JP3262597B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

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 improvement in a mechanism for counting inserted medals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of slot machine, inserted medal detecting means for detecting each inserted medal inserted from a medal insertion slot one by one and outputting a inserted medal detection signal; The inserted medal counting means for counting the number of inserted medals based on the inserted medal detection signal, and the inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detecting means when the counted value of the inserted medal counting means exceeds the maximum number of game medals. Storage medal counting means for counting the number of inserted medals, a medal insertion switch for outputting a insertion signal for inserting the stored medals counted by the stored medal counting means, and a storage medal based on the insertion signal from the medal insertion switch. The count value counted by the medal counting means is subtracted, and the subtracted count value is added to the count value of the inserted medal counting means. It is provided with a medal subtraction means, a start switch for outputting a start signal for starting rotation of the rotating reel, and a count value determination means for determining the count value of the inserted medal counting means based on the start signal from the start switch. Are known.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional slot machine, when the start switch is operated immediately after inserting the medals, the inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot are detected by the inserted medal detecting means. Therefore, there is a problem that the count value of the inserted medal counting means is determined before the inserted medal detection signal is output from the inserted medal detecting means.

For example, if a player inserts three medals from the medal insertion slot and immediately operates the start switch by the player, the third inserted medal reaches the inserted medal detecting means. However, when the inserted medals are detected by the inserted medals detecting means and "2" is counted by the inserted medals counting means, the count value is determined.

Therefore, even if the third medal is detected by the inserted medal detecting means, it is not counted by the inserted medal counting means. Further, the third inserted medal may not be returned to the player but may be swallowed into the slot machine. When the third inserted medal is swallowed into the slot machine in this manner, the player loses one medal, which causes a significant disadvantage to the player and causes trouble. .

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to count all the inserted medals inserted from the medal insertion slot to count the stored medals. This is done by means of counting.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to achieve the above-mentioned object, and its contents will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention detects inserted medals (M) inserted from a medal insertion slot (60) one by one, and outputs an inserted medal detection signal.
(116) and stored medal counting means for counting all the inserted medals (M) inserted from the medal insertion slot (60) as stored medals based on the inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detection means (116). (121) and this stored medal counting means
(121) A medal insertion switch (80) that outputs a signal for inserting the stored medals counted in the stored medal, and a stored medal counting means (121) that is delayed for a predetermined time after the input of the input signal from the medal insertion switch (80). the counted count value to the limit on), and a medal subtracting means for subtracting the count value counted in the medal counting means (121) (123), said medal
Predetermined time delay after input of closing signal from switch (80)
The medal (M) inserted from the medal slot (60)
The time until it is detected by the incoming token detection means (116)
It is characterized by being set as a longer time .

[0008]

Therefore, according to the present invention, in the stored medal counting means (121), all medals inserted from the medal insertion slot (60) based on the inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detecting means (116). (M) can be counted as a stored medal.

[0009]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a slot machine, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the slot machine, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the medal passage of a medal. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine.

[0010] First, referring to FIG.
The outline of the ten front panels will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 has a rectangular window 20 at almost the center of the height thereof, and three rotating reels 30 to 32 are arranged in the window 20, respectively. I have. The three rotating reels 30 to 32 are individually driven to rotate by a driving force of a reel driving device 33 provided inside the slot machine 10 and including, for example, three stepping motors (not shown).

On the glass surface of the window 20, as shown in FIG. 2, a total of five lines 21 to 25 for displaying winning lines of the three rotating reels 30 to 32 are displayed. The lines 21 to 25 are a substantially horizontal center line 21 and upper and lower prize lines that are vertically separated from and parallel to the center line 21.
22, 23, and two diagonal lines of the upper and lower prize lines 22, 23, and are composed of a diagonally right-up diagonal line 24 and a diagonally right-down diagonal line 25, which intersect at a point X in the center.

At the right end of each of the five lines 21 to 25, five effective line display lamps 40 to 44 arranged vertically are arranged as shown in FIG. On the left side of the rotating reels 30 to 32, as shown in FIG. 2, three display units 50 to 52 arranged vertically are arranged. Each display unit 50 ~
52, for example, can display two digits of seven segments.

As shown in FIG. 2, among the three display units 50 to 52, for example, the number of effective games during a large bonus and the number of JACs during a bonus
The number of valid times is displayed as a two-digit number. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the number of stored medals is displayed as a two-digit number, for example, in the stored medal number display section 51 in the middle stage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the number of payout medals is displayed as a two-digit number on the payout medal number display section 52 at the lower stage. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion slot 60 for a player to insert medals is arranged on the lower right side of the rotating reels 30 to 32 obliquely in FIG. In addition, below the three rotating reels 30 to 32,
As shown in FIG. 2, three stop switches 70... For individually stopping the respective rotating reels 30 to 32 are arranged in correspondence with the respective rotating reels 30 to 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the left side of the three stop switches 70, a medal insertion switch 80 for inputting a stored medal and also serving as a start switch is arranged. The medal switch 80 comprises three switch 81-83 arranged side by side. When one of the three insertion switches 81 to 83 is operated at the left end, a single insertion signal for inserting one stored medal is output. Further, when the central two-sheet insertion switch 82 is operated, a two-sheet insertion signal for inserting two stored medals is output. Further, when the right-most three-insertion switch 83 is operated, a three-insertion signal for inserting the maximum number of stored medals, that is, three, is output. Although the medal shooting switch 80 is composed of three shooting switches 81 to 83, the shooting switch may be one, or may be shared with other switches.

Below the medal insertion switch 80, a clearing switch 90 is arranged as shown in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal outlet 100 is arranged below the front surface of the slot machine 10. Next, FIG.
The outline of the medal path of the inserted medal provided inside the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the medal passage 110 has a medal slot at the front of the slot machine 10.
60 (FIG. 2), the inside thereof is inclined downward, and the lower end thereof communicates with a hopper (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 3, the medal passage 110 branches off from the medal passage 110, and the medal passage 110 and the slot machine 10
There is provided a medal return path 111 connecting the medal discharge port 100 (FIG. 2) on the front side of the vehicle. The medals flowing down the medal return path 111 are returned from the medal outlet 100.

Further, in the medal passage 110, as shown in FIG. 3, a standard such as the size and thickness of the inserted medal M is provided between the medal insertion slot 60 and the branch point of the medal return path 111. A medal sorting machine 112 for sorting is arranged.
Then, the medal M that is not specified is stopped at the medal sorting machine 112 or returned from the medal sorting machine 112 to the player through the medal return path 111.

At the branch point between the medal passage 110 and the medal return passage 111, as shown in FIG. 3, a flow path switching device 113 for switching the flowing direction of the inserted medals M flowing down the medal passage 110 is arranged. I have. FIG.
As shown in the figure, an on-off valve 114 for opening and closing the medal return path 111
The open / close valve 114 is normally kept closed with the medal return path 111 closed, and when energized, the open / close valve 11
4 is rotated downward to open a medal return path 111.

For example, when the medal insertion switch 80 also serving as a start switch is operated, or when the total number of medals M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 is a specified number, for example, the maximum number of game medals (for example, 3
When the number exceeds the number (for example, 53) obtained by adding the maximum number of stored sheets (for example, 50) to the number of stored medals (M), the inserted medals M are returned to the player through the medal return path 111 thereafter.

The structure of the flow switching device 113 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. Also, medal passage
As shown in FIG. 3, the inserted medal detecting means 116 is disposed on the downstream side of the flow path switching device 113. The inserted medal detecting means 116 is constituted by, for example, a photo sensor or the like, and detects an inserted medal M which conforms to the standard that has passed through the medal selector 112, and outputs an inserted medal detection signal.

The inserted medal detecting means 116 is not limited to a non-contact type sensor such as a photo sensor, but may be a contact type micro switch or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, there is an interval between the inserted medal detecting means 116 and the flow path switching device 113 that is equal to or longer than the diameter of one medal M. When the is opened, the inserted medal M returned to the player through the medal return path 111 is prevented from being detected by the inserted medal detecting means 116.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit of the slot machine 10 is mainly configured by a central controller 120 composed of a CPU. As shown in FIG. 1, an input medal detecting means 116 (FIG. 3) and a medal insertion switch 80 (FIG. 2) are connected to the input side of the central control device 120, respectively.

On the output side of the central control device 120, as shown in FIG. 1, a reel driving device constituted by three stepping motors and the like for individually driving the three rotating drums 30 to 32 to rotate. 33 and the flow path switching device 113 (FIG. 3) are connected respectively. The central controller 12
0 is a stored medal counting means 121 that counts inserted medals M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 as stored medals based on the inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detection means 116 as shown in FIG. On condition that the input signal is input from the input switch 80, the stored medal counting means 121 is delayed for a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) after the input of the input signal.
While reading the count value, the read count value of the stored medal counting means 121 is compared with the insertion value based on the insertion signal from the medal insertion switch 80, and when the count value is equal to or greater than the insertion value, Determine the number of medals inserted to the input value,
When the counted value is less than the inserted medal, the inserted medal number determining means 122 for determining the inserted medal number to the counted value and outputting a determination signal indicating the determined inserted medal number, Based on the determined signal of the stored medal counting means 121, the stored medal subtracting means 123 for subtracting the counted value counted by the stored medal counting means 121 up to the count value counted by the stored medal counting means 121;
The reel drive control means 124 for operating the reel drive device 33 based on the determination signal from
Based on flow path switching control means 125 that excites the thirteen solenoids 115 to open the medal return path 111, and a determination signal from the inserted medal determination means 122, determination of a game result and payout of medals are performed. And game control means 126 for performing control.

Next, the operation of the slot machine 10 having the above configuration will be described. First, the slot machine
3 medals M from the medal slot 60 (FIG. 2) on the front of 10
Is inserted, each medal M is taken into the slot machine 10 through the medal insertion slot 60, and flows down the medal passage 110 as shown in FIG. During the flow down the medal passage 110, first, for example, the size, thickness, and the like of the inserted medal M are selected at the medal selector 112.

At this time, if the inserted medal M conforms to the standard, as shown in FIG. 3, after passing through the medal selector 112, each inserted medal is detected by the inserted medal detecting means 116.
The inserted medal detection means 116 outputs a inserted medal detection signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detection means 116 is
The stored medal counting means 121 increments the counted value by "1" each time the inserted medal detection signal is input. That is, since the initial value of the stored medal counting means 121 is “0”, the counted value of the stored medal counting means 121 is “3” which is the maximum number of inserted medals M.

Thereafter, when another medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 60, the count value of the stored medal counting means 121 becomes "4", the medal M is inserted, and the inserted medal detecting means 116 Each time the detection signal is output, the count value of the stored medal counting means 121 is incremented by "1". Thereafter, when, for example, the three-sheet insertion switch 83 of the medal insertion switch 80 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 is operated by the player, the three-sheet insertion switch 83 outputs a three-sheet insertion signal.

The three-sheet insertion signal from the three-sheet insertion switch 83 is output to the inserted medal determination means 122 as shown in FIG. The inserted medal determination unit 122 reads the count value of the stored medal counting unit 121 with a delay of a predetermined time after the input of the insertion signal. The predetermined time is set to, for example, 500 ms. The set time is such that the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 flows down the medal passage 110 and the medal selector 112
Is set to be longer than, for example, 200 to 400 ms until it is detected by the inserted medal detecting means 116 after passing through the box.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inserted medal determination means 122 reads the count value of the stored medal counting means 121. At this time, since four medals M have already been inserted, the read count value is " 4 ". Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the inserted medal determination unit 122 determines the count value “4” of the stored medal counting unit 121 and the inserted value “3” based on the three-insertion signal from the three-insertion switch 83. Compare.

In this case, since the count value "4" is equal to or greater than the insertion value "3", the number of inserted medals is fixed at the insertion value "3". For this reason, the inserted medal determination unit 122 outputs a determined signal indicating the determined inserted medal number, that is, “3”. The decision signal meaning "3" is shown in FIG.
As shown in (5), the stored medal subtraction means 123 is output to the stored medal subtraction means 123, and based on the confirmation signal, the stored medal subtraction means 123 causes the stored medal counting means 121 to subtract the counted value. Here, since the count value is “4” and the determined inserted medal number is “3”, “3” is subtracted from “4”, and the count value of the stored medal counting unit 121 becomes “1”. .

On the other hand, when the count value of the stored medal counting means 121 is, for example, "2" and is less than the insertion value "3", the number of inserted medals is fixed at the count value "2". Therefore, the inserted medal determining unit 122 outputs a determined signal indicating the determined inserted medal number, that is, “2”. As shown in FIG. 1, the confirmation signal meaning “2” is output to the stored-medal subtracting means 123, and “2” is subtracted from the count value “2” of the stored-medal counting means 121, and the count value becomes “2”. 0 ".

On the other hand, the above-mentioned confirmation signal is sent to the game control means 126 as shown in FIG. Confirmation signal is
In the case of "3", the game proceeds under the condition of three medals inserted. That is, all the five valid line display lamps 40 to 44 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 are turned on, and all the five lines 21 to 25 are valid.

At the same time, the decision signal is, as shown in FIG.
It is sent to the reel drive control means 124. As shown in FIG. 1, when the determination signal is input, the reel drive control unit 124 activates the reel driving device 33, and the three rotation reels
The rotation of 30 to 32 starts. Further, the confirmation signal is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the output is output to the flow path switching control means 125, and the flow path switching control means 125
(FIG. 3) is excited, and the medal return path 111 is opened.

When the medal return path 111 is opened,
The inserted medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 60 is returned from the medal passage 110 to the player through the medal return path 111. Next, immediately after the third medal M is inserted, 3
The case where the sheet insertion switch 83 is operated will be described.
Usually, after the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 flows down the medal passage 110 and passes through the medal selector 112 until it is detected by the inserted medal detecting means 116, for example, 200 to
It takes 400ms.

For this reason, if the three-piece insertion switch 83 is operated within 200 to 400 ms after the third medal M is inserted, for example, the count value of the stored medal counting means 121 at the time of the operation is: It is "2". It is assumed that the initial value of the count value of the stored medal counting means 121 is “0”.
On the other hand, the inserted medal determination unit 122 reads the count value of the stored medal counting unit 121 with a delay of, for example, 500 ms after the operation of the three-insertion switch 83.

For this reason, after operating the three-sheet switch 83,
For example, before the lapse of 500 ms, if the medal M inserted into the third piece conforms to the regulations, the inserted medal detecting means 116
, And is counted by the stored medal counting means 121,
The count value of the stored medal counting means 121 is already “3”. Therefore, when the inserted medal determination unit 122 reads the count value of the stored medal counting unit 121, the count value is “3”.

Therefore, the determined value of the number of inserted medals is
Since it is “3”, the player can play the game under the condition of three medals inserted. Further, after the operation of the three-sheet insertion switch 83, at least 5
A determination signal is output with a delay of 00 ms. The output determination signal is output to the flow path switching control means 125, and the flow path switching control means 125
(FIG. 3) is excited, and the flow path is switched. Channel switching device
After the third insertion switch 83 is operated, the switch 113 is switched based on a confirmation signal output at least 500 ms later, for example, so that the flow time of the third inserted medal M can be sufficiently ensured.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rotation of the three spinning reels 30 to 32 is started based on the input signal from the medal input switch 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A start switch may be provided on the front surface, and the rotation of the three rotating reels 30 to 32 may be started based on the operation of the start switch.

[0039]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the present invention, all medals inserted from the medal insertion slot are
Since it is counted as stored medals, medals inserted into the slot machine are not counted and are not returned to the player, so it is possible to prevent so-called swallowing of medals, so that players can enjoy games with peace of mind. A highly reliable slot machine can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the slot machine.

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

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a medal path of a inserted medal.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Slot machine 20 Window 21 Center line 22 Upper prize line 23 Lower prize line 24 Upward diagonal line 25 Downward diagonal line 30-32 Spinning reel 33 Reel drive 40-44 Active line display lamp 50 Bonus related count display 51 Reserved medal number display section 52 Payout medal number display section 60 Medal slot 70 Stop switch 80 Medal slot switch 81 1 slot switch 82 2 slot switch 83 3 slot switch 90 Clearing switch 100 Medal outlet 110 Medal passage 111 Medal return Road 112 Medal sorter 113 Flow path switching device 114 Open / close valve 115 Solenoid 116 Inserted medal detection means 120 Central control device 121 Reserved medal counting means 122 Inserted medal determination means 123 Reserved medal subtraction means 124 Reel drive control means 125 Flow path switching control means 126 Game control means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An inserted medal detecting means for detecting each inserted medal inserted from a medal insertion slot and outputting an inserted medal detection signal, and a medal based on the inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detecting means. Reserved medal counting means for counting all of the inserted medals inserted from the insertion slot as stored medals, a medal insertion switch for outputting an insertion signal for inserting the stored medals counted by the stored medal counting means, and a medal insertion switch. on signal input after a delay predetermined time from, the limit of the count value counted in the medal counting means, and a medal subtracting means for subtracting the count value counted in the medal counting means, said medal Predetermined after input of closing signal from switch
The time delay means that medals inserted from the medal slot
It is longer than the time until it is detected by the medal detection unit
A slot machine set as time .