JP2003225360A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the problem that it is hard to perform an early finding of such a trouble as one where either a wire cutting or a poor contact at a part of signal lines of a main control means (200) and an auxiliary control means (270) and further to eliminate another problem that it is hard to make an early finding of an irregular modification performed at the main control means (200). <P>SOLUTION: There is provided a slot machine (100) comprised of the main control means (200) for controlling progress of a game and the auxiliary control means (270) for controlling a game play during its playing game. This slot machine (100) is constituted such that the main control means (200) has a specified signal transmission means (250) for outputting a specified signal different from a signal for controlling the progress of the game and the like to the auxiliary control means (270), and the auxiliary control means (270) has a specified signal confirming means (279) for performing an error processing operation when the specified signal is not received within a specified period of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly to a slot machine capable of promptly confirming an abnormal operation of the slot machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of reels are rotated by operating a start lever or a start button, each reel is stopped by operating a stop button, and a combination of symbols when all reels are stopped A slot machine for paying out a predetermined medal or the like is provided.

In this slot machine, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 5, the symbols drawn on the three main reels corresponding to the first stop button 131, the second stop button 132, and the third stop button 133 are used. Not only can three games be shown from each reel window 115 to entertain the game with a combination of stop symbols, but there are also ones in which an auxiliary game display device 197 such as an auxiliary reel or a liquid crystal display is added to perform the effect.

This slot machine 100 has a medal slot 1
21 and credit medal button 125, further has an operation plate 110 provided with a start lever 122, a stop button, etc. at substantially the center of the slot machine 100, and the number of medals to be inserted into the medal insertion slot 121 or the credit medal button 125 is used for insertion. Depending on the number of medals, the effective lamp 151 provided on the front plate 113 is sequentially turned on to display an effective line for judging the winning by the stop symbol in the winning line, and thereafter,
When the start lever 122 is operated, the rotation of the main reel is started, and when the first stop button 131, the second stop button 132, and the third stop button 133 are pressed, the main reel corresponding to each stop button is pressed. The rotation of the medals is stopped, and a predetermined number of medals are received by the combination of the symbols stopped on the winning line which is the effective line.
The number of medals discharged to 7 or credited as credit medals inside the slot machine 100 is counted.

The number of credit medals is displayed on the credit number display 153. When the credit medal button 125 is operated, the number of inserted medals is subtracted, and when crediting a medal by winning, a medal to be paid out. Of the credit number indicator 153. When four or more medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 121, the fourth and subsequent medals are added.
Is to be displayed.

The operation control of the slot machine 100 is performed by a main control means 200 in which a microcomputer incorporated in the slot machine 100 and appropriate circuit elements are combined.
And the auxiliary control means 270, and the main control means 200, as shown in FIG. 6, a microcomputer having the functions of winning control means 210, reel stop control means 220, main game control means 230, and operation control means 240. The microcomputer as the auxiliary control means 270 mainly performs the control essential to the progress of the game in the slot machine 100, and the function as the sound control means 271 for controlling the sounding device 187 such as a speaker and the upper panel 117. The function as the lighting control means 273 for controlling the effect display lamp 189 incorporated in the auxiliary effect control for controlling the auxiliary game display device 197 such as the auxiliary reel or the liquid crystal display through the auxiliary game control means 195. Means 275
In many cases, the control is performed so as to entertain the player according to the progress of the game.

Incidentally, an auxiliary game display device 19 such as a liquid crystal display device
In the slot machine 100 using 7, the auxiliary game display device 19
The auxiliary game control means 195 for driving 7 is provided separately from the microcomputer having the auxiliary control means 270, and the auxiliary control means 270 sends many signals to the auxiliary game control means 195 to display the auxiliary game display device. 197
The motion control of the effect is performed by making possible a more complicated effect.

In the main control means 200, the medal insertion slot 121
When the insertion of a medal is detected by the medal sensor 161 provided in the or the medal button sensor 163 incorporated in the credit medal button 125, a predetermined effective lamp is given by the general game control means 231 or the special game control means 233 in the main game control means 230. The game is prepared to start by turning on 151.

When the start switch 165 attached to the start lever 122 detects the operation of the start lever 122, the reel drive control means 241 in the operation control means 240 drives the first reel motor 181 to the third reel motor 183. In addition, the winning control means 210 performs random number winning lottery by the lottery means 211, and the lottery result judging means 215 judges and stores this lottery result.

When any one of the first stop button 131 to the third stop button 133 is operated, the first stop switch 171 or the second stop switch 172 or the second stop switch 172 incorporated in each stop button is operated. A reel motor corresponding to the stop switch that outputs a detection signal is stopped by the reel stop control means 220 by a signal input to the main control means 200 from a switch incorporated in the operated stop button of the 3 stop switches 173. .

In the stop control of each reel motor by the reel stop control means 220, when a signal is input from each stop switch, the reel position discrimination means 221 first discriminates a symbol passing through, for example, a central pay line. Then, when the planned stop symbol stored in the lottery result determination means 215 exists within several frames, the planned stop symbol is stored in the stop position designating means 225 so as to stop the planned stop symbol on the effective line, or When the planned stop symbol does not exist within several frames, the stop symbol is stored in the stop position designating means 225 by determining the stop symbol from the symbols within several frames so that another winning symbol combination does not occur. Further, the reel drive control means 241 controls the rotation stop position of the corresponding reel motor so that the symbols stored in the stop position designating means 225 are stopped on the effective line.

In this way, the first stop switch 17
When the signal from 1 is input to the main control means 200, the first reel motor 181 is stopped, and when the signal from the second stop switch 172 is input to the main control means 200, the second reel motor 1
When 82 is stopped and the signal from the third stop switch 173 is input to the main control means 200, the third reel motor 183 is stopped, and when all reel motors are stopped, the combination of symbols stopped on the activated line Is a combination of winning symbols is determined by the winning determination means 235, when the winning symbols are aligned, the hopper drive control means 245 drives the hopper device 155, and the required number of medals according to the winning prize. Or the value of the payout number is added to the credit medal counter of the main game control means 230, and the count value of the credit medal counter is displayed on the credit number display 153.

Then, when the special symbol array of the big bonus and the special symbol array of the regular bonus are aligned on the activated line during the general game, the special game control means 233 is thereafter set.
The special game is played a predetermined number of times according to, the progress of the special game is displayed by turning on the game status display lamp 157, and when the special game ends, the general game control means 231 advances the game of the general game.

When the payout button 127 is operated and a signal from the payout switch 167 incorporated in the payout button 127 is input to the main control means 200, the hopper drive control means 245 drives the hopper device 155, The number of medals stored in the credit medal counter is paid out.

[0015]

As described above, in the slot machine, the microcomputer as the main control means performs the control essential for the progress of the game, and the microcomputer as the auxiliary control means makes the sound according to the progress of the game. The game is made entertaining with the effects of stimulating the sense of hearing and sight, such as light, light, and images.

As described above, the control signal is also transmitted from the auxiliary control means to the microcomputer serving as the auxiliary game control means, and nowadays, the number of slot machines performing more complicated and interesting effects is increasing. However, many signals are frequently sent from the main control unit to the auxiliary control unit, and if a disconnection or a contact failure occurs in a part of this signal line,
It may be difficult to detect such a failure at an early stage even though a part of the rendering operation may not match the progress of the game.

Similarly, even when the signal from the auxiliary control means to the auxiliary game control means cannot be accurately transmitted, there is a drawback that a part of the effect operation does not match the progress status of the game. Further, in recent years, there has been a case where a fraud that increases the winning probability by replacing a ROM that stores a program for controlling the operation of the main control means has been performed, but it is extremely difficult to detect these frauds at an early stage. .

[0018]

The present invention provides a slot machine having a main control means (200) for controlling the progress of a game and an auxiliary control means (270) for controlling an effect while the game is in progress. The control means (200) has a specific signal transmission means (250) for outputting to the auxiliary control means (270) a specific signal different from the signal for controlling the progress and effect of the game at predetermined time intervals, and the auxiliary control means (270 ) Is a slot machine (100) having a specific signal confirmation means (279) for performing error processing when a specific signal is not received within a fixed time.

As described above, according to the present invention, the specific signal is transmitted from the main control means (200) to the auxiliary control means (270) at every predetermined time and the reception is confirmed by the auxiliary control means (270). Always check that the (200) and auxiliary control means (270) are properly connected, and also check the main control means (200).
It can be confirmed by the auxiliary control means (270) that the combination of the above and the auxiliary control means (270) is a predetermined combination.

The specific signal transmitting means (250) of the present invention may be a specific signal transmitting means (250) which stores a plurality of command codes as specific signals and sequentially outputs different command codes. Thus, by using the specific signal transmitting means (250) that sequentially outputs a plurality of types of specific signals, the connection and combination of the main control means (200) and the auxiliary control means (270) can be surely confirmed. .

The specific signal confirmation means (27) of the present invention
As 9), a specific signal confirmation means (279) for confirming the input interval of the specific signal is preferable. in this way,
Specific signal confirmation means to confirm the input interval of the specific signal (27
In the case of 9), the combination of the main control means (200) and the auxiliary control means (270) can be confirmed by checking the specific signal and the combination of the content of the specific signal and the output interval.

Further, according to the present invention, the main control means (200) for controlling the progress of the game, the auxiliary control means (270) for controlling the performance during the progress of the game, and the auxiliary control means (270) are controlled. Auxiliary game control means for controlling production (195)
In the slot machine having and, auxiliary control means (27
0) has a specific signal transmitting means for outputting a specific signal different from the signal for controlling the effect of the game to the auxiliary game control means (195) at predetermined time intervals, and the auxiliary game control means (195) has a fixed time within a fixed time. Slot machine (10) having a specific signal confirmation means for causing an error process to be performed when no specific signal is received.
0).

In this way, since the specific signal is transmitted from the auxiliary control means (270) to the auxiliary game control means (195) every predetermined time and the auxiliary game control means (195) confirms the reception, the auxiliary control means ( 270) and the auxiliary game control means (195) are always properly connected, and the combination of the auxiliary control means (270) and the auxiliary game control means (195) is a predetermined combination. It can be confirmed by the game control means (195).

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer as the main control means 200 has a function as the specific signal transmission means 250 and the auxiliary control. The microcomputer as the means 270 is the slot machine 100 having the function as the specific signal confirmation means 279.

The main control means 200 has a specific signal transmitting means 250.
Other than having the function as the specific signal confirmation means 279 in the auxiliary control means 270, the functions of the main control means 200 and various switches and sensors for inputting signals to the main control means 200, and further the main control means. The configurations and functions of various motors and lamps controlled by 200, and auxiliary control means 270 are the same as those of the conventional slot machine 100 described above.

The specific signal transmission means 250 incorporated in the main control means 200 transmits a predetermined command as a specific signal to the auxiliary control means 270 at regular time intervals and is shown in FIG. As described above, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T1 of several seconds to 5 seconds has passed (S100), and when the predetermined time T1 has passed, a command as a specific signal stored in a memory or the like is used as the auxiliary control means. 270
(S110) to reset the timer for measuring the predetermined time T1 (S115).

The timer incorporated in the specific signal transmitting means 250 is reset by presetting a value corresponding to the predetermined time T1 (S11).
5) is performed and the count value is subtracted each time a constant clock pulse such as several tens of milliseconds is input, or zero reset is performed as a timer reset (S115), and the number of constant clock pulses such as several tens of milliseconds There is a device that counts and measures the predetermined time T1.

The command used as the specific signal is an operation control code for the auxiliary control means 270 or the slot machine 100.
Command code different from the status data code of 1
The data is not limited to byte data and may be several bytes of data. Also, by storing a plurality of different commands in the memory and transmitting different commands sequentially in a predetermined order, it is possible to increase the number of contents of a specific signal. The slot machine 100 is not limited to a predetermined specific signal depending on the model of the slot machine 100, but a specific signal or signal combination unique to each slot machine 100 may be formed.

Then, in the auxiliary control means 270, as shown in (1) of FIG. 3, it is judged whether or not a signal is inputted from the main control means 200 by the signal reception judgment (S200), and when the signal is received, It is determined whether the received signal is a specific signal (S210). Furthermore, if this received signal is not a specific signal, based on the received signal input to the auxiliary control means 270, as appropriate, the acoustic control means 271 and the lighting control means 273,
Furthermore, a production process for activating the auxiliary production control means 275 to execute a sound and production according to the progress of the game (S30).
0) is performed.

If the received signal is a specific signal,
In the specific signal confirmation means 279, a flag set (S41
0) is performed and the input of the specific signal is stored. Further, in the specific signal confirmation means 279, by a separate interrupt process, as shown in (2) of FIG. 3, it is judged whether or not the specific signal flag is in the on state (S510), and the flag is in the on state. If so, the flag is reset (S5
15) Then, the confirmation processing by the interruption processing is ended, and when the specific signal flag is not in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the fixed time T2 has passed (S520), and when the fixed time T2 has not passed, Confirmation process is completed and T2
When has passed, error processing (S590) is performed.

Therefore, in the specific signal confirmation means 279, the specific signal stored in the main control means 200 is the auxiliary control means 2
When the state of not being input to 70 continues for a certain period of time T2, error processing (S590) is performed, and error processing (S590) notifies that signal transmission from main control means 200 to auxiliary control means 270 is not normally performed. can do.

If the fixed time T2 is set to be slightly longer than the predetermined time T1, the fixed time immediately after the predetermined time T1 elapses while confirming whether or not the auxiliary control means 270 is input at each predetermined time T1. Error processing when T2 has passed (S5
By performing the step 90), it is confirmed that the signal transmission from the main control unit 200 to the auxiliary control unit 270 is always normally performed, and when the signal transmission is not normally performed, the occurrence of abnormality is promptly performed. Can be notified.

Therefore, by appropriately combining the contents of the command used as the specific signal or a plurality of types of commands,
When an abnormality such as a disconnection occurs in a part of the connection connecting the main control unit 200 and the auxiliary control unit 270, this abnormality can be detected and notified after a certain time T2. And
By using this specific signal as a command that is not directly related to the progressing motion of the game, when replacing the main control means 200, a ROM for exchanging the same information as the content of the specific signal in the program stored in the proper main control means 200. If you replace a ROM that does not have this specific signal information embedded in it, you can discover that an improper replacement was made immediately after a certain time T2. It is possible to prevent alteration of the main control means 200.

In the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the specific signal flag is in the on-normal state by an interrupt process different from the flag setting (S410) process by the specific signal confirmation means 279. (S510) and whether or not a predetermined time T2 has passed (S520), the auxiliary control means 270 makes a signal reception determination (S200), and when no signal is received, the specific signal flag is ON. Or not (S510) and whether or not a predetermined time T2 has elapsed (S520). When a signal is received, it is determined whether or not the received signal is a specific signal (S210). It is also possible to perform the effect process (S300) or the flag set process (S410).

Further, a timer counter is incorporated in the specific signal confirmation means 279, and the processing operation of the specific signal confirmation means 279 is as to whether the flag set (S410) and the specific signal flag shown in FIG. Judgment (S510)
If the received signal is a specific signal instead of performing the above, the count value Tx of the timer counter incorporated in the specific signal confirmation means 279 is stored in the memory in the specific signal confirmation means 279 as shown in (1) of FIG. By storing (S450) and updating the stored value, the time interval from the previous input of the specific signal is stored in the specific signal confirmation unit 279, and the timer counter is reset to zero (S455) to The time measurement until the specific signal is input may be started.

Further, in the specific signal confirmation means 279, it is judged by a separate interruption process or the signal reception is judged (S200).
When it is determined that the signal is not received in (2) in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the time based on the count value Tx stored in the specific signal confirmation means 279 coincides with the predetermined time T1 at which the specific signal is originally output from the main control means 200 (S550). If they match, the count value Ty of the timer counter incorporated in the specific signal confirmation means 279 is read (S553), and it is determined whether the time according to the read value Ty is shorter than the predetermined time T1 (S55).
5) is performed.

When the time by the read value Ty is less than or equal to the predetermined time T1, the confirmation process is ended, and when the time by the read value Ty is longer than the predetermined time T1, or the count value Tx coincides with the predetermined time T1. When the count value Tx and the predetermined time T1 do not match in the determination (S550), it is determined whether or not a constant time T2 of about 10 seconds to several tens of seconds has passed (S).
560).

When the fixed time T2 has not elapsed, the confirmation processing is ended, and when the fixed time T2 has passed, the error processing (S590) is performed. Therefore, even in the confirmation processing by the specific signal confirmation means 279, if the specific signal is not input to the auxiliary control means 270 before the elapse of the fixed time T2, error processing (S590) can be performed, and the main control means 200 can be executed. When the stored specific signal is not input to the auxiliary control means 270 at every predetermined time and continues for a predetermined time T2, error processing (S590) is performed and the main control means 20
It is possible to notify that the signal transmission from 0 to the auxiliary control unit 270 is not normally performed.

Therefore, the main control means 200 and the auxiliary control means 2
When an abnormality such as a disconnection occurs in the connection connecting with 70, early detection and notification can be performed, and inappropriate replacement of the main control means 200 can be prevented. And
In this embodiment, the combination of the main control unit 200 and the auxiliary control unit 270 can be confirmed not only by the content of the command used as the specific signal but also by the transmission interval.

Therefore, even if the command contents of the specific signal are the same for each model, the transmission interval time is changed for each slot machine 100 and the combination of the main control means 200 and the auxiliary control means 270 in each slot machine 100 is confirmed. You can also do it. In the above embodiment, the abnormality of the slot machine 100 such as the disconnection of the signal line or the replacement of the main control means 200 is detected based on the signal input from the main control means 200 to the auxiliary control means 270. When outputting a production control signal from the auxiliary control means 270 to the auxiliary game control means 195, a specific signal confirmation similar to the specific signal confirmation means 279 incorporated in the auxiliary control means 270 is also confirmed in the microcomputer as the auxiliary game control means 195. Means, and the auxiliary control means 270 includes the specific signal transmission means 2 incorporated in the main control means 200.
It is also possible to incorporate a specific signal transmitting means similar to that of 50 so that an abnormality in the slot machine 100 can be detected and detected early in a case where an appropriate effect according to the progress state of the game is not performed by the auxiliary game display device 197. is there.

[0041]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, since the auxiliary control means confirms the specific signal outputted by the main control means at every predetermined time, the connection state between the main control means and the auxiliary control means and the normal condition are confirmed. It is possible to confirm the combination of the main control means and the auxiliary control means, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the slot machine at an early stage, and it is possible to prevent unauthorized modification of the main control means.

Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claims 2 and 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the combination of the main control means and the auxiliary control means unique to each slot machine is confirmed. Will be easier. Further, according to the present invention described in claim 4, since the auxiliary control means confirms the specific signal output by the auxiliary control means at every predetermined time, the connection state between the auxiliary control means and the auxiliary game control means and the normal auxiliary The combination of the control means and the auxiliary game control means can be confirmed, and the abnormality of the slot machine can be detected early.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control circuit in a slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of a specific signal transmitting means incorporated in the main control means in the slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of specific signal confirmation means incorporated in auxiliary control means in the slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another operation example of the specific signal confirmation means incorporated in the auxiliary control means in the slot machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the outer appearance of the slot machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit of a slot machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 slot machine 110 operation plate 113 front plate 115 reel window 117 upper panel 121 medal slot 122 start lever 125 credit medal button 127 payout buttons 131 to 133 stop button 147 medal receiving 151 effective lamp 153 credit number indicator 155 hopper device 157 game Status display lamp 161 Medal sensor 163 Medal button sensor 165 Start switch 167 Payout switch 171 to 173 Stop switch 181 to 183 Reel motor 187 Sounding device 189 Performance display lamp 195 Auxiliary game control device 197 Auxiliary game display device 200 Main control means 210 Winning control Means 211 lottery means 215 lottery result determination means 220 reel stop control means 221 reel position determination means 225 stop Position designation means 230 Main game control means 231 General game control means 233 Special game control means 235 Winning determination means 240 Motion control means 241 Reel drive control means 245 Hopper drive control means 250 Specific signal transmission means 270 Auxiliary control means 271 Sound control means 273 Lighting control means 275 Auxiliary effect control means 279 Specific signal confirmation means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Main control means for controlling the progress of the game,
In a slot machine having auxiliary control means for controlling effects during game progress, etc., a specific signal for outputting to the auxiliary control means a specific signal different from a signal for controlling the progress and effects of the game to the main control means A slot machine characterized in that it has a transmission means, and the auxiliary control means has a specific signal confirmation means for performing error processing when a specific signal is not received within a fixed time. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific signal transmitting means stores a plurality of command codes as the specific signal and sequentially outputs different command codes. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific signal confirmation means confirms an input interval of the specific signal. 4. Main control means for controlling the progress of the game,
In a slot machine having an auxiliary control means for controlling effects during game progress, and an auxiliary game control means for controlling effects controlled by the auxiliary control means, the signal for controlling the effects of the game by the auxiliary control means The auxiliary game control means has a specific signal transmission means for outputting different specific signals to the auxiliary game control means at predetermined time intervals, and the auxiliary game control means has a specific signal confirmation means for performing error processing when the specific signal is not received within a certain time. A slot machine characterized by having.