JP2001017621A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inspect the authenticity of the one-chip microcomputer of a game controller from the outside without opening a substrate box and to easily perform the wiring connection work of an inspection. SOLUTION: Intrinsic identification information is unrewritably stored in the one-chip microcomputer storing a game control program, a wiring connection area 30 exposed to the outside in the state of closing the substrate box 26 is set to a game control substrate and an output terminal 32 for the inspection for reading the intrinsic identification information is provided in the wiring connection area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko game machine having a game control device using a one-chip microcomputer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gaming machine, for example, a pachinko gaming machine, an ROM storing a game control program has an illegal RO.
M, specifically, a ROM, a RAM, and a CPU are provided in one package in order to prevent the game control program from being tampered with and exchanged with an unauthorized ROM that has made it easy to obtain an award ball. It employs a so-called one-chip microcomputer.

[0003]

However, even if a one-chip microcomputer is employed, it cannot be said that fraud can be reliably prevented. For example, a legitimate one-chip microcomputer is removed and replaced with a fraudulent one-chip microcomputer, or the whole game control device is replaced with a fraudulent one. Even if only the one-chip microcomputer is illegally replaced, it is extremely difficult to find it from the outside of the game control device, and it is even more difficult in recent game machines in which the board box of the game control device is sealed. Have difficulty.

[0004] In addition, during transportation from the assembly factory to the game store, the game control device or the like is tampered with illegally.
In order to prevent an unauthorized circuit from being added, the game controller is transported with the game controller removed from the main unit, and the game controller is transported on a completely different flight. If self-defense measures are adopted, the game control unit must be installed after installing the game machine on the gaming machine island on the island where the game machine is installed, and wiring must be connected to this game control device. Requires great effort.

The present invention has been developed in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to remove a proper one-chip microcomputer and exchange it illegally with another.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can be inspected from the outside without opening the board box each time when the entire game control device is illegally replaced, and that can easily perform wiring connection work for the inspection. .

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a one-chip microcomputer storing a game control program is stored in a game in a board box. In a gaming machine having a game control device mounted on a control board, the one-chip microcomputer stores the unique identification information in a non-rewritable manner, and the game control board is exposed to the outside with the board box closed. A game machine characterized in that a wiring connection area to be set is set, and an inspection output terminal capable of reading the unique identification information is provided on a game control board in the wiring connection area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a game-related input / output connector is provided in the wiring connection area,
An inspection output terminal is arranged near the input / output connector,
Attach a connector cover that covers the wiring connection area, the connector cover has a penetrating portion to the output terminal for inspection,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a wiring for inspection can be connected to an output terminal for inspection via the through portion with the connector cover attached.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input / output connector is configured to connect external wiring to a game control board in a vertical direction, and the inspection output terminal is connected to the external wiring of the input / output connector. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the inspection wiring is connected in a direction different from the direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the inspection output terminal has a contact in the concave portion, and the opening of the concave portion is configured to be smaller than the game ball. A gaming machine according to item 1.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a rear view of a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a pachinko machine 1) which is a typical game machine, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a game control unit 2 and a power supply unit 3, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the game control unit 2 and the power supply unit 3 are attached to the game control unit 4, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a game control board 5 of the game control unit 2 as game control means.

In the pachinko machine 1, a frame-shaped front frame 7 is attached to the front opening of the machine frame 6 so as to be openable and closable.
The game board 9 is mounted so as to cover the opening of the game board 9 from the back side, and a prize-winning tool and a starter are provided in a game area (not shown) formed on the surface of the game board 9 by a partition member such as a guide rail. A special symbol display device for performing a different game such as a symbol matching game on condition that a prize is won in the mouth, a big prize prize opening which is opened when a big hit in another game is provided. Also, a back mechanism board 10 is attached to the back side of the front frame 7, and the back mechanism board 10
Ball storage tank 11, ball outlet gutter 12, ball discharge unit 1
3 and other control devices.

In this embodiment, the control device is divided into functions and stored in separate cases (substrate boxes) to form a unit, and the game control unit 2 and the display control unit 1
4, decoration control unit 15, sound control unit 16, emission control unit 17, and launch control unit 19,
Each control unit is electrically connected via the relay board 20 and the wiring 21. These control units are mounted in an independent state.

The game control unit 2 is a control device for controlling electric components such as a prize device, a starting port, a special symbol display device (special figure display device), and a special prize port arranged in the game area. . The display control unit 14 is a control device that controls image display of a special figure display device for performing another game with variable display. The decoration control unit 15 is a control device that controls light emission of a light-emitting decoration member such as a side lamp. The sound control unit 16 is a control device that controls sound, such as generating a sound effect. The discharge control unit 17 is a control device that controls the ball discharge unit 13 to discharge a predetermined number of game balls. The launch control unit 19 is a control device that controls the ball launch device in accordance with the amount of rotation of the launch operation unit, and launches a game ball with an intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the game control unit 2 comprises a top cover member 24 and a bottom cover member 25 having a hinge mechanism 22 at a lower part and a locking member 23 for holding a closed state at an upper part. The game control board 5 is provided inside the control board case 26.
And a caulking member 2 provided as a part of a sealing mechanism on one side of the locking member 23 and one side (the side of the power supply unit 3).
7 can be sealed by tightening with a one-way screw, and the other side of the game control board case 26 (the side opposite to the power supply unit 3) is exposed to the outside of the game control board case 26. A wiring connection area 30 for connection to a control unit or the like is provided, and a connector cover 31 is separately detachably attached to the wiring connection area 30. A through window 33 is formed on the side of the connector cover 31 as a through portion for connecting a test wiring to a test output terminal 32 described later.

The bottom cover member 25 is a shallow box made of transparent plastic and having an open top surface. The bottom cover member has a small number of small holes and four side walls (a size large enough to accommodate the game control board 5). And a bearing part forming a part of the hinge mechanism 22, a receiving piece forming a part of the locking member 23, a connecting cylinder part forming a part of the caulking member 27, and the like are integrally formed. A protruding communication portion (not shown) for supporting the game control board 5 is provided inside the portion.

The upper lid member 24 is a transparent plastic box-like body with an open lower surface, like the bottom lid member 25, and has a ceiling (excluding the wiring connection area 30 of the game control board 5) having a myriad of small holes. Of the hinge mechanism 22, a locking protrusion forming a part of the locking member 23, and a caulking member 27. A connecting cylinder part forming a part thereof, a hook-shaped cable hook 34 for temporarily bundling the wiring 21 and the like are integrally formed.

Note that the sealing mechanism cuts off the base end of the caulking member 27 once the upper lid member 24 and the bottom lid member 25 are once closed and closed, and then the opening operation is not accepted. For example, any configuration may be used as long as it has a function that cannot be opened unless it is damaged.

The game control board 5 is mounted with other electronic components 36 such as a one-chip microcomputer (one-chip microcomputer) 35 having a ROM, a RAM, and a CPU as one chip.
A game control program and identification information unique to the one-chip microcomputer 35 are stored in a non-rewritable manner in a ROM in the ROM 5, and a game-related input / output connector 40 is connected to a wiring connection area 30 formed on one side. Inspection terminals capable of reading the above-mentioned unique identification information in the vicinity of the input / output connector row and at the corners of the wiring connection area 30 while being attached in a line of 2 × 3 at approximately the center of the right and left of the 30 and being arranged side by side. 32 are provided. In the present embodiment, the game-related input / output connector 40 is provided with a connection pin that stands vertically with respect to the game control board 5 so that the external connection wiring 21 is provided.
A connector of a type that is connected to the game control board 5 in the vertical direction is used, and a connector of a type different from that of the input / output connector 40 and in which the connection direction of the test wiring is different is used as the test output terminal 32. use.

The inspection output terminal 32 is a so-called modular connector. As shown in FIG.
It has a substantially cubic shape with an opening on the side surface and a concave portion 41 formed inside. A plurality of pin-shaped contacts 42 (6 in this embodiment) are formed on the inner surface of the concave portion 41 (specifically, a surface extending from the opening to the bottom surface). A retaining portion 43 is formed on the ceiling surface of the concave portion 41, and a retaining portion 46 of a plug 45 provided at the tip of the inspection wiring 44 is engaged with the retaining portion 43. It is configured as follows. In this modular type connector, the insulation coating itself of the inspection wiring 44 is fixed to the plug 45, and the engagement between the retaining portion 46 of the plug 45 and the retaining receiving portion 43 causes the output terminal 3 for inspection.
If 2 is securely fixed to the game control board 5, it is difficult to pull out even if the inspection wiring 44 is pulled, and the conduction state can be reliably maintained. Also, the concave portion 41 of the inspection output terminal 32
As shown in FIG. 6, the opening of the game ball 47 is set smaller than the size of the game ball 47. Even if the game ball 47 comes into contact with the opening, it does not enter the recess 41. Therefore, the contact balls 42 are not short-circuited by the game balls 47.
Since the contacts at the edge of the opening are housed in the groove 49 and do not protrude, there is no short circuit even when the game ball contacts the edge of the opening.

When the game control board 5 having the above structure is stored in a game control board case (board box) 26 composed of an upper cover member 24 and a lower cover member 25, as shown in FIG. Since the size is smaller than the lower lid member 25, a part of the game control board 5, that is, the wiring connection region 30 is exposed to the outside by the difference in size. Therefore, the upper lid member 2 is closed by a sealing mechanism such as the caulking member 27.
4 and the lower lid member 25 are closed, and even after the game-related input / output connector 40, the display control unit 14, the decoration control unit 15, the sound control unit 1
6. Each connector of the external wiring 21 for electrically connecting the discharge control unit 17 and the like can be inserted into the game-related input / output connector 40, respectively. Then, when the wiring connection work is completed, the connector cover 31 is attached to the wiring connection area 30 so that the input / output connector 40 and the like can be covered, so that the dropped game balls do not hit each connector. Can be protected.

In the present invention, when the inspection output terminal 32 is connected to the inspection wiring 44 from the inspection device, the authenticity of the one-chip microcomputer 35 of the game control unit (game control device) 2 can be inspected. it can. The inspection device is installed, for example, in a management room of a game arcade, and an inspection wiring 44 for each pachinko machine 1 is provided in advance on a game machine installation island. Therefore, pachinko machines 1
Is installed, it is necessary to connect the inspection wiring 44 to the game control device 2 of the pachinko machine 1. Inspection wiring 44
Is connected to the game control device 2, the inspection output terminal 32
Is exposed outside the game control board case (board box) 26, even after the upper cover member 24 and the lower cover member 25 are sealed in a closed state by a sealing mechanism such as the caulking member 27. This can be performed together with the operation of connecting the game-related external wiring 21 described above. In the present embodiment, since the inspection output terminal 32 is arranged near the input / output connector 40, it can be easily performed together with other wiring connection work, and the work efficiency can be improved. In addition, the input / output connector 40 and the inspection output terminal 32 require the wiring 2
Since the connection directions of 1, 44 are different, erroneous connection, that is, wiring connection mistake can be surely prevented.

In this embodiment, the connector cover 3
1, the through-hole 33 is opened, so that even after the wiring connection work of the input / output connector 40 is completed and the connector cover 31 is attached, the inspection output terminal 32 can be connected without removing the connector cover 31. The inspection wiring 44 can be easily connected. Therefore, even if the game control device 2 is attached to the pachinko machine main body, the game-related wiring work is completed at the factory, the connector cover 31 is attached, and the game control device 2 is carried into the game shop in this state, the connector cover 3 is attached.
Inspection wiring 44 can be easily connected without removing and attaching each time. The penetrating portion formed in the connector cover 31 is not limited to the penetrating window 33, and may have any configuration as long as it allows the inspection wiring to pass therethrough.

In this way, when the inspection wiring 44 is connected to the inspection output terminal 32, the inspection device reads out the unique identification information of the one-chip microcomputer 35 in the game control unit 2 attached to the pachinko machine 1. be able to.

Since the information corresponding to the unique identification information separately provided for each game control device 2, that is, for each pachinko machine 1, is stored in the inspection device in advance, the read unique identification information can be collated. Thereby, it can be easily checked whether or not the game control device 2 of the pachinko machine 1 (more precisely, the one-chip microcomputer 35 of the game control device 2) is an authorized one. If the read unique identification information matches the information of the inspection device, it is determined that the game control device 2 of the pachinko machine 1 is an authorized one, that is, an authorized one-chip microcomputer 35, and it does not match. If it is, it is determined that it is illegal. Therefore, the one-chip microcomputer 35 is exchanged improperly or the game control device 2
When the device itself is replaced, the read unique identification information does not match the information of the inspection device, and is determined to be incorrect. In addition, both the case where it is determined that it is legitimate and the case where it is determined that it is fraudulent are visually displayed on the inspection device, and the attendant is notified to that effect.

In the present embodiment, the game control program stored in the one-chip microcomputer 35 of the game control device 2 can be read out from the inspection output terminal 32 together with the identification information. A game control program serving as a reference for each model is stored in the inspection device. Therefore, the game control program read from the game control device 2 of the pachinko machine 1 is compared with the reference game control program of the inspection device, and if they match, it is determined that the game is legitimate. It can be determined that the program is a control program. Note that it is desirable that the inspection of the game control program be performed on the assumption that the unique identification information matches and the game control device 2 is determined to be a legitimate game control device 2.

In the above embodiment, the inspection output terminal 3
Although the modular type connector was described in 2 above,
The output terminal for inspection 32 in the present invention is not limited to this, and may be of any type as long as it can be electrically connected to the inspection device and can read the identification information of the one-chip microcomputer 35. Further, the inspection device is not limited to the one installed in the management room and connected to a plurality of pachinko machines 1 for inspection. For example, a small inspection device may be connected to each pachinko machine 1 for inspection.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a gaming machine equipped with a game control device in which a one-chip microcomputer storing a game control program is mounted on a game control board in a board box, the one-chip microcomputer has a unique The identification information is stored in a non-rewritable manner, the game control board has a wiring connection area exposed to the outside with the board box closed, and the unique identification information can be read out to the game control board in this wiring connection area Since the test output terminal is provided, the test output terminal is connected to the test wiring from the test device to easily and surely check whether the one-chip microcomputer of the gaming machine is a legitimate one. The inspection wiring can be connected to the inspection output terminal without opening the board box. Therefore, the connection work of the test wiring can be easily performed, and particularly, when the test apparatus is newly introduced and the test wiring is connected to the existing gaming machine, the wiring connection work can be efficiently performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a game-related input / output connector is provided in the wiring connection area.
An inspection output terminal is arranged near the input / output connector,
A connector cover that covers the wiring connection area is attached, and a penetrating portion for the output terminal for inspection is formed on the connector cover. With the connector cover attached, the wiring for inspection is connected to the output terminal for inspection via the penetrating portion. Can be connected. Therefore, even after the gaming machine has been installed in the game arcade, the inspection wiring can be easily connected to the inspection output terminal.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the input / output connector is configured to connect external wiring to the game control board in a vertical direction, and the inspection output terminal is connected to the external wiring of the input / output connector. Since the inspection wiring is connected in a direction different from the direction, an object to be connected can be identified based on the connection direction of the wiring. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a wiring connection error from occurring.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the inspection output terminal has a contact in the recess and the opening of the recess is made smaller than the game ball, the dropped game ball hits the test output terminal. In addition, it is possible to prevent a trouble in which the contact points are short-circuited by the game ball.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a game control unit (game control device) and a power supply unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state before a game control unit and a power supply unit are attached to a common base member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a game control board.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inspection output terminal.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a difference between the size of an output terminal for inspection and a game ball.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Game control unit 3 Power supply unit 4 Base member 5 Game control board 6 Machine frame 7 Front frame 9 Game board 10 Back mechanism board 11 Ball storage tank 12 Ball outlet gutter 13 Ball discharge unit 14 Display control unit 15 Decoration control Unit 16 Sound control unit 17 Ejection control unit 19 Launch control unit 20 Relay base 21 Wiring 22 Hinge mechanism 23 Locking tool 24 Upper lid member 25 Lower lid member 26 Game control board case (board box) 27 Staking member 30 Wiring connection area 31 Connector Cover 32 Inspection output terminal 33 Penetration window part 34 Cable hook 35 One-chip microcomputer 36 Electronic component 40 Game-related input / output connector 41 Depression 42 Contact point 43 Retaining stopper receiving part 44 Inspection wiring 45 Plug 46 Retaining part 49 Groove

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game machine having a game control device in which a one-chip microcomputer storing a game control program is mounted on a game control board in a board box, wherein the one-chip microcomputer rewrites unique identification information. In the game control board, a wiring connection area that is exposed to the outside with the board box closed is set on the game control board, and the game control board in this wiring connection area can output the unique identification information for inspection. A gaming machine having terminals. 2. A game-related input / output connector is provided in the wiring connection area, an inspection output terminal is arranged near the input / output connector, and a connector cover that covers the wiring connection area is attached. 2. A cover having a penetrating portion to an output terminal for inspection, and a wiring for inspection can be connected to the output terminal for inspection via the penetrating portion with the connector cover attached. A gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The input / output connector is configured to connect external wiring to a game control board in a vertical direction, and the inspection output terminal is inspected in a direction different from the external wiring connection direction of the input / output connector. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game wiring is connected. 4. The inspection output terminal has a contact in the recess,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening of the recess is smaller than a game ball.