JP2006000436A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent fraudulent actions (especially the ones accompanied by power OFF/ON) to a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The power source part of a slot machine is provided with a power interruption detection part 203d which detects the stoppage of power supply by a power unit, an alarm sound generator 203b which issues alarm sound at the time of detecting the stoppage of the power supply, a standby power source 203c for driving the alarm sound generator, and a power source part case body 203 which tightly seals and houses the power interruption detection part, the alarm sound generator and the standby power source, and the power OFF of the game machine is reported to the surroundings by the alarm sound. Since the alarm sound generator is housed inside the power source part case body and is not made easily accessible and the reset switch of the alarm sound or the like is not provided, the alarm can not be invalidated and the power OFF of the game machine is surely reported. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine capable of monitoring power-off.

  A gaming machine such as a slot machine allows a player to enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of gaming media such as medals into the gaming machine. The medals necessary for the game can be borrowed with a medal lending machine provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by inserting it into the medal slot of a desired gaming machine.

  The gaming machine basically pays out medals when the pattern is complete, but whether the pattern is complete or not depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer. Various prizes, such as big bonuses, regular bonuses, and small roles, also follow the results of internal computer lottery. The lottery process can be set within a predetermined range, and setting work is performed by the store in a hall or the like where a gaming machine is installed. The setting change was performed by a procedure such as opening a door of the gaming machine, turning on a setting key switch provided in the power supply unit, and performing a predetermined operation such as pressing the setting change switch. In order to make the setting change effective, it is usually necessary to turn off the power, that is, turn off and on again.

  A small part of the players performed a dishonest act (so-called goto act). For example, there has been a person who illegally changes the setting of the gaming machine to one advantageous for himself by performing the setting operation illegally. In addition, the entire substrate may be replaced. The door of the gaming machine is provided with a key so that it cannot be opened and closed easily, and a key is also required for the operation of the setting key switch. It seems that the setting is performed illegally by adding a work to the wiring of the setting key switch using the gap of the housing.

  In conventional gaming machines, there was no security measure other than the mechanism of the key. By the way, since it is necessary to turn off the power and turn it on again to make the setting change effective, it is preferable to constantly monitor the power state of each gaming machine from the outside. The power on / off of a gaming machine such as a slot machine is performed outside the business hours of the hall, and is basically on at the start of business and off at the end. Normally, power on / off operations are not required during business hours, and when a power on / off operation is detected during business hours, hall personnel are dispatched to investigate and prevent fraud. become able to.

  In monitoring the power supply state of each gaming machine from the outside, there is a method of concentrating signals indicating the power supply state from the gaming machine to a central monitoring device (hall computer). Although this method has the advantage that all gaming machines can be monitored, there is also the possibility that it will be deceived when fraudulent work is performed on each gaming machine. For example, it is possible to add a work to the signal line indicating the power supply state from the gaming machine so that the hall computer cannot grasp the accurate state.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that makes it possible to prevent such fraud.

The present invention starts a game process in response to a player's operation, performs internal lottery and winning determination, and controls a game medium payout control according to winning, and setting information related to the internal operation of the control unit. In a gaming machine that includes a storage unit for storing, and is required to be turned off and on in order to change the setting information,
A power supply device that supplies power to each part of the gaming machine including the control unit; a power-off detection unit that detects stoppage of power supply by the power supply device; and the power-off detection unit that stops power supply by the power supply device. An alarm sound generating device that emits an alarm sound when detected, a standby power source for driving the alarm sound generating device, the power source device, the power-off detector, the alarm sound generating device, and the standby power source are sealed. And the alarm sound generating device continues the alarm sound until the power of the standby power source is exhausted.

  It is preferable that at least the alarm sound generating device and the standby power supply are configured so as to be sealed from the power supply housing and not accessible from the outside. The power-off detection unit is preferably sealed in the same manner. However, for example, when a power switch is used as the power-off detection unit, the operation unit needs to be exposed to the outside of the power supply unit case and easily accessible. There is. The meaning of being sealed and not accessible from the outside applies to the terminal part of the power switch. In short, the meaning of sealing is to make it difficult to perform an illegal operation in which no alarm sound is generated when the power switch is turned off.

  Preferably, the standby power supply is a secondary battery charged by the output power of the power supply device, and the capacity thereof is determined based on the duration of the alarm sound.

  Preferably, the frequency of the alarm sound of the alarm sound generating device is a band that resonates with the natural frequency of the power source housing or the gaming machine housing.

  The frequency of the alarm sound of the alarm sound generator may be determined based on the sound insulation characteristics of the housing of the gaming machine.

  Further, a duct provided between the power source housing and the gaming machine housing may be provided, and the alarm sound of the warning sound generating device may be propagated to the gaming machine housing through the duct.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to notify the surroundings of power-off of a gaming machine by an alarm sound. The alarm sound generating device is housed in the power supply housing so that it cannot be easily accessed, and the alarm sound reset switch or the like is not provided, so the alarm of the present invention cannot be disabled and the gaming machine is turned off. It is possible to reliably notify.

A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine (also called a slot machine or a spinning cylinder gaming machine).
A player who wants to enjoy a game with the slot machine 10 first borrows a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and inserts a medal directly into the medal insertion slot 100 of the medal insertion device. The medal slot 100 is provided at a substantially central height in front of the slot machine 10.

  The slot machine 10 has a square box-shaped housing 11. A square window-like display window 12 facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the casing 11. A symbol display window 13 through which the symbols 61 of the three rotary reels 40 can be seen is formed at the center of the display window 12 at the center. The bet switch 16 is a switch located below the rotary reel 40, and reduces the number of stored medals inserted and stored in the medal insertion slot 100 to replace the medal insertion. The settlement switch 17 is a switch located obliquely below the rotating reel, and pays out the stored inserted medal. The start switch 30 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotary reel 40 and starts driving the reel unit 60 on condition that a game medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted. The stop switch 50 is for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60. The reel unit 60 is composed of three rotating reels 40. Each rotating reel 40 includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape 42 attached around the rotating drum. On the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape 42, a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols 61 are displayed. Reference numeral 62 denotes a liquid crystal display unit for performing various effects.

  Inside the slot machine 10, a control device for controlling the overall operation of the slot machine 10 is incorporated as will be described later. The control device is configured around a CPU and includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. The CPU (processing unit) is operated by reading a program stored in a ROM (storage unit) in response to the player's operation. Specifically, the CPU (processing unit) is operated by the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50. Based on this, the rotation and stop of the rotary reel 40 are controlled, and the display of lamps, speakers, etc. is controlled. Temporary data necessary for the operation of the CPU is RAM (storage unit: RAM is generally a volatile memory, and data is lost in principle when the power is turned off. A backup power source such as a battery may be prepared. In this case, data is not lost even if the power is cut off). The CPU performs a predetermined operation in accordance with a program recorded in the ROM, records temporary data necessary for processing in the RAM, and reads out and refers to the recorded data as necessary.

  The start switch 30 is a lever that is positioned obliquely below the rotary reel 40 as described above. The start switch 30 can be obtained on the condition that a game medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted or according to a winning determination. "Replay)" is to start driving the reel unit 60 on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous game.

  The stop switch 50 is for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60 as described above. Specifically, the stop switch 50 includes three switches corresponding to each rotary reel 40, and one stop switch 50 is disposed below each rotary reel 40. The operation of the stop switch 50 corresponding to the rotating reel 40 is set to stop the rotation of the corresponding rotating reel 40.

  When the start switch 30 is operated on the condition that the medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted, or on the condition that a predetermined time elapses from the previous game at the time of the “replay”, the reel unit 60 is driven, and the three The rotary reel 40 starts to rotate. Thereafter, when one of the stop switches 50 is operated, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reel 40 is stopped. When all three stop switches 50 are operated, the rotation of the three rotary reels 40 is stopped. At this time, if a predetermined symbol 61 on the effective pay line of the display window 13 stops, it is determined that the winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out through a hopper unit (not shown). In addition, you may credit instead of paying out medals.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic structure of the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 includes a main substrate 1 (first processing unit) and a sub substrate 2 (second processing unit) that operates in response to a command from the main substrate 1 (first processing unit). At least the main substrate 1 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and a sealing process is performed so that traces remain when the substrates are removed.

  The main board 1 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 1 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub-board 2 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 1 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 2 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub-board 2 receives a command from the main board 1 and performs effects and other processing according to the command. The flow of commands is only one from the main board 1 to the sub board 2, and conversely, no command or the like is issued from the sub board 2 to the main board 1.

  The main board 1 includes a start switch 30, a stop switch 50, a reel drive unit 70, a reel position detection circuit 71, a hopper drive unit 80, a hopper 81, and a medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. Is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a control substrate 200 of the liquid crystal display device 62, a speaker 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 2. Hereinafter, these peripheral substrates / devices except for the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50 will be described.

  The reel driving unit 70 is a circuit that drives a stepping motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the three reels 40. Each stepping motor is subjected to 1-2 phase excitation by the reel drive circuit 70 and rotates once when a drive signal having a predetermined number of pulses is supplied.

  The reel position detection circuit 71 is provided in the vicinity of the reel 40, receives an output pulse signal from a photo interrupter (not shown) for detecting the rotation position of the reel 40, detects the rotation position of each of the three reels 40, and detects it. A signal is output. A photo interrupter (not shown) detects a shielding plate provided on each reel 40 and generates a reset pulse every time each reel 40 rotates once. This reset pulse is given to the CPU of the main board 1 via the reel position detection circuit 71. In the RAM of the main board 1, a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range is stored for each reel 40, and when the CPU receives the reset pulse, the count value formed in the RAM is stored. Clear to “0”. By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor is eliminated every rotation.

  The hopper driving unit 80 is a circuit that drives a motor of a hopper 81 that stores medals and pays out the number of medals corresponding to the designated winning.

  The medal detection unit 82 is for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. The CPU of the main board 1 stops the driving by the hopper driving unit 80 when the medal count value actually paid out received from the medal detection unit 82 reaches the predetermined payout number data corresponding to the winning. Finish paying out. The hopper drive circuit 80 and the medal detection unit 82 pay out a predetermined number of medals to the player based on a winning obtained as a result of the game.

The liquid crystal control board 200 is a circuit for driving the liquid crystal display unit 62.
The speaker 201 is for generating sound such as voice and sound effects.
The LED substrate 202 is a circuit for driving a display lamp and a back lamp (not shown).

  The ROM of the main board 1 stores game processing procedures executed in the slot machine 10 as a sequence program, and stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like. Has been. Various winnings occur under the probability according to the data setting of the winning probability table and the stop control of the symbol is performed, so that it is not extremely influenced by the skill of the player, for example, within the business hours of the day The total medal payment rate is maintained almost constant. The winning probability can be set within a certain range, and setting work is performed by the store in a hall or the like where a gaming machine is installed. The main board 1 stores setting information regarding internal operations such as which winning probability table to use. In order to change the setting information, it is necessary to turn the power off and on.

  FIG. 2 shows a power supply unit of the gaming machine. A power supply device 203a supplies power to each part of the gaming machine, and receives AC 100V AC power and converts it into DC power such as + 5V used on each board of the gaming machine. 203b is an alarm sound generating device that emits an alarm sound when detection of power supply stop of the power supply device 203a is detected, 203c is a standby power source for driving the alarm sound generating device 203b, and 203d is a power supply stop of the power supply device 203a. It is a power-off detection part to detect.

  The power supply device 203 a, the alarm sound generation device 203 b, the standby power supply 203 c, and the power interruption detection unit 203 d are housed in the power supply unit housing 203. The power supply unit housing 203 is hermetically sealed so that it cannot be easily accessed. A hole for heat radiation and a hole for a speaker (not shown) that emits an alarm sound may be provided in the power source housing 203, but they are made small so that they cannot be easily touched with internal devices. The above-mentioned sealing has such a meaning.

  The alarm sound generator 203b includes a speaker, a siren, a bell, and the like, and generates an alarm sound only in accordance with the output from the power-off detector 203d. No means such as a switch for stopping this is provided. Accordingly, the alarm sound generator 203b continues the alarm sound until the power of the standby power supply 203c is exhausted.

  The standby power supply 203c is preferably a secondary battery that is charged by the output power of the power supply device 203a. If it is a primary battery, it must be replaced every time, which is inconvenient. The capacity of the standby power supply 203c is determined based on the duration of the alarm sound. A duration of about 1 or 2 minutes is sufficient. Since the alarm blowing time is short, it is not necessary to have an electric capacity as high as that of the primary battery. However, since the alarm sound is preferably at a high volume, it is preferable that a large current can be taken out for a relatively short time. As a secondary battery, a general lead storage battery, nickel cadmium battery, lithium ion battery, nickel metal hydride battery, or the like can be used. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, a large capacity capacitor (capacitor) is not necessary because the electrical capacity is not necessary. Can also be used.

  A specific example of the power-off detector 203d is shown in FIG. FIG. 3A shows a power-off detection unit using a switch 203d-1 that works in conjunction with the power switch of the power supply unit 203a. When the power switch is turned off, the switch 203d-1 becomes conductive and notifies the alarm sound generator 203b that the power is off. Note that the logic of the switch 203d-1 may be reversed (non-conductive when the power is off). FIG. 3B shows a power-off detection unit using a relay 203d-2 driven by the output of the power supply unit 203a. When the output voltage of the power supply unit 203a decreases, the relay contacts return and become conductive (the logic may be reversed). 3A and 3B are examples, and other configurations can be used as the power-off detection unit 203d. When the power switch is returned from OFF to ON, the switch 203d-1 returns, but once the alarm sound generating device 203b generates an alarm sound, the alarm continues until the power of the standby power supply 203c is exhausted. (For example, the alarm sound generator 203b has a mechanism for holding it once turned on. Such a circuit can be easily realized using an IC, a relay, a microcomputer, etc.).

  The embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that an alarm sound generation device 203b, a spare battery 203c, and a power-off detection unit 203d are built in the power supply unit housing 203. These constitute an alarm device, but are completed in the power supply unit housing 203. Since the power supply housing 203 is a metal box and hermetically sealed, it is difficult to cheat. It can be said that it is almost impossible to disable the alarm device.

  At the same time as the power is turned off, an alarm is sounded from an alarm speaker. The driving power at this time is supplied from the standby power source 203c. The alarm speaker is built in the power supply unit housing 203, and an existing speaker provided in the housing is not used. This is because the existing speaker is an external speaker, and the wiring is temporarily cut, and there is a possibility that the alarm sound does not sound.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, an alarm sound is always sounded when the power is turned off, but the power on / off is performed by a hall clerk, and the power off is usually performed at the end of the hall. However, it is thought that it will not hinder the gaming behavior of general customers. Even if an alarm sound is generated due to a malfunction, it is driven by a standby power supply, so the sound does not sound in a certain time. The speaker blowing time is determined by the power supply capacity of the standby power supply.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to issue an alarm to the surroundings in the case of fraudulent actions involving power on / off. It is difficult to prevent fraudsters from sounding alarm sounds, and the effect of suppressing fraudulent acts is great. Simple configuration, high reliability, and relatively low cost.

  Note that it is preferable that the frequency of the alarm sound of the alarm sound generation device 203b be a band that resonates with the natural frequency of the power source housing 203 or the housing of the gaming machine because the alarm sound can easily propagate. For example, assuming that the vibration frequency of a speaker (not shown) is f1 and the natural frequency of the housing is fz, the housing resonates with an alarm sound if it is set to an integral multiple of ± 20% of f1 = fz. Since the alarm sound generator 203b is hermetically sealed with the power source housing 203, it cannot be accessed from the outside, but there is also a problem that the alarm sound is difficult to propagate to the outside. By setting as described above, the casing itself generates an alarm sound, so that the problem can be solved.

  The frequency of the alarm sound of the alarm sound generator 203b is preferably determined based on the sound insulation characteristics of the gaming machine casing. For example, when the housing of the gaming machine is configured to shield a relatively high sound range, the alarm sound can easily propagate to the outside if the main component of the alarm sound is set to a low sound range (low frequency). Generally, low-frequency sounds tend to propagate outside.

  A duct may be provided between the power source casing 203 and the gaming machine casing. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a duct 204 is provided in front of the speaker 203b-1 of the alarm sound generating device 203b, and the alarm sound of the speaker 203b-1 is propagated through the duct 204 to the casing of the gaming machine. Although it is conceivable to provide a hole in the part of the casing of the gaming machine that receives the duct 204, it is preferable not to provide a hole from the viewpoint of preventing fraud.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

It is a front view of a gaming machine (slot machine). 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of the power interruption detection part which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the duct which concerns on embodiment of invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 11 Case 12 Display window 13 Symbol display window 16 Bet switch 17 Settlement switch 30 Start switch 40 Rotating reel 42 Reel tape 50 Stop switch 60 Reel unit 61 Symbol 62 Liquid crystal display unit 70 Reel drive unit 71 Reel position detection circuit 80 Hopper drive unit 81 Hopper 82 Medal detection unit 100 Medal insertion slot 200 Liquid crystal control board 201 Speaker 202 LED board 203 Power supply unit casing 203a Power supply unit 203b Alarm sound generation unit 203c Standby power supply 203d Power cut-off detection unit 204 Duct

Claims (5)

A control unit that starts a game process in response to a player's operation, performs internal lottery and winning determination, and controls payout of game media according to winning, and a storage unit that stores setting information related to the internal operation of the control unit And a gaming machine that requires a power-off to change the setting information,
A power supply device that supplies power to each part of the gaming machine including the control unit; a power-off detection unit that detects stoppage of power supply by the power supply device; and the power-off detection unit that stops power supply by the power supply device. An alarm sound generating device that emits an alarm sound when detected, a standby power source for driving the alarm sound generating device, the power source device, the power-off detector, the alarm sound generating device, and the standby power source are sealed. And a power supply unit housing for storing the alarm sound generator, wherein the alarm sound generating device continues the alarm sound until the power of the standby power supply is exhausted.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the standby power source is a secondary battery that is charged by output power of the power source device, and a capacity thereof is determined based on a duration of an alarm sound.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frequency of the warning sound of the warning sound generator is a band that resonates with the natural frequency of the power source casing or the gaming machine casing.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frequency of the warning sound of the warning sound generator is determined based on a sound insulation characteristic of a housing of the gaming machine.   2. A duct provided between the power supply housing and the gaming machine housing, wherein the alarm sound of the warning sound generating device is propagated through the duct to the gaming machine housing. The gaming machine according to claim 4.

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