JP2006180974A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of making the manager of the game machine accurately recognize the fact in the case that a game information storage part is fraudulently initialized. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine comprises: a controller 100 provided with a game information storage part 131 storing game information relating to a game and constituted by using a computer; an initialization means (reset circuit 113) for initializing the game information stored in the game information storage part 131; an initialization reporting means provided with an initialization reporting part 141 for reporting that the game information stored in the game information storage part 131 is initialized by operating the initialization reporting part 141; and a reporting canceling means provided with a canceling operation part 142 for canceling reporting by the initialization reporting means 141 by operating the canceling operation part 142. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

  In recent years, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine is generally provided with a control device configured using a computer. In such a gaming machine, a game performed by a player is controlled by the control device. It is controlled. In particular, in a gaming machine that performs a lottery by a lottery means, and a lottery result is a win, a special gaming state generation means that generates a special gaming state advantageous to a player such as `` big hit '' or `` bonus '' Some control lottery means and special game state generating means, and in such a gaming machine, control by the control device controls an important part of the game.

  Then, the control device provides various game information related to the game, such as information on the current game state, information on payout of game media, information on the lottery result by the lottery means, information on the occurrence state of the special game state by the special game state generation means, etc. A game information storage unit is stored, and the gaming machine is controlled based on the game information stored in the game information storage unit. In addition, when there is a malfunction such as a machine failure, or when it is desired to initialize the game information storage unit, such as when it is desired to change the current gaming state at the time of closing, in a gaming machine equipped with a game information storage unit, It is usual to provide an initialization means for initializing the game information storage section.

JP 2003-190420 A

  By the way, in the gaming machine, not only the game information storage unit is initialized by an authorized manager of the gaming machine, such as an employee of the game hall where the gaming machine is installed, but a person other than the authorized administrator The initialization of the game information storage unit is made illegal by operating the initialization means or by connecting special devices that the gaming machine does not have in the first place between various boards or various electronic components. There is a fear. When such a fraud is made, it is desirable for the manager of the gaming machine to be able to accurately recognize the fact. In particular, since the tricks of fraud in recent years are extremely sophisticated and it is extremely difficult to completely prevent the initialization of the game information storage unit, it is extremely difficult to recognize at least just the fact of fraud. It is desirable to be able to do it.

  When the game information storage unit is initialized, the game information storage unit is initialized by turning on a specific lamp for a certain period of time or outputting a specific sound from a speaker. There is also a gaming machine having an initialization notification function to notify, and according to such a gaming machine, it is possible for a manager of the gaming machine to confirm that the gaming information storage unit has been initialized, but to initialize it illegally. You can immediately recognize that However, in a gaming machine having an initialization notification function, the notification of initialization ends after a certain period of time, so if the administrator of the gaming machine is not aware of this notification before the notification ends, it is no longer illegal. It becomes impossible to recognize the fact.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a gaming machine that allows a manager of a gaming machine to accurately recognize this fact when the gaming information storage unit is illegally initialized. Is an issue.

  Effective means for solving the above problems will be described below. In addition, the effect is also demonstrated as needed.

Means 1: A control device having a game information storage unit for storing game information relating to a game and configured using a computer;
Initialization means for initializing game information stored in the game information storage unit;
An initialization notifying unit for notifying that the game information stored in the game information storage unit has been initialized by operating the initialization notifying unit;
A gaming machine comprising: a release operation unit; and a notification release unit that cancels notification by the initialization notification unit when the release operation unit is operated.

  According to the above means, notification that the game information storage unit has been initialized until the release operation unit of the notification release unit is released, that is, notification by the operation of the initialization notification unit of the initialization notification unit. Since this is continuously performed, the manager of the gaming machine can recognize this fact accurately when it is initialized by fraud by checking the presence or absence of this notification.

Mean 2: In the gaming machine of means 1,
Lottery means for performing lottery based on the player's game;
Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player when the lottery result of the lottery means is winning,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the lottery means and the special game state generating means are controlled based on game information stored in the game information storage means.

  Here, the lottery means only needs to perform some kind of lottery based on the player's game. For example, “a computer is used to reach the specific area of the game ball, the operation timing of the operation unit by the player, etc. A typical example is “a random number is acquired at an appropriate timing and a lottery is performed”.

  The special gaming state refers to a state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal gaming state. For example, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a winning opening that is opened and closed is repeatedly opened and closed a predetermined number of times. Or a state where a predetermined number of game balls are continuously released until a predetermined number of game balls are won, so that a large amount of game balls as game media can easily enter the winning opening (so-called “big hit state”) ”,“ slots ” In a gaming machine such as a machine, a state in which the reel can be stopped in a bonus-in manner (so-called “bonus establishment state”) ”can be representatively exemplified. And, as the special game state generating means for generating such a special game state, for example, “When the lottery result is won, a specific control program is executed to execute the appropriate device such as the winning a prize opening or the reel. As a representative example, the control of the driving of the control device so as to be in a mode according to the special gaming state can be given.

  In a gaming machine in which the lottery means and the special game state generating means are controlled by the control device, since a large amount of game media can be obtained by operating the control device illegally, the initialization of the game information storage unit is easily performed. .

  The above means is intended for such a gaming machine, and it is effective to be able to accurately recognize fraudulent facts in such a gaming machine.

Mean 3: In the gaming machine of means 2,
A main control unit for controlling the lottery means and the special gaming state generating means;
An initialization notification control unit that controls the initialization notification unit and the notification release unit;
The gaming machine characterized in that the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are collectively arranged inside the gaming machine.

  Here, the inside of a gaming machine can be clearly shown as the inside of the above-mentioned casing in a gaming machine having a casing such as a slot machine, but in a gaming machine having no casing such as a pachinko machine, When observed in this state, the inside of the gaming machine may become unclear. Therefore, in a state where the gaming machine is installed, an area that can be freely touched by the player is defined as the outside of the gaming machine, and an area that cannot be freely touched by the player is defined as the inside of the gaming machine.

  Because illegal techniques are so clever, a special device is connected between the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit to invalidate the function of the initialization notification control unit or cancel the notification. It is also assumed that

  In the above means, since the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are collectively arranged in the gaming machine, it becomes difficult to connect a special device between the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit, A gaming machine in which the above-described fraud is difficult to be made can be obtained.

Means 4: In the gaming machine of means 3,
The main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are configured by electronic components mounted on a single board, respectively.

  In the above means, the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are an integrated device composed of electronic components mounted on a single substrate. Therefore, the entire main control unit and initialization notification control unit can be accommodated in a compact manner, which is suitable for a case where the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are collectively arranged inside the gaming machine. Moreover, it becomes more difficult to connect a special device between the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit, which is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing fraud.

Means 5: In the gaming machine of means 3,
Each of the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit is constituted by an electronic component mounted on an individual board.

  In the above configuration, the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are each an individual device configured by electronic components mounted on individual substrates. Therefore, it is possible to accurately respond to a request for omitting the initialization notification control unit and a request for retrofitting an initialization notification control unit to a gaming machine without the initialization notification control unit.

  In addition, in the case where the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are configured by electronic components mounted on individual substrates as described above, the respective substrates are integrated by an appropriate fastener such as a set screw or each substrate. If each board is integrated with a separate pedestal or frame, and the board of the main control unit and the board of the initialization notification control unit are integrated, the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are connected to the gaming machine. It is preferable because it can be stably arranged after being consolidated inside.

Means 6: In any one gaming machine from means 3 to means 5,
The main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are sealed by a case that exposes the release operation unit.

  In the above means, since the main control unit and the initialization notification control unit are sealed by the sealing case, unauthorized intervention can be prevented more accurately. Note that even if the initialization notification control unit is sealed with the sealing case, the release operation unit is exposed from the sealing case, so that the operation of the release operation unit is not hindered.

Means 7: In any one gaming machine from means 1 to means 6,
The initialization notification means notifies that game information stored in the game information storage unit has been initialized, and outputs initialization information related to initialization of the game information storage unit. A gaming machine.

  Here, the initialization information indicates a wide range of information related to the initialization of the game information storage unit. For example, “initialization date”, “initialization time”, “number of times of initialization” Can be representatively exemplified.

  The above means not only informs that the game information storage unit has been initialized, but also outputs initialization information, so that the administrator of the gaming machine can ensure that the game information storage unit has been properly initialized. It is possible to obtain useful information that can be used for recognizing the information or for identifying a person who has performed the fraud or as a reference for future fraud prevention measures.

Means 8: In the gaming machine of means 7,
The initialization notification means is configured by using a light emitting diode, and notifies that the game information stored in the game information storage unit is initialized by blinking of the light emitting diode and outputs the initialization information. A gaming machine that is characterized by

  The above configuration specifically specifies the configuration of the initialization notification means. By using a light emitting diode, a large amount of information can be output with power saving. In addition, while it is possible to clearly notify that the initialization has been performed by blinking the light emitting diode, the content of the initialization information output by blinking the light emitting diode can be seen at a glance by those who have simply seen the light emitting diode. It cannot be deciphered. Therefore, it is difficult for a person other than the administrator to obtain the initialization information, and in this respect, the security is excellent.

Means 9: In any gaming machine from means 1 to means 8,
The notification release means is for releasing the notification by the initialization notification means by a specific release operation of the release operation unit,
The initialization notification means notifies that the game information stored in the game information storage unit has been initialized, and outputs release operation information notifying the content of the specific release operation. A gaming machine.

  Here, the specific release operation is, for example, “when the release operation unit is a push button switch, the number of times the switch is turned on, the interval when the switch is turned on a plurality of times, etc.”, “the release operation, etc. An operation that can specify an aspect, such as “the operation order of switches when the unit is composed of a plurality of switches”, and the like.

  It is assumed that the game information storage unit is illegally initialized and that the release operation unit is illegally operated to cancel the notification by the initialization notification unit.

  Therefore, in the above means, the notification canceling means cancels the notification by the initialization notifying means by a specific release operation of the canceling operation part, and the initialization notifying means notifies that the game information storage part has been initialized. In addition, information that informs the contents of the release operation is also output. Thereby, a security function can be improved and fraud can be made difficult.

Means 10: In the gaming machine of means 9,
The initialization notification means is configured by using a light emitting diode, and notifies that the game information stored in the game information storage unit is initialized by blinking of the light emitting diode, and outputs the release operation information. A gaming machine that is characterized by

  The above configuration specifically specifies the configuration of the initialization notification means. By using a light emitting diode, a large amount of information can be output with power saving. In addition, while it is possible to clearly notify that the initialization has been made by blinking the light emitting diode, the content of the release operation information output by blinking the light emitting diode can be seen at a glance by those who have simply seen the light emitting diode. It cannot be deciphered. Therefore, it is difficult for a person other than the administrator to obtain the release operation information, and in this respect, the security is excellent.

  Means 11: A gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 10, which is a pachinko machine.

  This means is intended for a pachinko machine as a gaming machine, and according to this means, the function and effect of each means described above can be obtained in the pachinko machine.

  Means 12: A gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 10, which is a slot machine.

  This means is intended for a slot machine as a gaming machine, and according to this means, the effects of the respective means described above can be obtained in the slot machine.

  Means 13: A gaming machine characterized in that in any one of the gaming machines from means 1 to 10, a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused.

  This means is intended for a game machine that is a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Here, a gaming machine obtained by fusing a pachinko machine and a slot machine is a slot machine that uses a game ball instead of a medal as a game medium. According to this means, the effect of each means described above can be obtained in a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine.

  Examples of the gaming machine of the present invention include the above pachinko machines, slot machines, fusion machines formed by fusing pachinko machines and slot machines, etc., in addition, arrange balls, smart balls, Various game machines such as various coin games can also be targeted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the gaming information storage unit is illegally initialized, the manager of the gaming machine can accurately recognize this fact.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this example, a pachinko machine which is a kind of gaming machine is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a wide variety of other gaming machines such as a slot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 includes an outer frame 10, an inner frame 20, a game board unit 50, a front door unit 30, and a lower dish unit 40.

  The outer frame 10 is formed in a frame shape from a wooden plate material, and constitutes the outer shell of the pachinko machine 1. The outer frame 10 serves as a base for installing the pachinko machine 1 in a game hall.

  The inner frame 20 has a main structure part formed in a plate shape with a resin, and has a substantially circular opening. The inner frame 20 is mounted with various devices such as a pachinko ball payout device (not shown), and control devices (not shown) for controlling these devices. The inner frame 20 is supported on one side of the outer frame 10 so as to be opened and closed.

  The game board unit 50 is provided with a game area 51 in which a game is played by the behavior of a pachinko ball on the front side. The game area 51 is exposed from the opening of the inner frame 20 so that the inner frame 20 is exposed. It is detachably attached to the rear side. The game area 51 includes various devices such as a display device 161 (see FIG. 2) for executing a game peculiar to the game board unit 50, as will be described in detail later. On the side, control devices (not shown) for controlling various devices are mounted. By removing the game board unit 50 from the inner frame 20 and exchanging it, the pachinko machine 1 having a different game content can be changed without exchanging the entire pachinko machine 1.

  The front door unit 30 has a substantially circular opening portion closed by a transparent plate such as a glass plate so that the gaming area 51 can be seen from the opening portion, and the gaming area 51 from the front side of the pachinko machine 1. The game area 51 of the game board unit 50 is covered so that it cannot be touched, and is supported at one end of the inner frame 20 so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, the front door unit 30 stores an pachinko ball paid out from the payout device 151 (see FIG. 3) of the inner frame 20, and includes an upper plate (not shown) for guiding the pachinko ball to the launching device 43 described later. ing.

  The lower plate unit 40 includes a lower plate 41 that stores pachinko balls overflowing from the upper plate of the front door unit 30, and is supported at one end of the inner frame 20 so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, the lower plate unit 40 has an operation handle 42 operated by a player, and operates according to the operation of the operation handle 42, and a launching device 43 that launches a pachinko ball into the game area 51, according to the game. Various devices such as a speaker 172 that outputs a production effect sound and a control device (not shown) for controlling these devices are mounted.

  By the way, although the details will be described later, the pachinko machine 1 includes a control device 100 (see FIG. 3) configured using a computer in order to operate various devices in accordance with the game played by the player. The control device 100 is disposed inside the pachinko machine 1. Here, the control device mounted on the inner frame 20, the control device mounted on the game board unit 50, and the control device mounted on the lower plate unit 40 constitute a part of the overall control device 100. It is.

  In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of this example, when observed in an independent state instead of being installed in the game hall, the area closed by the inner frame 20, the front door unit 30 and the lower dish unit 40 is pachinko. The inside of the machine 1 can be grasped in a narrow sense. However, in the state where it is installed in the game hall, the rear side of the inner frame 20 is also an area where the player cannot touch the hands freely. Therefore, in a broad sense, the area on the rear surface side of the inner frame 20 can be taken as the inside of the pachinko machine 1.

  Next, the details of the game board unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

  A game area forming frame 52 formed in a substantially circular frame shape is erected on the front surface of the game board unit 50, and an area inside the game area forming frame 52 is played by the behavior of a pachinko ball. It is a game area 51 to be played. Here, the game area forming frame 52 is spaced apart in the substantially circular radial direction at a part where the pachinko ball can be inserted in a part (upper left part in the figure) of the substantially circular circumference. The launching port 54 is constituted by the portion. Further, on the outside of the game area forming frame 52 located on the inner side in the launch port 54, a guide rail 53 arranged in parallel at intervals where pachinko balls can circulate is erected, and the upper end portion of the guide rail 53 Is smoothly connected to the lower end portion of the game area forming frame 52 located on the outer side in the launch port 54 portion. The pachinko balls launched from the launching device 43 of the lower dish unit 40 are guided between the guide rail 53 and a portion of the game area forming frame 52 arranged in parallel with the guide rail 53, and from the launch port 54 to the game area. 51.

  The game area 51 is provided with various winning ports such as a normal winning port 60, a lottery winning port 61, and a large winning port 62. When a pachinko ball wins, a number of winning balls corresponding to the winning port is obtained. Pachinko balls are paid out. The normal winning port 60 is a winning port for simply paying out a winning ball when the pachinko ball wins, and the lottery winning port 61 is a winning port for paying out the winning ball and winning a lottery when the pachinko ball wins. . Here, the lottery is performed by lottery means functionally included in the control device 100 described above. Specifically, the lottery is performed by using the computer of the control device 100, and whether the winning or the defeating is based on the random number acquired according to the winning timing of the pachinko ball to the lottery winning opening 61. Determined.

  On the other hand, the big prize opening 62 is operated by a driving device such as a solenoid so that the pachinko ball is in a closed state in which a prize cannot be won or in an open state in which a prize can be won. Yes. When the result of the lottery is a winning, so-called “hit”, the special game state generating means provided as a functional configuration in the control device 100 opens or closes the special winning opening 62, so-called “hit state”. Is generated. Specifically, in the special gaming state, the grand prize opening 62 continues until a predetermined time such as 30 seconds is reached, or until the number of winning pachinko balls reaches a predetermined number such as 10, for example. After entering the open state, the closed state is entered, and one operation from the open state to the closed state is set as a round, and the round operation is repeated until the number of rounds reaches a predetermined number, for example, 16 times. In such a special gaming state, the large winning opening 62 that cannot be won in the normal state is in a state where it can be won, which is more advantageous to the player than in the normal gaming state.

  In addition, the game area 51 is provided with a display device 161 configured using appropriate devices such as a liquid crystal display, a CRT, a light emitting diode, electroluminescence, a dot matrix, a fluorescent display tube, and a lamp. This display device 161 is for displaying the above-mentioned lottery result, and it is meaningful to the result of the event such as a race or a competition, etc. A lottery result is displayed by drawing a story or the like. When the lottery result is a win, the display device 161 displays specific contents that the player can recognize as wins, such as winning symbols, winning story development, and the like.

  Furthermore, in the game area 51, a pachinko ball is guided to an appropriate part, a nail or a windmill for changing the behavior of the pachinko ball, a lamp 171 that operates to elaborate the game (see FIG. 3). Various devices such as a movable device (not shown) that operates are provided.

  Next, based on FIG. 3, the detail of the control apparatus 100 is demonstrated.

  The control device 100 includes a power supply device 110, a main control device 120, a payout control device 150, a display control device 160, and a sound / lamp control device 170. Here, the power supply device 110 supplies power supplied to the pachinko machine 1 from a power source such as a 24V power supply or a 100 power supply to various electric devices such as the main control device 120 at a stable voltage. The main control device 120 is connected to the power supply device 110 and operates upon receiving power from the power supply device 110. The main control device 120 controls the lottery means and the special game state generating means described above, and the pachinko machine 1 It governs the main part of the games played. The payout control device 150 is connected to the power supply device 110 and operates upon receiving power supplied from the power supply device 110. The payout control device 150 is connected to the main control device 120 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The payout device 151 is actuated in response to a command from the player, thereby performing control relating to the payout of prize balls, and sending back information relating to the payout of prize balls to the main controller 120. The display control device 160 is connected to the main control device 120 and receives a command from the main control device 120, and controls the display device 161 that displays a lottery result and various effects performed according to the game. It is. The voice / lamp control device 170 is connected to the main control device 120, receives a command from the main control device 120, outputs light and sound according to the lottery result, and is performed in accordance with various games. The lamp 171 and the speaker 172 that output the light and sound of the performance are controlled. The details of the power supply device 110 and the main control device 120 are as follows.

  The power supply device 110 is mounted on the inner frame 20 and includes a power supply circuit 111, a power failure monitoring circuit 112, and a reset circuit 113. The power supply device 110 is composed of electronic components mounted on a substrate, and is also referred to as a so-called “power supply substrate” as a name for each substrate.

  The power supply circuit 111 includes a power switch (not shown) operated by an administrator of the pachinko machine 1, and when the power switch is turned on, the power from the power source is supplied to the main controller 120, the payout controller 150, etc. It supplies to the various electric equipment which operates with the electricity which the pachinko machine 1 comprises. The power supply circuit 111 has a backup power supply (not shown), and supplies power to the main controller 120 for a certain period of time when the power supply from the power source is cut off. It is configured to be able to.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 112 monitors the power supplied from the power source, and outputs a power failure signal to the main controller 120 when the power supply from the power source is cut off, such as during a power failure.

  The reset circuit 113 outputs a reset signal to initialize data related to game information stored in a game information storage unit 131 of the main control unit 130, which will be described later, and constitutes initialization means. . Specifically, the reset circuit 113 has a reset button (not shown) that is pressed, and when the power switch is turned on while the reset button is pressed, a reset signal is sent to the main controller 120. Is output.

  The power supply device 110 having such various circuits is electrically connected to the main control device 120 via a strobe line having various wirings such as a power line, a power failure signal line, and a reset signal line. It is connected to the.

  The main controller 120 is mounted on the game board unit 50 and includes a main controller 130 and an initialization notification controller 140. Here, the main control unit 130 controls the means related to the main part of the game, such as the lottery means and the special game state generating means described above, among the functional configurations of the pachinko machine 1, and is mounted on the board. The electronic component is also referred to as a “main substrate” as a name for each substrate. The initialization notification control unit 140 controls notification regarding initialization, which will be described in detail later. The initialization notification control unit 140 includes electronic components mounted on a board different from the main control unit 130, and is configured for each board. As a name, it is also referred to as “initialization notification board”.

  In this example, the main control unit 130 and the initialization notification control unit 140 are configured by different boards, respectively, and are collectively arranged as the main control device 120 inside the pachinko machine 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main control unit 130 and the initialization notification control unit 140 may be configured by a single substrate. Even in this case, the main control unit 130 and the initialization notification control unit 140 are naturally arranged in an integrated manner in the pachinko machine 1.

  Although not shown in detail, the main control unit 130 has a CPU as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit, and this CPU stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU itself. It has various circuits such as a stored ROM, a RAM which is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control program, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data transmission circuit, and the like. Here, the main control unit 130 executes various control programs by the CPU, thereby performing the above-described lottery, generating a special gaming state, and realizing various effects according to the game. The control command command is transmitted to other control devices such as the display control device 160 and the sound / lamp control device 170.

  The RAM of the CPU of the main control unit 130 stores various game information related to the game, such as information on lottery results and information on the current state of the special game state, and the game information storage unit 131 is configured by this RAM. Has been. In addition, in the RAM, when power supply to the pachinko machine 1 is cut off due to a power failure or the like, various data relating to the current gaming state is stored, and when the power supply is restored, the pachinko machine 1 A backup area is provided for returning the state to the state before the power supply is cut off.

  By the way, when the main control unit 130 receives the reset signal from the power supply device 110, the main control unit 130 executes the initialization program, thereby storing the game information stored in the game information storage unit 131, that is, the RAM of the main control unit 130. Initialize the recorded data. Here, whether the reset signal output operation from the power supply device 110 to the main control device 120, that is, the operation by the initialization unit, is an operation by a legitimate administrator of the pachinko machine 1 or an operation by an unauthorized person. Regardless, the above initialization is performed. Further, the pachinko machine 1 of this example includes self-restoring means for executing an initialization program based on the judgment of the pachinko machine 1 itself. For example, the main controller 120 repeatedly receives a power failure signal in a short time, and In order to ensure safety even if the processing in the control device 100 becomes abnormal as a result of repeatedly writing data to the back area of the RAM before the writing is completed, the backup area overflows, etc. Instead of continuing the current processing as it is, the initialization program is executed to initialize the RAM.

  When the initialization of the RAM is completed, the main control unit 130 transmits an initialization completion signal to the voice / lamp control device 170, and the voice / lamp control device that has received the initialization completion signal receives, for example, 30 seconds. As described above, all lamps 171 are turned on for a predetermined time, and an initialization notification sound is output from the speaker to notify that initialization has been performed.

  The main control unit 130 transmits an initialization completion signal to the initialization notification control unit 140, and the initialization notification control unit 140 that has received the initialization completion signal is initialized by the initialization notification unit. Inform you. Here, the initialization notification control unit 140 includes an initialization notification unit 141 made up of a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as “LED”). Informs that the conversion was made. Therefore, in this example, the initialization notification means is configured using LEDs, but is not limited to this, and operates in various modes as appropriate, other various lamps, speakers, infrared transmitters, radio wave transmitters. It can also be configured using an appropriate device such as a movable device.

  The LED can transmit various information depending on its blinking mode, and can perform visible light communication with a reading device that reads blinking of the LED. Therefore, in this example, the LED that is the initialization notification unit 141 blinks in a manner that includes various initialization information related to initialization, such as the date, time, and number of times of initialization, and receives notification by this LED. The administrator can obtain various information regarding initialization.

  Further, the initialization notification control unit 140 has a notification release unit that cancels the notification by the initialization notification unit, and continuously performs the notification by the initialization notification unit unless the notification release unit is released. Therefore, the administrator can surely recognize that the initialization has not been overlooked.

  Specifically, the notification release unit includes a release operation unit 142 including a button switch that is pressed down. When the release operation unit 142 is released, the initialization notification control unit 140 performs initialization notification. Release the notification by means. That is, the LED that is the initialization notification unit 141 is turned off. In addition, the initialization notification control unit 140 can be limited by operation modes such as “number of times of pressing”, “timing of pressing”, “time of continuing pressing”, “interval when pressing multiple times”, and the like. Unless a specific release operation is performed on the release operation unit 142, the release is not accepted. As a result, the notification by the initialization notification means cannot be canceled easily, and security is improved.

  In addition, in all the pachinko machines 1, if a specific release operation is common, there is a possibility that the security is lowered. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present example, the contents of the specific release operation are made different for each pachinko machine 1, each game hall, etc., or when the initialization is notified, By selecting sequentially or randomly from the types, the contents of a specific release operation are not always the same, thereby further improving security. The initialization notification means also outputs information related to the specific release operation. When the right person cancels the notification, the content of the specific release operation is not understood and the notification cannot be released. There are no obstacles.

  In addition, the initialization information and the release operation information are encrypted in various forms based on the ID (identification information unique to each CPU) of the CPU (main CPU that controls the main part of the game) included in the main control unit 130. When the output is output from the initialization notification means, and the reading device that reads the output information from the initialization information means can be decrypted according to the ID of the CPU, each pachinko machine 1 has a unique encryption process. Security can be further improved.

  By the way, since the pachinko machine 1 has a self-restoring means, there is a case where an illegal operation such as initialization of the RAM is performed by causing an abnormality in the processing in the control device 100. In particular, in the pachinko machine 1 in this example, the power supply device 110 and the main control device 120 are arranged separately from each other inside the pachinko machine 1, and the power supply device 110 and the main control device 120 are strobes. Since it is connected by a line, it is easy to connect a special device such as a device that outputs a power failure signal between the power supply device 110 and the main control device 120, and fraud is easily performed. Therefore, to ensure that the fact that initialization has been performed by the initialization notification means or to be able to obtain various information related to the initialization by means of the initialization notification means It is very effective for taking countermeasures.

  The entire main control device 120 having the main control unit 130 and the initialization notification control unit 140 as described above is sealed with a case 121 formed of a transparent resin case or the like. The case 121 has a sealing screw mechanism or a sealing screw mechanism such as a mechanism that breaks a portion fastened by the set screw in the case 121 when the case 121 is removed by loosening the set screw from the state in which the case 121 is attached with a set screw. The main controller 120 is sealed by appropriate sealing means. Thus, by sealing the entire main control device 120 with the case 121, a special device is connected between the main control unit 130 and the initialization notification control unit 140, whereby the initialization notification control unit 140 is connected. It is possible to make it difficult to perform fraud such as inhibiting normal operation of the device, and to realize a structure excellent in preventing fraud. Note that the case 121 exposes the release operation unit 142, and thus does not hinder the operation for releasing the notification described above.

  Although an example of the gaming machine according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various gaming machines in addition to pachinko machines. Further, the game machine is not limited to a game machine having a lottery means for electrically drawing a lottery by a computer, and has a game machine having a lottery means or a lottery means for mechanically performing a lottery depending on a destination of a pachinko ball in a game area or the like. It can be applied to a wide range of gaming machines, such as gaming machines that do not.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the pachinko machine as a gaming machine concerning the present invention. It is a front view which shows the game board unit of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Outer frame 20 Inner frame 30 Front door unit 40 Lower plate unit 41 Lower plate 42 Operation handle 43 Launching device 50 Game board unit 51 Game area 52 Game area formation frame 53 Guide rail 54 Launch port 60 Ordinary winning slot 61 Prize winning port 61 62 Grand prize opening 100 Controller 110 Power supply 111 Power supply monitoring circuit 112 Power failure monitoring circuit 113 Reset circuit
120 main controller 130 main controller (lottery means, special game state generating means)
131 Game Information Storage Unit 140 Initialization Notification Control Unit 141 Initialization Notification Unit (Initialization Notification Unit)
142 Release operation part (notification release means)
150 Dispensing Control Device 151 Dispensing Device 160 Display Control Device 161 Display Device 170 Voice / Lamp Control Device 171 Lamp 172 Speaker

Claims (1)

A control device having a game information storage unit for storing game information related to the game and configured using a computer;
Initialization means for initializing game information stored in the game information storage unit;
An initialization notifying unit for notifying that the game information stored in the game information storage unit has been initialized by operating the initialization notifying unit;
A gaming machine comprising: a release operation unit; and a notification release unit that cancels notification by the initialization notification unit when the release operation unit is operated.

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