JP2004267456A - Game machine, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To offer a game machine in which errors by a fraudulent act of a player can be distinguished, a program, and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: When an ON state of a medal put-out switch is detected although a winning combination is not attained, an error signal is outputted to a number-of-error count section. The number-of-error count section counts up the error signals outputted. Also when plugging of a medal is distinguished, the error signal is outputted to the number-of-error count section. The number-of-error count section counts up the error signals outputted. When the count value in the number-of-error count section reaches a predetermined number, an error signal transmitting section outputs the error signal to a hall computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine installed and used in a game room such as a pachinko parlor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this specification, a pachislot machine will be described as an example, and therefore, a medal will be described as a game medium. However, the game medium includes other media such as coins and pachinko balls. Further, “inserting a medal (game medium)” includes, in addition to actually inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot, betting a credited medal with a bet button or the like. In addition, the state that the winning pattern that constitutes the winning combination that has won the winning combination by the electronic lottery can be aligned on the winning line is the internal winning, the winning pattern that constitutes the winning combination that has won the internal winning The state of being aligned on the pay line is a win.
[0003]
A slot machine installed and used in a game room such as a pachinko parlor is called a pachislot machine, and medals used in game media are given a certain value. The medals obtained by playing the game can be exchanged for various prizes according to the number of medals, and are widely used as simple leisure. The operation of recent slot machines is controlled by a microcomputer, and the reel is driven by a stepping motor. After inserting the medals and rotating the reels, the reel stop control is performed based on the operation timing of the stop button. When the winning combination is won when the reels stop, the hopper device is driven, and according to the winning combination. The number of medals will be paid out.
[0004]
In the hopper device, for example, a switch for starting payout of medals is turned on, and payout of medals is started. During the payout of the medals, the medals paid out are detected one by one by a sensor such as a photo sensor, and it is determined whether or not the medals are paid out normally. When a medal is detected for a predetermined time or more during the payout of the medal, it is determined that the medal is jammed on the medal payout path. If the payout switch of medals is turned on even if the winning combination has not been won, or if medals are jammed on the medal payout path, the game is interrupted and an error display is performed. When an error is displayed, the employee of the game arcade performs a process according to the type of error so that the game can be played again.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, a predetermined signal or radio wave may be output to the hopper device due to a fraudulent act of the player, and an illegal medal may be paid out. For this reason, it is necessary to monitor whether or not the medal payout switch is functioning normally and whether or not the medal payout is normally performed, and to prevent the player from misbehaving. However, even if the payout of medals at the hopper device is monitored and an error is displayed by the method described above, the employee of the game arcade may determine whether the error was displayed due to an abnormality of the hopper device or the player's error. It was difficult to determine whether an error was displayed due to cheating.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine, a program, and a recording medium that can determine an error due to a player's misconduct.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention includes a program storage unit in which a program for executing a game is stored. Error detecting means for detecting whether or not the game machine is operating; error signal outputting means for outputting an error signal when the error detecting means detects that the gaming machine is not operating in accordance with the program; An error count means for counting and storing the number of times an error signal is output from the signal output means; and an error for determining whether or not the output count of the error signal stored in the error count means has reached a predetermined number. Error frequency counting means for frequency determination means.
[0008]
Further, it is preferable that the error detecting means detects whether or not the hopper device for paying out the game medium is operating properly during the payout of the game medium.
[0009]
Further, it is preferable that the error detecting means detects whether or not a game medium payout switch for turning on / off a hopper device for paying out game media is properly operated.
[0010]
Preferably, the error signal output means outputs an error signal to the outside of the gaming machine.
[0011]
The program used is a program storage unit storing a program for executing a game, an error detection unit for detecting whether or not a gaming machine is operating according to the program, and a game according to the error detection unit. An error signal output means for outputting an error signal when it is detected that the machine is not operating, and a computer of the gaming machine as an error number counting means for counting the number of times an error signal is output from the error signal output means. It is intended to function.
[0012]
Further, a recording medium to be used is a computer-readable medium on which the program according to claim 5 is recorded.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 10 includes three display windows 13 provided on a front door 12 of a housing 11, and a first reel 14 a, a second reel 14 b, and a third reel 13 The reel 14c is rotatably incorporated. As is well known, a plurality of types of patterns are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer circumference of the first to third reels 14a to 14c, and three patterns per reel can be observed through the display window 13 when the reels are stopped. Become. As a result, a total of five straight payline lines, two diagonal lines, and two diagonal payline lines, each of which is composed of one picture on each reel, are set.
[0014]
When one medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 15 prior to the start of the game, one winning horizontal line in the center is activated, two horizontal three and three diagonal two additional diagonal lines. The winning line of the book is activated. From the error display window 16, when an abnormality occurs in the hopper device at the time of payout of medals, an error display is performed. It is possible to credit (reserve) up to 50 medals, and the number of credited medals is displayed on the credit number display 17. It should be noted that, for example, four patterns per reel can be observed from the display window 13, and in addition to the four horizontal pay lines, another winning pattern bent so as to combine one pattern for each reel. It is also possible to set an active line.
[0015]
By operating these stop buttons 19a to 19c, the first to third reels 14a to 14c corresponding to each button are individually stopped. On the operation panel above the stop buttons 19a to 19c, various operation buttons such as a 1-bet button, a MAX-bet button, and a payout button that are operated when playing a game with a medal credited are provided. Since the functions of these operation buttons are all well known, the details are omitted.
[0016]
A medal tray 20 is provided at a lower portion of the housing 11, and a payout medal obtained when a winning is obtained in the game is paid out from the payout port 21 to the medal tray 20.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the slot machine 10 is basically controlled by a control unit 30 including a CPU 30a and a memory 31. The control unit 30 includes, in addition to the CPU 30a, an electronic lottery unit 39 described later, a winning combination determination unit 40, an error frequency counting unit 42 as an error frequency counting unit, an error frequency determining unit 43 as an error frequency determining unit, and an error signal transmitting unit. 44 are provided.
[0018]
The medal sensor 32 detects a proper medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 15 and inputs the detected medal to the CPU 30a. A selector is installed in the back of the medal insertion slot 15, and inappropriate medals are discharged to the medal tray 20. In addition, when a medal is inserted at inappropriate timing, for example, a medal inserted in the middle of a game or in a state where various operation buttons are pressed is not passed through the medal sensor 32. It is discharged to the medal tray 20.
[0019]
Since the number of medals inserted before the start of the game is limited to one to three, the medals inserted after the fourth one are also detected by the medal sensor 32 when the credit function is not used. Without being discharged to the medal tray 20. The credit function is switched on / off for each push of the payout button. Then, when the credit function is on, medals inserted after the fourth one are also detected by the medal sensor 32 and credits are made in the slot machine up to a maximum of fifty. The number of credited medals is digitally displayed on the credit number display 17. When the credit function is used, a medal insertion operation is performed by operating the 1-bet button or the MAX-bet button, and the number of bets is sequentially subtracted from the number of credits. When a game is played and a prize with payout of medals is obtained, a payout medal is also credited, and when the payout button is operated, the credited medal is paid out to the medal tray 20.
[0020]
The CPU 30a counts the number of one to three medals inserted before the start of the game based on the detection signal from the medal sensor 32, and thereby determines the number of activated pay lines. The number of credits is counted by another credit medal counter (not shown).
[0021]
The start signal sensor 33 inputs a game start signal to the CPU 30a when the start lever 18 is operated after one to three medals have been inserted. Upon receiving the game start signal, the CPU 30a rotates the first to third reels 14a to 14c based on the game execution program stored in the ROM area of the memory 31, and starts the processing of the game. The game execution program includes a program for executing a game process by shifting to the BB mode in addition to the normal mode.
[0022]
The drive and stop control of each reel is performed by a reel drive controller 34. Each reel is fixed to the drive shaft of each of the stepping motors 35a to 35c, and the control of each reel is performed by controlling the driving of each of the stepping motors 35a to 35c. The RAM area of the memory 31 is a working area, and is used for temporarily storing and rewriting flags and data used for each game.
[0023]
Since the stepping motors 35a to 35c rotate at a rotation angle corresponding to the number of supplied drive pulses, the CPU 30a controls the number of supplied drive pulses to control the rotation angles of the first to third reels 14a to 14c. The stop position of the reel can be determined by cutting off the supply of the drive pulse. Reflection signal portions 36a to 36c are integrally formed on the respective reels at their reference positions, and the photo sensors 37a to 37c photoelectrically detect the passage of the respective reflection signal portions for each rotation. The detection signals from the photo sensors 37a to 37c are input to the CPU 30a as a reset signal for each reel.
[0024]
A pulse counter is provided in the CPU 30a for each of the stepping motors 35a to 35c, and counts the number of driving pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 35a to 35c. Then, when a reset signal is input from the photosensors 37a to 37c, the count value of the corresponding pulse counter is cleared. Therefore, in each pulse counter, the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle within one rotation of each reel is stored while being sequentially updated.
[0025]
A picture table is stored in the ROM area of the memory 31. The picture table includes the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation angle of each reel from the reference position, and a picture representing each picture arranged on the reel at a constant pitch. A code is associated with the code. Therefore, by monitoring the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, for example, it is possible to identify which pattern is moving on the central pay line, and if the reel is further rotated, It can be predicted whether the target picture moves on the pay line.
[0026]
The stop button sensors 38a to 38c input a stop signal for each reel to the CPU 30a when the stop buttons 19a to 19c are operated. By operating the start lever 18, the rotation of all the reels is started, and when these rotations reach the steady speed, the operation of the stop buttons 19a to 19c is validated. Thereafter, by operating these, the corresponding stop control of the first to third reels 14a to 14c is started.
[0027]
The stop control of the first to third reels 14a to 14c is performed within a range (pull-in range) of five winning patterns 0 to 4 frames. For example, when the stop buttons 19a to 19c are operated, the winning effect is activated. In a case where a winning pattern constituting a winning combination selected by lottery is included in four consecutive winning patterns from the winning pattern located on the line, the first to third reels 14a to 14a to The time until 14c stops is delayed, and the winning pattern constituting the winning combination is stopped on the pay line.
[0028]
When the stop buttons 19a to 19c are operated so that a winning combination not determined by the winning combination determination unit 40 wins, the first winning pattern that is not won is prevented from stopping on the pay line. To stop the third reels 14a to 14c (kick-off control). When a plurality of stop buttons are operated, only the reel with the earlier timing is stopped, and when completely operated simultaneously, none of the reels is stopped. In addition, the reel stop control is not limited to the winning pattern constituting the winning combination, and notifies the player of the winning combination that has been internally won based on the type of the pattern stopped on the winning activated line or the combination of the patterns. The reach eyes may be displayed.
[0029]
The CPU 30a operates the electronic lottery section 39 in response to the game start signal. The electronic lottery unit 39 includes a random number generator and a random value sampling circuit, and selects one random value every time the game is started. The random number value drawn is input to the winning combination determination unit 40. The winning combination determination unit 40 is provided with a winning combination lottery table in which random numbers are grouped according to their size, and a winning pattern is assigned to the grouped random numbers. The random number value input to the winning combination determination unit 40 is collated with the winning combination lottery table, and the type and design of the winning pattern are determined depending on which winning pattern belongs to the value.
[0030]
The hopper device 41 pays out a specified number of payout medals to the medal tray 20 according to the type of the winning combination, or adds the specified number to a credit counter. A payout table in which the number of payout medals is determined for each type of winning combination is stored in the ROM area of the memory 31, and the CPU 30 a reads this and drives the hopper device 41.
[0031]
The hopper device 41 is provided with a medal payout sensor 41a and a medal payout switch 41b. The medal payout sensor 41a is arranged on a medal payout path, and detects one medal to be paid out one by one. When a medal is detected, a detection signal is input to the CPU 30a. The medal payout switch 41b is turned on to start paying out medals. When the medal payout switch 41b is turned on, a medal payout signal is input to the CPU 30a, and payout of medals from the hopper device 41 is started. It is preferable to use an appropriate sensor such as a photo sensor or a magnetic sensor as the medal payout sensor 41a.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 3, when a detection signal is input from the medal payout sensor 41a, the CPU 30a determines whether or not the payout of the medal is properly performed based on whether or not the medal is detected for a predetermined time. If the medal detection time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, it is identified that the medal is blocked on the payout path.
[0033]
The CPU 30a monitors whether the medal payout switch 41b is turned on. Thus, it is determined whether or not the medal payout switch 41b has been turned on by the goto action.
[0034]
The CPU 30a outputs an error signal to the error counter 42 when the hopper 41 detects that the medals are clogged or when the medals payout switch 41b is turned on by the goto action. The error counter 42 counts the number of times an error signal is input from the CPU 30a, and accumulates the number of times an error has occurred. The count value stored in the error counter 42 is cleared when the power of the slot machine 10 is turned off.
[0035]
The number of errors read from the number-of-errors count unit 42 by the CPU 30a is input to the error frequency determination unit 43. The error frequency determination unit 43 determines whether the number of times an error has occurred has reached a predetermined number. If the number of errors has reached the predetermined number, a cheating occurrence signal is input to the CPU 30a.
[0036]
The error signal transmission unit 44 is activated when the error frequency determination unit 43 determines that the number of times an error has occurred reaches a predetermined number. An error signal is output from the error signal transmitting unit 44 to the outside of the slot machine 10, and the output error signal is input to a computer of a game arcade (hereinafter, referred to as a hall computer 45). In the hall computer 45, it is identified which of the plurality of slot machines 10 installed in the game hall has received the error signal. The hall computer 45 is connected to a notifying unit such as a liquid crystal monitor (not shown).
[0037]
Next, the operation of the slot machine configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on, the game can be played. When the player inserts one to three medals prior to the start of the game, the number of inserted medals is counted by the CPU 30a. Thereafter, when a game start operation is performed by the start lever 18, a game start signal is input from the start signal sensor 33 to the CPU 30a, and rotation of the first to third reels 14a to 14c is started.
[0038]
Simultaneously with the operation of the start lever 18, the electronic lottery unit 39 samples a random number, and compares the value with a winning combination lottery table of the winning combination determination unit 40. Thereby, the type of the losing or the winning combination is determined, and the winning combination determination signal is fed back to the CPU 30a. When the type of the winning combination is determined by the winning combination determination unit 40, the operation of the stop buttons 19a to 19c is validated. The CPU 30a monitors the operation timing of the stop buttons 19a to 19c while referring to the count value of the above-described pulse counter provided for each reel, and the winning pattern determined by the winning combination determination unit 40 stops on the pay line. Stop control of the first to third reels 14a to 14c is performed so as to be easy.
[0039]
When the winning combination is determined by the winning combination determining unit 40 and the determined winning combination is won, the CPU 30a drives the hopper device 41 with reference to the payout table stored in the ROM area of the memory 31. I do.
[0040]
When the medal payout switch 41b is turned on by the CPU 30a, the hopper device 41 is driven, and payout of medals to the medal tray 20 is started. When the medal payout switch 41b is turned on, a medal payout signal is input to the CPU 30a. At this time, if the CPU 30a detects that the medal payout switch 41b is turned on even though the winning combination has not been won and the medal payout switch 41b has not been turned on, the CPU 30a sends an error number to the error number counting section 42. At the same time as outputting a signal, the game is interrupted and an error is displayed from the error display window 16. The error number counting section 42 counts up the number of times an error signal is output. Then, the CPU 30 a inputs the count value of the error number counting section 42 to the error frequency determining section 43. When the error frequency determination unit 43 determines that the number of errors has not reached the predetermined number, the medal payout switch 41b is turned off, and the game is restarted.
[0041]
During the payout of medals, the medals to be paid out are detected one by one by the medal payout sensor 41a. The medal detection signal is input to the CPU 30a. The CPU 30a determines whether or not the medals are clogged on the medal payout path by determining whether or not the detection time of each medal is a predetermined time.
[0042]
When it is determined that the medals are clogged, the CPU 30a outputs an error signal to the error number counting unit 42, interrupts the game, and causes the error display window 16 to display an error. The error number counting section 42 counts up the number of times an error signal is output. As a result, the CPU 30a, the medal payout sensor 41a, and the medal payout switch 41b function as error detection means, and the CPU 30a functions as an error signal output means.
[0043]
The CPU 30 a inputs the count value of the error frequency counting section 42 to the error frequency determining section 43. If the error frequency determination unit 43 determines that the number of errors has not reached the predetermined number, the game is restarted when the medal is removed from the medal payout path so that the medal can be paid out normally.
[0044]
When the game is continued and the error frequency determination unit 43 determines that the number of errors has reached the predetermined number, a cheating occurrence signal is input to the CPU 30a. In response, the CPU 30a activates the error signal transmission unit 44. The error signal transmitting section 44 outputs an error signal to the hall computer 45.
[0045]
In the hall computer 45, which of the slot machines 10 the number of errors has reached the predetermined number is identified, and is notified by, for example, a display. As a result, it is possible to detect that the frequency of occurrence of an error in the hopper device 41 of the specific slot machine 10 is high, and it is possible to determine the misconduct of the player.
[0046]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which a recording medium (CD, flexible disk, IC memory, MO, etc.) 50 is installed in the slot machine 10. The recording medium 50 includes means as shown in the flowchart of FIG. And a program to be realized by the computer 51 including the program 31. In this case, for example, a program for realizing the program storage unit, the error detection unit, the error signal output unit, the error count unit, and the error frequency determination unit by the computer 51 is recorded on the recording medium 50. Then, the recording medium 50 is loaded into the reading device 52, and the program is installed in the slot machine 10.
[0047]
The program can be distributed to the slot machine 10 using the Internet instead of installing the program via the recording medium 50. Further, it is also possible to install the distributed program of the present invention or the program of the present invention read from the recording medium 50 on a personal computer and play a slot machine game on a monitor.
[0048]
In the above-described embodiment, the number of errors detected by the medal payout sensor 41a and the medal payout switch 41b is counted and integrated. However, each error is separately counted, and one of the errors reaches a predetermined number. It may be determined whether or not the operation has been performed. The type of error to be counted may be an appropriate error.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the error signal is output to the hall computer 45 when it is determined that the number of times the error signal has been input to the error number counting section 42 has reached the predetermined number. The number of times an error signal is input to the error number counting unit 43 by a notification unit such as a sub reel, a liquid crystal panel, an LED, or a sound provided in the slot machine 10 may be output to an appropriate notification unit such as a lamp provided in the slot machine 10. The fact that the predetermined number of times has been reached may be notified.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to a reel-driven slot machine, but can be equally applied to a video-type slot machine and a pachinko machine. Further, the present invention is not limited to a gaming machine in which a total of five pay lines are set horizontally, two diagonally as in the above-described embodiment, and the present invention can be applied to gaming machines having other pay lines. is there.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the error detecting means for detecting whether or not the gaming machine is operating according to the program for executing the game, and the error detecting means causes the gaming machine to operate according to the program. Error signal output means for outputting an error signal when it is detected that no error signal has been detected, error number count means for counting and storing the number of times an error signal is output from the error signal output means, and error number count means Is provided with error frequency determining means for determining whether or not the number of times of output of the error signal stored in the player has reached a predetermined number, so that an error due to a wrongdoing by the player can be determined.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a slot machine using the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a signal waveform from a sensor when a medal is detected at the time of payout of the medal.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a game flow.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when a recording medium storing a program is installed in a slot machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Slot machine 30 Control unit 30a CPU
31 memory 34 reel drive controller 39 electronic lottery unit 40 winning combination determination unit 41 hopper device 41a medal payout sensor 41b medal payout switch 42 error count counter 43 error frequency discrimination unit 44 error signal transmission unit 45 hole computer 50 recording medium 51 computer 52 read apparatus

Claims (6)

A game machine comprising a program storage means in which a program for executing a game is stored, and operation control is performed according to the program.
Error detecting means for detecting whether the gaming machine is operating according to the program,
An error signal output unit that outputs an error signal when the error detection unit detects that the gaming machine is not operating according to the program;
An error number counting unit that counts and stores the number of times an error signal is output from the error signal output unit,
A gaming machine provided with an error frequency determining means for determining whether or not the number of outputs of the error signal stored in the error number counting means has reached a predetermined number. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the error detecting means detects whether or not the hopper device for paying out the game media is operating properly while paying out the game media. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the error detecting means detects whether a game medium payout switch for turning on / off a hopper device for paying out game media is properly operated. . 4. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said error signal output means outputs an error signal to the outside of the gaming machine. Program storage means in which a program for executing a game is stored;
Error detecting means for detecting whether the gaming machine is operating according to the program,
An error signal output unit that outputs an error signal when the error detection unit detects that the gaming machine is not operating according to the program;
A program for causing a computer of a gaming machine to function as error number counting means for counting the number of times an error signal is output from the error signal output means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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