JP2005080685A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent illegal alteration of a control program. <P>SOLUTION: A crime-prevention cover unit 20 consists of an upper cover 31 and a lower cover 32 to house a main controller 15. The upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 are connected through a connection pin 40. The tip 40a of the pin 40 is housed in a tip housing chamber 32a. A cut-off part 40b is housed in a cut-off part housing chamber 31a. Rear ends 40c are housed in a rear end housing chamber 31b. In the case of replacing the main controller 15, the cut-off part 40b is cut off with a tool such as a cutting nipper. When the cut-off part 40b is cut off, the tip 40a of the cut off pin 40 is left in the housing chamber 32a in a state where it cannot be removed with a hook 40d and a first protrusion 40f, and the rear end part 40c is left in the housing chamber 31b in a state where it cannot be removed with a second protrusion 40g. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that is installed and used in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor, and more particularly relates to a gaming machine equipped with a control device that controls a driving device used for gaming according to a control program. It is.

  Game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines installed in amusement halls are various drive devices such as a lamp device and a sound generator that are operated based on the supply of game media to the game board and main body frame, and these drive devices. Various control devices (means) adapted to control the game are provided, and when the player plays a game, these are appropriately operated to make the game full of fun. In recent years, there are many things that are used in games with a symbol display device such as a reel display device or a liquid crystal image display device. These devices are controlled by a control device disposed inside the gaming machine.

  A control device disposed in a recent gaming machine is generally one in which a CPU (central processing unit) provided on a board performs electronic control according to a control program. The control program is stored as data in an IC chip mounted on a substrate such as a mask ROM (read only memory), and the CPU sequentially reads and executes the control program data from the IC chip according to the gaming state. Control is done by doing.

  In addition, the gaming machine installed in the game hall is managed so that the control program is not tampered with, and the IC chip storing the control program data cannot be easily removed from the mounted board. Thus, consideration is given so that the control program is not tampered with, for example, by attaching a security cover to the substrate and attaching a seal seal.

  However, in the gaming machines as described above, in recent years, seal stickers and the like can be easily duplicated. After illegally replacing the IC chip, the game hall manager can apply the duplicate seal sticker. Unauthorized replacement of the IC chip could not be found, and in terms of preventing unauthorized modification of the control program, security reliability was lacking.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can surely prevent an unauthorized modification of a control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention includes a drive device that is operated when playing a game, and a control device that controls the drive device in accordance with a control program, and contains the control means. Or at least one of the mounting, the lower cover attached to the main body of the gaming machine, and the lower cover is detachably attached, and the control means is accommodated or mounted so as to cover the entire circumference by the lower cover. An upper cover that performs the above, a connecting member that connects the upper cover and the lower cover, and an upper cover and a lower cover. Provided in the other end of the front end storage chamber and the upper cover or the lower cover that are made non-detachable, and provided with the front end storage chamber, Parts is characterized in that a cutting chamber for cutting in the state housed in the tip housing chamber.

  In addition, either one of the upper cover and the lower cover provided with the cutting chamber includes a rear end storage chamber that stores the rear end of the connecting member and makes the rear end non-detachable. Is preferred. Further, it is preferable that at least the upper cover of the upper cover and the lower cover is made of a transparent resin in which the inside of the cover is visible.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the main control device is housed by the security cover unit composed of the upper cover and the lower cover, the upper cover and the lower cover are connected by the connecting pin, and the connection is made to replace the main control device. When the pin is cut, the front end of the connection pin is left in the front end storage chamber provided in the lower cover, and the rear end of the connection pin is left in the rear end storage chamber provided in the upper cover. It is possible to reliably grasp unauthorized exchange of devices.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a pachinko machine that is an embodiment of a gaming machine using the present invention. A game board 4 is disposed inside the main body frame 3 of the pachinko machine 2, and a front frame 5 is provided on the front surface of the game board 4 so as to be freely opened and closed. Below the front frame 5, there are provided a supply tray 6 for supplying a hit ball and an operation handle 7 for adjusting the launch strength of the game ball. Near the center of the game area 4a of the game board 4, there is provided a symbol display device 8 that displays various symbols, characters and the like on the liquid crystal screen within a predetermined time during the game based on a predetermined prize condition. Various types of winning openings 10 and out openings 11 are provided. A winning ball detection sensor 12 that detects a game ball that has entered the winning port 10 is provided in each of the winning ports 10. The player throws the game ball into the supply tray 6 and operates the operation handle 7 to launch the game ball on the game board 4. The launched game ball enters one of the winning ports 10 or is collected from the out port 11 while flowing down the game area 4a. Note that a plurality of structures such as nails and windmills provided in the game area 4a of the pachinko machine 2 are well-known and will not be described.

  When the front frame 5 is in a closed state, a player or an operator of the game hall can play a game area 4a of the game board 4 through a glass window 9 formed by mounting a plate-like glass on the front frame 5. The game balls flowing down on the game area 4a can be seen, but the game board 4 cannot be touched inside the main body frame 3 as well.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the back side of the pachinko machine. Inside the main body frame 3 of the pachinko machine 2, there is a main control device 15 comprising a storage medium as various control means to be operated when playing a game, and a control based on a control program stored in the storage medium. A security cover unit 20 that houses the sub-control device 16, the ball launching device 17, the ball dispensing device 18, and the main control device 15 so as to be exposed on the back side of the main body frame 3 is disposed. In addition, a sound generator 21 such as a speaker (shown in FIG. 3) and lamps 22 (shown in FIG. 3) are provided at various positions on the main body frame 3 and the game board 4 inside the main body frame 3. Then, a sound with a production effect is generated from the sound generation device 21 or a production effect is produced by lighting control of the lamp 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the pachinko machine 2 is basically controlled by the main control device 15 and the sub control device 16.

  The main controller 15 includes a main CPU 15a, a main ROM 15b (storage medium), and a main RAM 15c. The main CPU 15a generates a command for controlling the gaming state of the pachinko machine based on the game control program stored in the main ROM 15b, transmits the command information to the sub-control device 16, and executes the command information. The main controller 15 is controlled so as to be in a predetermined gaming state in accordance with input signals based on the 17, the ball payout device 18 and the input interface 23. In the main ROM 15b, a game control program, a random number generation processing program, a random number table, and the like are stored in predetermined areas, and these are read out by the main CPU 15a and appropriately used so as to be processed. The main RAM 15c is a working area and is used for temporary storage or rewriting of data used in the game.

  The sub control device 16 includes a sub CPU 16a, a sub ROM 16b, and a sub RAM 16c. The sub CPU 16a appropriately reads the control program for the sub control device stored in the sub ROM 16b, and in accordance with the control signal input as command information from the main control device 15, the sub control device 16 and the design A drive signal is input / output to / from the display device 8, the sound generator 21, and the lamp 22 to perform a predetermined game state. The sub RAM 16c serves as a working area, and is used for temporary storage or rewriting of data used in the control of the symbol display device 8, the sound generator 21, and the lamp 22. Note that the device for controlling the drive is not limited to the above, and includes a movable winning device provided in the game area 4a.

  The input interface 23 inputs a signal indicating the amount of rotation of the operation handle 7 from the operation handle 7 to the ball launcher 17, and also outputs a signal from the winning ball detection sensor 12 provided on the game board 4 to the main CPU 15a. Enter. When a signal from the operation handle 7 is input via the input interface 23, the ball launching device 17 starts driving and launches a game ball onto the game board 4 with a launch strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operation handle 7. . When the signal from the winning ball detection sensor 12 is input via the input interface 23, the CPU 15 a drives the ball paying device 18 to pay out a predetermined number of winning balls on the supply tray 6. Note that the number of prize balls may be set as appropriate according to the type of the winning opening 10 containing the game balls. The CPU 15a monitors the gaming state and stops the operation of the ball launcher 17 when an error occurs.

  A perspective view of the security cover unit 20 is shown in FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view is shown in FIG. 5, and a sectional view is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the security cover unit 20 includes an upper cover 31 and a lower cover 32, and the lower cover 32 is attached to the pachinko machine body. The upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 are attached in a state in which the main control device 15 is accommodated, thereby protecting the main control device 15 from being touched by any person. A hinge 35 is formed by an upper cover bearing portion 33 projecting from one end of the upper cover 31 and a lower cover bearing portion 34 projecting from the lower cover 32, and the upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 are formed by the hinge 35. It becomes inseparable from. The upper cover 31 is opened and closed by being rotated by a hinge 35. When the main cover 15 is opened, the main controller 15 can be exchanged with a new main controller, and when the main cover 15 is closed, the main controller 15 is in contact. It becomes impossible to attach and detach. Further, the upper cover 31 is made of a transparent resin, and the inside thereof can be visually recognized when closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 are connected by a connecting pin 40 as a connecting member. The connecting pin 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a front end portion 40a, a cutting portion 40b, and a rear end portion 40c. The upper cover 31 is provided with a cutting portion storage chamber 31a for storing the cutting portion 40b, a rear end storage chamber 31b for storing the rear end portion 40c, and a main control device storage chamber 31c for storing the main control device 15. It has been. The rear end storage chamber 31b is provided with a small opening 31d and a large opening 31e for inserting the connecting pin 40. The lower cover 32 is provided with a tip end storage chamber 32 a that stores the tip end portion 40 a of the connecting pin 40 and a main control device storage chamber 32 b that stores the main control device 15. Three connecting pins 40 are provided, and correspondingly, three rear end storage chambers 31b and three front end storage chambers 32a are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of each may be changed as appropriate. Also good.

  A presser plate 42 is disposed between the cutting portion storage chamber 31 a provided in the upper cover 31 and the tip end storage chamber 32 a provided in the lower cover 32, and the presser plate 42 applies ultrasonic waves to the lower cover 32. Welded. Therefore, the lower cover 32 is provided with two steps 32c and two ribs 32d for positioning the pressing plate 42 in the vertical direction. The holding plate 42 is provided with an opening 42a for inserting the tip end portion 33a of the connecting pin 33 and a positioning recess 42b. Three openings 42a and two positioning recesses 42b are provided at the top and bottom. The pressing plate 42 is positioned by inserting the positioning recess 42 b of the pressing plate 42 into the rib 32 d of the lower cover 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, two hooks 40 d are provided at the distal end portion 40 a of the connecting pin 40, and a recess hole 40 e is formed. When the distal end portion 40a is stored in the distal end storage portion 32a, the distal end portion 40a is prevented from being detached by the hook 40d and the holding plate 42, and the upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 are connected. The cutting part 40b is provided with two first protrusions 40f and two second protrusions 40g. The rear end portion 40c is formed so that the outer periphery thereof is in close contact with the inner wall of the rear end portion storage chamber 31b, thereby eliminating the rattling of the connecting pin 40. Two hooks 40d, first protrusions 40f, and second protrusions 40g are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be changed as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting pin 40 is inserted from the large opening 31e, passes through the rear end storage chamber 31b, the small opening 31d, the cutting section storage chamber 31a, and the opening 42a, and enters the front end storage chamber 32a. Is stored. When the hook 40d passes through the small opening 31d and the opening 42a, the hook 40d is deformed inward by the recess hole 40e and can pass through the small opening 31d and the opening 42a. When the distal end portion 40a is stored in the distal end portion storage chamber 32a, the cutting portion 40b is stored in the cutting portion storage chamber 31a, and the rear end portion 40c is stored in the rear end portion storage chamber 31b. Therefore, the rear end portion 40c is not illegally operated.

  The operation of the pachinko machine configured as described above will be described. In order to replace the main controller 15, it is necessary to remove the upper cover 31 from the lower cover 32. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the cutting part 40b of the connecting pin 40 is cut from the rear side of the lower cover 32 using a jig such as a nipper. When the cutting part 40b is cut, the upper cover 31 can be opened and closed by rotating with the hinge 35. At this time, the distal end portion 40a of the cut connecting pin 40 is left unremovable in the distal end portion storage chamber 32a by the hook 40d and the first protrusion 40f, and the rear end portion 40c is stored in the rear end portion by the second protrusion 40g. It is left in the chamber 31b in a non-removable state. Therefore, even if the player exchanges the main control device 15 illegally and tries to connect the upper cover 31 to the lower cover 32 again, the connecting pin 40 is disconnected and cannot be reused. Even if the connecting pin 40 is illegally duplicated, the cut leading end portion 40a remains in the leading end portion storage chamber 32a and the cut rear end portion 40c remains in the rear end portion storage chamber 31b. The connecting pin 40 cannot be inserted.

  Since the upper cover 31 is formed of a transparent resin and the inside thereof is visible, it can be determined whether or not the main controller 15 has been illegally replaced by whether or not the connecting pin 40 is cut. For example, if the connecting pin 40 is cut and the cut front end 40a remains in the front end storage chamber 32a and the cut rear end 40c remains in the rear end storage chamber 31b, the main controller 15 may be illegal. It can be determined that a simple exchange has been performed.

  In the above embodiment, the upper cover 31 is provided with the cutting portion storage chamber 31a for storing the cutting portion 40b of the connecting pin 40 and the rear end portion storage chamber 31b for storing the rear end portion 40c, and the lower cover 32 is provided with a tip portion. Although the front end storage chamber 32a for storing 40a is provided, the front end storage chamber for storing the front end 40a is provided in the upper cover 31, and the cutting end storage chamber and the rear end for storing the cutting portion 40b in the lower cover 32 are provided. You may make it the structure which provides the rear-end part storage chamber which accommodates the part 40c. In this case, by forming the upper cover 31 and the lower cover 32 from a transparent resin, the inside thereof can be visually recognized when closed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the crime prevention cover unit 20 using this invention was provided, the main control apparatus 15 was accommodated and it was set as the structure which grasps | ascertains the unauthorized exchange of the main control apparatus 15, an unauthorized exchange is carried out using this invention. What is grasped is not limited to the main control device 15. For example, a security cover unit that accommodates the sub-control device 16 may be provided to determine whether the sub-control device 16 has been illegally exchanged.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine which implemented this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance from the back side of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the electrical structure inside the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a security cover unit and a main controller. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a security cover unit. It is sectional drawing which shows a security cover unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the crime prevention cover unit after a connection pin cutting | disconnection.

Explanation of symbols

2 Pachinko machine 3 Main body frame 4 Game board 15 Main control device 16 Sub control device 20 Security cover unit 31 Upper cover 31a Cutting portion storage chamber 31b Rear end storage chamber 31c Main control device storage chamber 32 Lower cover 32a Front end storage chamber 32b Main controller storage chamber 33 Upper cover bearing portion 34 Lower cover bearing portion 35 Hinge 40 Connecting pin 40a Tip portion 40b Cutting portion 40c Rear end portion

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine comprising a drive device that is activated when performing a game, and a control device that controls the drive device according to a control program,
A lower cover attached to the gaming machine main body for at least one of housing or mounting the control means;
An upper cover that is detachably attached to the lower cover, and that houses or mounts the control means so as to cover the entire circumference of the control means with the lower cover;
A connecting member for connecting the upper cover and the lower cover;
A tip storage chamber provided on one of the upper cover and the lower cover, storing the tip of the connecting member, and making the tip non-detachable;
One of the upper cover and the lower cover, which is provided on the other side of the tip portion storage chamber, and cuts the connecting member with the tip portion stored in the tip portion storage chamber. A gaming machine comprising a cutting chamber.   Any one of the upper cover and the lower cover provided with the cutting chamber includes a rear end storage chamber for storing the rear end of the connecting member and making the rear end non-detachable. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the upper cover of the upper cover and the lower cover is made of a transparent resin whose inside is visible.

Images