JP2006034508A - Game machine, door opening detection method of game machine and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the door opening of a game machine without providing a door opening detection sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The main board of a slot machine is attached inside a case body, a sub board is attached to the inner side of a door, and communication between the main board and the sub board is performed by optical signals. When the door is opened, the optical signals of a light emitting part do not reach a light receiving part. Then, the opening of the door is detected in the sub board by performing the step of sending out the optical signals from the light emitting part, the step of resetting a timer when the light receiving part receives the optical signals, the step of reading the value of the timer and the step of comparing the value of the timer with a preset threshold and judging that the door is opened at the time of exceeding it. <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 door opening detection method and a program for a gaming machine for preventing illegal acts.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a player can enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of medals and game media such as a game ball into the gaming machine. The game media necessary for the game can be borrowed at a game media rental machine or the like provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by putting it into the game media slot of a desired game machine.

  The slot machine basically pays out medals as prizes when the patterns are complete. Whether or not the patterns are complete 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 contents of the lottery process can be changed within a predetermined range, and the setting work is performed by the store in a hall where a gaming machine is installed. To change the setting, open the door of the gaming machine, turn on the power switch while turning on the setting key switch provided on the power supply unit, enter the mode where the setting can be changed, and then press the setting change switch. It was performed according to the operating procedure.

  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. Moreover, it seems to be replaced with a storage device (ROM) in which the program is illegally changed so as to be advantageous to the player. In order to prevent such an illegal act, the door of the gaming machine is provided with a key so that it cannot be easily opened and closed, but the gaming machine door may still be opened and closed illegally. In order to detect that the door has been illegally opened, it is necessary to attach a sensor such as a push button switch or a photo interrupter to the gaming machine. However, the sensor may be engineered so that it does not function, and the opening of the door due to fraud may not be detected.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine, a gaming machine door opening detection method, and a program capable of reliably detecting the opening of the gaming machine door.

The present invention includes a housing, a door that can be opened and closed in the housing, and a processing unit that performs internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs payout control of game media in accordance with winning And a sub-processing unit that performs an effect including notification of the result of the internal lottery based on a command signal from the processing unit,
A command signal from the processing unit is received and converted into an optical signal, and a light emitting unit for transmitting the optical signal is received. A light receiving unit for sending, a timer that is reset when the light receiving unit sends the command signal, and a determination unit that determines opening of the door based on a value of the timer,
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and Arranged so that the light emitting part and the light receiving part do not face each other with the door open,
The determination unit determines that the door is opened when a value of the timer exceeds a preset threshold value.

The present invention provides a housing, a door provided on the housing so as to be openable and closable, and a processing unit that performs an internal lottery and a winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs a game medium payout control in accordance with the winning. And a collecting plate that receives a signal related to the gaming situation from the processing unit and sends the signal to an external computer,
A command signal from the processing unit is received and converted into an optical signal, and a light emitting unit that transmits the optical signal, and the optical signal is received from the light emitting unit and converted into an electrical signal, and the command signal is sent to the collecting plate A light receiving unit for sending, a timer that is reset when the light receiving unit sends the command signal, and a determination unit that determines opening of the door based on a value of the timer,
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and Arranged so that the light emitting part and the light receiving part do not face each other with the door open,
When the value of the timer exceeds a preset threshold, the determination unit determines that the door is opened and sends a signal to that effect to an external computer.

  Preferably, the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit provided in the door is disposed so that a light path thereof is perpendicular to a surface of the door, and the light emitting unit or the light emitting unit provided in the housing is provided. The light receiving unit is arranged so that the light path of the light emitting unit and the light path of the light receiving unit coincide with each other when the door is closed.

  The range in which the light receiving unit detects light is preferably determined based on a rotation angle of the door when it is determined that the door is opened and a positional relationship between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. For example, in the arrangement as described above, the rotation angle of the door is θ, the angle of the range C in which the light receiving unit can receive light is α, the shift amount between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, more precisely, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. Assuming that the angle formed by the light path arranged so that the line segment connecting the sections is perpendicular to the door surface as described above is β, the relationship of α = 2 (θ−β) is generally satisfied. preferable. When the rotation angle θ of the door is zero, β is also zero, and there is no deviation between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.

  The processing unit may generate and send a dummy command signal when the next command signal is not sent within a period corresponding to the threshold after sending the command signal.

A power supply unit that supplies power to at least the processing unit;
When the determination unit determines that the door is opened, the determination unit may output a command for prohibiting power off for a predetermined period to the power supply unit.

The present invention includes a housing, a door that can be opened and closed in the housing, and a processing unit that performs internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs payout control of game media in accordance with winning And a light emitting unit that receives a command signal from the processing unit and converts the command signal into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal, and a light receiving unit that receives the optical signal from the light emitting unit and converts it into an electrical signal.
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and A method of detecting the opening of a door in a gaming machine, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so as not to face each other when the door is open,
Sending an optical signal from the light emitting unit;
Resetting a timer when the light receiving unit receives the optical signal;
Reading the timer value;
Comparing the timer value with a preset threshold value and determining that the door has been opened when the threshold value is exceeded.

The present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the above method.
The program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium, for example.
Examples of the medium include EPROM device, flash memory device, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk, CD (including CD-ROM and Video-CD), DVD (DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD- RAM), ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.

  In addition, a communication medium such as a wired communication medium such as a telephone line and a wireless communication medium such as a microwave line is included. The Internet is also included in the communication medium here.

  A medium is a medium in which information (mainly digital data, a program) is recorded by some physical means, and allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. is there.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the opening of the door through the reception of the command signal. There is no need to provide a door opening detection sensor.
If a dummy command signal is generated, it is possible to detect the opening of the door without depending on the command signal.
Furthermore, when the opening of the door is detected, it is necessary to open the door for a long period of time by prohibiting the power supply from being turned off for a predetermined period of time, thereby preventing fraud.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
A slot machine and its fraud prevention method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed.
FIG. 1 shows a slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 includes a slot machine main body 120 and a front door 130 attached to one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120 by a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided on the further right side of the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  A start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. When a game medal is inserted into the medal slot 132 or when the start switch 134 is operated on condition that the bet switch 137 is operated, the three reels start to rotate and the game starts. A cancel switch (also referred to as a cancel button) 138 is for requesting the return of inserted medals.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic structure of the slot machine 100. In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 1 and a sub-substrate (sub-processing unit) 2 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 1.

  The main board 1 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as rotation / stop of a reel (rotating drum) and payout of medals. The main board 1 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and ROM and RAM that are storage means.

  When the main board 1 controls the rotation and stop of the rotating reel 40 based on the operation of the start switch 134 and the stop switch 140, a lottery for determining whether or not to win based on a predetermined lottery probability. And a winning lottery means (not shown). A winning flag is established when the lottery result by the winning lottery means is a winning, and the combination of stop symbols of the rotating reel (rotating drum) 40 coincides with a predetermined winning symbol while the winning flag is established. The conditions are set so that the winning is confirmed and the player is given a medal or special game profit.

  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, and a ROM and a RAM that are storage means.

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

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the main board 1 is provided in the gaming machine housing 120, the sub board 2 is provided inside the front door 130 so as to face the main board 1, and the main board 1 to the sub board 2 are provided. A command signal is transmitted to an optical signal using an optical signal (for example, infrared rays) (see FIG. 3). The light emitting unit 10 in FIG. 2 receives a command signal from the main board 1, converts it into an optical signal, and transmits it. The light receiving unit 20 receives the optical signal from the light emitting unit 10 and converts it into an electrical signal. The signal is output to the sub-board 2 as a signal. The sub-board 2 includes a timer 2a that is reset when a command signal is received from the light receiving unit 20, and a determination unit 2b that detects opening of the front door 130 based on the value of the timer 2a. The timer 2a and the determination unit 2b are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in hardware or ROM provided on the sub-board 2. The light emitting unit 10 is fixed inside the housing 120 (for example, on the main substrate 1), the light receiving unit 20 is placed inside the front door 130 (for example, on the sub-board 2), and the light emitting unit 10 is closed with the front door 130 closed. It is fixed so as to face each other.

  When the front door 130 is opened, the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 changes, so that the optical signal from the light emitting unit 10 does not reach the light receiving unit 20. Unlike an electrical signal, an optical signal travels straight, and communication may or may not be possible depending on the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20. Based on this principle, the determination unit 2b refers to the value of the timer 2a to determine that communication is no longer possible.

  2 shows a state in which the timer 2a and the determination unit 2b are built in the sub board 2 (may be realized by a program of the sub board 2), the present invention is not limited to this. It may be provided independently of the sub-substrate 2. 2 shows a state in which the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 are provided independently from the main substrate 1 and the sub substrate 2, they may be incorporated in the main substrate 1 and the sub substrate 2, respectively.

  The main board 1 includes a start switch 134, a stop switch 140, a reel (rotating cylinder) driving unit 70, a reel (rotating cylinder) position detection circuit 71, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81 for storing and paying out medals, and a hopper 81. A medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals paid out is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a control substrate 200 of the liquid crystal display unit, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 (not shown) is connected to the sub substrate 2. Hereinafter, these peripheral boards / devices excluding the start switch 134 and the stop switch 140 will be described.

  The reel (rotating cylinder) driving unit 70 is a circuit that drives a stepping motor (not shown) that rotationally drives three reels (rotating cylinders) 40. Each stepping motor is subjected to 1-2 phase excitation by a reel (rotating drum) drive circuit 70, and rotates once when a predetermined number of drive signals are supplied.

  The reel (rotating cylinder) position detection circuit 71 is provided in the vicinity of the reel (rotating cylinder) 40 and receives an output pulse signal from a photosensor (not shown) for detecting the rotational position of the reel (rotating cylinder) 40. (Rotating cylinder) 40 detects each rotational position and outputs a detection signal thereof. A photo sensor (not shown) detects a shielding plate provided on each reel (rotor) 40 and generates a reset pulse every time each reel (rotor) 40 makes one rotation. This reset pulse is given to the CPU of the main board 1 via the reel (rotating cylinder) position detection circuit 71. The RAM of the main board 1 stores a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range for each reel (rotating cylinder) 40. When the CPU receives a reset pulse, it is formed in the RAM. This count value is cleared 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 (not shown) of the hopper 81 that stores medals and pays out the designated number of medals.

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

The liquid crystal control board 200 is a circuit for driving a liquid crystal display unit (not shown).
The speaker board 201 is a circuit for driving a loudspeaker (not shown).
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 100 as a sequence program, as well as a winning probability table, a symbol (symbol) table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like. Has been stored. The winning probability table is divided so as to divide the extracted random number into each winning mode, and stores data for dividing a certain range of generated random numbers into each winning mode. In other words, the winning probability table has an area divided for each winning mode corresponding to all possible random number areas. For example, a range of 0 to a certain number is divided into a plurality, one division (area) is excluded, and the other division (area) is set as winning 1, winning 2,. The extracted random number data is collated with each of the winning determination area data divided for each winning mode in the entire random number area, and the winning corresponding to the winning mode to which the extracted random number data belongs is determined. For example, it is determined which category (region) of the winning probability table 5 the extracted random number value belongs to, and if the category is, for example, a category of winning 1, it is determined as “winning 1”. Similarly, if the extracted random number value belongs to an out-of-range category (region) in the winning determination table 5, it is determined as “out”. For example, when the evaluation of the lottery process is out of place, the predetermined symbols are set so as not to be aligned (so-called kicking), and when winning, the predetermined symbols are aligned on condition that the stop switch 134 is pressed at a predetermined timing. (So-called pull-in). And if predetermined symbols are prepared, medals corresponding to winning symbols are paid out. Since various types of winning are generated with the probability according to the data setting of the winning probability table, for example, the total medal within the business hours of the day is not influenced by the skill of the player. The payment rate is kept almost constant.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the mounting state of the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 according to Embodiment 1 of the invention (a perspective view seen through the inside of the gaming machine). In FIG. 3, the display of other elements is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

  In FIG. 3, the main board 1 is attached to the back (inner side of the back) of the gaming machine casing 120, and the sub board 2 is located on the inner side of the front door 130 (surface facing the inside of the casing 120) so as to face this. Is provided. The main board 1 and the sub board 2 are housed inside the casing and do not appear outside.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which the light emitting unit 10 is provided on the main substrate 1 and the light receiving unit 20 is provided on the sub substrate 2. The optical signal from the light emitting unit 10 is received by the light receiving unit 20 disposed in front of the light emitting unit 10 with the front door 130 closed. In FIG. 3, a path of an optical signal from the light emitting unit 10 to the light receiving unit 20 is indicated by a symbol L.

  In FIG. 3, the light receiving unit 20 provided on the front door 130 is arranged so that the light path is perpendicular to the surface of the front door 130, and the light emitting unit 10 is in a state where the front door 130 is closed. The light path of 10 and the light path of the light receiving unit 20 are arranged to coincide. These positional relationships change when the front door 130 is open.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows the processing of the main board 1 and the sub board 2 (only the part related to the first embodiment of the invention).

  Command signals are transmitted from the main board 1 to the sub board 2 at regular intervals (S10). Various production commands are frequently transmitted from the main board 1 to the sub-board 2, and generally one or more command signals are transmitted for a certain period. In such a case, it can be considered that command signals are transmitted at regular intervals.

  When the command signal is received by the sub board 2 (S20), processing (such as effect processing) according to the command signal is executed (S21). This is the same process as in the conventional case.

  In the sub-board 2, the timer reset process is executed, and when the command is received (YES in S22), the timer 2a is reset. If no command is received (NO in S22), the timer 2a continues to keep time. Therefore, the value (time) of the timer 2a means the time from the reception of the latest command signal to the present time.

  In the sub-board 2 (determination unit 2b), the door opening determination process is executed, the value of the timer 2a is read (S24), and if this exceeds a predetermined time (a preset threshold) (YES in S25), the previous It is determined that the door 130 has been opened (S26). Then, error notification is performed (S27). If the sub-board 2 does not receive a command from the main board 1 and the value of the timer 2a exceeds the set value (maximum reception interval), it is determined that the door is open, and an error is notified. is there.

  As described above, in gaming machines, it can be considered that one or more command signals are transmitted when viewed over a certain period of time, so that no command signal is received for a long time, the front door 130 is opened. (For other reasons, for example, a failure of the main board 1, the light emitting element 10, or the light receiving element 20 may be considered, but the probability of such an event occurring is very low). An error notification is also given when a regular clerk opens the front door 130, but the mere notification will not hinder the work. On the other hand, since the error notification at the time of fraudulent action attracts the attention of the people and turns the staff, the fraudulent act can be hesitant and the fraudulent act can be suppressed as a result.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 and the relationship between the communication states (whether light can be received) will be described.

  FIG. 5A is a top view of the gaming machine. A state in which the inside of the gaming machine is seen through from above is shown (the main board 1 and the like inside the gaming machine is usually shown by a dotted line, but is shown by a solid line in this figure for easy viewing). FIG. 5A shows a state where the front door 130 is closed. In the figure, the light emitting unit 10 emits light in a direction perpendicular to the front door 130, and similarly, the light receiving unit 20 receives light in a direction perpendicular to the front door 130. In this state, since the light receiving unit 20 is positioned in front of the light emitting unit 10, the optical signal of the light emitting unit 10 enters the light receiving unit 20. A symbol L indicates a path of the optical signal. In FIG. 5A, the light path of the light receiving unit 20 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the surface of the front door 130, and the light path of the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 in a state where the front door 130 is closed. Are arranged so that their light paths coincide. Note that the light paths coincide with each other means that the light path L is included in the receivable range C in FIG. 5C. Preferably, the light path L and the light path in FIG. 5C can be received. The center line L ′ of the range C is on the same straight line.

  FIG. 5B is a side view and a front view showing details of the light receiving unit 20. The light receiving unit 20 includes a light receiving element 20a such as a photodiode and a cylindrical case 20b for housing the light receiving element 20a. The range (angle) in which the light receiving unit 20 can receive light is limited by the case 20b. Such a case 20b is not essential, but is preferably provided. Without the case 20b, the light receiving unit 20 can receive the optical signal of the light emitting unit 10 existing in a range determined by the light receiving element 20a (wider than when the case 20b is provided). In this case, there is an advantage that communication is possible even if the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 are slightly deviated. On the other hand, if the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 is slightly changed, communication by an optical signal is interrupted. Never happen. In this case, the opening of the front door 130 cannot be detected unless the front door 130 is largely opened. In actual fraudulent activities, the front door 130 may be slightly opened and operated. Therefore, it is preferable to detect even when the front door 130 is opened at a slight angle in terms of preventing fraud. From such a viewpoint, it is preferable to provide the case 20b and reduce the range (angle) in which light can be received. The range can be adjusted by changing the length of the case 20b.

  FIG. 5C shows a state where the front door 130 is opened. Since the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 changes in this state, the optical signal from the light emitting unit 10 does not reach the light receiving unit 20. In other words, the optical signal L of the light emitting unit 10 is not included in the light receiving range C of the light receiving unit 20 (the optical signal L is included in the light receiving range C of the light receiving unit 20). Can receive light).

  Next, the rotation angle of the front door capable of detecting opening and the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 will be examined with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a limit state where the light receiving unit 20 can receive the optical signal of the light emitting unit 10 (a state in which the rotation angle of the front door 130 is a critical value that is not determined to be open). In this state, the boundary line of the range C in which the light receiving unit 20 can receive light reaches the tip of the light emitting unit 10.

  At this time, the rotation angle of the front door 130 is θ (the closed state is 0), the angle of the range C in which the light receiving unit 20 can receive light is α, the amount of deviation between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20, specifically As shown in FIG. 6, the light path L is arranged such that the line segment connecting the light emitting surface of the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 20 is perpendicular to the surface of the front door 130 shown in FIG. Assuming that the angle formed by β is β, the relationship of θ = β + α / 2, that is, α = 2 (θ−β) is generally established. When the rotation angle θ of the door is zero, β is also zero, and there is no deviation between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. β is determined if the specific dimensions of the gaming machine housing 120 and the front door 130 and the specific mounting positions of the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20 are determined. Based on this β and the minimum rotation angle θ of the front door 130 that should detect opening, the angle α of the light receiving portion 20 in the light receiving range C is determined. If the length of the case 20b is set based on the obtained angle α, the opening of the front door 130 can be detected at a desired rotation angle θ.

  In the process of FIG. 4, it is assumed that commands for various performances are frequently transmitted from the main board 1 to the sub board 2 and that one or more command signals are transmitted in a certain period. . Depending on the type of gaming machine, the command transmission interval may be long. If the command transmission interval is long, the opening of the front door 130 for a shorter time cannot be detected. In view of the fact that fraudulent acts are performed quickly, it is desirable to be able to detect short-term opening.

  FIG. 7 shows a process in which a dummy command signal is transmitted at an arbitrary interval without depending on the command transmission interval, thereby enabling detection of opening of the front door 130 for a short time. 7 will be described with respect to the characteristic processing (processing not shown in FIG. 4).

  When a command signal is transmitted from the main board 1 (YES in S11), the timer is reset. The same thing as the timer 2 a is provided on the main board 1. When the command is not transmitted (NO in S11), the timer continues to keep time. Therefore, the timer value (time) means the time from the most recent command signal transmission to the present time.

  In the main board 1, dummy command generation processing is executed, the timer value is read (S13), and if this exceeds a predetermined time (a time shorter than a preset threshold) (YES in S14), a dummy command is executed. Generate (S15). The generated dummy command signal is transmitted in the same manner as a normal command signal. If the time used for the determination in S14 is shorter than the time used for the determination in S25, the door is not erroneously detected as open as long as communication is possible between the light emitting unit 10 and the light receiving unit 20. If the time used for the determination of S14 (that is, the minimum command transmission interval) is shortened, the opening of the front door 130 for a short time can be detected. For example, when the normal command transmission interval is 2 seconds, only the release of 2 seconds or more can be detected in the processing of FIG. 4, but a dummy command is inserted during transmission of the normal command signal, and the minimum command transmission interval is detected. Is set to 1 second, the opening of 1 second or more can be detected by the process of FIG. The minimum detectable opening time can be adjusted by the minimum command transmission interval.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
A general gaming machine includes a collecting plate for transmitting a gaming state (such as the number of jackpots) to an external computer (hall computer). Instead of the sub-substrate 2, a light receiving portion may be provided on the collecting plate. If it does in this way, opening of a front door can be grasped immediately by an external computer.

  FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. In the figure, the display of the sub-board 2 is omitted. 8, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as in FIG. 2. The difference will be briefly described below.

  A signal from the light receiving unit 20 is input to the collecting plate 3. The collecting plate 3 includes a CPU 3b (functioning as a determination unit) and a memory (ROM, RAM, etc.) 3c, and can execute predetermined processing according to a program. The timer 3a is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, and is realized by hardware such as an IC or a program. The CPU 3b functions as a determination unit that determines whether the front door 130 is opened. Since the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, it is desirable to back up the light receiving unit 20 and the collecting plate 3 with a battery so that the opening of the front door 130 can be detected even when the power of the gaming machine is turned off.

Embodiment 3 of the Invention
In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, when the opening of the front door 130 is detected, an error is notified or a signal to that effect is output to an external computer. In the third embodiment of the invention, when the opening of the front door 130 is detected, turning off the power is prohibited for a certain period of time.

  FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the display of the liquid crystal control board 200, the speaker board 201, and the LED board 202 connected to the sub board 2 is omitted. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the invention. 9 and 10, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 2 and 4. The difference will be briefly described below.

  In FIG. 9, the point that the determination unit 2 b of the sub-board 2 detects the opening of the front door 130 when the light reception signal is interrupted for a certain period or more is the same as in the case of FIG. 2. When the opening of the front door 130 is detected, the determination unit 2b of the sub-board 2 sends a signal to the power supply unit 4 and prohibits turning off the power for a certain period (S28 in FIG. 10). In the example of FIG. 9, the relay 4b connected in parallel with the power switch 4a is driven so that the AC power supply AC100V is supplied to the power supply device 4c that supplies a DC current even when the power switch 4a is turned off. Yes. In addition, you may make it lock mechanically so that the power switch 4a cannot be operated.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, after the front door 130 is opened, the power cannot be turned off unless a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds or more) elapses. Unauthorized replacement of ROMs and boards is done quickly so that hall personnel are not aware. When the ROM or the board is illegally replaced, it is necessary to turn off the power. However, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the power cannot be turned off without waiting for a certain period. Therefore, the door must be opened for a certain period of time. Such behavior is easy to detect and increases the chances of fraudulent failure. Therefore, it is considered that fraud can also be suppressed by the third embodiment of the invention.

  Note that any one of the above-described error notification, signal output to an external computer, and power-off prohibition can be applied to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, or any two of them can be combined (for example, error notification and (A signal output to an external computer is executed at the same time, error notification and power-off prohibition are executed at the same time).

  In the above description, the light emitting unit (main substrate) is provided inside the housing, and the light receiving unit (sub substrate, collecting plate) is provided on the front door. However, these may be arranged in reverse. (That is, a light receiving portion (sub-board, collecting plate) is provided inside the casing, and light emission (main board) is provided on the front door).

  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.

  Further, in the present specification, the term “unit” does not necessarily mean a physical means, but includes a case where the function of each unit is realized by software. Furthermore, the function of one part may be realized by two or more physical means, or the function of two or more parts may be realized by one physical means.

It is a front view of a gaming machine. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing of arrangement | positioning of the light emission part and light receiving part which concern on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a door opening detection process flowchart of the game machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the rotational angle of the front door of Embodiment 1 of invention, the detection range of a light receiving element, and the positional relationship of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. It is a door opening detection process flowchart of the game machine which concerns on the modification (dummy command signal addition) of Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a block diagram of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the invention. It is a door opening detection process flowchart of the game machine which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main board (processing section)
2 Sub-board (sub-processing section)
2a timer 2b determination unit 3 collecting plate 3a timer 3b CPU (determination unit)
3c memory 4 power supply unit 4a power switch 4b relay bypassing power switch 4c power supply device 10 light emitting unit 20 light receiving unit 20a light receiving element 20b case 70 reel drive unit 71 reel position detection circuit 80 hopper drive unit 81 hopper 82 medal detection unit 100 slot Machine 120 Slot machine body (game machine housing)
130 Front door
131 Game display section 132 Medal insertion port 133 Reject button 134 Start switch 135 Medal payout port 137 Bet switch 138 Cancel switch (Cancel button)
140 Stop Button 200 Liquid Crystal Control Board 201 Speaker Board 202 LED Board C Light Receiving Range L Light Path L ′ Center Line of Light Receiving Range

Claims (13)

A housing, a door provided in the housing so as to be freely opened and closed, a processing unit that performs an internal lottery and a winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs a payout control of a game medium according to the winning; and the processing In a gaming machine comprising a sub-processing unit that performs an effect including notification of the result of the internal lottery based on a command signal from the unit,
A command signal from the processing unit is received and converted into an optical signal, and a light emitting unit for transmitting the optical signal is received. A light receiving unit for sending, a timer that is reset when the light receiving unit sends the command signal, and a determination unit that determines opening of the door based on a value of the timer,
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and Arranged so that the light emitting part and the light receiving part do not face each other with the door open,
The said determination part determines with the said door having been opened when the value of the said timer exceeds the preset threshold value, The game machine characterized by the above-mentioned.   The processing unit is provided inside the casing, the sub processing unit is provided on the door so as to face the processing unit, the light emitting unit is provided on the processing unit, and the light receiving unit is provided on the sub processing unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is provided. A housing, a door provided in the housing so as to be freely opened and closed, a processing unit that performs an internal lottery and a winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs a payout control of a game medium according to the winning; and the processing In a gaming machine comprising a collecting plate that receives a signal related to a gaming situation from a section and sends the signal to an external computer,
A command signal from the processing unit is received and converted into an optical signal, and a light emitting unit that transmits the optical signal, and the optical signal is received from the light emitting unit and converted into an electrical signal, and the command signal is sent to the collecting plate A light receiving unit for sending, a timer that is reset when the light receiving unit sends the command signal, and a determination unit that determines opening of the door based on a value of the timer,
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and Arranged so that the light emitting part and the light receiving part do not face each other with the door open,
When the value of the timer exceeds a preset threshold, the determination unit determines that the door has been opened and sends a signal to that effect to an external computer.   The processing unit is provided inside the housing, the end plate is provided on the door so as to face the processing unit, the light emitting unit is provided on the processing unit, and the light receiving unit is provided on the end plate. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the gaming machine is provided.   The light emitting unit or the light receiving unit provided in the door is arranged so that the light path is perpendicular to the surface of the door, and the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit provided in the housing is disposed. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the light path of the light emitting unit and the light path of the light receiving unit are arranged to coincide with each other when the door is closed.   The range in which the light receiving unit detects light is determined based on a rotation angle of the door when it is determined that the door is opened and a positional relationship between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The gaming machine according to claim 4.   The processing unit generates and sends a dummy command signal when it does not send a next command signal within a period corresponding to the threshold after sending the command signal. Item 5. The gaming machine according to any one of Items 4 to 4. A power supply unit that supplies power to at least the processing unit;
The said determination part outputs the command which prohibits turning off of a power supply for a predetermined period with respect to the said power supply part, when it determines with the said door having been open | released, The Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Gaming machine. A case, a door provided in the case so as to be freely opened and closed, a processing unit that performs an internal lottery and a winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs a payout control of a game medium according to the winning, and the processing A light-emitting unit that receives a command signal from the unit and converts it to an optical signal, and sends the optical signal;
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and A method of detecting the opening of a door in a gaming machine, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so as not to face each other when the door is open,
Sending an optical signal from the light emitting unit;
Resetting a timer when the light receiving unit receives the optical signal;
Reading the timer value;
Comparing the value of the timer with a preset threshold value and determining that the door has been opened when the threshold value is exceeded, a door opening detection method for a gaming machine. Resetting a dummy command timer when an optical signal is transmitted from the light receiving unit;
Reading a value of the dummy command timer;
Comparing the dummy command timer value with a preset dummy command threshold value and generating a dummy command when the dummy command threshold value is exceeded;
Converting the generated dummy command into an optical signal and sending the optical signal from the light emitting unit,
10. The door opening detection method for a gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the dummy command threshold value is made smaller than the threshold value for determining opening of the door.   11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of prohibiting the power supply unit that supplies power to the processing unit from turning off the power for a predetermined period when it is determined that the door is opened. A door opening detection method for gaming machines.   The game machine door opening detection method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a step of notifying an error when it is determined that the door is opened. A case, a door provided in the case so as to be freely opened and closed, a processing unit that performs an internal lottery and a winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs a payout control of a game medium according to the winning, and the processing A light-emitting unit that receives a command signal from the unit and converts it to an optical signal, and sends the optical signal;
One of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is provided inside the housing, the other is provided on the door, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other in the closed state of the door, and A program for detecting the opening of a door in a gaming machine, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so as not to face each other when the door is open,
Sending an optical signal from the light emitting unit;
Resetting a timer when the light receiving unit receives the optical signal;
Reading the timer value;
A program for causing the computer to execute a step of comparing the value of the timer with a preset threshold value and determining that the door is opened when the threshold value is exceeded.

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