JPH06304299A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discover the cause of the trouble caused from a play control circuit and an external detecting element at early times and cope with the trouble properly at early time, on a slot machine. CONSTITUTION:On a main substrate, a monitor lamp (e.g. monitor lamp 153) whose one edge is connected with each external detecting element (e.g. start switch 50) through an output terminal group (e.g. signal input terminal 81) and the other edge is connected with an external electric power source through an input/output terminal (e.g. subelectric power source terminal 82) is installed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly to an external detection element such as switches and sensors, and a game control circuit capable of monitoring whether or not it is operating normally. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a slot machine of this type, a game control circuit except an input / output terminal and a game control circuit connected to the input / output terminal and an input / output terminal of the main board. A transparent case for covering the main board, a sealing sticker for preventing the main board from being taken out after the main board is housed in the transparent case, and a switch connected to the input / output terminals of the main board and located outside the transparent case. It is known to have a plurality of external detection elements such as sensors.

The game control circuit is sealed in the transparent case to prevent the program stored in the ROM from being illegally rewritten.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional slot machine, there is a problem that it is difficult to find a failure of the external detection elements such as switches and sensors, and the game control circuit. . For example, when there is an abnormality in the operation of the game control circuit related to the external detection element, there are many cases where there is an abnormality in the external detection element or the game control circuit.

First, it was difficult to know whether the cause of failure was the external detection element or the game control circuit. For example, it is necessary to use a measuring instrument to test the external sensing element and the game control circuit. However, since the game control circuit is sealed in the transparent case, its inspection is difficult.

Further, in order to inspect a failure of the external detection element, a measuring device or the like is required, and the inspection is troublesome. Therefore, the invention of claim 1 has been made in view of the problems of the above-described conventional technology, and its object is to input a detection signal from an external detection element such as a switch or a sensor. It aims to provide a slot machine that can be monitored on the main board.

In addition to this, the invention of claim 2 can monitor the operation of the switches in particular. In the invention according to claim 3, the operation of the sensor can be monitored.

[0008]

The present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned object, and the contents thereof will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the invention according to claim 1, one end is connected to each external detection element (for example, the start switch 50, the medal selector first and second sensors 130, 131, etc.) via the input / output terminal (80) on the main board (100). The other end is connected to the external power supply (14
A plurality of monitor lamps (151 to 168) connected to (0) are provided.

The invention according to claim 2 is the above-mentioned claim 1.
In addition to the feature points described, the external detection element is characterized by being composed of a switch (for example, the start switch 50 or the like). The invention according to claim 3 is the above-mentioned claim 1 or 2.
In addition to the described characteristic points, the external detection element is configured by a sensor (for example, medal selector first and second sensors 130, 131, etc.).

[0010]

[Operation] Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1,
When a detection signal is output from an external detection element (for example, the start switch 50 or the medal selector first and second sensors 130, 131, etc.), the circuit becomes conductive and the monitor lamp (151 ~
168) lights up. At this time, the monitor lamp (151 to 168)
The lit state of can be visually confirmed through the transparent case (110).

Therefore, when the monitor lamps (151 to 168) are turned on and the game cannot be played normally, the game control circuit
The cause may be the failure of (90). On the other hand, when the monitor lamps (151 to 168) do not light up, there is a high possibility that the external detection element (for example, the start switch 50, the medal selector first and second sensors 130, 131, etc.) is out of order. This is because the monitor lamps (151 to 168)
Since it is directly connected to 40), regardless of the operation of the game control circuit (90), as long as the external detection element is not broken, it lights up.

Therefore, after replacing the external detecting element,
The detection signal is output from the external detection element, and the monitor lamp
If (151 to 168) lights up, it means that the repair is completed. According to the invention described in claim 2, the operation of the switch (for example, the start switch 50 or the like) can be monitored. According to the invention described in claim 3, the operation of the sensor (for example, the medal selector first and second sensors 130, 131) can be monitored.

[0013]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a monitor circuit, FIG. 2 is a front view of a slot machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a main board. , Fig. 4
Is a block diagram of the main board, and FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the lamp board. In FIG. 2, 10 indicates a slot machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular window portion 20 is formed substantially at the center of the height of the slot machine 10. In the window portion 20, a plurality of reels, in this embodiment, three reels 30 to 32 are arranged side by side, respectively. 3 above
The individual reels 30 to 32 are divided into a first reel 30, a second reel 31, and a third reel 32 in order from the left side in FIG.

On the glass surface of the window portion 20, as shown in FIG. 2, a total of five lines 21 to 25 indicating the winning lines of the three reels 30 to 32 are displayed. The reel 30 ~
2, a medal insertion slot 40 for the player to insert medals is arranged on the lower right side of FIG. Further, on the left side of the medal insertion slot 40, a credit medal insertion switch 41 for inserting one credit medal into the machine is arranged. Further, to the right of the medal insertion slot 40, a 7-segment 2-digit credit number display section 42 for displaying the number of credits of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 40 is arranged.

On the opposite side of the credit medal insertion switch 41 in FIG. 2, a credit changeover switch 43 is arranged on the left side in FIG. 2 for selecting whether or not to use the credit mode. In addition, above the credit changeover switch 43, a payout medal number display section 44 of a 7-segment two-digit display, which displays the payout number of award medals to be paid out, is arranged.

A lever-shaped start switch 50 for starting the rotation of the reels 30 to 32 is provided below the credit changeover switch 43, as shown in FIG. On the right side of the start switch 50 in FIG. 2, there are three reel stop switches 60 to respectively located below the three reels 30 to 32 for individually stopping the reels 30 to 32. 62 are provided respectively. The three reel stop switches 60 to 62 correspond to the three reels 30 to 32, respectively. The first reel 30 is the first reel stop switch 60, the second reel 31 is the second reel stop switch 61, and the third reel. The number 32 stops in response to the operation of the third reel stop switch 62.

In addition, below the front of the slot machine 10,
As shown in FIG. 2, a medal discharge port 70 is provided.
Next, inside the slot machine 10 having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a main board 100 provided with an input / output terminal 80 and a game control circuit 90 connected to the input / output terminal 80. Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main substrate 100 is entirely covered with a transparent case 110. The transparent case 110 has a hollow box shape and is made of, for example, transparent plastic. And, in the transparent case 110,
A terminal window 111 facing the input / output terminal 80 of the main board 100 is opened, and a connector (not shown) can be connected to the input / output terminal 80 through the terminal window 111. Further, the main substrate 100 is housed in the hollow inside of the transparent case 110, and thereafter, the transparent case 110 is sealed by a sealing seal (not shown) to prevent the main substrate 100 from being taken out.

On the input side of the game control circuit 90, as shown in FIG. 4, an external detection element group 120 composed of a plurality of switches and sensors, and an external power supply 140 are input / output terminals.
Connected through 80. The external detection element 120 is
As shown in FIG. 4, when roughly classified, the slot machine includes various switches and sensors provided at various places.

Specifically, as the switches of the external detection element 120, as shown in FIG.
(FIG. 2), hopper counter switch 121, setting push switch 122, setting key switch 123, first to third reel stop switches 60 to 62 (FIG. 2), automatic opening switch 12
4, credit switch 43 (Fig. 2), game over release switch 125, automatic clearing switch 126, credit medal insertion switch 41 (Fig. 2), reset switch 126
There is.

The start switch 50 is for starting the rotation of the reels 30 to 32, as described above with reference to FIG. Then, the start switch 50 outputs a start detection signal when operated by the player. Although not shown, the hopper counter switch 121 is arranged in a hopper unit inside the slot machine 10 and is for counting the medals discharged from the hopper unit to the medal discharge port 70 (FIG. 2) one by one. . The hopper counter switch 121 is composed of, for example, a micro switch, and outputs a discharged medal detection signal when a medal is detected.

Although not shown, the setting push switch 122 and the setting key switch 123 are arranged inside the slot machine 10 and are involved in setting the probability of the game. Then, the switches 122 and 123 respectively output the setting detection signals when operated by the store clerk. The first
The ~ 3 reel stop switches 60-62 are for individually stopping the reels 30-32 as described above with reference to Fig. 2. Each of the first to third reel stop switches 60 to 62 is composed of a push switch, for example, and outputs a stop detection signal when the player operates it.

Although not shown, the automatic opening switch 124 is arranged inside the slot machine 10 to automatically release the game over after a predetermined time. Then, the automatic opening switch 124 outputs an automatic opening detection signal when the store clerk operates it. The credit changeover switch 43 is for enabling selection of whether or not to use the credit mode, as described above with reference to FIG. And the credit switch 43 is
For example, it is composed of a push switch, and outputs a mode switching detection signal when the player operates it.

The game over release switch 125 is
Although not shown, it is arranged inside the slot machine 10 for manually releasing the game over. Then, the game over release switch 125 outputs a game over release detection signal when the store clerk operates it. Although not shown, the automatic clearing switch 126 is arranged inside the slot machine 10 to automatically clear credit medals when the game is over. Then, the automatic clearing switch 126 outputs an automatic clearing detection signal when the store clerk operates it.

The credit medal input switch 41 is
As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the credit medals are inserted one by one into the machine. And
The credit medal insertion switch 41 is composed of, for example, a push switch, and outputs a credit medal insertion detection signal each time the player operates it. As shown in FIG. 4, the sensors of the external detection element 120 include a medal selector first sensor 130 and a medal selector second sensor 130.
There are a sensor 131 and first to third reel sensors 132 to 134.

The above medal selector first and second sensors
Although not shown, 130 and 131 are arranged inside the slot machine 10 and, for example, photo sensors are used. And each medal selector first and second sensor 130, 131
Detects the regular medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 40 (FIG. 2) one by one and outputs the inserted medal detection signals.

The first to third reel sensors 132 to 134 are
Although not shown, it is arranged in a reel unit inside the slot machine 10 and, for example, a photo sensor is used. Each of the first to third reel sensors 132 to 134 corresponds to each of the first to third reel sensors.
It detects a specific rotation position of the reels 30 to 32 and outputs a reel detection signal, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, one end of the main board 100 is connected to each switch and sensor of the external detection element group 120 through one signal input terminal 81 of the input / output terminal 80, and the other. Input / output terminal 80 at the end
A plurality of monitor lamps 151 to 168 connected to the external power supply 140 via one sub power supply terminal 82 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the monitor lamps 151 to 168 uses a light emitting diode. As shown in FIG. 5, the monitor lamps 151 to 168 are arranged in a matrix on the lamp board 150, and are equal to the total number of switches and sensors of the external detection element group 120, for example, 18 are used. ing. In addition,
The letters "A to R" displayed on the surface of the lamp board 150 are used to indicate the switches and sensors of the external detection element group 120. For example, the monitor lamp 151 at the position of “A” is for monitoring the medal selector first sensor 130. Similarly, “B” is the medal selector second sensor 131,
"C" is the start switch 50, "D" is the hopper counter switch 121, "E" is the setting push switch 122,
“F” is the setting key switch 123, “G” is the first reel sensor 132, “H” is the second reel sensor 133, “I” is the third reel sensor 134, “J” is the first reel stop switch 60, "K" is the second reel stop switch 61,
"L" is the third reel stop switch 62, "M" is the automatic opening switch 124, and "N" is the credit switch 4
3, “O” is for monitoring the game over release switch 125, “P” is for automatic clearing switch 126, “Q” is for credit medal insertion switch 41, and “R” is for reset switch 126.

The monitor lamps 151 to 168 are incorporated in the monitor circuits 170 ... As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, each monitor circuit 170 will be described by taking the start switch 50 as an example. The input side for inputting the start detection signal from the start switch 50 and the input start detection signal for the game Control circuit
It can be roughly divided into an output side for outputting to 90, and the input side and the output side are electrically cut off by a photocoupler 180.

First, on the input side of the monitor circuit 170, as shown in FIG. 1, one signal input terminal 81 of the input / output terminal 80 connected to the start switch 50 and the input / output connected to the external power supply 140. The terminal 80 is provided with one sub power supply terminal 82. A monitor lamp 153, a light emitting element 181 of the photocoupler 180, and a protective resistor 190 are connected in series between the signal input terminal 81 and the sub power supply terminal 82.

On the output side of the monitor circuit 170, a signal output terminal 171 connected to the game control circuit 90 and one main power supply terminal 172 of the input / output terminal 80 connected to the external power supply 140 are provided. There is. Between the signal output terminal 171 and the main power supply terminal 172, an inverter 200 for waveform shaping is formed.
The light receiving element 182 of the photocoupler 180 and the protective resistor 191 are connected in series.

Therefore, according to the monitor circuit 170 described above, when the start switch 50 is in the off state, the circuit on the input side is in the non-conductive state, so that the monitor lamp 15
3 and the light emitting element 181 do not both emit light, and the signal output terminal 171
Is at the H level. On the other hand, when the start switch 50 is turned on, the circuit on the input side becomes conductive, and the monitor lamp 153 and the light emitting element 181 both emit light. Therefore, the light of the light emitting element 181 enters the light receiving element 182, and the signal output terminal 171 falls from the H level to the L level.

Then, the light emission of the monitor lamp 153 at the portion "C" of the lamp board 150 can be confirmed through the transparent case 110 as shown in FIGS. Then, by confirming the light emission of the monitor lamp 153, it can be seen that the signal path on the input side of the monitor circuit 170 to which the start switch 50 is connected is normal. That is, it can be seen that the start switch 50 is operating normally.

On the other hand, if the monitor lamp 153 does not emit light when the start switch 50 is turned on, it is understood that there is an abnormality in the signal path on the input side of the monitor circuit 170. For this reason, in general, a failure of the start switch 50 is often the cause. Therefore, the start switch
If the start switch 50 is turned on again after the 50 is replaced and the monitor lamp 153 emits light, it can be known that the start switch 50 has an abnormality and the repair is completed.

It is possible that the monitor lamp 153 does not emit light when the start switch 50 is turned on again after the start switch 50 is replaced. In this case,
The circuit on the input side of the monitor circuit 170 or the wiring to the start switch 50 may be broken. Since the monitor lamp 153 is directly supplied with power from the sub power supply terminal 82, it can be inspected regardless of the operation of the game control circuit 90.

The same can be done for sensors. For example, each medal selector first,
With the second sensors 130 and 131, a medal may be inserted from the medal insertion slot 40 (FIG. 2) and the light emission of the monitor lamps 151 and 152 at the "A, B" portions of the lamp board 150 at that time may be confirmed. Further, although the light emitting diodes are used for the monitor lamps 151 to 168 in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this, and a miniature light bulb or the like may be used.

[0038]

Since the present invention is constituted as described above, it has the following effects. Claim 1
According to the invention described above, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of early discovering a cause of a failure caused by a game control circuit and an external detection element, and capable of appropriately coping with the situation early.

In addition to this, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cause of the failure caused by the operation switch can be found early, and the problem can be dealt with promptly and appropriately. Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the cause of the failure caused by the sensor switch can be detected at an early stage, and an appropriate countermeasure can be taken at an early stage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a monitor circuit.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a main board.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main board.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a lamp board.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 slot machines 20 windows 21-25 lines 30-32 1st
~ 3 reels 40 medal insertion slot 41 credit medal insertion switch 42 credit number display section 43 credit changeover switch 44 payout medal number display section 50 start switch 60 to 62 reel switch 1 to 3 reel 70 medal ejection port 80 input / output terminal 81 signal Input terminal 82 Sub power supply terminal 90 Game control circuit 100 Main board 110 Transparent case 111 Terminal window 120 External detection element group 121 Hopper counter switch 122 Setting push switch 123 Setting key switch 124 Automatic opening switch 125 Game over release switch 126 Automatic clearing switch 127 Reset switch 130,131 Medal selector 1st and 2nd sensor 132 to 134 1st to 3rd reel sensor 140 External power supply 150 Lamp board 151 to 168 Monitor lamp 170 Monitor circuit 171 Signal output terminal 172 Main power supply terminal 180 Photo coupler 181 Light emitting element 182 Light receiving Elementary 190, 191 protective resistor 200 inverter

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A main board provided with an input / output terminal and a game control circuit connected to the input / output terminal, a transparent case that covers the game control circuit except the input / output terminal of the main board, and the inside of the transparent case. In a slot machine including a seal sticker for preventing the main board from being taken out after the main board is housed in and a plurality of external detection elements which are connected to the input / output terminals of the main board and are located outside the transparent case, The main board is provided with a plurality of monitor lamps, one end of which is connected to each external detection element through an input / output terminal and the other end of which is connected to an external power supply through an input / output terminal. Machine. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the external detection element is composed of a switch. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the external detection element is composed of a sensor.