JP3224148B2 - 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; A medal counting means for counting the number of inserted medals based on the inserted medal detection signal, a start switch for outputting a start signal for starting the rotation of the spinning reel, and a inserted medal counting based on a start signal from the start switch. There is known a device provided with a count value determining means for determining the count value of the means.

[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, when a player inserts three medals from the medal insertion slot, and immediately thereafter operates the start switch by the player, the third inserted medal reaches the inserted medal detecting means. When the inserted medal detecting means detects the inserted medals up to the second and the inserted medal counting means counts “2”, the count value is determined.

[0005] When the count value of the inserted medal counting means is determined to be "2", the game proceeds under the condition of two medals inserted even though the player has inserted three medals. Will be done. In this way, even if the player has inserted three medals, if the game progresses under the condition of two medals inserted, the number of prize lines is reduced from five to three. Will cause significant disadvantages and cause trouble.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method in which a start switch is operated immediately after a medal is inserted. The start signal from the switch is invalidated.

[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 provides a medal slot (60) and a medal inserted from the medal slot (60).
(M) flows through the medal passage (120) and the medal slot (6
0), a first inserted medal detecting means (126) for detecting an inserted medal (M) flowing down the medal path (120) and outputting a first inserted medal detection signal; The medal passage is located downstream of the inserted medal detection means (126).
(120), a medal selector (122) for determining whether or not the inserted medal (M) conforms to the standard; and a medal selector (12).
After passing through 2), a second inserted medal detecting means (127) for detecting an inserted medal (M) flowing down the medal path (120) as it is and outputting a second inserted medal detection signal; Inserted medal counting means (131) for counting the inserted medal number based on the inserted medal detection signal from the detecting means (127)
And a start switch (70) for outputting a start signal for starting rotation of the spinning reels (30 to 32). Before the start signal from the start switch (70) is generated, the first inserted medal detecting means (126) ), If a start signal is input within a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) after the input of the first inserted medal detection signal, the start signal is invalidated. Start signal canceling means (134), based on the start delay signal from the start signal canceling means (134), a count value determining means (135) for determining the count value of the inserted medal counting means (131) , Channel that opens the medal return path
Switching control means .

[0008]

Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, when three medals (M) are inserted from the medal insertion slot (60) and immediately after the player operates the start switch (70), the start switch When the start signal is output from (70), the third medal (M) is detected by the first inserted medal detecting means (126), but is detected by the second inserted medal detecting means (127). It has not been.

Therefore, in the medal counting means, 2
Since the second medal (M) has been detected by the second inserted medal detecting means (127), the count value is "2".
The third medal (M) is the first inserted medal detecting means.
In (126), the first inserted medal detection signal is output to the start signal canceling means (134) by being detected.

[0010] The start signal canceling means (134) is provided with a start switch (70) after the input of the first inserted medal detection signal.
, The start signal is invalidated. Therefore, the third inserted medal (M) flowing down the medal passage (120) within the delay time of the start signal.
Is detected by the second inserted medal detecting means (127), the count value of the inserted medal counting means (131) becomes "3" based on the second inserted medal detection signal.

After a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) has elapsed after the input of the first inserted medal detection signal, the start switch (70) is operated again and the start signal is input. (1
34) is output to the count value determining means (135). For this reason,
The count value of the inserted medal counting means (131) is determined as "3".

[0012]

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.

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).

As shown in FIG. 2, a total of five lines 21 to 25 are displayed on the glass surface of the window 20 to display the winning lines of the three rotating reels 30 to 32. 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.

Of the three display units 50 to 52, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the number of valid 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 in 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, a lever-shaped start switch 80 for outputting a start signal for starting the rotation of the rotating reels 30 to 32 is provided on the left side of the three stop switches 70 as shown in FIG. Have been. As shown in FIG. 2, a medal insertion switch 90 for inserting a stored medal is provided above the start switch 80. The medal switch 90 includes three switch 91 to 93 arranged side by side. Of the three on-off switches 91 to 93, the one-off switch 91 on the left end as viewed from the left
Is operated, 1 is used to insert one stored medal.
A sheet insertion signal is output. Further, when the central two-sheet insertion switch 92 is operated, a two-sheet insertion signal for inserting two stored medals is output. Further, when the three-insertion switch 93 at the right end is operated, a maximum number of stored medals, that is, a three-insertion signal for inserting three medals is output. Note that the medal switch 90 is set to 3
Although the switch is composed of the closing switches 91 to 93, the number of closing switches may be one, or may be shared with other switches.

Below the medal switch 90, a clearing switch 100 is arranged as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a medal outlet 110 is arranged below the front surface of the slot machine 10. Next, the outline of the medal path of the inserted medals provided inside the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the medal passage 120 has a medal slot on the front end of the slot machine 10 as shown in FIG.
60 (FIG. 2), the inside thereof is inclined downward, and the lower end thereof communicates with a hopper (not shown).
Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the medal passage 120 branches off from the medal passage 120, and the medal passage 120 and the slot machine 10
A medal return path 121 is provided to connect the medal discharge port 110 (FIG. 2) on the front of the medals. The medals flowing down the medal return path 121 are returned from the medal outlet 110.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the medal passage 120 has a standard such as the size and thickness of the inserted medal M between the medal insertion slot 60 and the branch point of the medal return passage 121, as shown in FIG. A medal sorting machine 122 for sorting is arranged. Then, the unspecified medals M are stopped at the medal selector 122 or returned from the medal selector 122 to the player through the medal return path 121.

The medal passage 120 and the medal return passage 121
As shown in FIG. 3, a flow path switching device 123 that switches the flow direction of the inserted medals M flowing down the medal passage 120 is disposed at the branch point of the flow path. As shown in FIG. 3, the channel switching device 123 includes an on-off valve 124 for opening and closing the medal return path 121.
The on-off valve 124 is normally kept closed with the medal return path 121 closed, and when energized, the on-off valve 12
4 is rotated downward to open a medal return path 121.

For example, when the start switch 80 is operated, or when the total number of medals M inserted from the medal slot 60 is a specified number, for example, the maximum number of game medals (for example, three), (For example, 50
When the number of added medals M exceeds the number of added medals (for example, 53 medals), the inserted medals M are thereafter transferred to the medal return path 121.
Through to be returned to the player.

The structure of the flow switching device 123 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. Also, medal passage
3, a first inserted medal detecting means 126 is disposed between the medal insertion slot 60 and the medal sorting machine 122 and close to the medal insertion slot 60, as shown in FIG. The first inserted medal detecting means 126 is constituted by, for example, a photo sensor or the like, detects each inserted medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60, and outputs a first inserted medal detection signal. That is, since the first inserted medal detecting means 126 is disposed on the upstream side of the medal sorting machine 122, it is determined whether the medal M detected by the first inserted medal detecting means 126 conforms to the standard. Regardless, all the inserted medals M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 are detected.

The first inserted medal detecting means 126
Is not limited to non-contact type sensors such as photo sensors,
A contact type micro switch or the like may be used. Further, in the medal passage 120, as shown in FIG. 3, a second inserted medal detecting means 127 is disposed downstream of the flow path switching device 123. The second inserted medal detecting means 127 is constituted by, for example, a photo sensor or the like, similar to the first inserted medal detecting means 126 described above. The inserted medals M flowing down, that is, the inserted medals M conforming to the standard passed through the medal selector 122 are detected one by one, and a second inserted medal detection signal is output.

The second inserted medal detecting means 127
Is not limited to non-contact type sensors such as photo sensors,
A contact type micro switch or the like may be used. Also,
As shown in FIG. 3, there is a space between the second inserted medal detecting means 127 and the flow path switching device 123 that is equal to or longer than the diameter of one medal M. When the player is in the open state, the inserted medal M returned to the player through the medal return path 121 is the second inserted medal detecting means 127.
To prevent detection.

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 130 composed of a CPU. As shown in FIG. 1, a start switch 80 (FIG. 2) and first and second inserted medal detecting means are provided on the input side of the central control unit 130.
126, 127 (FIG. 3) and a medal insertion switch 90 (FIG. 2) are connected, respectively.

On the output side of the central control unit 130, as shown in FIG. 1, a flow path switching unit 123 (FIG. 3) and three rotating drums 30 to 32 for individually rotating the three rotating drums 30 to 32, respectively. Reel drive device composed of a stepping motor, etc.
33 and each are connected. The central control unit 130
As shown in FIG. 1, the inserted medal counting means 131 counts the number of inserted medals based on the inserted medal detection signal from the second inserted medal detecting means 127, and the counted value of the inserted medal counting means 131 is a maximum game. The number of medals, for example, "3
When the number of medals is exceeded, the stored medal counting means 132 counts the number of inserted medals based on the second inserted medal detection signal from the second inserted medal detecting means 127, and the medal insertion switch 9
Based on the throw signal from 0, the stored medal counting means 132
The stored medal subtraction means 133 for subtracting the counted value counted by the start switch 80 from the start switch 80 and the first medal subtraction means 133 for adding the subtracted count value to the count value of the inserted medal counting means 131. On condition that the first inserted medal detection signal from the inserted medal detecting means 126 is generated,
After input of the first inserted medal detection signal, a predetermined time (for example, 5
00 ms), the start signal canceling means 13 invalidates the start signal.
4, a count value determining means 135 for determining the count value of the inserted medal counting means 131 based on the start signal from the start signal canceling means 134, and a reel drive based on the start signal from the start signal canceling means 134. Reel drive control means 136 for operating the device 33,
On the basis of the start signal from the start signal canceling means 134, the solenoid 125 of the flow path switching device 123 is excited to open the medal return path 121 based on the start signal.
And game control means 138 for performing overall game control such as game result determination and medal payout.

Next, the operation of the slot machine 10 having the above configuration will be described. When three medals M are inserted from the medal slot 60 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10, each medal M is taken into the slot machine 10 through the medal slot 60, as shown in FIG. To
It flows down the medal passage 120. As shown in FIG. 3, three inserted medals M flowing down the medal passage 120 are individually detected by the first inserted medal detecting means 126 first.

3 which has passed through the first inserted medal detecting means 126
As shown in FIG. 3, the inserted medals M are then sorted at the medal selector 122, for example, for the size and thickness of the inserted medals M. At this time, if the inserted medal M conforms to the standard, as shown in FIG. 3, after passing through the medal selector 122, the second inserted medal detection means 127 detects each of the inserted medals M, and the second inserted medal detection is performed. Means 127 outputs a second inserted medal detection signal.

The second inserted medal detection signal from the second inserted medal detecting means 127 is output to the inserted medal counting means 131 as shown in FIG.
Each time the inserted medal detection signal is input, the count value is incremented by "1". That is, inserted medal counting means
Since the initial value of 131 is "0", the inserted medal counting means 1
The count value of 31 becomes “3” which is the maximum number of game medals.

Thereafter, when another medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 60, the stored medal counting means 132 outputs the second medal M to the second medal M.
Each time the second inserted medal detection signal is input from the inserted medal detection means 127, the count value is incremented by "1". That is, since the initial value of the inserted medal counting means 131 is “0”, the counted value of the stored medal counting means 132 is “1”.

At this time, the inserted medal counting means 131
Is 3 which is the maximum number of game medals, the count value of the inserted medal counting means 131 does not change. Thereafter, when the start switch 80 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 is operated, a start signal is output from the start switch 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the start signal from the start switch 80 is output to the count value determining means 135 via the start signal canceling means 134, and the count value determining means 135 further outputs a count value determining signal. Is done.

The count value determination signal from the count value determination means 135 is output to the inserted medal counting means 131 as shown in FIG. 1, and the inserted medal counting means 131 further indicates the count value "3". A signal is output to game control means 138. When the game control means 138 inputs a signal indicating the count value "3", the game control means 138 proceeds with the game under the condition of three medals inserted.

That is, all five effective line display lamps 40 to 44 (FIG. 2) on the front of the slot machine 10 are turned on,
All five lines 21 to 25 are valid. At the same time, the start signal from the start switch 80 is sent to the reel drive control means 136 via the start signal cancel means 134 and the count value determination means 135 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the start signal from the start switch 80 is input, the reel drive control means 136 activates the reel driving device 33 and the three reels
The rotation of 30 to 32 starts. In addition, start switch
As shown in FIG. 1, the start signal from the flow path switching control unit 1 is transmitted through the start signal canceling unit 134.
Output to 37.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a start signal is input from the start switch 80, the flow path switching control means 137 excites the solenoid 125 (FIG. 3) of the flow path switching device 123 to cause the medal return path 121 to move. Let open. When the medal return path 121 is opened, thereafter, the inserted medals M inserted into the medal insertion slot 60 are returned to the player from the medal path 120 through the medal return path 121.

Next, a case where the start switch 80 is operated immediately after the third medal M is inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 will be described. Usually, it takes 200 to 400 ms, for example, until the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 flows down the medal passage 120 and passes through the medal selector 122 and is detected by the second inserted medal detection means 127.

Therefore, generally, the third medal M
When the start switch 80 is operated, for example, within 200 to 400 ms after the
When 131 counts “2”, the count value is determined. However, the third medal M is detected by the first inserted medal detecting means 126 immediately after being inserted into the medal insertion slot 60 as shown in FIG. A medal detection signal is output.

Thereafter, a start signal is generated from the start switch 80. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the start signal canceling means 134 receives the first inserted medal detection signal first, so that the start signal is canceled within a predetermined time after the input of the first inserted medal detection signal. When input, the start signal is invalidated.

The predetermined time is set to, for example, 500 ms. After the set time, the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 60 flows down the medal passage 120 and passes through the medal selector 122, and then the second inserted medal is set. The time until detection by the detection means 127 is set longer than, for example, 200 to 400 ms. For this reason, the medal M inserted in the third piece is
The time until the inserted medal detection means 127 detects the medal is sufficiently ensured.

That is, during the period of 200 to 400 ms, the medal M that has been inserted into the third card is the second inserted medal detecting means 127.
And a first inserted medal detection signal is output. 3
As shown in FIG. 1, the first inserted medal detection signal of the inserted medal M is output to the inserted medal counting means 131, and the count value becomes "3". After 500 ms, if the start switch 80 is operated again, the start signal is output again from the start switch 80, and the start signal is output from the start signal canceling means 134 as it is.

For this reason, the start signal canceling means 13
The start signal output from 4 is, as shown in FIG.
It is sent to the count value determination means 135. Count value determination means 135
Is, as shown in FIG.
When the start signal from 4 is input, a count value determination signal is output. The output count value determination signal is sent to the inserted medal counting means 131 as shown in FIG. 1, and the count value is determined as "3".

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, a signal meaning the count value "3" is output from the inserted medal counting means 131 to the game control means 138, and the game is performed under the condition of three medals inserted. Be advanced. On the other hand, the start signal output from the start signal canceling means 134 is sent to the reel drive control means 136 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the start signal is input to the reel drive control means 136, the reel drive device 33 is operated, and the rotation of the three rotating reels 30 to 32 is started. Further, the start signal is output to the flow path switching control means 137 as shown in FIG. Channel switching control means 137
As shown in FIG. 1, when a start signal is input, the solenoid 125 (FIG. 3) of the flow path switching device 123 is excited, and the flow path is switched. Since the flow path switching device 123 is switched based on a start signal from the start switch 80 operated for the second time, the flow time of the medal M inserted for the third sheet can be sufficiently ensured.

[0046]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the present invention, when the start switch is operated immediately after the insertion of a medal, the start signal from the start switch is invalidated, so that the number of medals inserted by the player can be reliably counted, and the player can be operated safely. It is possible to provide a highly reliable slot machine that allows the player to enjoy the game with all his heart.

[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 Number of stored medals display section 52 Number of payout medals display section 60 Medal slot 70 Stop switch 80 Start switch 90 Medal slot switch 91 1 slot switch 92 2 slot switch 93 3 slot switch 100 Clearing switch 110 Medal slot 120 Medal passage 121 medal return path 122 medal sorter 123 flow path switching device 124 on-off valve 125 solenoid 126 first inserted medal detecting means 127 second inserted medal detecting means 130 central control unit 131 inserted medal counting means 132 stored medal counting means 133 stored medal subtraction Means 134 Start signal canceling means 135 Count value fixing means 136 Reel drive control Stage 137 the channel switching control means 138 game control means

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 5/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medal slot, a medal passage through which a medal inserted from the medal slot flows, and a medal which is arranged close to the medal slot and flows down the medal passage. A first inserted medal detection unit that outputs a 1 inserted medal detection signal; and a medal selection unit that is located downstream of the first inserted medal detection unit and determines whether the inserted medal that flows down the medal path conforms to the standard. A second inserted medal detecting means for detecting an inserted medal flowing down the medal path as it is after passing through the medal sorting machine, and outputting a second inserted medal detection signal; A inserted medal counting means for counting the number of inserted medals based on the inserted medal detection signal; a start switch for outputting a start signal for starting rotation of the rotating reel; On the condition that the first inserted medal detection signal is generated from the first inserted medal detecting means before the start signal is generated from the start switch, the start signal is input within a predetermined time after the input of the first inserted medal detection signal. Is input, start signal canceling means for invalidating the start signal, and count value determining means for determining the count value of the inserted medal counting means based on the start signal from the start signal canceling means , Channel switching to open the medal return path
A slot machine comprising control means .