JP2741280B2 - Game equipment control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial applications]

The present invention includes a central processing unit and a plurality of peripheral devices,
The present invention relates to a control device of a game machine for controlling an operation of the game machine.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of microcomputers is remarkable, and microcomputers are widely used in game machines such as pachinko machines and game machines. The microcomputer is a central processing unit (hereafter, CPU)
), A ROM, RAM as a storage unit, and an input / output interface as an input / output unit. The operation of the pachinko machine provided is as follows. The detection signal of the digital start winning switch is fetched from the input / output interface, and if the detection signal is in the ON state, the CPU starts the digital of the center role via the input / output interface and stops it at a predetermined timing. Further, when the digital stops and the digital numbers and symbols become a big hit combination, the CPU opens the big winning opening via the input / output interface. The digital symbol of the center role is obtained by extracting the symbol data stored in the ROM in advance, and the fluctuation of the symbol is determined based on a random number table also stored in the ROM in advance.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in such a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, the probability that prizes such as payouts are greatly fluctuated in the short term to improve the gameability, but also stabilize in the long term, and the It was necessary to balance the interests of the two. However, in such conventional pachinko machines, since the probability of payout is determined by a random number table, the RO
By simply exchanging M for one in which another random number table was stored, it was possible to easily change the probability of a ball to come out. Such misconduct can be done by the playground manager,
The arcade manager was unknowingly made by the arcade clerk, but its discovery was difficult. The control device of the gaming machine of the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and by preventing unauthorized exchange of the game control program stored in the storage means executed by the CPU, for example, in pachinko machines, The purpose of the present invention is to prevent unauthorized remodeling in which the probability of a ball is manipulated.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is,
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device for a game machine according to the present invention includes a central processing unit M1 and a storage unit M2 that stores a game control program that defines processing executed by the central processing unit M1. In the gaming machine control device that controls the operation of the gaming machine, the storage unit M2 includes an identification information storage unit M2a that stores identification information that is correlated with at least a part of a program itself constituting the game control program. At the same time, the central processing unit M1 includes: an identification information capturing unit M1a that captures the identification information from the identification information storage unit M2b; and determines whether the captured identification information matches the identification information for comparison. When the identification information determination means M1b and the identification information determination means M1b determine that they do not match, an execution failure that disables the execution of the game control program stored in the storage means M2. The gist is that the functionalization means M1c and are provided.

[Action]

In the gaming machine control device of the present invention configured as described above, the storage means M2 stores a game control program and identification information correlated with at least a part of the program itself constituting the game control program. . Central processing unit
M1 fetches the identification information from the storage means M2, determines whether the fetched identification information matches the identification information for comparison, and determines that the two do not match. The execution means M1c disables execution of the game control program stored in the storage means M2. If the game control program stored in the storage means M2 is exchanged improperly, the identification information stored together with the game control program cannot be correct, and therefore, the central processing unit M1 does not match the identification information. The determination is made, and the game control program stored in the storage unit M2 after the exchange cannot be executed.

【Example】

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control system of a pachinko machine equipped with a control device for a game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment is mainly configured with a CPU (central processing unit) 1. CPU1 is a ROM (read only m
emory) 3, integrates and controls a RAM (random access memory) 5 and an input / output interface 7, and performs all arithmetic or logical operations applied to the data. In the case of this embodiment, an 8-bit microprocessor incorporates a program described later as firmware. The ROM 3 is a read-only memory, in which a game control program and various data necessary for the CPU 1 to execute arithmetic processing are recorded in advance. Here, the various data is a random number table or the like for generating random numbers for determining a jackpot, including data of symbols to be displayed on a digital (display device) of the center role. The RAM 5 is a readable and writable memory, in which various data necessary for executing arithmetic processing by the CPU 1 are temporarily read and written. The input / output interface 7 inputs data from the winning switch 13 of the pachinko machine main body, the digital start winning switch 14 and the like via the waveform shaping circuit 11, and also receives the hit lamp 17, The data is output to the display device 18, which is a digital part of the center role, a solenoid 19 for opening a special winning opening, and the like. Note that the ROM 3 has a delay unit 3a that delays by a predetermined time 10 msec.
And a code generator for outputting a code 0001 stored in advance
When the first read signal is input after power-on or reset, the delay unit 3a is operated to output the code 0001 from the code generator 3b. Also,
The input / output interface 7 has a built-in delay unit 7a that delays by a predetermined time of 20 msec and a code generator 7b that outputs a code 0002 stored in advance, at the time of inputting the first read signal after power-on or after reset. , Delay unit 7a
To output code 0002 from the code generator 7b. A signal path between the CPU 1 and these peripheral devices, that is, the ROM 3, the RAM 5, and the input / output interface 7 will be described below. An address bus B1 and a data bus B2 are connected as main signal lines between the CPU 1 and these peripheral devices.
Further, as a control bus, a read signal line L1 is connected between the CPU 1 and these peripheral devices, and a write signal line L2 is connected between the CPU 1, the RAM 5, and the input / output interface 7. Note that an AND circuit is provided in the middle of each read signal line L1 connected to the ROM 3 and the input / output interface 7.
21,23 are provided. A control signal line L3 from the CPU 1 is connected to the other input terminal of the AND circuit 21 via a knot circuit 25, and a control signal line L4 from the CPU is connected to the other input terminal of the AND circuit 23. It is connected via a circuit 27. Next, how data is exchanged between the CPU 1 and these peripheral devices will be described. When writing data to the RAM 5, first, the CPU 1 outputs an address to be written to the address bus B1. RAM5 is
Only the memory cell at that address is connected to the data bus B2.
Next, the CPU 1 outputs data from the data bus B2 and outputs a write signal from the write signal line L2. The RAM 5 writes the data on the data bus B2 to the memory cell at that address. On the other hand, when reading data from RAM5,
The address to be read from U1 is output to address bus B1.
The RAM 5 connects only the memory cell at that address to the data bus B2, and transfers data from the memory cell at that address to the data bus B2.
Output to Next, the CPU 1 outputs a read signal from the read signal line L1, and reads data on the data bus. When reading data from the ROM 3, the same data exchange is performed as when reading data from the RAM 5. Moreover, in this case, it is possible to prevent the read signal output from the CPU 1 from reaching the ROM 3 and to disable reading of data from the ROM 3. If the signal output from the CPU 1 to the signal line L3 is at a low level (hereinafter simply referred to as [L]), the signal output from the knot circuit 25 will be at a high level (hereinafter simply referred to as [H]), The read signal reaches ROM 3 via the AND circuit 21, whereas the read signal
This is because when the signal output from U1 to the signal line L3 becomes [H], the signal output from the knot circuit 25 becomes [L] and the read signal is cut off by the AND circuit 21. When reading data from the input / output interface 7, the same as when reading data from the ROM 3, the signal line L4
Is set to [H], data reading can be disabled. In this way, the CPU 1 exchanges data with the peripheral device, (1) receives the detection signal of the winning switch 13 and discharges the prize ball while turning on the hit lamp 17; Upon receiving the detection signal of the start winning switch 14, the digital processing of the center character is started and then stopped. (3) When the digital is stopped, it is determined whether or not the digital symbol matches the big hit combination. When it is determined that the two match, the solenoid 19 is driven to open a special winning opening, and (4) a fraud prevention process that prohibits execution when a peripheral device such as the ROM 3 is illegally replaced. Run. The process (2) is performed by reading out the random number table stored in the ROM 3, reading out the symbols based on the random number table from the symbol data also stored in the ROM 3, and displaying them sequentially on the display device 18. Note that the processes (1) to (3) are executed by a game control program read from the ROM 3, and the process (4) is executed by a control program built in the CPU 1. Next, the fraud prevention process (4) will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This fraud prevention process is performed after power-on or reset.
Executed first. When the process is started, first, an initialization process for setting initial values to various variables such as a table is executed (step 10).
0). Next, a read signal is output to the ROM 3 and the input / output interface 7 via the read signal line L1 (step 110). As a result, in ROM3, the delay device 3a operates and
After ec has elapsed, code 0001 is output from code generator 3b. In the input / output interface 7, the delay unit 7a operates, and after the elapse of 20 msec, the code 00
02 is output. After executing step 110, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is data output from the ROM 3 (step 120). When it is determined that there is data output, the CPU 1 fetches the code CROM as the data from the ROM 3 (step 130). ). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is data output from the input / output interface 7 (step 140). If it is determined that there is data output, the code CIO as the data is fetched from the input / output interface 7 (step 15).
0). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the code CROM taken in step 130 is equal to the code 0001 (step 160).
Here, if both are determined to be equal, the process proceeds to the next step, while if it is determined that both are not equal, RO
The output of the port to which the signal line L3 on the M side is connected is fixed to [H] (step 170). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the code CIO captured in step 130 is equal to the code 0002 (step 180).
Here, if both are determined to be equal, the process proceeds to the next step, while if it is determined that they are not equal, the output of the port to which the signal line L4 on the input / output interface side is connected is set to [H]. (Step 190). Then, the process exits to “EXIT” and ends the fraud prevention process. The operation of the CPU 1 in the fraud prevention process having such a configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. After turning on the power or resetting, first, the read signal line L1
Output a read signal. After that read signal output
After 10 msec, the data of the code is input from the ROM 3 via the data bus B2, and if the code is not the predetermined 0001, the output of the port to which the signal line L3 on the ROM side is connected is fixed to [H]. You. As a result, the read signal is cut off by the AND circuit 21, and reading of data from the ROM 3 becomes impossible thereafter. Also, 20msec from output of read signal
Later, code data is input from the input / output interface 7 via the data bus B2, and if the code is not a predetermined 0002, the output of the port connected to the signal line L4 on the input / output interface side becomes [H]. ] Is fixed. As a result, the read signal is cut off by the AND circuit 23, and reading of data from the input / output interface 7 becomes impossible thereafter. Therefore, if the ROM 3 is exchanged improperly, the ROM 3 after the exchange cannot be provided with the delay device 3a and the code generator 3b. The signal [H] is output to the signal line L3, and the reading of data from the ROM 3 is performed thereafter.
Impossible. As a result, unauthorized replacement of the ROM 3 can be prevented, and unauthorized manipulation of the probability of payout can be prevented. Similarly, with regard to the input / output interface 7, unauthorized exchange can be prevented. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the read signals input to the ROM 3 and the input / output interface 7 are input via the AND circuits 21 and 23. Instead, in the second embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 5, a read signal is directly input to the ROM 3 and the input / output interface 7. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the fraud prevention processing executed by the CPU 1, the value 1 is substituted into the first cell TBL (1) of the preset table instead of step 170 of the first embodiment. (Step 200) In addition, the value 1 is substituted for the second cell TBL (2) of the table in place of Step 190 of the first embodiment (Step 210). Then, in another process executed by the CPU 1, it is determined whether or not the value 1 is assigned to each cell of the table, and TBL (1)
When the value 1 is assigned to the CPU 1, reading of data from the ROM 3 is prohibited in various processes executed by the CPU 1 thereafter, and when the value 1 is assigned to the TBL (2), the CPU 1 In the various processes executed in step 1, the reading of data from the input / output interface 7 is prohibited. In the control device of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment configured as described above, similarly to the first embodiment, the illegal exchange of the ROM 3 and the input / output interface 7 is prevented, and the illegal operation such as manipulating the probability of payout is performed. Can be prevented. Moreover, in the case of the present embodiment, the prohibition of reading data from the ROM 3 and the input / output interface 7 is realized by software executed by the CPU 1, so that the configuration can be simplified. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the code of 0001 is used as the identification information of the ROM 3 for simplification of description, but a part or all of the game control program stored in the storage means is encoded in advance. The encoded information correlated with the execution part of the game control program is used as identification information. The identification information is stored in the storage means at all times, or at a predetermined or necessary timing.
U, and the CPU may prohibit access to the storage unit when the CPU determines that the encoded information is not valid. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the game control program in the storage unit from being illegally changed. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the execution disabling means M1c is configured to prohibit the reading of data from the ROM. Alternatively, the operation of the CPU may be stopped. Alternatively, the operation of the storage means may be indirectly stopped. As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail.
The present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

【The invention's effect】

As described in detail above, according to the gaming machine control device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent unauthorized replacement of storage means such as a ROM for storing a game control program executed by the central processing unit. In the machine, it is possible to prevent fraudulent operation of operating the probability of a ball being thrown out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control system of a pachinko machine equipped with a control device for a game machine of the first embodiment, and FIG. That
4 is a flowchart showing the fraud prevention processing executed by the CPU, FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the operation by the fraud prevention processing, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of the control device of the gaming machine of the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the fraud prevention processing executed by the CPU. M1 central processing unit M1a identification information capturing means M1b identification information determining means M1c disabling means M2 storage means CPU 3 ROM 3a delay unit 3b code Generator 5 RAM 7 I / O interface 7a Delay device 7b Code generator 21,23 AND circuit 25,27 Not circuit B1 Address bus B2 Data bus L1 Lead signal line

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A control device for a game machine, comprising: a central processing unit; and a storage unit for storing a game control program defining processing to be executed by the central processing unit; The means includes an identification information storage unit that stores identification information that is correlated with at least a part of the program itself that constitutes the game control program, and the central processing unit loads the identification information from the identification information storage unit. Identification information capturing means, identification information determining means for determining whether the captured identification information matches identification information for comparison, and the identification information determining means determines that the two do not match. And an execution disabling means for disabling the execution of the game control program stored in the storage means.