlement signal S6 indicating the total quantity of the multiplication number and the credit number 153a is output, and when the settlement button 106a is pressed for less than 1 second, only the multiplication number is displayed. Signal S6 can also be output.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used in a slot machine that can be credited up to a specified number, a gaming device that has a function for paying out gaming media, a management device that manages the gaming device, and a gaming system including these. .

10-unit device (game device)
13 Acquisition medal number display part (display part)
16 IC coin reader / writer (issuing department)
16b IC coin return slot (issue section)
18 medal payout department (payout department, storage department)
19 communication unit 21 control unit (arithmetic processing unit)
70 Possession management device (management device)
100 slot machine 102 credit number display part 102a multiplication number display part 106 medal insertion slot (insertion slot)
109 Medal selector (loading passage, sorting section)
111 Transfer passage (transfer section)
130 External output terminal board (output unit)
150 Control unit (winning determination unit, winning number setting unit, credit unit)
S1 medal insertion signal (number of insertions information)
S2 Medal winning signal (winning number information)
S5 Medal excess signal (excess number information)
S6 Medal settlement signal (settlement number information)
S7 Medal lending signal (lending number information)
S8 Saving medal withdrawal signal (drawer number information)
S10 Medal withdrawal signal (refund number information)
S game system

Claims (8)

A slot for game media;
An input passage for guiding the game medium input from the input port into the machine ;
A winning determination unit for determining whether or not winning is won for each game;
A number-of-wins setting unit for setting a number of winnings indicating the number of game media to be awarded by winning;
Credit unit for storing a game medium to be applied by the thrown-in Yu TECHNICAL medium and winning from the inlet to a specified number,
A credit display unit for displaying a credit number indicating the number of game media stored in the credit unit;
Based on the quantity information that can specify the quantity of game media input from the outside, the quantity of game media is stored and managed, the stored quantity is displayed, and the game media up to the stored quantity can be paid out, and / or An output unit for outputting the quantity information to a predetermined game device capable of issuing a predetermined recording medium in which information capable of specifying the quantity of stored game media is recorded;
A control unit that controls the respective units to perform game management,
The controller is
Monitor the number of credits,
When the number of credits exceeds the specified number due to the addition of the number of winnings, excess number information that can specify the amount of excess gaming media is output from the output unit to the gaming device,
A slot machine characterized in that the gaming machine manages the number of game media exceeding the specified number by adding the winning number based on the excess information. The game medium guided to the machine as a pre Ki遊 technique medium, comprising a transfer unit for transferring the gaming machine, according to claim 1, wherein the cause stored in the game apparatus Yu technique medium through said transfer unit Slot machine. The controller is
Based on the detection of a predetermined input operation relating to the settlement of game media, the game device is configured to output settlement number information indicating the number of credits and / or the multiplication number that is the number of game media to be played in one game from the output unit. And the amount of game media at the time of payment of this machine is managed by the gaming device based on the payment number information,
When there is both the credit number and the multiplier at the detection timing of the input operation,
At the timing when the first input operation is detected, the adjustment number information indicating the multiplier is output,
After that, the settlement number information indicating the number of credits is output at the timing when the second input operation is detected without performing the predetermined bet operation for setting the multiplication number or the game medium from the insertion slot. The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A communication unit that inputs the excess information from the output unit of the slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An arithmetic processing unit for storing and managing the number of game media exceeding the specified number by adding the winning number based on the excess number information;
A display for displaying the quantity of stored game media;
A payout unit for paying out game media up to a stored quantity based on a predetermined input operation;
An issuance unit that issues a predetermined recording medium in which information capable of specifying the quantity of stored game media is recorded. The payout unit is
Gaming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a reservoir for storing the pre Ki遊 technique medium to be transported from the slot machine. The communication unit is
Settlement number information indicating the number of credits and / or the number of multiplications of game media to be multiplied in one game;
Number-of-inputs information indicating the number of game media input to the slot machine;
The winning number information indicating the number of winnings is input from the output unit,
Lending number information indicating the number of gaming media lent out from a predetermined gaming medium lending device, and / or withdrawal number information indicating the number of withdrawals from the stored gaming media previously deposited in the game hall by the player,
The arithmetic processing unit includes:
From the input number information, the excess number information, and the settlement number information, a first total quantity obtained by adding the quantity of game media indicated by these information, respectively,
The payout unit is calculated based on the number of game media indicated by the winning number information, the lending number information, the withdrawal number information, the number of game media exceeding the specified number by adding the number of winnings, and the amount of game media indicated by the settlement number information. Calculates the second total quantity obtained by adding the number of game media indicated by the information from the payout number information indicating the quantity of game media paid out by
Each time the input number information or the settlement number information is received, the first total quantity is compared with the second total quantity,
6. The gaming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the first total quantity is larger than the second total quantity, a predetermined abnormality related to the fraudulent act is determined. The payout unit is
Claims 4 to 6 according to claims 4 to 6, wherein the game medium lending device for renting game media based on the input amount pays out by one input operation with the same number of game media as the unit of the amount of game media to be lent as a consideration. The gaming device according to any one of the above. A slot machine according to claim 1 ;
A gaming device according to claim 4 ,
Receiving from the gaming device the excess number information and payout number information indicating the number of game media paid out by the payout unit from the amount of game media exceeding the specified number by adding the winning number;
A management device that stores and manages the number of game media exceeding the specified number by adding the number of winnings and the number of game media paid out by the payout unit based on the received information; A gaming system characterized by that.

Images