JP4268577B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

  A gaming machine such as a slot machine allows a player to enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of medals (game media) into the gaming machine. The medals necessary for the game can be borrowed by a medal lending machine provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by inserting medals into the medal slot of a desired gaming machine.

  The inserted medals are selected by a medal selector inside the gaming machine (defective medals are returned), and the number of inserted medals is counted. This count value is treated as the number of inserted medals (also called credits. A game medium that has been inserted and not used in the game, and can be returned by pressing the checkout button). The player can enjoy the game. Even after the medal is inserted, it is possible to request the return of the inserted medal if it is before the credit is consumed by the game. A checkout button is provided on the front panel of the gaming machine for the return operation (see reference numeral 138 in FIG. 1).

  FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a conventional medal selector provided in the slot machine. In FIG. 32, 1 is a medal selector, 11 is a downwardly inclined medal passage, 12 is a medal exit of the medal selector 1, and S1 and S2 are photointerrupters (sensors for medal detection) provided in the medal passage 11. M indicates the inserted medal. The medal M inserted from the upper part of the medal selector 1 falls along the medal passage 11, the traveling direction thereof is changed to a slant sideways, and is discharged from the medal outlet 12. Note that irregular medals of different sizes fall in the middle of the medal passage and return to the medal return slot.

  In the vicinity of the medal outlet 12, two medal sensors S1, S2 are provided side by side along the direction in which the medal advances. The detection of medals is performed according to the detection order of the two sensors. Since S1 and S2 are provided adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, and based on these, not only the number of medals but also illegal acts using medals backflow or celluloid are detected. can do. Further, by providing the medal sensors S1 and S2 on the side far from the medal entrance, it is difficult to cheat.

  Fraudulent acts on game machines (so-called goto acts) are increasing and the damage caused by this is also increasing. Moreover, fraudulent methods have become more sophisticated over time. As one of them, there is a technique of inserting a device for cheating from the medal insertion slot, illegally operating the medal counting function of the medal selector and malfunctioning, and illegally obtaining a large number of credits even if no medal is inserted. is there.

  An instrument having two light emitting elements such as infrared LEDs at the tip is inserted and blinked toward the sensors S1 and S2, thereby generating the same signal as the medal detection, and it seems that an unauthorized credit is obtained. Although it is possible to play the game with credits obtained illegally, in many cases it seems that the medal is returned by the checkout button. There are many cases where the discovery of fraud against medal selectors is often delayed, and there is concern about the spread of damage.

  In order to prevent such illegal medals from being paid out, it is conceivable that a plurality of sensors for detecting medals are provided, and when these are detected at the same time, it is determined that there is an error and the medals are not paid out. .

  In addition, there is an illegal act of receiving a medal payout by illegally rotating a rotating disk (see FIGS. 4 to 7) of a hopper device for inserting a foreign object from the outside and paying out a medal. In order to prevent such illegal medals from being paid out, it is conceivable to provide a locking means for fixing the rotating disk so that the rotating disk of the hopper is not rotated by foreign matter inserted from the outside. However, this method is only a physical measure when a foreign object is inserted into the hopper device, and credit is not a measure against fraud in the manner described above.

  The present invention is intended to prevent fraud in a manner different from that described above, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the above-mentioned fraud.

  In other words, the act of illegally inducing a medal selector by using the above-mentioned fraudulent tool, increasing the credit count, and then adjusting the balance to prevent the act of illegally acquiring medals. Objective.

The present invention stores a loaded game medium and pays out the game medium, a control unit for controlling the hopper apparatus, and pays out a game medium that has been loaded and is not used in a game. A settlement button for the game machine, and a release switch provided inside the gaming machine,
The control unit, when the checkout button is operated, controls the hopper device to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the game media that have been inserted and are not used in the game,
When the release switch is invalid, the game medium payout speed by the hopper device is decreased with an increase in the number of game media payout by the hopper device,
When the release switch is valid, the game medium payout speed by the hopper device is not reduced.

The present invention stores a loaded game medium and pays out the game medium, a control unit for controlling the hopper apparatus, and pays out a game medium that has been loaded and is not used in a game. A settlement button for the game machine, and a release switch provided inside the gaming machine,
The control unit, when the checkout button is operated, controls the hopper device to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the game media that have been inserted and are not used in the game,
When the release switch is valid, the payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device is a predetermined normal speed,
When the release switch is invalid, the payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device is determined according to the number of inserted game media that are not used in the game,
The payout speed of the game medium when the release switch is invalid is the same as or lower than the normal speed.

The present invention stores a loaded game medium and pays out the game medium, a control unit for controlling the hopper apparatus, and pays out a game medium that has been loaded and is not used in a game. A settlement button for the game machine, and a release switch provided inside the gaming machine,
The control unit, when the checkout button is operated, controls the hopper device to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the game media that have been inserted and are not used in the game,
When the release switch is disabled, the operation frequency of the checkout button is monitored, and the game medium payout speed by the hopper device is decreased as the operation frequency increases,
When the release switch is valid, the game medium payout speed by the hopper device is not reduced.

  In the above invention, when the payout speed of the game medium is reduced, it will take more time to complete the payout of the game medium. In this case, acoustic effects such as music and sound effects, lamps, You may make it alert | report the said speed fall state using visual effects, such as blinking / lighting of LED, and the specific image display of a liquid crystal display device. As a result, it is possible to notify the player and third parties (including hall staff) that the payout speed of medals has decreased, and allow the player to have a gap until the game medium has been paid out. Such a notification action is considered to be useful for suppressing fraud.

It further comprises a release switch provided inside the gaming machine,
The control unit may be configured not to decrease a payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device when the release switch is valid.

  When the number of already inserted game media that are not used in the game is smaller than the maximum number of game media that can be used to play one game, the control unit is configured to play the game media by the hopper device. The payout speed may not be reduced.

The present invention includes a hopper device that stores inserted game media and pays out the game media, a control unit that controls the hopper device, a medal selector for counting medals inserted from a medal slot, In a gaming machine comprising a sensor that is provided in the medal selector and detects a medal, and a fraud detection unit that detects fraudulent acts on the gaming machine based on a detection signal of the sensor,
When the fraud detection is detected by the fraud detection unit, the control unit reduces the payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device.

As a specific method of fraud detection, a medal selector for counting medals inserted from a medal insertion slot, a sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting medals, and a detection time of medals by the sensor A blinking control circuit for blinking the light emitting element at a shorter time interval,
The fraud detection unit may determine that the fraudulent act is performed when the light receiving element receives light even though the light emitting element does not emit light.

As a specific method of fraud detection, a medal selector for counting medals inserted from a medal insertion slot, a sensor provided in the medal selector for detecting medals, and a medal passing speed based on a detection signal of the sensor A medal passing speed calculation unit that calculates the reference medal passing speed storage unit that stores a reference medal passing speed in advance,
The fraud detector may determine fraud by comparing the medal passage speed calculated by the medal passage speed calculator with a reference of the reference medal passage speed storage unit.

As a specific method of fraud detection, a medal selector for counting medals inserted from a medal slot, a sensor provided in the medal selector for detecting medals, and a medal insertion interval based on a detection signal of the sensor A medal insertion interval calculation unit that calculates a reference medal insertion interval storage unit that stores a reference medal insertion interval in advance,
The fraud detection unit may determine fraud by comparing the medal insertion interval calculated by the medal insertion interval calculation unit with a reference of the reference medal insertion interval storage unit.

As a specific method of fraud detection, a medal selector for counting medals inserted from a medal insertion slot, a sensor provided in the medal selector for detecting medals, and continuous insertion of medals based on detection signals of the sensors A medal continuous number calculating unit for calculating the number of sheets, and a reference medal continuous number storing unit for storing the number of consecutively inserted standard medals in advance,
The fraud detection unit may determine fraud by comparing the medal continuous insertion number calculated by the medal continuous number calculation unit with a reference of the reference medal continuous number storage unit.

As a specific method of fraud detection, a medal selector for counting medals inserted from a medal slot, and a sensor provided in the medal selector for detecting medals,
The fraud detector
Prepare a pointer to detect fraud related to the number of medals,
Each time a medal is detected by the medal sensor, the pointer is moved in a predetermined direction, and the pointer is repeatedly moved at a predetermined interval in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction,
A fraudulent act may be determined when the pointer exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  According to the present invention, in order to reduce the medal payout speed when it is estimated to be fraudulent, the medal selector is falsely induced using the fraudulent tool, the credit count is increased, and then the settlement is performed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an act of illegally acquiring medals. In other words, according to the present invention, although medals are paid out even for fraudulently obtained credits, the medal payout speed at that time is reduced, and it takes time to obtain the medal. This will make the act stand out and make it difficult to prevent fraud.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
A gaming machine (slot machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.
1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided on the further left side of the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging the clogged medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  A start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. When a game medal is inserted into the medal slot 132 or when the start switch 134 is operated on condition that the bet switch 137 is operated, the three reels start to rotate and the game starts. A settlement switch (also referred to as a settlement button) 138 is used to request the return of unused medals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three rotating reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine can first borrow a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and insert a medal directly into the medal slot 132 of the medal slot device. A square window-like display window facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the casing of the slot machine. In the center of the central display window, a symbol display window through which the symbols of the three rotating reels can be seen is formed. The start switch 134 is a lever located obliquely below the rotating reel, and starts driving the reel unit on condition that a game medal is inserted. The reel unit is stopped from being driven by a stop switch. The reel unit is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine. Reference numerals 200 and 201 denote a main board and a sub board, each incorporating a CPU. The main board 200 performs medal insertion, payout, reel control, winning process, and the like. The sub-board 201 performs processing such as effect display. An operation unit 202 includes switches such as a start switch, a stop switch, and a bet switch. A reel unit 203 includes three rotating reels. An effect display unit 204 includes a game display unit, internal illumination of a reel, a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like. The effect display unit 204 notifies the winning combination and the pressing order.

  The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a hopper motor control unit 200a for driving and controlling a hopper motor built in the hopper device 121, and a timer 200b for measuring the frequency of pressing the settlement button 138 on the main board ( (Control unit) 200. The hopper motor control unit 200a is realized by hardware or software (a program stored in the ROM of the main board 200) and a drive circuit (for example, a current generation circuit for driving a motor). The timer 200b is also realized by hardware or software. The hopper motor control unit 200a and the timer 200b may be provided in the main board 200 as shown in FIG. 3, or may be provided independently of each other. The hopper device 121 will be described in detail later.

  The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a release switch 138 for preventing a delay in paying out medals, which will be described later. The release switch 138 is provided in a place that cannot be accessed unless the front door 130 such as the back side of the front door 130 or a power panel (not shown) is opened, and is not operated by the player.

  Next, the hopper device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a front view (FIG. 4A), a right side view (FIG. 4B), and a top view (FIG. 4C) of the hopper device. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hopper device on the hopper tank side, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hopper device side of the hopper device. FIG. 7 is a top view of the rotating disk 123.

  The hopper device 121 is rotatably supported by the hopper device 121, and a rotating disk 123 having a plurality of (here, five) medal dropping holes into which medals dropped from the hopper tank 122 fit one by one from above, and the rotating disk 123. And a hopper motor 34 for rotating the motor. The rotating disk 123 is rotated by the driving force of the hopper motor 34. Accordingly, the medal M that has fallen into the medal pit of the rotating disk 123 is discharged to the outside from the medal discharge ports 23 and 24. If medals are stored in the hopper tank 122, the medals fall due to their own weight and fit into the medal pits of the rotating disk 123. By rotating or stopping the rotary disk 123 with the hopper motor 34, the start and stop of the medal payout can be controlled. The medal payout speed (a value indicating how many medals are paid out per unit time) is determined by the rotation speed of the rotating disk 123. Therefore, if the rotation of the hopper motor 34 is increased, the medal payout speed increases. Conversely, if the rotation of the hopper motor 34 is decreased, the medal payout speed decreases. Since the medal payout speed, the rotation speed of the rotary disk 123, and the rotation speed of the hopper motor 34 are in a fixed relationship, the medal payout speed can be expressed by the rotation speed of the rotary disk 123 or the hopper motor 34. Such expressions are sometimes used in the following description.

  The base plate 5 is attached to the upper portion of the hopper device 121 at an angle. A hopper motor 34 is fixed to the base plate 5. The output shaft of the hopper motor 34 passes through the base plate 5 and protrudes to the center of the upper surface thereof. Since the base plate 5 is inclined, the output shaft of the DC motor intersects the vertical direction. For this reason, the rotating disk 123 is high on the medal discharge port side and low on the opposite side.

  A housing support 4 is located on the base plate 5. A protruding protrusion is formed around the housing support 4. The portion of the medal discharge port at the edge is cut out, and the medal is discharged through this portion.

  A counter roller 7 for counting the medals paid out is provided on the counter arm 8. The counter roller 7 rotates around the separator 6. In a state where the counter arm 8 is rotated, a protrusion provided on the counter arm 8 enters between the game medal payout sensors (for example, photo interrupter) 43. Thereby, the light from the light source of the sensor 43 is blocked, and the light receiving element detects this. Two guide pins 36 a and 36 b are provided in the vicinity of the medal payout opening of the housing support 4.

  The medal payout operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the medal M caught in the medal pit of the rotating disk 123 reaches the medal outlet as the rotating disk 123 rotates clockwise around the fulcrum P, the medal M is discharged to the outside through the medal outlet. Is done. As the rotating disk 3 rotates, the medals M are discharged in order. When the medal M reaches the medal payout port, it is pushed out by the guide pins 36a, 36b and guided toward the medal passages 23, 24. The medal guide 12 also guides the medal M to the medal passages 23 and 24. At this time, the medal rotates the roller 7 provided on the counter arm 8, and its movement can be detected by the sensor 43 as described above. When one medal is paid out, the medal pushes the roller 7 once, so that the number of paid-out medals can be counted based on the output signal of the sensor 43.

  Next, a medal payout method according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described. The main points of this control method are as follows.

  It is assumed that the gaming machine credits (those that have already been inserted and are not used in the game, can be returned by pressing the checkout button) are one or more. The game can be played with the credit, but the medal can be paid back by pressing the settlement button 138.

  When the checkout button is operated and the medal is paid out, the medal payout speed is made smaller (slower) than usual. This increases the time required to receive a refund of all credited medals.

Specifically, the following control is performed.
(A) The medal payout speed is decreased as the number of payments for paying out medals increases.
(B) The medal payout speed is reduced as the frequency of pressing the settlement button 138 increases.

However, the medal payout delay process is not performed in the following cases.
(1) When the delayed payout operation for the administrator has been performed. When the release switch 205 in FIG. 3 is on.
(2) When the number of credits is a fraction (eg, 2 or less)

The reason why fraud can be prevented by the medal payout delay process is as follows.
As mentioned above, as one of the fraudulent acts, a fraudulent instrument is inserted from the medal insertion slot, and the medal counting function of the medal selector is illegally operated to cause malfunction. There is a way to get a lot of credits. Although it is possible to play a game with an illegally obtained credit, in many cases it seems that a medal is returned by a checkout button. Therefore, as in the embodiment of the present invention, the collection efficiency is poor even if an attempt is made to acquire a medal based on fraud by making the time from the operation of the checkout button to the end of payout extremely long. In addition, the act of making the game stand out as a result of a long time during which the game cannot be played is made difficult to carry out fraud.

The medal refund for fraud has the following characteristics.
(A) The number of credits is large. Often the upper limit (eg 50) is reached.
(A) The frequency of the settlement button is high.
The above can be performed in order to cause the sensor to malfunction by electronic means, and if the medals are actually inserted and the game is enjoyed, it is considered that the above state hardly occurs. Therefore, it is considered that fraudulent acts can be suppressed by slowing down the medal payout speed particularly in the cases (a) and (b) above as countermeasures against fraud.

  When cheating is performed, the credit reaches the upper limit (for example, 50) in a short time. If all payments are refunded with the checkout button, the maximum number of medals will be obtained illegally. If this is repeated, an extremely large number of medals can be obtained in a short time. However, if the medal payout is delayed as in the embodiment of the present invention, the amount of damage (the number of medals) can be suppressed. Even if it does in this way, it is thought that there is little special inconvenience to a player. This is because medals are rarely inserted up to the maximum credit limit, and rarely refunded.

  Note that when the above-mentioned (2) credit number is a fraction (eg, 2 or less), the medal payout is not delayed. This is because For example, when a maximum of three medals can be used for one game, it is often the case that when the number of credits is two or less, the settlement button is pressed to move to another gaming machine.

Next, specific processing contents will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing for slowing down the medal payout speed as the number of payments for paying out medals increases. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram thereof.

  In FIG. 8, it is determined whether the settlement button 138 has been pressed (S1). When the checkout button 138 is depressed, first, medals are paid out at a normal speed (S2). When the cancel button 205 is ON (YES in S3) or the remaining credit is a fraction (two or less) (YES in S4), the medal payout delay process is not performed and the medal payout at the normal speed is continued. (S7, S8).

  When the release button 205 is off (NO in S3) or there is a large amount of credit (NO in S4), a medal payout delay process is performed. In other words, the medal payout speed is reduced as the number of medal payouts increases (S5). A specific example of this method is shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams when the medal payout speed is decreased as the number of medal payouts increases. FIG. 4A is a graph showing how the number of credits decreases, and FIG. 4B is a graph showing the relationship between the number of payouts and the payout speed. In these figures, the dotted line indicates the case of normal speed. As can be seen from these figures, the payout speed is different at the beginning and end of one payout, and becomes slower later. If the number of payouts is small, the payout is completed in almost the same time as in the normal speed, but it can be seen that the payout takes a long time as the number of payouts increases. For example, when the credit is 10, the time required for paying out all medals will be about 2.5 times (25% increase compared to the normal speed) in the case of 20, and in the case of 30 Is about 5 times (up 67%), 40 is about 8 times (up 100%), and 50 is about 15 times (up 200%).

  FIGS. 9C and 9D are explanatory diagrams when the payout speed is lowered according to the number of credits when the settlement button is pressed down. In this case, the payout speed does not change at the beginning and end of the payout. FIG. 4C is a graph showing how the number of credits is decreasing, and FIG. 4D is a graph showing the relationship between the number of credits and the payout speed. When the number of credits is small (symbol C), the medal payout speed is the normal speed, and medals are quickly paid out. When the number of credits is large (symbol A), the medal payout speed is the slowest, and it takes a long time to pay out medals. Symbol B is between these. For example, if the medal payout speed when the credit is 3 to 10 is the normal speed and the medal payout speed when the credit is 11 to 30 is half of that, the time required to pay out all medals is 100. If the payout rate of medals when the credit is 31 to 50 is further halved, the time required for paying out all medals is increased by 300%.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts of processing for slowing down the medal payout speed as the frequency of pressing the settlement button 138 increases. 12 and 14 are explanatory diagrams thereof.

  In FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the settlement button 138 has been pressed (S1). When the cancel button 205 is ON (YES in S3) or the remaining credit is a fraction (two or less) (YES in S4), the medal payout delay process is not performed and the medal payout at the normal speed is continued. (S7, S8).

  When the release button 205 is off (NO in S3) or there is a large amount of credit (NO in S4), a medal payout delay process is performed. That is, medals are paid out at a medal payout speed corresponding to the value of the settlement button pressing frequency. The settlement button pressing frequency is a parameter whose value increases as the settlement button is depressed frequently. For example, the normal speed is set when the settlement button pressing frequency is zero, half the speed when it is 1, two half the speed when it is 2, and so on. There are, for example, two methods for obtaining the settlement button pressing frequency as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11A shows that the settlement button pressing frequency is increased by one each time the settlement button is pressed again within a predetermined time TA. First, it is determined whether or not the settlement button 138 has been pressed (S20). When the checkout button 138 is pressed, the value of the timer 200b is checked. When the value of the timer 200b is zero (YES in S21), it means that the settlement button has been pressed again after the predetermined time TA has elapsed (that is, after a sufficient amount of time has elapsed). Is left as is. When the value of the timer 200b is not zero (NO in S21), it means that the settlement button is pushed down again within the predetermined time TA (repeated in a short time), so the settlement button is pressed down more frequently ( S22). Then, the time TA is set in the timer 200b (S23). When the time is set, the timer 200b decreases the set value as time elapses, and becomes zero when the time TA elapses. Depending on the time TA, it is possible to adjust whether or not the settlement button is pressed frequently.

  FIG. 11B shows that the settlement button pressing frequency is increased by one when the settlement button pressing interval is within a predetermined time TB. First, it is determined whether or not the medals have been paid out (S30). When the medal payout is completed, the time TB is set in the timer 200b (S31). Next, it is determined whether or not the settlement button 138 has been pressed (S32). When the checkout button 138 is depressed again, the value of the timer 200b is examined. When the value of the timer 200b is zero (YES in S33), it means that the settlement button has been depressed again after the predetermined time TB has elapsed (that is, after a sufficient time has elapsed). Is left as is. When the value of the timer 200b is not zero (NO in S33), it means that the interval of the settlement button pressing is shorter than the predetermined time TB (repeated in a short time), so the settlement button pressing frequency is increased ( S34). It is possible to adjust whether or not the settlement button is pressed more strictly according to the time TB.

  12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams of the medal payout delay process when the process of FIG. 11A is adopted. FIG. 12 shows a case where the settlement button is not pressed frequently (it remains zero) and medals are paid out at a normal speed. The checkout button is repeatedly depressed at intervals longer than the time TA. On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows a case where the settlement button is repeatedly pressed down frequently. In FIG. 13A, the settlement button press b is again within the time TA from the first settlement button press a, and the settlement button press c is again within the time TA from the settlement button press b. According to the process of FIG. 11A, the settlement button pressing frequency is 1 when the settlement button is pressed b, and the settlement button pressing frequency is 2 when the settlement button is pressed c. Correspondingly, the payout speed when the settlement button is pressed b is half of the normal speed, and further half when the settlement button is pressed c. If the settlement button pressing frequency is not reset, it is inconvenient for a general player. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13B, the settlement button pressing frequency may be reset after a predetermined time TX has elapsed.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the medal payout delay process when the process of FIG. 11B is adopted. FIG. 14 (a) shows a case where the settlement button is not pressed frequently (zero) and medals are paid out at a normal speed. The checkout button is repeatedly depressed at long intervals equal to or longer than time TB. FIG. 14B shows a case where the settlement button is repeatedly depressed frequently. In FIG. 14 (b), there is a settlement button press e again within a time TB from the completion of the medal payout by pressing the first settlement button, and there is a settlement button press f again. According to the process of FIG. 11B, the settlement button pressing frequency is 1 when the settlement button is pressed e, and the settlement button pressing frequency is 2 when the settlement button is pressed f. Accordingly, the payout speed when the settlement button is pressed down is half of the normal speed, and when the settlement button is pressed down, it is further reduced by half. If the settlement button pressing frequency is not reset, it is inconvenient for a general player. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14C, the settlement button pressing frequency may be reset after a predetermined time TX has elapsed.

  According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, medals are paid out even for illegally obtained credits, but the medal payout speed at that time decreases, and it takes time to obtain the medals, so the efficiency of fraud is very high. As well as lowering, this will make the act stand out, making it difficult to prevent fraud. In addition, since the payout is delayed when it is considered that it does not occur normally, there is almost no inconvenience to general players.

  In addition, when the medal payout speed is reduced in the first embodiment of the invention, more time is required until the medal payout is completed. At this time, acoustic effects such as music and sound effects, lamps, You may make it alert | report the said speed fall state using visual effects, such as blinking / lighting of LED, and the specific image display of a liquid crystal display device. This informs players and third parties (including hall staff) that the payout speed of medals has decreased, and allows them to have a gap between players until the payout of medals is complete. It also leads to reducing the burden. It is considered that the notification action as described above is useful for suppressing fraud.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
The first embodiment of the invention relates to the delay processing when paying out medals with the settlement button, but the second embodiment of the invention is to slow down the medal payout speed as a penalty. Use fraud detection as a trigger.

  FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. Reference numeral 200c denotes a fraud detector that detects fraudulent acts on the gaming machine. The fraud detection unit 200c is realized by hardware or software (a program stored in the ROM of the main board 200), and may be provided in the main board 200 as shown in FIG. It may be provided. The elements shown in FIG. 15 which are the same as those in FIG.

  When the fraud detector 200c detects fraud, it sends a signal to that effect to the hopper motor controller 200a. In response to this, the hopper motor control unit 200a reduces the rotation speed of the hopper motor 34 so that the payout speed of medals is reduced. For example, it is half the normal speed. While the fraud detection unit 200c detects fraud, this state continues. Once fraudulent activity is detected, the medal payout rate may be kept slow until reset by the hall clerk. As shown in FIG. 9, the payout rate of medals may be decreased with the passage of time. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the medal payout speed may be reduced according to the fraud detection frequency.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the fraud is detected, the medal payout speed is reduced. Therefore, even if the medal is acquired by the fraud, it takes time to obtain the medal. As well as lowering, this makes the action stand out, making it difficult to prevent fraud. According to the second embodiment of the invention, there is no possibility of causing inconvenience to a normal player who does not cheat.

  Specific examples (A) to (C) of fraud detection by the fraud detection unit 200c are listed. In the following description, an illegal act detection signal may be expressed as an error or an error signal. Also, description of elements and processes that have already been described is omitted.

(A) Fraud detection by blinking of light emitting element of medal sensor FIG. 16 shows a functional block diagram of a slot machine that performs fraud detection by blinking of the light emitting element of the medal sensor.
The medal selector 1 includes two sensors S1 and S2, which is the same as the conventional one, but further, a blinking control circuit (oscillator) 13-1 for blinking the light emitting elements S1-a and S2-a of the sensors S1 and S2. 13-2 and a medal detection signal generation circuit 14-1 that generates a medal detection signal from the signals of the light receiving elements S1-b and S2-b with reference to the output signals of the blinking control circuits 13-1 and 13-2. , 14-2, and fraud detection circuits 15-1 and 15-2 that detect fraud and generate error signals by referring to the output signals of the blinking control circuits 13-1 and 13-2. The blinking control circuit 13, the medal detection signal generation circuit 14, and the cheating detection circuit 15 are provided on the control board, but may be provided inside the medal selector 1 or outside. Alternatively, it may be provided in the main substrate 1. The sensor itself may have all or part of these functions. In this case, it is preferable to output and hold an error signal. The sensor may be modularized. For example, the sensor may be housed in a package, a semiconductor chip may be provided in the package, and a part or all of the functions of the blinking control circuit 13, the medal detection signal generation circuit 14, and the fraud detection circuit 15 may be executed.

The blinking control circuit 13 blinks the light emitting elements S1-a and S2-a at a time interval shorter than the time when the medal blocks the sensor.
The medal detection signal generation circuit 14 generates a medal detection signal based on the light reception signals of the light receiving elements S1-b and S2-b. Since the blinking control circuit 13 is provided, if the light reception signal is output as it is, the light reception signal is turned off (a state corresponding to the conventional medal passage) even though no medal has passed, so the medal detection signal generation circuit 14 complements it. is doing. Specifically, the sample demodulation is performed at the turn-off control timing of the light emitting elements S1-a and S2-a. For example:

(1) When the light emitting element emits light and the light receiving element receives light, a signal indicating that the medal is not passed is output (H level in the example of FIG. 18).
(2) When the light emitting element emits light and the light receiving element is not receiving light, a signal indicating medal passage is output (L level in the example of FIG. 18).
(3) When the light emitting element is not emitting light, the state of the output signal is not changed.

  Even when the flicker control circuit 13 is provided by the medal detection signal generation circuit 14, the same signal as in the conventional case is output, so that the interface and program of the main board 200 can be used as they are in the conventional case.

  The cheating detection circuit 15 generates an error signal based on the light reception signals of the light receiving elements S1-b and S2-b. In general, it is impossible for the light receiving element to receive light even though the light emitting element is not emitting light. This state is determined as an illegal act and an error signal is output. Specifically, it is as follows.

(4) If the light receiving element receives light even though the light emitting element is not emitting light, an error signal is output.
(5) Hold the error signal as it is. Unless a special reset signal (for example, an error reset signal) is received, it is held.

  The timing of the error determination in (4) above sets a time relationship that does not meet the determination timing of the fraud detection circuit 15 even if the light emission element of the fraudulent tool is controlled to be turned off in accordance with the timing of turning off the light emitting element. To do. Generally, several μS to several tens of μS are required from the LED control of the photosensor to the output of the light receiving unit, and therefore the determination cannot be deceived if error determination is performed from several μS to several tens μS from the turn-off timing ( However, it is necessary to consider a delay time td described later). If the fraudulent device uses a simple microcomputer, the processing speed is low, so that it is difficult to cope with it.

  FIG. 17 shows a specific example of the circuit of the medal selector 1. In FIG. 17, the blinking control circuit 13 is a clock oscillator, the medal detection signal generation circuit 14 and the fraud detection circuit 15 are flip-flop circuits. The clock oscillator 13 outputs a pulse signal as shown in FIG. The flip-flop 14 takes in the signal of the light receiving element Sb at the falling edge of the pulse signal of the clock oscillator 13, and the flip-flop 15 takes in the signal of the light receiving element Sb at the rising edge of the pulse signal of the clock oscillator 13. If the light emitting element is turned on at the H level of the clock oscillator 13, the lighting timing of the light emitting element (this is the same as the last timing of extinguishing, and thus is included in the timing of turning off the light emitting element. It is checked whether the light receiving element is receiving light at the most critical timing (that is, the most difficult to perform fraud) among the extinguishing timing. Since there is a device delay td, the signal of the light receiving element is not yet ON at the lighting timing. That it is ON is nothing but cheating. Therefore, an error is determined when ON is detected. Since the buffer (inverter) 16c is provided at the output of the light receiving element S-b, the D inputs of the flip-flops 14 and 15 become H level when receiving light. Since the inverted output / Q of the flip-flop 15 is connected to the program terminal P, once an H level signal is captured, the state (the light receiving element receives light even though the light emitting element does not emit light). The state indicating the state) is held, and the error signal continues to be output.

  The operation of the circuit of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. FIG. 18A shows a normal case where a medal passes, and FIG.

  The light emitting element repeatedly turns on and off by the reference clock. As a result, the light reception signal repeats alternately ON and OFF, but there is a slight time delay td from the LED control of the photosensor to the light reception unit output, and the light reception signal is slightly delayed with respect to the reference clock. A medal detection signal is generated at every falling edge of the reference clock, and an error is determined at every rising edge. As shown in FIG. 18A, when the medal passes and the light is blocked, the light reception signal is turned OFF (reference A, this state continues until reference B). When the received light signal is examined at the falling edge of the reference clock, the received light signal is OFF, so that it is determined that a medal has passed and the medal detection signal is turned OFF (reference C). The medal detection signal is negative logic. While the state continues at the falling edge of the reference clock, the medal detection signal is kept off. When this is detected at the falling edge of the reference clock after the light reception signal is turned ON (reference B), the medal detection signal is turned ON (reference D). Note that when the received light signal is examined at the rising edge of the reference clock, the error signal remains at L level (OFF) because it is always OFF.

  When the LED of the cheating device is lit as shown in FIG. 18 (b), it may be turned on when the received light signal is examined at the rising edge of the reference clock (symbol E). Considering the delay time td, this state means that the light receiving element is receiving light even though the light emitting element is not emitting light, and it can be immediately determined that an illegal act has been performed. Therefore, the flip-flop 15 is set and an error signal is output, and this state is held until an error reset signal is received. Even if the received light signal is checked at the rising edge of the reference clock and turned OFF (reference F), the error signal is continuously output.

  In the above description, fraudulent behavior is detected using hardware, but the same thing can be realized using a CPU and a program (a high-speed CPU is preferable because processing needs to be performed in a short time). FIG. 19 shows a processing flowchart. FIG. 19 shows a process performed by turning off the light emitting element of the sensor during the medal counting process.

(B) Unauthorized detection by sensor signal monitoring (B-1)
FIG. 20 shows a functional block diagram of a slot machine that performs fraud detection by monitoring sensor signals.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a medal passage speed calculation unit that calculates a medal passage speed based on one or both detection signals of the sensor S1 or S2. Reference numeral 21 denotes a reference medal passage speed storage unit that stores a standard medal passage speed in advance. This is a fraud detection unit that compares the medal passage speed calculated by the medal passage speed calculation unit 20 with the reference of the reference medal passage speed storage unit 21 and determines that it is a fraudulent action.

  The error signal output by the fraud detection unit 22 is input to the main board 200 and is output to the outside as necessary. The medal passage speed calculation unit 20, the reference medal passage speed storage unit 21, and the fraud detection unit 22 are realized by hardware (for example, a counter or a shift register) or software, and may be provided independently as shown in FIG. The main board 200 or the medal selector 1 may be provided.

  An illegal act of misrecognizing with a board mounted with an LED in which the light receiving element of the medal selector 1 is inserted from the outside is based on hardware such as a microcomputer and is much more medal than the actual medal passing speed. The input speed is often fast. Therefore, the medal passing speed is calculated, and when this is significantly different (fast) from the standard passing speed, it is possible to determine that it is an illegal act. In addition, since an illegal act using a simple cell plate or the like is slower than the passing speed of a medal, it can be determined as an illegal act when the medal passing speed is significantly different (slow) from the standard passing speed.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 21 and the timing chart of FIG.
S11: A signal is received from the medal sensor.
S12: The medal passing speed is calculated based on the received medal detection signal. The calculation of the medal passing speed will be described with reference to FIG.

  The medal passing speed is calculated by calculating the case-specific medal speed from the relative positions of the two sensors S1, S2 and the medals, and the relative positions of the sensors, and the case where the medal passing speed deviates significantly from the calculated value. The medal speed of a general selector is approximately 1 mm / ms.

Signals from the sensors S1 and S2 are as shown in FIG. 22A, and one pulse indicates the passage of one medal. The pulse widths ta and ta ′ are the time required for one medal to pass through one sensor, and the time difference tb between the sensors S1 and S2 is the downstream side after one medal reaches the upstream sensor S1. This is the time until the sensor S2 is reached. The pulse widths ta and ta ′ correspond to the medal width (more precisely, the width when the medal is cut at the sensor height), and the time difference tb corresponds to the interval between the sensors S1 and S2. Therefore, the passing speed of medals can be obtained by the following three formulas.
(1) Medal passing speed = interval (distance) between sensors S1 and S2 ÷ time difference tb
(2) Medal passing speed = medal width at the position of sensor S1 ÷ time ta
(3) Medal passing speed = medal width at the position of sensor S2 / time ta ′

  In step S12, the medal passing speed may be calculated by any one of the above (1) to (3). Or you may obtain | require the average of said (1)-(3), and may select the largest or the minimum thing among these. The medal passage speed may be used or changed according to the determination contents of steps S13 and S14. For example, to prevent false detection, select the smallest value when determining whether the medal passing speed is significantly higher than the reference value, and select the maximum value when determining whether the medal passing speed is significantly lower than the reference value. Choose one. Or, from the standpoint of reliably detecting fraud and effectively preventing fraud, contrary to the above case, when determining whether the medal passing speed is significantly higher than the reference value, the maximum one is used. When it is selected and it is determined whether the medal passing speed is significantly smaller than the reference value, the smallest one is selected.

S13: The medal passage speed is compared with a reference value. The reference value is stored in advance in the reference medal passage speed storage unit 21. The reference value is set for each model or gaming machine, but the reference medal passing speed is approximately 1 mm / ms as described above.

S14: It is determined whether the medal passing speed is significantly higher than the reference value or whether the medal passing speed is significantly lower than the reference value. The former corresponds to an illegal act using a tool using an LED or the like, and the latter corresponds to an illegal act using a so-called cell plate. From the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection, it is preferable that the degree of determination is not the determination that the reference value is larger or smaller than the reference value, but the degree thereof is also set as the determination reference (for example, faster than 200% of the reference value, more than 50% of the reference value). Is too slow).

S15: When the medal passing speed is significantly different from the reference value (YES in S14), it is determined as an illegal act, an error flag is set, and an error signal is output.

S16: The game reception and the medal payout may be stopped so as not to give profits to the fraudster. This state continues until the hall attendant resets the gaming machine.

(B-2)
FIG. 23 shows another functional block diagram of the slot machine that performs fraud detection by blinking of the light emitting elements of the medal sensor.

  As described above, fraudulent acts such as misrecognition by a substrate mounted with an LED having the light-receiving element of the medal selector 1 entered from the outside, using hardware such as a microcomputer as described above, are compared with the actual medal passing speed. In many cases, the medal insertion speed is much faster. Therefore, the interval between the detection signals of the medals is very short, that is, the insertion interval of the medals is significantly shorter than that in the normal case. Normally, the insertion interval is not less than the medal diameter. It can be determined that this is an illegal act.

  In FIG. 23, reference numeral 23 denotes a medal insertion interval calculation unit for calculating a medal insertion interval based on the detection signal of one or both of the sensors S1 and S2, and reference numeral 24 denotes a reference medal insertion interval storage for storing a standard medal insertion interval in advance. Reference numeral 25 denotes a fraud detection unit that compares the medal insertion interval calculated by the medal insertion interval calculation unit 23 with the reference in the reference medal insertion interval storage unit 24 and determines that it is a fraud.

  The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24 and the timing chart of FIG.

S21: A signal is received from the medal sensor.
S22: The medal insertion interval is calculated based on the received medal detection signal. The calculation of the medal insertion interval will be described with reference to FIG.

The signals from the sensors S1 and S2 are as shown in FIG. 25A, and one pulse indicates the passage of one medal. The pulse intervals tc and tc ′ are intervals at which the sensor detects the medals one after another when medals are continuously inserted, and are related to the physical distance between the medals and the medal and the passing speed thereof. Specifically, there is the following relationship.
Sensor physical distance between medals = medal passing speed x pulse interval tc, tc '

  The passing speed of medals is measured in advance. Even when the distance between medals is the smallest, the physical distance between medals in the sensor cannot be smaller than the diameter of the medals. In steps S23 and S24, the physical distance between medals in the sensor obtained by the above formula is compared with the diameter of the medals. In the case where the minimum values of the pulse intervals tc and tc ′ are stored in the reference medal insertion interval storage unit 24, the measurement times tc and tc ′ can be directly compared with the reference values without obtaining the distance. .

S23: The medal insertion interval is compared with a reference value. The reference value is stored in advance in the reference medal insertion interval storage unit 24. When comparing medal insertion intervals by distance, medal diameter is stored as a reference value. When comparing the medal insertion interval by time, if the insertion interval is the shortest in the normal use state as a reference value, for example, a value obtained by the following equation is stored.
Standard medal insertion interval tc, tc '=
The medal width at the positions of sensors S1 and S2 ÷ medal passing speed when medals are continuously inserted

S24: It is determined whether the medal insertion interval is significantly smaller than the reference value. If this is the case, it is determined that an illegal act using a tool using an LED or the like has been performed. From the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection, it is preferable not to determine that the value is simply smaller than the reference value, but also to determine the degree thereof (for example, less than 50% of the reference value).

S25: When the medal insertion interval is significantly different from the reference value (YES in S24), it is determined as an illegal act, an error flag is set, and an error signal is output.

S26: The game reception and the medal payout may be stopped so as not to give a profit to the fraudster. This state continues until the hall attendant resets the gaming machine.

(B-3)
FIG. 26 shows another functional block diagram of the slot machine that performs fraud detection by blinking of the light emitting elements of the medal sensor.

  As described above, fraudulent acts such as misrecognition by a substrate mounted with an LED having the light-receiving element of the medal selector 1 entered from the outside, using hardware such as a microcomputer as described above, are compared with the actual medal passing speed. Not only is the medal insertion speed much faster, but it is counted continuously and reaches the upper limit of storage at once. In addition, there is an easy specification that continues to be inserted even when the medal insertion exceeds the upper limit of the number of stored sheets, and the operation differs from that of a human action. Actually, the number of medals that a player can insert at a time is not so large, and is less than the maximum number that can be held by a player or the maximum number that can be placed near the medal slot. In addition, when the right hand and the left hand are used alternately and continuously inserted, it is necessary to change medals, and an interval is generated at that time. Actually, it is general that about 20 to 30 medals can be placed at the entrance of the medal slot, and the number of cards that can be held by the player is also about that. An additional time interval in seconds is required for additional input. Therefore, when medals are continuously inserted beyond the limit that the player can insert at a time, it can be determined that an illegal act has been performed. It can be determined that this is an illegal act. The third embodiment of the invention calculates the number of consecutively inserted medals based on such a viewpoint, and detects a case where the medal deviates significantly from a standard value as an illegal act.

  In FIG. 26, reference numeral 26 denotes a continuous medal number calculation unit for calculating the continuous insertion number of medals based on the detection signals of one or both of the sensors S1 and S2, and reference numeral 27 denotes a reference medal continuous number for storing a standard continuous insertion number of medals in advance. The number storage unit 28 is a medal continuous insertion interval calculation unit that calculates a time interval between continuous insertions of medals based on the detection signals of one or both of the sensors S1 and S2, and 29 is a standard medal continuation in advance. The reference medal continuous insertion interval storage unit 30 for storing the insertion time interval is significantly different from the medal continuous insertion number calculated by the medal continuous number calculation unit 26 in comparison with the reference of the reference medal continuous number storage unit 27. It is a cheating detector that sometimes judges cheating.

  The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27 and the timing chart of FIG.

S31: A signal is received from the medal sensor.
S32: The continuous medal number is calculated based on the medal detection signal received from the sensor S1 or the sensor S2. The calculation of the medal insertion interval will be described with reference to FIG.

  Signals from the sensors S1 and S2 are as shown in FIG. 28A, and one pulse indicates the passage of one medal. Pulses during the period td and td ′ indicate the number of consecutive medals. te and te ′ indicate the interval between continuous input and continuous input. By the way, when one pulse is generated and the next pulse is generated again (when at least two medals are inserted), whether or not these are continuous is whether the interval between the pulses is shorter than a predetermined time. Judge with.

For example, the following processing is performed to calculate the continuous medal number.
(A) First, a medal detection time is acquired and compared with the previous medal detection time stored in advance, and the following processes (b) and (c) are performed. When this processing is executed, the medal detection time acquired this time is stored as the previous medal detection time, and the same processing is repeated. In FIG. 28A, tP and tP ′ indicate the detection time of the medal acquired this time, and tL and tL ′ indicate the previous medal detection time. The current / previous detection time (tL, tP) is updated each time a new pulse is received (tP is overwritten with the old tL, and the detection time of the new pulse becomes tP). In FIG. 28A, tP and tL mean the current medal detection time and the previous medal detection time when the pulse P is received, and tP ′ and tL ′ are the current medal detection time when the pulse P ′ is received. This means the medal detection time and the previous medal detection time.
(B) The medal insertion interval is smaller than a predetermined value (this case corresponds to (tP-tL) in FIG. 28A).
-> Continuous input, continuous number + 1
(C) The medal insertion interval is larger than a predetermined value (this case corresponds to (tP′−tL ′) in FIG. 28A).
-> It is determined that it is not continuous insertion. If it is determined that it is not continuous insertion, the number of continuous medals up to the previous time (number of pulses in td, td ') is determined as the continuous number of medals. Make a judgment. After that, clear the continuous number and prepare for the next continuous loading.
The predetermined time for determining whether or not it is continuous is approximately 1 second.

S33: The medal continuous insertion interval is calculated based on the medal detection signal received from the sensor S1 or the sensor S2. The calculation of the medal insertion interval will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 28 (a), a pulse in the period of te, te ′ indicates the interval between medal continuous insertion and next medal insertion. The medal continuous insertion interval is performed as follows, for example, when tL ′ is a time point when the continuous insertion is finished (see (c) above) and tP ′ is a time point when the next continuous insertion is started.
(D) The interval (tP'-tL ') in (c) above is the medal continuous insertion interval te'.

S34: The continuous medal number is compared with the reference value. The reference value is stored in advance in the reference medal continuous number storage unit 27. The standard number of consecutive medals is about 20-30.

S35: It is determined whether the continuous medal number is significantly larger than the reference value. If this is the case, it is determined that an illegal act using a tool using an LED or the like has been performed. From the viewpoint of preventing erroneous detection, it is preferable not to determine that the value is simply smaller than the reference value, but also to determine the degree thereof (for example, greater than 200% of the reference value).

S36: The interval between the medal continuous insertion and the next medal insertion is compared with the reference value. The reference value is stored in advance in the reference medal continuous insertion interval storage unit 29. The standard medal continuous insertion interval is approximately 1 second or more. It is considered that this time is required to change and insert medals.

S37: When the interval between the medal continuous insertion and the next medal insertion is short, and then the continuous insertion is started again, it is determined that an illegal act has been performed. From the standpoint of preventing false detection, the interval between consecutive medal insertions and next medal insertions is short, and the sum of the consecutive medal insertions after the interval and the previous consecutive medal insertions is the reference medal continuous It is determined that an illegal act has been made when the number exceeds the number. In step S32, if it is impossible to change medals even if there is an interval, the number of consecutive sheets may be calculated by ignoring the interval.

S38: When the number of consecutive medals is greater than the reference value (YES in S35), and when the continuous insertion of medals is short and then continuous insertion is started again (YES in S37), it is determined as an illegal act and an error flag is set. Set and output an error signal.

S39: The game reception and the medal payout may be stopped so as not to give a profit to the fraudster. This state continues until the hall attendant resets the gaming machine.

(C) Fraud detection based on medal detection counter value FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram of a fraud detection unit 200c that performs fraud detection based on sensor signal monitoring. Note that the penalty level in this example may be handled in the same manner as the settlement button pressing frequency described above.

  In this example, the fraud detector 200c includes a pointer used to detect fraud related to the number of medals, and moves the pointer in a predetermined direction each time a medal is detected by the medal sensors S1 and S2 (for example, With +1), the pointer is repeatedly moved at a predetermined interval in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (for example, -1). Then, when the pointer exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined as an illegal act. An initial value (for example, 0) is set for the pointer, and when the pointer is repeatedly moved at a predetermined interval in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the pointer is initialized when the pointer returns to the initial value. Keep the value (for example, 0 is the lower limit, not minus). This is because if the pointer becomes a large negative value when a medal is not inserted for a long time, it cannot be detected even if an illegal act is performed.

  A fraudulent act of inserting an instrument having two light emitting elements such as infrared LEDs at the tip and flashing them toward the sensors S1 and S2 to produce the same signal as medal detection, By making the selector not to perform a mechanical operation but to perform an electronic operation, the main board (control unit) 200 is erroneously determined to detect a medal, and since it is electronic, the medal detection speed (per hour) The number of detected medals) is very high compared to normal medal detection. The apparatus and the method according to the embodiment of the present invention utilize this feature.

  However, the level of the medal detection speed by manual insertion varies, and it is difficult to accurately determine fraud based on the detection speed of the medal when one medal is detected. For this reason, the approximate detection speed for manual insertion should be determined in advance, and for a group of inserted medals, if the difference between the timing and the actual detection speed of manually inserted medals exceeds a specified level, it will be determined as an illegal act. Is preferred. Therefore, the interval at which the pointer is repeatedly moved in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction is determined based on the average insertion interval when the player inserts medals by hand (for example, 40 ms).

  This example is based on the above principle. This principle can be easily compared to storing hot water with a bucket in a bathtub whose stopper is not completely closed. In the bathtub, the amount of water on the water supply side (actual manual input) changes to some extent, but the drain side (predetermined medal detection speed) always drains a constant amount of water. However, if the water supply side continues too fast, the water in the bathtub accumulates to a certain level. When the specified water level is reached (for example, when it overflows), a warning is issued or the game is stopped.

The structure of the fraud detector 200c will be described with reference to FIG.
S1 and S2 are medal sensors that are provided on the medal discharge port side of the medal passage of the medal selector 1 and detect medals.
A medal detection signal generator 20 generates a medal detection signal based on the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2. The medal detection signal generator 20 may be realized by processing of the CPU of the main board 200 (the same applies to each part below).

A medal credit counter 21 counts the number of medals inserted based on the medal detection signal.
22 counts in a predetermined direction every time a medal is detected based on the medal detection signal (for example, +1), and counts in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction every time an interrupt signal is generated (for example, −1). It is a fraud detection counter.
23 is a timer, and 24 is an interrupt signal generator for generating an interrupt signal at a predetermined interval based on the output of the timer 23 and counting the fraud detection counter 22 in the opposite direction. Reference numeral 25 denotes a timer adjustment unit (for example, a frequency-adjustable resonance circuit or oscillator) for adjusting the generation interval of the interrupt signal.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a penalty level determining unit that determines whether or not to impose a penalty (disadvantage) based on a predetermined penalty level threshold and, if so, which level to use. The penalty level determination unit 26 functions as a fraud determination unit. Although the penalty level threshold value is stored in the penalty level threshold value storage unit 27, the threshold value is not limited to one and may be plural. FIG. 29 shows a case where three threshold values (threshold value 1, threshold value 2, threshold value 3) are set. The penalty level determination unit 26 determines the penalty level as follows. However, it is assumed that threshold 1 <threshold 2 <threshold 3.

(1) Fraud detection counter output <threshold 1: no penalty (2) Threshold 1 ≤ fraud detection counter output <threshold 2: minor penalty (for example, if the checkout button is performed within a predetermined time, the medal (For example, if the payment interval is to be settled within 5 minutes, the time to pay out one sheet will be 6 seconds)
(3) Threshold value 2 ≤ Output of fraud detection counter <Threshold value 3: Moderate penalty (If you try to settle within 10 minutes, it takes 12 seconds to pay out one card)
(4) Threshold value 3 ≤ Output of fraud detection counter: Severe penalty (If you try to settle within 30 minutes, it takes 30 seconds to pay out one card)
When imposing the above-mentioned penalty, since it is not particularly notified as an error, it becomes difficult to know when a predetermined time has elapsed. This can put a lot of pressure on fraudsters and has the effect of deterring fraud)
In short, the higher the penalty level, the longer the effective time of the penalty and the longer the payout time of one sheet (only one of the effective time and the payout time of one sheet may be used).

  Reference numerals 28 to 30 denote processing units for imposing a corresponding penalty based on the determination result of the penalty level determination unit 26.

  Next, the operation of FIG. 29 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  This process includes a fraud detection counter 22 used to detect fraud related to the number of medals. In the gaming machine, (1) each time a medal is detected by the medal sensors S1 and S2, the fraud detection counter 22 is incremented by one. (2) The fraud detection counter 22 is decremented by 1 at predetermined intervals by timer interruption. (3) When the value of the fraud detection counter 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold (5, 8, 12), it is determined that the act is fraudulent. FIG. 30 is a flowchart regarding the process (1), and FIG. 31 is a flowchart regarding the processes (2) and (3). Although the determination process (3) is performed in FIG. 31, it may be performed in FIG. 30 (specifically, the timing after the fraud detection counter 22 in S3 is incremented by 1).

  Regarding (1), it is not limited to +1. You may make it +2 and +3. The probability of detection and the probability of false detection can be adjusted by changing the weight. Increasing the weight increases the probability of detection, but also increases the probability of false detection. The reverse is true if the weight is reduced. The same applies to -1 in (2). Needless to say, the signs of + and-are for convenience, and the signs may be reversed. In short, the moving direction in (1) and the moving direction in (2) may be reversed.

  As can be seen from S10 in FIG. 31, when the fraud detection counter 22 is set to an initial value (for example, 0) and the fraud detection counter 22 has returned to the initial value = 0 in the processing of (2), Don't make it negative. The initial value is not limited to 0.

The flowchart of FIG. 30 will be described.
When the medal sensors S1 and S2 detect a medal (YES in S1), the medal credit number counter 21 is incremented by 1 (S2) and the fraud detection counter 22 is incremented by 1 (S3). The medal credit number counter 21 is used for medal counting.

  It is determined whether or not the value of the medal credit number counter 21, that is, the number of credits is equal to or less than the upper limit (for example, 50) (S4). If the number of medal credits exceeds the upper limit (NO in S4), a medal blocker (not shown) is closed so that no more medals are accepted (S5). If the number of medal credits is less than or equal to the upper limit (YES in S4), it is further determined whether or not the number of inserted coins is a specified number (S6), and if the specified number has not been reached (NO in S6), the processes in S1 and subsequent steps are repeated. If the specified number has been reached (YES in S6), it is determined whether or not the start lever has been pressed (S7). YES), and the game process is performed by rotating the reel.

The flowchart of FIG. 31 will be described.
It is checked whether or not the value of the fraud detection counter 22 is 1 or more (S10). If not (= 0), the following processing is skipped (NO in S10). This is because the value of the fraud detection counter 22 is not negative.
Next, the fraud detection counter 22 is decremented by 1 (S11).

  As a result, if the value of the fraud detection counter 22 is less than 5, it is determined that there is no fraud, and the following processing is skipped (YES in S12).

  If the value of the fraud detection counter 22 is 5 or more and less than 8, the penalty level is set to 1 (YES in S13, S14). Penalty level 1 is a slight penalty. Specifically, if the settlement button is performed within a predetermined time, the medal payout interval is extended as compared with the normal. In short, the higher the penalty level, the longer the valid time of the penalty and the longer the payout time for one sheet (only one of the effective time and the payout time for one sheet may be used). In the case of a slight penalty, for example, if it is to be settled within 5 minutes, the time to pay out one sheet is 6 seconds.

  If the value of the fraud detection counter 22 is 8 or more and less than 12, the penalty level is set to 2 (YES in S15, S16). Penalty level 2 is a moderate penalty. Specifically, if payment is to be made within 10 minutes, it takes 12 seconds to pay out one.

  If the value of the fraud detection counter 22 is 12 or more, the highest penalty level is set to 3 (NO in S15, S17). Penalty level 3 is a severe penalty. Specifically, if it is to be settled within 30 minutes, it takes 30 seconds to pay out one. At this time, since an error is not particularly notified, it becomes difficult to know when a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, a great deal of pressure can be exerted on the fraudster, resulting in a fraud deterrent effect.

  In the above description, the timing at which the counter is decremented and the maximum value of the counter may be determined arbitrarily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, in the present specification, the term “unit” does not necessarily mean a physical means, and includes a case where the function of each unit is realized by software. Furthermore, the function of one part may be realized by two or more physical means, or the function of two or more parts may be realized by one physical means.

It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a front view which shows the state which opened the front surface of the gaming machine. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the invention. They are a front view (Drawing 4 (a)), a right view (Drawing 4 (b)), and a top view (Drawing 4 (c)) of a hopper device. It is a disassembled perspective view by the side of the hopper tank of a hopper apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view by the side of the hopper chassis of a hopper apparatus. It is a top view of the rotating disk of a hopper apparatus. It is a flowchart of the medal payout process according to the first embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the payout process of the medal based on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a flowchart of the other medal payout process according to the first embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the adjustment button press monitoring process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the payout process of the other medal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the payout process of the other medal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the payout process of the other medal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a block diagram of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the fraud detection which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. FIG. 17 is a detailed diagram of the medal selector circuit diagram of FIG. 16. FIG. 17 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of fraud detection according to FIG. 16. FIG. It is a flowchart of the fraud detection process which concerns on FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other specific example of the fraud detection which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. FIG. 21 is a process flowchart of fraud detection according to FIG. 20. FIG. FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of fraud detection according to FIG. 20. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other specific example of the fraud detection which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. 24 is a process flowchart of fraud detection according to FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of fraud detection according to FIG. 23. It is a block diagram which shows the other specific example of the fraud detection which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. 27 is a process flowchart of fraud detection according to FIG. 26. 27 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of fraud detection according to FIG. 26. It is a block diagram which shows the other specific example of the fraud detection which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. 30 is a flowchart of medal detection processing according to FIG. 29. 30 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing according to FIG. 29. It is a perspective view of a medal selector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medal selector 11 Medal passage 12 Medal exit 34 Hopper motor 43 Medal payout sensor 100 Slot machine 120 Slot machine body 121 Hopper device 122 Hopper tank 123 Rotating disk 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal insertion port 133 Reject button 134 Start switch (start lever) )
135 Medal payout port 136 Derivation path 137 Bet switch 138 Settlement switch (Settlement button)
140 Stop button 200 Main board 200a Hopper motor control part 200b Timer 200c Fraud detection part 201 Sub board 202 Operation part 203 Reel unit 204 Effect display part 205 Release switch S1 Medal sensor S2 Medal sensor M Medal

Claims (4)

A hopper device that stores the inserted game media and pays out the game media, a control unit that controls the hopper device, and a checkout button for paying back game media that have been used and are not used in the game And a release switch provided inside the gaming machine ,
The control unit, when the checkout button is operated, controls the hopper device to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the game media that have been inserted and are not used in the game,
When the release switch is invalid, the game medium payout speed by the hopper device is decreased with an increase in the number of game media payout by the hopper device,
A gaming machine , wherein when the release switch is valid, a payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device is not reduced . A hopper device that stores the inserted game media and pays out the game media, a control unit that controls the hopper device, and a checkout button for paying back game media that have been used and are not used in the game And a release switch provided inside the gaming machine ,
The control unit, when the checkout button is operated, controls the hopper device to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the game media that have been inserted and are not used in the game,
When the release switch is valid, the payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device is a predetermined normal speed,
When the release switch is invalid, the payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device is determined according to the number of inserted game media that are not used in the game ,
A gaming machine, wherein a payout speed of the game medium when the release switch is invalid is equal to or less than the normal speed . A hopper device that stores the inserted game media and pays out the game media, a control unit that controls the hopper device, and a checkout button for paying back game media that have been used and are not used in the game And a release switch provided inside the gaming machine ,
The control unit, when the checkout button is operated, controls the hopper device to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the game media that have been inserted and are not used in the game,
When the release switch is disabled, the operation frequency of the checkout button is monitored, and the game medium payout speed by the hopper device is decreased as the operation frequency increases ,
A gaming machine , wherein when the release switch is valid, a payout speed of the game medium by the hopper device is not reduced .   When the number of already inserted game media that are not used in the game is smaller than the maximum number of game media that can be used to play one game, the control unit is configured to play the game media by the hopper device. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the payout speed of the game machine is not reduced.

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