JP2006239064A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can prevent a dishonest act committed by illegally altering a lottery table used for a game. <P>SOLUTION: When a key cylinder 36 and a power source switch 37 at a mode switching operation part 35 are operated to switch a slot machine 10 to the set mode from the game mode, an identifier part 73 identifies whether the account settling processing is done or not by an account settling part 72. When the account settling processing is done as identified by the identifier part 73, the operation of selection with a selection switch 35 and a start lever 22 is validated to make the alteration of the lottery table ready. When the account settling processing is not done as identified by the identifier part 73, a setting invalidation part 74 invalidates the operation of selection with the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22 and an error notification part 75 notifies an error with a liquid crystal display device 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which an operation of selecting one from a plurality of lottery tables with different winning probabilities is performed, and a game is executed using the selected lottery table.

  In this specification, a pachislot machine is described as an example of one of the gaming machines, so that explanation is given using a medal as a gaming medium. However, the gaming medium includes other media such as coins and pachinko balls. In addition, the “medal (game medium) insertion” includes a button for placing a so-called credited medal that is stored by quantifying the number of inserted medals in addition to actually inserting medals into the medal slot. This includes betting by. Furthermore, in a state where the symbols are aligned on the winning line, the winning combination is selected by a lottery (hereinafter referred to as a winning combination lottery) to determine the winning combination until the winning combination is won. This state is considered as an internal prize.

  Slot machines that are installed and used in amusement halls such as pachinko parlors are called pachislot machines, and medals that are used as gaming media are given a certain value, and medals earned by playing games are various prizes. Can be replaced.

  In the pachi-slot machine, one lottery table is selected from a plurality of types of lottery tables with different winning probabilities, and a game is executed using the selected lottery table. When the lottery table is changed, the winning probability of the winning combination or the probability of losing changes, and the probability that the player is given a profit varies. Each lottery table has a one-to-one correspondence with a value called a set value. In general, in a pachislot machine, it is possible to set a lottery table used in a game by unlocking the door that opens and closes the inside of the housing and opening the door. And, by setting or changing the lottery table used for games for each pachislot machine, it is possible to secure operating profits for the game hall, and for the players to play games fairly. There are merits that can be done. Furthermore, for players, there is fun to guess a pachislot machine with a lottery table that has a high probability of being profitable, so setting the lottery table used for games is also important in terms of excitement of gaming It has become.

However, there is a problem that a person who is not authorized to change the lottery table used for games is illegally changed, so-called goto action is performed, and in order to prevent this, there is a door that opens and closes the inside of the housing. Patent Document 1 proposes a slot machine that detects whether or not it is in the closed position and cannot change the setting when the door is in the closed position.
JP 2004-135844 A

  However, in the slot machines as described above, it is illegal to illegally change the lottery table used in the game by illegally using a key that can open the door of the housing or by opening the door of the housing. There was a problem of being broken.

  An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can prevent the goto act which illegally changes the lottery table used for a game.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, a game can be played using a setting mode in which a selection operation for selecting one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning probabilities is valid, and a lottery table selected in the setting mode. A game mode to be executed, and includes a mode switching operation unit that switches from the game mode to the setting mode, and a settlement unit that performs a settlement process for paying out a credited game medium, When the mode switching operation unit is operated, an identification unit for identifying whether the settlement process is performed by the settlement unit, and when it is identified that the settlement process is not performed by the identification unit, A setting invalidating means for invalidating the selection operation is provided.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a notifying means for notifying an error when it is determined by the identifying means that the settlement process is not performed.

  The mode switching operation unit includes a power switch for switching on / off of power supply, and a key cylinder that outputs a key operation signal in accordance with a rotation position based on a key operation. It is preferable to switch from the game mode to the setting mode by operating the power switch to switch the power supply from OFF to ON in a state where the key operation signal is output.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, when the mode switching operation unit is operated, it is identified whether or not the settlement process is performed by the settlement means, and it is identified that the settlement process is not performed by the identification means. Since the selection operation is sometimes invalidated, when setting the lottery table used in the game, the settlement process is started before the mode switching operation unit is operated, and the mode switching operation unit is set before the settlement process is completed. Must operate. For this reason, it takes time and time to set up a lottery table used for games, and in the settlement process in a slot machine or the like, a loud sound is generated when a medal as a game medium is paid out. It becomes difficult to illegally change the lottery table used in the game without being noticed by the player, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the goth act of illegally changing the lottery table used in the game.

  In addition, when it is identified by the identification means that the settlement process has not been performed, the lottery table used for the game is illegally provided without notifying the game hall manager by notifying the game hall manager. It can be difficult to change.

  In addition, the mode switching operation unit includes a power switch that switches on / off of power supply and a key cylinder that outputs a key operation signal in accordance with a rotation position based on a key operation. The key cylinder is a key operation signal. In order to operate the mode switching operation unit by switching from the game mode to the setting mode by operating the power switch to switch the power supply from off to on in the rotation position that outputs Since a key is required and the power supply must be turned off once, it is difficult to illegally change the lottery table used in the game without being noticed by the game hall manager.

  In FIG. 1, a slot machine (game machine) 10 includes a housing 13 including a storage box 11 and a front door 12 rotatably attached to the front surface of the storage box 11. The front door 12 includes an upper door 12a provided at the upper portion and a lower door 12b provided at the lower portion. A transparent display window 14 is provided on the upper door 12a. A reel unit having a first reel 15a, a second reel 15b, and a third reel 15c is provided in the back of the display window 14. Plural kinds of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 15a to the third reel 15c, and when the reels stop, three symbols per reel are displayed outside through the display window 14. In the slot machine 10, a total of nine symbols are displayed when each reel is stopped, and a total of five winning lines are set, with three winning lines connecting the positions where each symbol stops linearly and two diagonally. ing. A liquid crystal display device 16 is provided on the right side of the display window 14 and displays various game effect images such as, for example, notifying the type of winning combination won using animation.

  As will be described in detail later, the slot machine 10 has six types of lottery tables with different winning probabilities by electronic lottery, and a game is executed using any one lottery table. When a lottery table with a high winning probability is used, the payout rate indicating the average ratio of the number of medals to be paid out with respect to the number of medals used in the game becomes high, and a profit is given to the player. Probability increases. As is well known, each lottery table is divided into six stages of winning probability and corresponds to six kinds of set values. This setting value includes setting 1 to setting 6, and the winning probability is high and the payout rate is high in the order of setting value 1 → setting 2 → setting 3 → setting 4 → setting 5 → setting 6. The slot machine 10 is provided with a setting mode and a game mode. As will be described in detail later, a selection operation for selecting a lottery table used for a game is valid in the setting mode. A game using the lottery table selected in the setting mode is executed in the game mode.

  The lower door 12b is provided with a 1-bet button 18 that is operated at the start of the game and inserts medals one by one, and a MAX-bet button 19 that inserts the maximum number of medals by 3 at a time. Yes. Also, a payout button 20 for paying out credited medals, a medal insertion slot 21 for inserting medals when playing a game, and starting a game by rotating the first reel 15a to the third reel 15c. Alternatively, a start lever 22 that is operated when the selection of the lottery table is confirmed when the lottery table is set, a first stop button 23 to a third stop button 25 for stopping the rotating reels, and the like are provided. Further, a medal tray 26 is provided on the lower door 12b, and medals obtained when winning a prize or medals paid out in response to the operation of the payout button 20 are paid out to the medal tray 26 from the payout port 27.

  A door key cylinder 28 is provided on the side of the front surface of the lower door 12b. When a door key, which is a dedicated key, is inserted into the door key cylinder 28 and rotated, the locking of the lower door 12b is released and the lower door 12b can be opened. When the lower door 12b is opened, the engagement between the storage box 11 and the upper door 12a can be released, and the upper door 12a can be opened. Although the slot machine 10 can play a game even when the lower door 12b is opened, for example, by detecting the opening of the lower door 12b, the slot machine 10 does not accept the insertion of a medal and the medal is inserted. You may make it transfer to the game prohibition state which cannot play a game in a certain state.

  Below the display window 14, there is provided a game information display unit 30 composed of a seven-segment display for displaying game information by numbers, alphabets, or the like. The game information display unit 30 is provided so as to be visible from the outside in order to display game information to the player, and a payout display unit 30a for displaying the number of medals acquired by one game, and the number of remaining games in the bonus game Etc., and a credit display unit 30c for displaying the number of medals credited to the slot machine 10 when more medals are inserted than necessary for one game. The payout display unit 30a and the credit display unit 30c can display, for example, a 2-digit number, and the game count display unit 30b includes a 7-segment light-emitting display capable of displaying a 3-digit number. The game count display unit 30b is also used to display a set value corresponding to the lottery table selected when setting the lottery table.

  A mode switching operation unit 35 for switching from the game mode to the setting mode is provided inside the storage box 11. The mode switching operation unit 35 is exposed to the outside when the lower door 12b is opened. On the front face of the mode switching operation unit 35, a key cylinder 36, a power switch 37 for switching on / off the power supply of the slot machine 10, and a selection button 38 for selecting a lottery table are provided.

  A key 40 is inserted into the key cylinder 36. When an operation for rotating the inserted key 40 is performed, the key cylinder 36 rotates between two positions, an off position and an on position. The key cylinder 36 incorporates a sensor that detects that the key cylinder 36 has been turned to the on position, and outputs a key operation signal when the key cylinder 36 is turned to the on position by the operation of the key 40. When the power switch 37 is switched from OFF to ON while the key cylinder 36 is turned to the ON position, the slot machine 10 is switched from the gaming mode to the setting mode.

  When the slot machine 10 switches to the setting mode, the setting value corresponding to the lottery table currently set in the slot machine 10 is displayed on the game count display unit 30b, and the selection operation for selecting the lottery table used for the game is validated. Is done. The selection operation is performed using the start lever 22 and the selection button 38 as shown in FIG. When selecting the lottery table, the selection button 38 is pressed. In the game count display section 30b, the lottery table selected every time the selection button 38 is pressed is changed, and the setting values in six stages are set 1 → setting 2 → setting 3 → setting 4 → setting 5 → setting 6 → It is displayed by switching sequentially so as to make a round in the order of setting 1. After selecting the lottery table with the selection button 38, the selected lottery table is confirmed by operating the start lever 22. After the selected lottery table is confirmed, when the key cylinder 36 is turned to the off position using the key 40, the slot machine 10 switches from the setting mode to the game mode. When the slot machine 10 is switched from the setting mode to the game mode, the display of the setting value ends. When the operation for selecting the lottery table is finished, the lower door 12b is closed and locked.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the slot machine 10, all processing based on the progress of the game is controlled by the CPU 60. The memory 61 includes a ROM in which a game program executed by the CPU 60 is stored, and a RAM in which operation values and parameter values generated as the game progresses are stored.

  The medal sensor 63 detects a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 21 and inputs a medal detection signal to the CPU 60. The CPU 60 counts the number of medals based on the detection signal from the medal sensor 63. At this time, if more medals are inserted than the number of medals required for one game, the surplus is credited and stored in the memory 61 as credit information obtained by quantifying the number. When the 1-bet button 18 or the MAX-bet button 19 is operated, the CPU 60 consumes 1 to 3 medals inserted and determines the number of activated winning lines. In order to play a game, a credited medal can be used in addition to actually inserting a medal into the medal slot.

  The start signal sensor 64 detects an operation of the start lever 22 and inputs a start signal to the CPU 60. The stop button sensors 66a to 66c input a stop signal for each reel to the CPU 60 when the first stop button 23 to the third stop button 25 are operated. The reel drive unit 65 rotates the first reel 15a to the third reel 15c by a reel start signal output from the CPU 60 in response to the start signal. The first reel 15a to the third reel 15c are stopped by a reel stop signal output from the CPU 60 in response to the stop signal.

  The CPU 60 includes a control unit 69, an electronic lottery unit 70, a winning combination determining unit 71, a settlement unit (settlement unit) 72, an identification unit (identification unit) 73, a setting invalidation unit (setting invalidation unit) 74, an error notification unit ( (Notification means) 75 is provided. The control unit 69 controls operations of various sensors and devices of the slot machine 10 based on the game program stored in the memory 61.

  The electronic lottery unit 70 receives a start signal, samples a random value, and draws one random value every time a game is started. The random value selected by lottery is input to the winning combination determining unit 71. The winning combination determining unit 71 determines what winning combination is given in the game in which the input random value is executed. The control unit 69 determines that the winning combination has been established when the determined winning combinations are arranged on the winning active line, and causes the hopper device 67 to pay out or credits a prescribed number of medals depending on the type of winning combination. Thus, the updated credit information is stored in the memory 61.

  The winning combination determination unit 71 is provided with a plurality of lottery tables in which all random numbers generated in the electronic lottery unit 70 are grouped into a plurality of numerical ranges and a winning combination is assigned to each group. There are six types of lottery tables, a first lottery table 76a to a sixth lottery table 76f, and settings 1 to 6 are associated with each. Each lottery table is loaded with a special prize role that shifts to a bonus game where a large number of medals can be acquired, such as the well-known big bonus mode, regular bonus mode, assist time mode, etc., a small role where a predetermined number of medals are paid out, and medals A winning combination such as a replay role that allows a player to obtain the right to play the next game with the same number of winning lines without being assigned, and a different gap from these winning roles are assigned. Each lottery table is used for determining whether the random number sampled by the electronic lottery unit 70 belongs to each winning combination or lost group.

  In the first lottery table 76a to the sixth lottery table 76f, for example, random values are grouped so that the probability of shifting to a bonus game is different from each other. The conditions for shifting to the bonus game include, for example, when a special winning combination is directly won, when a specific small role is continuously won a predetermined number of times, when a loser is continuously drawn a predetermined number of times, When there are times when the game has been performed a number of times, and the conditions for shifting to the bonus game are satisfied, a game in which the special prize combination is arranged on the winning line can be performed. In the slot machine 10, the probability of shifting to a bonus game that is advantageous to the player represents the winning probability in each lottery table, and the payout rate depends on which lottery table is used to execute the game. change.

  In the first lottery table 76a to the sixth lottery table 76f, the first lottery table 76a has the lowest payout rate corresponding to the set value “1”, and the sixth lottery table 76f corresponds to the set value “6”. The highest payout rate. In the second lottery table 76b to the fifth lottery table 76e, the winning probability is a numerical value between the first lottery table 76a and the sixth lottery table 76f, and the lottery table corresponding to a higher set value has a higher payout rate.

  The control unit 69 switches from the game mode to the setting mode in response to a signal that the key cylinder 36 and the power switch 37 of the mode switching operation unit 35 are operated. In the setting mode, the control unit 69 sends a setting value display signal for displaying the setting value on the game count display unit 30b. The set value is a parameter for designating a lottery table to be used in the game, is stored in the memory 61 as set value information, and is appropriately rewritten by performing a setting value selecting operation. The control unit 69 reads the set value information stored in the memory 61 and sends a set value display signal corresponding to this to the game count display unit 30b. The game count display unit 30b displays a set value corresponding to the type of lottery table used by the winning combination determining unit 71 to determine the winning combination.

  In accordance with the operation of the payout button 20, the settlement unit 72 reads the credit information from the memory 61 and operates the hopper device 67 to perform the settlement process of paying out the credited medal. The settlement unit 72 stores the number of medals that have not been paid out when the power switch 37 is turned off during the settlement process, and continues the settlement process when the power switch 37 is turned on.

  When the key cylinder 36 and the power switch 37 of the mode switching operation unit 35 are operated and a signal for switching the slot machine 10 from the game mode to the setting mode is input to the control unit 69, the identification unit 73 is settled by the settlement unit 72. Identify whether processing is in progress.

  The setting invalidation unit 74 invalidates a signal input from the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22 when the identification unit 73 recognizes that the settlement process is not performed by the settlement unit 72. When these signals are invalidated by the setting invalidation unit 74, even if the selection operation by the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22 is performed, the corresponding processing by the control unit 69 is not performed.

  The error notification unit 75 displays an image indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 10 on the liquid crystal display device 16 when the identification unit 73 identifies that the settlement process is not performed by the settlement unit 72. Notification. As the error notification mode, an appropriate mode may be used as long as an abnormality of the slot machine 10 is recognized by a game hall manager or the like. In addition to the liquid crystal display device 16, A lamp or a speaker may be provided, and these may blink or utter.

  Next, the operation of the slot machine 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch 37 is switched from OFF to ON while the key cylinder 36 of the mode switching operation unit 35 is rotated to the ON position using the key 40, the control unit 69 switches from the game mode to the setting mode. At this time, the identification unit 73 identifies whether or not a settlement process is performed by the settlement unit 72. When the identification unit 73 recognizes that the settlement process is being performed, the selection operation by the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22 is validated, and the lottery table can be changed. When the identification unit 73 recognizes that the checkout process has not been performed, the setting invalidation unit 74 invalidates the selection operation by the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22, and the error notification unit 75 causes the liquid crystal display device 16 to be Error notification. When the key cylinder 36 rotates from the on position to the off position, the control unit 69 switches from the setting mode to the game mode. In the game mode, the selection operation by the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22 is invalidated. Thus, when setting the lottery table, the settlement process must be started before operating the mode switching operation unit 35, and the mode switching operation unit must be operated before the settlement process is completed. For this reason, it takes time and labor to set up a lottery table used in the game, and in the checkout process in the slot machine 10, a loud sound is generated when medals are paid out from the hopper device 67. It becomes difficult to illegally change the lottery table used in the game without being noticed by the person.

  In the above embodiment, the setting invalidation unit 74 invalidates the signal input from the selection switch 35 and the start lever 22, but the method of invalidating the selection operation is not limited to this. For example, the selection switch 35 Alternatively, a method such as invalidating either one of the start levers or returning to the previous setting without adopting the selection result by the selection operation may be used as appropriate.

2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the lower door. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display mode at the time of selecting a setting value. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow which sets a lottery table.

Explanation of symbols

10 Slot machines (gaming machines)
16 liquid crystal display screen 20 payout button 30 game information display section 30b game count display section 35 mode switching operation section 36 key cylinder 37 power switch 40 keys 67 hopper device 72 settlement section (settlement means)
73 Identification part (identification means)
74 Setting invalidation section (setting invalidation means)
75 Error notification section (notification means)
76a-76f 1st lottery table-6th lottery table

Claims (3)

A setting mode in which a selection operation for selecting one of a plurality of lottery tables having different winning probabilities is valid, and a game mode in which a game is executed using the lottery table selected in the setting mode. In a gaming machine provided with a mode switching operation unit for switching from the gaming mode to the setting mode, and a settlement unit for performing a settlement process for paying out a credited game medium,
An identification unit for identifying whether or not a settlement process is being performed by the settlement unit when the mode switching operation unit is operated;
A gaming machine comprising: setting invalidation means for invalidating the selection operation when it is identified by the identification means that no settlement processing is performed.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit for informing an error when it is identified by the identifying unit that no settlement processing is performed. The mode switching operation unit includes a power switch that switches on / off of power supply and a key cylinder that outputs a key operation signal according to a rotation position based on a key operation, and the key cylinder is operated by the key operation. The game mode is switched from the game mode to the setting mode by operating the power switch to switch the power supply from OFF to ON in a state where the rotation position is set to output a signal. 2. The gaming machine according to 2.

Images