JP4347828B2 - Fraud prevention device and gaming machine using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fraud prevention device that prevents an illegal act from being performed when a medal is inserted, and a gaming machine using the same.

  Slot machines that are installed and used in amusement halls such as pachinko parlors are called pachislot machines, and given a certain value to the medals that serve as the game media, various medals earned by playing games (games) Can be exchanged for a free gift. In addition to the medals, the game media include coins, pachinko balls, cards dedicated to slot machines, and the like. In the present specification, explanation will be given using medals as an example. In addition, in addition to inserting a medal from a medal slot, the insertion of a medal includes a case where a credited medal is used. In this specification, “inserting a medal” An explanation will be given by taking as an example the case of loading from the loading slot.

  For example, when a medal is inserted from a medal insertion slot, the inserted medal rolls in a medal passage provided inside a device called a selector, and then a regular medal enters an introduction passage and becomes an unauthorized medal. Are guided to the return passage (Patent Document 1). In the case of this selector, a magnetic sensor is provided in the medal passage, and a photoelectric sensor is provided in the introduction passage. In addition, a switching plate that moves between a retracted position for guiding the medal to the introducing path and a standby position for guiding the medal to the returning path is provided at a branch portion between the introducing path and the returning path. For example, when a medal that rolls in the medal path is detected by a magnetic sensor and the rolling medal is a regular medal, the switching plate moves to the retracted position, and the regular medal is guided to the introduction path. On the other hand, in the case of a non-regular medal, the switching plate moves to the standby position, so that the non-regular medal is paid out through the return path.

Recently, in addition to the above-described selector, a selector having a medal passage bent in a substantially L shape is often used. In this case, for example, when the inserted medal is a regular medal, the upper end portion of the medal is supported by the sorting member protruding into the medal passage, and is guided from the medal passage into the storage tank of the hopper device. At this time, it is detected by a photoelectric sensor provided in the selector. On the other hand, when the inserted medal is a medal having a different size from the regular medal or a medal inserted at an inappropriate timing, the upper end portion of the medal is not supported by the above-described sorting member. A medal deviates from the medal passage and is paid out.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-166028

  By the way, in recent years, a so-called goto action, in which a medal is inserted by a method different from a regular method, may be performed. As one of the goto actions, for example, a goto device in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in series at the front end of a plate bent in a substantially L shape is inserted from the medal insertion slot along the bending direction of the medal passage. Can be mentioned. In this case, after the plurality of LEDs face the photoelectric sensor, the LEDs are blinked. Note that the plurality of LEDs perform blinking control at different timings to cause the photoelectric sensor to erroneously detect that a medal has passed. As a result, no medal is actually inserted from the medal slot, but a medal is inserted inside the slot machine. For example, by performing the above action a plurality of times, medals are credited, and a player who inserts a medal using a goto device draws out the credited medal or plays a game with the inserted medal. Profits can be gained illegally by such actions.

  If some players gain profits illegally due to such a goth act, the profits of the game hall will be lost, and the players will lose interest in games because they cannot play fair games. I will let you. As a result, preventing goto acts is one of the biggest challenges not only for game hall managers, but also for manufacturers that provide slot machines for playgrounds. The fact is that no effective countermeasures have been taken.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and provides a fraud prevention device capable of preventing a goat act of illegally inserting medals, and a gaming machine using the same. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object , both sides of the medal are placed on the bent medal passage through which the inserted medal passes and the wall surface downstream of the position where the medal passage bends among the wall surfaces constituting the medal passage. A count sensor that detects a medal that passes through the medal path and outputs a count signal, a shielding position that shields the count sensor, and the count sensor. The shield member that moves between the exposure position and the exposure position is provided upstream of the position where the medal path bends so as not to be positioned on the same extension along the medal path with respect to the count sensor. A medal passage sensor, and a driving device that receives the passage signal from the medal passage sensor and moves the shielding member from the shielding position to the exposure position; First counting means for counting a count signal from the count sensor, second counting means for counting a passing signal from the medal passing sensor, a count value of the first counting means, and a count value of the second counting means And a count value determining means for determining whether or not coincides with each other, receiving a pass signal from the medal passing sensor, moving the shutter from the shielding position to the exposure position, and determining in the count value determining means Drive control means for drivingly controlling the drive device so as to move the shutter from the exposure position to the shielding position when the results are inconsistent. The shielding of the count sensor means that the medal is not detected by the count sensor. In addition to shielding the count sensor itself, when the count sensor is an optical sensor, the detection light used by the optical sensor is blocked. To include. Also, exposing the count sensor means detecting the medal by the count sensor. In addition to exposing the count sensor itself, when the count sensor is an optical sensor, the detection light used by the optical sensor is blocked by a shutter. This includes not doing it.

  Time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the output of the passage signal to the output of the count signal, and determining whether the elapsed time by the time measuring means is within a preset allowable time range The driving device is configured to move the shielding member from the exposure position to the shielding position when the elapsed time by the timing means is outside the allowable time range as determined by the time determination means and the time determination means. Drive control changing means for changing the drive control is preferably provided.

  The gaming machine of the present invention includes the above-described fraud prevention device.

According to the fraud prevention apparatus of the present invention, when configured as described above, for example, when a medal is inserted, the inserted medal is a regular medal because the shielding member moves to the exposed position. For example, in the case of using a so-called goto device that allows a medal to be inserted illegally without using a regular medal, the shielding member is moved from the shielding position to the exposure position. Since it does not move, it is possible to prevent an act of illegally inserting a medal using a goto tool.

In addition, for example, even when the shutter is moved to the exposure position by the goto apparatus described above and the cheating is performed, if the number of passing signals from the medal passing sensor and the number of count signals from the count sensor are different, An act of performing an illegal medal insertion is executed, and a case where a regular medal is inserted and a case where an illegal medal insertion is performed can be differentiated.

  Further, a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the output of the passage signal to the output of the count signal, and whether or not the elapsed time by the time measuring means is within a preset allowable time range. In the determination of the time determination means and the determination of the time determination means, when the elapsed time by the time measuring means is outside the allowable time range, the shielding member is moved from the exposure position to the shielding position. Drive control change means for changing the drive control of the drive device. For example, when a regular medal is inserted, the elapsed time from the output of the passing signal to the output of the count signal is constant. However, when a medal is illegally inserted using a goto device, the elapsed time from the output of the passing signal to the output of the count signal becomes longer or shorter. , When it is detected a plurality of times, since the the elapsed time is mixed, it is possible to differentiate the case where normal medal is inserted, and a case where invalid medal has been performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 2 includes a first reel 10, a second reel 11, and a reel 3 in a housing 3 including a storage box 4 and a front door 5 provided on the front surface of the storage box 4. The third reel 12, the hopper device 35 (see FIG. 2), the power supply device 36 (see FIG. 2) and the like are arranged.

  The front door 5 is composed of two doors, an upper door 6 and a lower door 7. A display window 8 is provided on the upper door 6. A first reel 10, a second reel 11, and a third reel 12 are disposed in the back of the display window 8. As is well known, on the outer circumference of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12, for example, a plurality of types of symbols are arranged at regular intervals. When these reels are stopped, three symbols per reel are displayed through the display window 8, and when all the reels of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are stopped, a total of nine symbols are displayed. The symbol is displayed through the display window 8.

  A liquid crystal display device 15 is provided on the side of the display window 8. The liquid crystal display device 15 performs an effect using animation display when a game is being executed, and displays a demonstration when no game is being played.

  Various operation buttons such as a single bet button 20, a MAX bet button 21, and a payout button 22 that are operated at the start of the game are provided on the upper portion of the lower door 7. Also, in the vicinity of these buttons, there are provided a start lever 23 that is operated after a medal is inserted, a first stop button 25 that stops the rotating reel, a second stop button 26, and a third stop button 27. Yes. Since the functions of these buttons and the like are well known, the details thereof are omitted.

  In addition to the buttons and levers described above, a medal slot 28 for inserting a medal 39 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the upper part of the lower door 7. Further, at the lower part of the lower door 7, a payout port 29 from which a medal 39 is paid out when a winning is obtained, and a medal tray 30 for storing the medal 39 paid out from the payout port 29 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the lower door 7 is opened, the hopper device 35, the power supply device 36, and the like provided at the lower portion of the storage box 4 are exposed. The hopper device 35 pays out the medals 39 corresponding to the winning number when winning in the game in the slot machine 2. The hopper device 35 operates when the payout button 22 is pressed in a state where the medal 39 is credited, and pays out the credited medal 39 by the number of credits. A storage tank 37 for storing medals 39 is provided on the upper portion of the hopper device 35, and medals 39 that have passed a medal selector 40 described later are stored in the storage tank 37.

  On the other hand, on the rear surface of the opened lower door 7, a medal selector 40, a medal 39 determined to be illegal by the medal selector 40, and a discharge chute 41 to which the medal 39 discharged from the hopper device 35 is guided. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the medal selector (tamper prevention device) 40 includes a main body base 45, a passing medal sensor (medal passing sensor) 46, a sorting device 47, and a shutter (shielding member) 48, A medal sensor (count sensor) 49 shown in FIG. 5 is provided. The main body base 45 is made of resin. A medal entrance 45 a is provided on the upper surface of the main body base 45. When the medal selector 40 is assembled to the lower door 7, the medal entrance 45a communicates with the medal insertion slot 28, and the medal 39 inserted from the medal insertion slot 28 is sent from the medal entrance 45a toward the medal passage 51 described later. It is.

  A sensor assembly 45b is provided at one end of the medal entrance 45a provided in the main body base 45 in the longitudinal direction. The sensor assembly 45b is formed from a space having a width wider than the thickness of the main body base 45 and an upper surface opened, and the passing medal sensor 46 is assembled in this space.

  The main body base 45 is provided with a medal passage 51. The medal passage 51 is provided so as to be bent in a substantially L shape with the above-described medal entrance 45a as an upstream end. Thus, after the medal 39 sent to the medal passage 51 from the medal inlet 45a falls to the bent portion of the medal passage 51, the traveling direction thereof is a direction substantially orthogonal to the dropping direction (A direction in FIG. 3) ( In the direction B in FIG. 3, the medal passage 51 is guided.

  On one wall surface forming the medal passage 51 of the main body base 45, a distribution device mounting portion 45c is provided above the medal passage 51 on the downstream side of the bent portion of the medal passage 51 when viewed from the medal inlet 45a. ing. The distribution device attachment portion 45 c is configured by a space recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body base portion 45. The distribution device mounting portion 45 c is provided with a distribution device 47 so as to face the medal passage 51.

  Further, on the side wall surface 45d of the downstream end portion of the medal passage 51 provided in the main body base 45, the conduction holes 52 and 53 are spaced above the medal passage 51 along the rolling direction of the medal 39. (See FIG. 4). These conduction holes 52 and 53 are provided to allow detection light from a first detection sensor 49 and a second detection sensor 50 described later to pass therethrough. The interval described above is continuous so that a period in which the first detection sensor 49 and the second detection sensor 50 are simultaneously turned off is provided when one medal 39 is sent into the medal passage 51. When the medal 39 is inserted, the preceding medal 39 is not turned off simultaneously by the second detection sensor 54 and the succeeding medal 39 is not turned off by the first detection sensor 55 at the same time.

  The passing medal sensor 46 is assembled to the sensor assembly 45a provided on the main body base 45 described above. The passing medal sensor 46 includes a first passing detection sensor 54 (see FIG. 7) and a second passing detection sensor 55 (see FIG. 7). The first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 are not described in detail, but optical sensors each composed of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are used. 3 Middle left end. When power is supplied to the slot machine 2, these sensors are irradiated with detection light from the light emitting unit toward the light receiving unit, and are turned on when the detection light is received by the light receiving unit. On the other hand, when the medal 39 is sent into the medal passage 51, the detection light from the light emitting unit is formed by a surface along the radial direction of the medal 39 (a surface of the both surfaces of the medal 39 that faces the side wall surface of the medal passage 51). When is blocked, the light receiving unit is turned off because it cannot receive the detection light from the light emitting unit. In the following, the first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 are sequentially turned on after the first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 are sequentially turned off due to the passage of the medal 39. Next, it is assumed that the medal 39 is detected by the passing medal sensor 46.

  The first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 are arranged with an interval in the feeding direction of the medal 39. The interval between the first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 is such that when one medal 39 is fed into the medal passage 51, the first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 The first medals 39 are turned off in order, but the first medal 39 and the second pass sensor 55 are both turned off at the same time. 39 is an interval at which the second passage detection sensor 54 and the subsequent medal 39 are not simultaneously turned off by the first passage detection sensor 55.

  As described above, the distribution device 47 is attached to the distribution device attachment portion 45 c provided in the main body base 45. The distribution device 47 includes an attachment plate 56 that is attached to the wall surface of the distribution device attachment portion 45c, a rotation plate 57 that is attached to the attachment plate 52 so as to be rotatable in the C direction or the D direction in FIG. A plate 96 includes a solenoid 96 (see FIG. 7) that rotates by applying an exciting action, and a spring (not shown) that urges the plate 57.

  The attachment plate 56 and the rotation plate 57 are formed of a thin metal plate. The attachment plate 56 is formed in a rectangular shape, and is attached so as to protrude perpendicularly to the wall surface of the distribution device attachment portion 45 c of the main body base portion 45. The rotation plate 57 is formed in a substantially T shape in which the width of the lower end portion is wider than the width of the end portion connected to the attachment plate 56, and the tip of the attachment plate 56 in the protruding direction is the rotation axis. Are attached to a mounting plate 56.

  The rotating plate 57 has a passing position (in FIG. 3) that allows the medal 39 to pass through the above-described exciting action of the solenoid 96 and the restoring force of the spring, with the tip in the protruding direction of the mounting plate 56 as a rotating shaft. A position indicated by a solid line) and a discharge position (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) where the medal 39 is dropped from the medal passage 51 in the direction E in FIG. For example, when the rotating plate 57 is held at the passing position by the solenoid 96, the medal distributing portion 57a which is a wide portion of the rotating plate 57 and the wall surface 45d constituting the medal passage 51 face each other substantially in parallel. A gap through which one medal 39 can pass is formed. Further, when the rotation plate 57 is held at the passing position, the distance between the lower end edge of the medal distributing portion 57 a and the bottom surface of the medal passage 51 serving as the contact surface of the medal 39 becomes narrower than the diameter of the regular medal 39. Therefore, the upper edge portion of the medal 39 is supported. Thus, when the medal distributing portion 57a of the rotating plate 57 is held at a passing position substantially parallel to the wall surface 45d constituting the medal passage 51, the medal 39 is supported while the upper edge portion of the medal 39 is supported by the medal distributing portion 57a. Roll along the passage 51. Then, the medal 39 that rolls on the medal passage 51 of the medal selector 40 is sent from the medal selector 40 to the medal guide member 60, and the medal 39 that finally rolls the medal guide member 60 is stored in the hopper device 35. Stored in the tank 37.

  If the medal 39 inserted from the medal slot 28 is inserted with a smaller medal than the normal size when the rotating plate 57 is held at the passing position, the normal size medal is inserted. In the same manner as above, the medal entrance 45a is fed into the medal passage 51. However, since the upper edge of the medal 39 is not supported by the medal sorting portion 57a, the medal passage 51 deviates in the direction E in FIG. It falls to the chute 41. The discharge chute 41 is provided with a discharge medal sensor 67 (see FIG. 7) for detecting a medal 39 deviating from the medal passage 51. When the medal 39 is detected by the discharge medal sensor 67, the control unit The detection signal is output at 120 (see FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, when the rotating plate 57 is held at the discharge position, the substantially parallel state between the medal sorting portion 57a and the wall surface 45d constituting the medal passage 51 is released. As a result, the distance between the lower edge of the medal distributing portion 57a and the bottom surface of the medal passage is larger than the diameter of the regular medal 39, so that the upper end portion of the medal 39 is not supported by the medal distributing portion 57a. Thereby, the medal 39 rolling on the medal passage 51 deviates from the medal passage 51 in the direction E in FIG. 3 and falls onto the discharge chute 41.

  For example, the rotating plate 57 is set at the passing position when the power of the slot machine 2 is turned on, and the number of medals 39 that have been credited has reached the upper limit of storage number (for example, 50). Or when a game is being played (from the first, second and third reels 10, 11, 12 rotating by operating the start lever 23 until all the reels 10, 11, 12 are stopped) In the case of () state), it is set at the discharge position.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the shutter 48 is provided at the downstream end of the medal passage 51 and above the medal passage 51. The shutter 48 is movable between the above-described shielding position for shielding the light guide holes 52 and 53 (see FIG. 4) and the exposing position for exposing the light guide holes 52 and 53 (see FIG. 5). The main body base 45 is assembled. The shutter 48 is connected to a shutter solenoid (driving means) 130 (see FIG. 7). Although the details of the method of connecting the shutter 48 and the shutter solenoid 130 are not described, in the case where the shutter solenoid 130 is a solenoid whose driving iron core moves when power is supplied, the driving iron It is possible to use an appropriate method such as connecting the lead directly to the shutter or connecting the lead via a connecting mechanism such as a cam mechanism or a link mechanism.

  The shutter 48 is held at the shielding position. When power is supplied to the shutter solenoid 130, the shutter 48 moves from the shielding position to the exposure position. When power supply to the shutter solenoid 130 is stopped, the shutter 48 is shielded from the exposure position. Move to position. As a method of moving the shutter 48 from the exposure position to the shielding position when the power supply to the shutter solenoid 130 is stopped, the weight of the shutter 48 is used or the shutter 48 is biased to the shielding position. It is conceivable to move to the shielding position by using a biasing means such as a spring.

  The shutter 48 is formed in a shape having a groove portion 61 whose lower surface is opened. The shutter 48 shields the light guide holes 52 and 53 provided below the opening 64 of the main body base 45 from the side of the wall surface 45 d constituting the medal passage 51 and the back side of the main body base 45. The second shielding part 63 is provided, and the groove part 61 is provided between the first shielding part 62 and the second shielding part 63. When the shutter 48 is moved from the exposure position to the shielding position, the groove 61 is inserted into the wall surface of the main body base 45 that is continuous with the opening 64 of the main body base 45, and the wall surface 61 a that constitutes the groove 61 is formed inside the opening 64. By contacting the lower wall surface 64a of the wall surface, the shutter 48 is held at the shielding position.

  Guide pieces 63 a and 63 b are provided on both side surfaces of the second shielding portion 63, and the guide pieces 63 a and 63 b are opposite to the wall surface constituting the medal passage 51, that is, the back side of the main body base 45. Are inserted into the groove portions 65a and 66a of the guide rails 65 and 66 provided on the wall surfaces, respectively. Thereby, when the shutter 48 moves, the moving direction of the shutter 48 is regulated.

  The medal sensor 49 includes a first detection sensor 68 and a second detection sensor 69, and is provided to detect the medal 39 that has been rolled to the downstream end portion of the medal path 51 by the medal distribution unit 57a at the passing position. Yes. The first detection sensor 68 is disposed on the medal passage 51 side of the main body base 45 of the medal selector 40, that is, on the front surface side of the main body base 45, and is disposed on the back side of the main body base 45 and emits light. And a light receiving portion 68b that receives detection light from the portion 68a. The light emitting part 68 a and the light receiving part 68 b are arranged so that the optical axis of the detection light coincides with the central axis of the light guide hole 52. For example, when the shutter 48 is in the shielding position (see FIG. 4) or when the medal 39 passes, the light guide hole 52 is shielded, so that the detection light from the light emitting unit 68a cannot be received by the light receiving unit 68b. . As a result, the first detection sensor 68 is turned off. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the shutter 48 is in the exposed position, the light guide hole 52 is exposed, so that the detection light emitted from the light emitting portion 68a passes through the light guide hole 52 and is received by the light receiving portion 68b. Will be received. As a result, the first detection sensor 68 is turned on.

  Similar to the first detection sensor 68, the second detection sensor 69 includes a light emitting unit 69a and a light receiving unit 69b. Since the detection method in the second detection sensor 69 is the same as that of the first detection sensor 68, the description thereof is omitted. The medal 39 is detected by the second detection sensor 69 using the light guide hole 53. For example, when the medal 39 is passed, after the first detection sensor 68 and the second detection sensor 69 are turned off in this order, the first detection sensor 68 and the second detection sensor 69 are turned on in this order. A description will be given assuming that the medal 39 is detected by the sensor 49.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 2. Game control of the slot machine 2 is performed by the control device (tamper prevention device) 90. The control device 90 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, and a RAM 93. The CPU 91 performs processing in the game based on the game control program 95 stored in the ROM 92. In response to this, power is supplied to the solenoid 96 provided in the medal selector 40, and the rotating plate 57 is held at the passing position.

  The start switch sensor 97 is provided inside the start lever 23, is turned on when the start lever 23 is operated, and outputs an on signal (game start signal) to the CPU 91. In response to this, the CPU 91 controls the rotation of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12.

  Indices 10a, 11a, and 12a are provided at the reference positions of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12, respectively. The passage of the indexes 10a, 11a, 12a is photoelectrically detected. Detection signals from the photosensors 100, 101, and 102 are output to the CPU 91 as a reset signal for each reel. The first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are press-fitted with drive shafts of stepping motors 105, 106, and 107, respectively. The reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 rotate. In FIG. 7, for convenience, the first reel 10 and the stepping motor 105, the second reel 11 and the stepping motor 106, and the third reel 13 and the stepping motor 107 are surrounded by solid lines. Reference numerals 108, 109, and 110 denote drivers that drive the stepping motors 105, 106, and 107, respectively.

  The CPU 91 is provided with a pulse counter (not shown) for each stepping motor, and counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each stepping motor. As a result, each time a reset signal is input from the photosensors 100, 101, and 102, it is cleared and counted up again. By monitoring the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, the CPU 91 can identify, for example, which symbol has moved on the center winning effective line, and how much the reel should be rotated. It is possible to predict whether the target symbol will move on the winning line.

  A stop switch sensor is provided in each of the first stop button 25, the second stop button 26, and the third stop button 27. When an ON signal from each stop switch sensor is input to the CPU 91, the CPU 91 reads the ROM 92. Referring to a symbol table (not shown) stored in the table, the target symbol is stopped from the display window 8, or when the target symbol cannot be displayed from the display window, another symbol is displayed. As described above, after the drive pulse is supplied to the corresponding stepping motor, the supply of the drive pulse is stopped. When a winning is obtained, the CPU 91 operates the hopper device 35 and pays out the number of medals 39 corresponding to the winning. Reference numeral 112 denotes a liquid crystal controller, which is provided to display an image on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 15.

  The CPU 91 includes a control unit (drive control unit, drive control change unit) 120, a timer (timer unit) 121, a passing medal counter (second counting unit) 122, a medal counter (first counting unit) 123, a count value determination unit ( A count value determination unit) 124 and a time determination unit (time determination unit) 125 are provided. The control unit 120 receives the detection signal of the medal 39 from the passing medal sensor 46 and starts to supply power to the shutter solenoid 130. When power supply to the shutter solenoid 130 is started, the shutter 48 is moved from the shielding position to the exposure position. Further, the control unit 120 receives the detection signal of the medal 39 from the medal sensor 49 and stops the power supply to the shutter solenoid 130. When power supply to the shutter solenoid 130 is stopped, the shutter 48 is moved from the exposure position to the shielding position.

  The timer 121 starts measuring time when the detection signal of the medal 39 from the passage sensor 46 is input to the control unit 120. Then, timing is stopped when the detection signal of the medal 39 from the medal sensor 49 is input to the control unit 120. The elapsed time T by the timer 121 is monitored by the control unit 120, and even if the elapsed time T reaches a preset reference time U, the output signals from the first detection sensor 68 and the second detection sensor 69 are output. If not, the control unit 120 stops power supply to the shutter solenoid 130. Furthermore, when the detection signal of the medal 39 deviating from the medal passage 51 is output to the control unit 120 by the discharged medal sensor 67, the time measurement in the timer 121 is stopped.

  The passing medal counter 122 adds 1 to the count value M when the detection signal of the medal 39 from the passing medal sensor 46 is input to the control unit 120. On the other hand, when the detection signal of the medal 39 from the discharged medal sensor 67 is input to the control unit 120, the count value M of the passing medal counter 122 is decremented by 1.

  The medal counter 123 adds 1 to the count value N when the detection signal of the medal 39 from the medal sensor 49 is input to the control unit 120.

  The time determination unit 124 determines whether or not the elapsed time T by the timer 121 is within a range of a preset minimum time V1 and maximum time V2 (V1 <V2 <U) (V1 ≦ T ≦ V2). Provided to determine. For example, when a regular medal 39 is inserted, the elapsed time T obtained by the timer 121 is within the allowable time range, that is, V1 ≦ T ≦ V2. On the other hand, when a medal 39 made of different materials is inserted even if the diameter is the same, or when the medal 39 is illegally inserted, the goto instrument 145 (see FIG. 14) inserted from the medal insertion slot 28 is inserted. In this case, the elapsed time T obtained by the timer 121 is outside the allowable time range, that is, T <V1 or V2 <T. As a result, when the time is out of the allowable time range, the control unit 120 reads the error processing program 131 stored in the ROM 92 and displays a warning on the liquid crystal display device 15, for example. Sound reproduction is performed, or lighting or turning-off control at the time of alarm different from lighting / turning-off control in the game is performed for the lighting such as LEDs provided in the slot machine 2. In addition, a warning signal is output to a hall computer (not shown) that manages the slot machines 2 arranged in the game hall. In addition, the minimum time V1 and the maximum time V2 of allowable time are calculated | required by experiment etc., for example.

  The count value determination unit 125 is provided to determine whether or not the count value M of the passing medal counter 122 matches the count value N of the medal counter 123. If the count values of these counters do not match, that is, M ≠ N, the control unit 120 reads out the error processing program 131 stored in the ROM 92 and displays a warning on the liquid crystal display device 15, for example. An alarm sound is reproduced by a speaker (not shown), or an illumination such as an LED provided in the slot machine 2 is turned on / off at the time of an alarm different from the on / off control in the game. In addition, a warning signal is output to a hall computer (not shown) that manages the slot machines 2 arranged in the game hall.

  Next, the effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and the timing chart shown in FIG. When the power of the slot machine 2 is turned on, the CPU 91 of the control device 90 executes the game control program 95 stored in the ROM 92. The control unit 120 supplies power to the solenoid 96 of the medal selector 40. When the power of the slot machine 2 is off, the rotating plate 57 of the sorting device 47 is in the discharging position by the return force of the spring, so that when the power is supplied to the solenoid 96, the rotating action is caused by the excitation action of the solenoid 96. The plate 57 rotates from the discharge position to the passage position and is held at the passage position. Even when the power of the slot machine 2 is turned on, power is not immediately supplied to the shutter solenoid 130, so that the shutter 48 is held at a shielding position that shields the light guide holes 52 and 53.

  When the power of the slot machine 2 is turned on, both the first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 receive the passage detection medal sensor 46 at the light receiving portion corresponding to the detection light emitted from each light emitting portion. Each is turned on. Further, detection light is emitted from the light emitting portions 68a and 69a of the first detection sensor 68 and the second detection sensor 69 toward the light receiving portions 68b and 69b. At this time, since the light guide holes 52 and 53 are respectively shielded by the shutter 48, the detection light cannot be received by the light receiving portions 68b and 69b. Thereby, the first detection sensor 68 and the second detection sensor 69 are turned off.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the medal 39 is inserted from the medal insertion slot 28, the medal 39 is sent to the medal passage 51 from the medal entrance 45 a provided in the medal selector 40. At this time, the first passage detection sensor 54 and the second passage detection sensor 55 of the passage medal sensor 46 are turned on, and the medal 39 is sent to the medal passage 51. Detection light from the light emitting unit is blocked, and detection light cannot be received by the light receiving unit. Thereby, the first passage detection sensor 54 is turned off. Even while the first passage detection sensor 54 is off, the medal 39 is still falling in the direction A in FIG. 10 in the medal passage 51. Therefore, the second passage detection sensor 55 is also continued from the first passage detection sensor 54. Turn off.

  Then, when the medal 39 falls in the medal passage 51, the surface along the radial direction of the medal 39 is retracted from the optical axis of the detection light in the first passage detection sensor 54. Therefore, the light emission of the first passage detection sensor 54 is performed. Inspection light from the part is received by the light receiving part. Thereby, the 1st passage detection sensor 54 changes from OFF to ON. Similarly, the second passage detection sensor 55 is turned on from off. Thereby, a detection signal of the medal 39 is output from the passing medal sensor 46 toward the control unit 120. In response to this, the control unit 120 adds 1 to the count value M of the passing medal counter 122.

  At the same time, the control unit 120 activates the timer 121 to measure the elapsed time T after the medal 39 is detected by the passing medal sensor 46 and starts supplying power to the shutter solenoid 130. When power is supplied to the shutter solenoid 130, the shutter 48 moves from the shielding position to the retracted position (in the F direction in FIG. 11). When the shutter 48 moves to the retracted position, the light guide holes 52 and 53 are exposed, so that the detection light from the light emitting part 68 a of the first detection sensor 68 is received by the light receiving part 68 b through the light guide hole 52. Will be. As a result, the first detection sensor 49 is turned on. Similarly, the second detection sensor 69 is turned on.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the medal 39 sent to the medal passage 51 of the medal selector 40 falls to the bent portion. Then, the medal 39 that has reached the bent portion of the medal passage 51 rolls on the medal passage 51 on the downstream side of the bent portion in the direction B in FIG. The medals 39 rolling in the direction B in FIG. 12 are supported at their lower edges by guides (not shown) provided on the main body base 45 and at their upper edges by the medal distributing section 57a of the rotating plate 57. In spite of this, it rolls toward the downstream side of the medal passage 51.

  Light guide holes 52 and 53 are provided at the downstream end of the medal passage 51 and in the upper part of the medal passage 51. The rolling medal 39 first blocks the light guide hole 52. When the light guide hole 52 is shielded by the medal 39, the light receiving portion 68b of the first detection sensor 68 cannot receive the detection light from the light emitting portion 68a, so the first detection sensor 68 is turned off. Since the rolling medal 39 shields the light guide hole 53 in a state where the light guide hole 52 is shielded, the light receiving part 69b of the second detection sensor 69 receives the detection light from the light emitting part 69a. It becomes impossible to receive light. As a result, the second detection sensor 69 is also turned off. Since the medal 39 rolls along the medal passage 51 in the direction B in FIG. 12, the medal 39 is retracted from the light guide hole 52, and the first detection sensor 68 is turned on. Thereafter, when the medal 39 is retracted from the light guide hole 53, the second detection sensor 69 is also turned on. Thereby, a detection signal of the medal 39 by the medal sensor 49 is output to the control unit 120.

  The control unit 120 receives the detection signal of the medal 39 from the medal sensor 49 and adds 1 to the count value N of the medal counter 122. At the same time, the control unit 120 stops power supply to the shutter solenoid 130. In response to this, the shutter 48 moves from the exposure position to the shielding position. Further, the control unit 120 ends the elapsed time T in the timer 121 and activates the time determination unit 125.

  The time determination unit 125 determines whether or not the elapsed time T in the timer 121 is within the allowable time range (V1 ≦ T ≦ V2). When V1 ≦ T ≦ V2 is satisfied in the determination by the time determination unit 125, the control unit 120 determines that a regular medal 39 has been inserted, and activates the count value determination unit 124. On the other hand, when T <V1 or V2 <T, the control unit 120 determines that the regular size medal 39 is not inserted, and the control unit 120 reads the error processing program 131 from the ROM 92, and For example, an error is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 15, an error sound is reproduced by a speaker (not shown), or lighting such as LEDs is controlled to be turned on / off. In addition, the control unit 120 outputs an error signal to the hall computer that manages the slot machine 2 disposed in the game hall.

  When the count value determination unit 125 is activated, the count value M of the passing medal counter 122 and the count value N of the medal counter 123 are compared. When M = N, game processing based on the player's operation is performed. On the other hand, when M ≠ N, the regular medal 39 is not inserted, so the control unit 120 reads the error processing program 131 from the ROM 92 and displays an error on the liquid crystal display device 15, for example. An error sound is reproduced by a speaker (not shown), or lighting such as LEDs is turned on / off. In addition, the control unit 120 outputs an error signal to the hall computer that manages the slot machine 2 disposed in the game hall.

  For example, when one regular medal 39 is inserted from the medal insertion slot 28, a detection signal of the medal 39 is output from the passing medal sensor 46, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, within the allowable time range (V1 ≦ The medal sensor 49 outputs a detection signal for the medal 39 after an elapse time T satisfying T ≦ V2). In this case, the count value M of the passing medal counter 122 is M = 1, and the count value N of the medal counter 123 is N = 1. In this case, as described above, the elapsed time T from the detection of the medal 39 by the passing medal sensor 46 to the detection of the medal 39 by the medal sensor 49 is V1 ≦ T ≦ V2. The unit 120 performs processing in response to the medal 39 being inserted. When a plurality of medals 39 are inserted, the above-described processing is performed for the number of medals 39 that have been inserted.

  For example, the medal 39 inserted from the medal insertion slot 28 may be a medal smaller than a regular size medal. Although illustration is omitted, in this case, like a regular size medal, it is fed into the medal passage 51 of the medal selector 40. Is not supported, deviates from the medal passage 51 in the direction E in FIG. 3 and falls toward the discharge chute 41. The discharge chute 41 is provided with a discharge medal sensor 67, and the medal 39 dropped on the discharge chute 41 is detected by the discharge medal sensor 67. When the detection signal is input to the control unit 120, the control unit 120 subtracts 1 from the count value M of the passing medal counter 122. At the same time, the control unit 120 stops counting the elapsed time T by the timer 121 and stops power supply to the shutter solenoid 130. In response to this, the shutter 48 moves from the exposure position to the shielding position. Thus, when a medal having a normal size is inserted after a medal smaller than a normal size medal is inserted, the count value M of the passing medal counter 122 and the count value N of the medal counter 123 are It is possible to maintain consistency.

  Further, although the detection signal of the medal 39 from the passing medal sensor 46 is output to the control unit 120, the detection signal of the medal 39 from the medal sensor 49 may not be output to the control unit 120. In this case, since the control unit 120 monitors the elapsed time T in the timer 121, the detection signal of the medal 39 from the medal sensor 49 is output even when the elapsed time T reaches the preset reference time U. If not, it is determined that the error is, for example, a clogged medal, and the error processing program 131 is read from the ROM 92 and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 15, for example, an error sound is reproduced by a speaker (not shown), or LED Turn on and off the lighting such as. In addition, the control unit 120 outputs an error signal to the hall computer that manages the slot machine 2 disposed in the game hall.

  Among the players, in addition to the above-described player who performs the game by inserting the regular medal 39, a tool for illegally inserting the medal 39 without using the regular medal 39, a so-called goto device 140 is provided. There is a player who tries to perform an illegal medal 39 insertion process.

  As shown in FIG. 14, for example, when the goto instrument 140 is used without knowing that the passing medal sensor 46 is disposed, for example, at the position of the light guide holes 52 and 53, at the tip of the goto instrument 140. Even if these LEDs 141 and 142 are blinked after facing the provided LEDs 141 and 142, the detection signal is not output from the passing medal sensor 46 to the control unit 120, so the shutter 48 remains held at the shielding position. is there. As a result, even if the LEDs 141 and 142 provided at the front end portion of the goto tool 140 are blinked as if the medal 39 is passing, the shutter 48 is in the shielding position, so the irradiation light from the LEDs 141 and 142 Is blocked by the shutter 48. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an illegal act of erroneously detecting that a medal has passed using the goto tool 140.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the shutter 48 is moved to the retracted position by the goto tool 145, and the LEDs 146 and 147 provided at the front end portion of the goto tool 145 are blinked, so that the medal 39 is erroneously detected. Even if an illegal act is performed, since the detection signal from the passing medal sensor 46 is not output, the count value determination unit 124 counts the count value M of the passing medal counter 122 and the count value N of the medal counter 123. And M ≠ N. As a result, the control unit 120 knows that an illegal act is being performed, and as a result, error processing is performed. As a result, it is possible to differentiate between the case where the shutter 48 is moved to the retracted position using the goto tool 145 and the passage of the medal is erroneously detected and the case where the regular medal is inserted. It is possible to prevent the act of illegally inserting medals.

  Further, when the goto device is inserted from the medal slot 28, it is conceivable to cause the passing medal sensor 46 to erroneously detect the passing of the medal and further cause the medal sensor 49 to erroneously detect the passing of the medal. Since the elapsed time T from the detection by the sensor 46 to the detection by the medal sensor 49 is different from the elapsed time T when the regular medal is actually inserted, it is surely out of the allowable time range. Error processing is performed by the control unit 120. Thereby, it is possible to differentiate between illegally inserting medals using a goto device and inserting regular medals, and to prevent such illegally inserting medals.

  Further, for example, it is conceivable to arrange LEDs on the goto tool having the LEDs arranged at the tip thereof in accordance with the position of the passing medal sensor 46. Since it is necessary to arrange the LEDs and it is difficult to turn on / off each LED, it is difficult to actually operate using such goto tools even if the goto tools are modified. Thereby, by making it the structure of this invention, the act which inserts a medal illegally using a goto apparatus can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, after the first passage detection sensor and the second passage detection sensor are sequentially turned off, the medal is detected by the passage medal sensor when each of the first passage detection sensor and the second passage detection sensor is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the medal may be detected when the first passage detection sensor and the second passage detection sensor are turned off by passing the medal. The same applies to the case where a medal is detected by the medal sensor.

  In the present embodiment, the elapsed time T in the timer when the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor are sequentially turned on after the first passage detection sensor and the second passage detection sensor are sequentially turned off by the passage of the medal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the first detection sensor is turned off, the elapsed time T in the timer may be stopped. In addition to this, when the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor are sequentially turned off, the counting of the elapsed time T in the timer may be terminated.

  Similarly, the condition for ending the elapsed time T in the timer does not have to be limited to the present embodiment. When the first detection sensor is turned off due to the passage of a medal, the elapsed time T in the timer is measured. You may make it complete | finish. In addition to this, when the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor are sequentially turned off, the counting of the elapsed time T in the timer may be terminated.

  In this embodiment, the minimum time V1 and the maximum time V2 of the allowable time are provided, and it is determined whether or not the elapsed time T in the timer is within the range of these times V1 and V2, but it is not necessary to limit to this. For example, if a reference time X and an error α with respect to the reference time are provided, and the allowable time is X ± α, the elapsed time T is in the range of X−α ≦ T ≦ X + α, or T <X−α, It may be determined whether it is in the range of X + α <T.

  In the present embodiment, a passing medal sensor is provided on the upstream side of the shutter, and the medal is detected by the passing medal sensor, so that the shutter is moved from the shielding position to the exposure position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the passing medal sensor, for example, among the wall surfaces constituting the medal passage, the surface that faces the surface along the radial direction of the medal protrudes into the medal passage, and is retreated from the medal passage by the medal fed into the medal passage. A protruding piece and a detection sensor for detecting the protruding piece retracted from the medal passage may be provided in the medal selector, and when the protruding piece is detected by the detection sensor, power may be supplied to the shutter solenoid.

  In addition to this, the medal selector is provided with a rotating body in which a plurality of pressing pieces projecting into the medal passage are arranged at a predetermined angular pitch, and a plurality of detection sensors for detecting the pressing pieces of the rotating body. It is conceivable that any one of the pressing pieces provided on the medals is projected into the medal passage. In this case, when the rotating piece rotates in a predetermined direction by the pressing piece protruding into the medal path being pressed by the medal sent into the medal path, the plurality of detection sensors detect other pressing pieces. . Thereby, since the rotation direction of the rotating body can be known, when a regular medal is inserted, the medal rotates in a predetermined direction. In this case, the shutter is moved to the exposure position. On the other hand, when the goto device is inserted from the medal slot, the rotating body does not rotate, or even if the rotating body rotates, the rotation direction is different from the rotation direction when the regular medal is inserted, or the rotation The body swings and can be differentiated from the case where a regular medal is inserted.

  In this embodiment, a medal that has fallen from the medal passage to the discharge chute is detected by the discharge medal sensor, and when the detection signal is received, the count value of the passing medal sensor is decremented by 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, 1 may be added to the count value of the medal sensor.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure inside a slot machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a medal selector. It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the shutter and medal sensor in a shielding position. It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the shutter and medal sensor in an exposure position. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the rear surface side of a shutter. It is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process based on insertion of a medal. It is a timing chart which shows the detection timing of a passage medal sensor and a medal sensor. It is a front view which shows a medal and medal selector vicinity when the inserted medal is detected by the 1st passage detection sensor. It is a front view which shows a medal and medal selector vicinity when the inserted medal is detected by the 1st passage detection sensor and the 2nd passage detection sensor. It is a front view which shows the state which the inserted medal rolls while being supported by the medal distribution part. It is a front view which shows the state in which the inserted medal is detected by the 1st detection sensor and the 2nd detection sensor. It is a front view which shows the state of a medal selector when a goto instrument is inserted from a medal insertion slot. It is a front view which shows an example in case a shutter is moved to an exposure position with a goto device and a medal insertion operation is performed illegally.

Explanation of symbols

2 Slot machine 28 Medal slot 39 Medal 40 Medal selector (tamper prevention device)
46 medal passing sensor (medal passing sensor)
48 Shutter (shielding member)
49 Medal sensor (count sensor)
51 medal passage 90 control device (tamper prevention device)
120 control unit (drive control means, drive control change means)
121 Timer (timer)
122 passing medal counter (second counting means)
123 medal counter (first counting means)
124 Count value determination unit (count value determination means)
125 time determination unit (time determination means)
130 Solenoid for shutter (drive device)

Claims (3)

A bent medal passage through which the inserted medal passes,
Of the wall surfaces constituting the medal passage, the wall surface on the downstream side of the position where the medal passage is bent is provided so as to face one of both surfaces of the medal, and the medal passing through the medal passage is A count sensor that detects each pass and outputs a count signal;
A shielding member that moves between a shielding position that shields the count sensor and an exposure position that exposes the count sensor;
A medal passage sensor provided upstream of a position where the medal path bends so as not to be positioned on the same extension along the medal path with respect to the count sensor;
A driving device that receives a passage signal from the medal passage sensor and moves the shielding member from the shielding position to the exposure position;
First counting means for counting a count signal from the count sensor;
Second counting means for counting a passing signal from the medal passing sensor;
A count value judging means for judging whether or not the count value of the first counting means matches the count value of the second counting means;
In response to a passage signal from the medal passage sensor, when the shutter is moved from the shielding position to the exposure position and the determination result in the count value determination means is inconsistent, the shutter is moved from the exposure position to the exposure position. Drive control means for driving and controlling the drive device so as to be moved to the shielding position;
A fraud prevention device characterized by comprising:   Clocking means for timing an elapsed time from when the passage signal is output until the count signal is output;
  Time determination means for determining whether or not the elapsed time by the time measuring means is within a preset allowable time range;
  The drive control of the driving device is changed so that the shielding member is moved from the exposed position to the shielded position when the elapsed time by the timekeeping means is outside the allowable time range as determined by the time judging means. The fraud prevention device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive control changing unit that performs the control.   A gaming machine comprising the fraud prevention device according to claim 1.

Images