JP2007289392A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can prevent fraudulence using a fraudulent instrument, which outputs the same signal as a regular operation signal, without remarkably advancing the system constitution. <P>SOLUTION: A slot machine S is provided. This slot machine S is equipped with an operation section OP which forms the operation signal, a game control board C1 which controls the progress of a specified game when receiving the operation signal, and a power source device 60 which forms an auxiliary power. Also, the game control board C1 has a RAM 102 which stores game information for managing the progress of the game. The data of the RAM 102 can be kept by the auxiliary power. The game control board C1 is equipped with a connector CN1 to which the auxiliary power is input, and a connector CN2 which is connected with a cable CB outside of the game control board C1. Only when the connector CN2 and the cable CB are connected, a sole conductive passage is formed which feeds the auxiliary power to the RAM 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine.

  As one of fraudulent acts against the slot machine, there is known an act of operating after setting the slot machine to a gaming state advantageous to the player such as a winning state. Such setting is performed by temporarily attaching an unauthorized device to the slot machine before business. This fraudulent device makes a series of player operations such as a bet operation, start lever operation, and stop button operation pseudo and automatic, and has a function of outputting a signal similar to a regular operation signal. . The procedure of fraud using this fraudulent device is as follows.

  First, turn off the slot machine. Next, a cable to an operation switch or other device is removed from the game control board that controls the slot machine, and an unauthorized device is connected instead. Next, turn on the slot machine. Next, the unauthorized device is activated. As a result, a signal is supplied from the unauthorized device to the game control board. Since this signal is the same signal as the normal operation signal, it is difficult for the game control board to determine whether the player is operating or an unauthorized device is operating. Therefore, the game control board controls the progress of the game in the same manner as when receiving a regular operation signal. When the gaming state is advantageous to the player, the slot machine is turned off, the unauthorized device is removed, and the cable to the device such as the operation switch is reconnected to the game control board. Then, the slot machine is turned on and starts business.

In the slot machine, game information indicating a game state is stored in a RAM (volatile memory) in the game control board, and in order to maintain this memory, the RAM is in a state where the power of the slot machine is turned off. Auxiliary power is supplied. For this reason, the above fraud is possible. By the way, in the slot machine, various contrivances have been made as countermeasures against fraud. For example, the board case that accommodates the game control board is made transparent so that the inside of the board case can be visually recognized, and when the board case is opened, a destructive trace remains. Furthermore, in order to prevent illegal acts using the above-mentioned unauthorized devices, a method of fixing the same as the case of the board so that the cable connected to the game control board via the connector cannot be easily detached. . In addition, a method has been proposed in which the game control board detects that a cable has been disconnected from the game control board (Patent Documents 1 to 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-210179 JP 2004-180956 A JP 2005-224539 A

  However, if the cable is fixed so that it cannot be detached, the convenience of maintenance of the slot machine is lowered. Further, in the case where a fraudulent act using the above-mentioned fraudulent device is performed by a store clerk aiming to attract customers to the store, even if the fixed cable is broken, the fraudulent act is not prevented. In addition, even when the fraudulent act is performed by another person, there is a problem that the fraudulent act is continuously performed until it is found that the cable is broken.

  On the other hand, the method in which the game control board detects that the cable has been disconnected from the game control board cannot be an effective measure. This is because the removal of the cable in the fraud using the above-described fraudulent device is performed when the power of the slot machine is turned off, that is, when the main power is not supplied to the game control board. Although it is possible to configure the slot machine so that the above detection is possible even when the power of the slot machine is turned off, in this case, the configuration is remarkably advanced, leading to a significant increase in cost. It is unrealistic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and is a gaming machine capable of preventing fraud using a fraudulent device that outputs a signal similar to a regular operation signal without significantly increasing the system configuration. It is a solution subject to provide.

  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

A gaming machine according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a “first gaming machine”) includes an operation unit (OP (232, 233, 25)) that generates an operation signal in response to a player's operation, and the operation signal. A game control board (C1) that receives and controls the progress of a predetermined game, and external power is input to generate main power and supply it to the game control board (C1), while auxiliary power when the external power is cut off And a volatile memory (102) for storing game information for managing the progress of the game in the game control board (C1), the volatile memory (102) In the gaming machine capable of holding the game information when the external power is cut off by supplying the auxiliary power to the game control board (C1), the main power and the auxiliary power are input to the game control board (C1). A first connector (CN1); The second connector (CN2, CN2a) to which the operation signal is input by being connected to a connection part (CB, CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′, CN2P ″) outside the game control board (C1) , CN2b, CN2 ′, CN2 ″), and the auxiliary power is supplied from the first connector (CN1) to the volatile memory (102) through a single conductive path, Connector (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′, CN2 ″) and connection part (CB, CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′, CN2P ″) outside the game control board (C1) are connected The auxiliary power can be supplied to the volatile memory (102) only when the auxiliary power is supplied.
Here, “when the external power is cut off” is a concept including when the power switch of the slot machine is turned off and when the commercial power supply fails. Moreover, the power supply unit (60) may be configured by one unit that supplies main power and auxiliary power, or two units, one that supplies main power and another unit that supplies auxiliary power. It may be composed of one unit. The first connector (CN1) may be composed of a plurality of connectors. For example, a connector for inputting main power and a connector for inputting auxiliary power may be separate, and the first connector (CN1) may be constituted by these two connectors.
According to the first gaming machine described above, the second connectors (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′, CN2 ″) for inputting operation signals and the connection parts (CB, CB1, CB2) outside the game control board (C1). , C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′, CN2P ″), the auxiliary power input from the first connector (CN1) is supplied to the volatile memory (102). Therefore, when the external power supply is cut off, the second connector (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′, CN2 ″) and the connecting portion (CB, CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′, CN2P ″) ) Is disconnected, auxiliary power supply to the volatile memory (102) is cut off, and data in the volatile memory (102) becomes indefinite. Therefore, in this gaming machine, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized act using an unauthorized device that outputs a signal similar to a regular operation signal. In addition, since the conductive path is directly connected to whether or not auxiliary power can be supplied to the volatile memory (102), the system configuration does not need to be significantly advanced.

  In the first gaming machine, the conductive path extends from the first connector (CN1) to the second connector (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′) and the connection portion (CB, CB1) outside the game control board (C1). , CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′) and connected to the volatile memory (102), the second connector (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′) and the game control board (C1) ) When the external connection portion (CB, CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′) is not connected, the conductive path may be electrically disconnected. In this gaming machine, the second connector (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′) and the connection part (CB, CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′) are not connected to the first connector (CN1). Since this is directly connected to the electrical disconnection of the only conductive path for supplying the auxiliary power input from the non-volatile memory (102), the system configuration does not have to be advanced.

  In each of the above gaming machines, the game control board (C1) includes a plurality of the second connectors (CN2), and the conductive path extends from the first connector (CN1) to all the second connectors (CN2a, CN2b). And connected to the volatile memory (102) via connection portions (CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25) outside the game control board (C1), and the second connectors (CN2a, CN2b) If any of the connection parts (CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25) outside the game control board (C1) is not connected, the conductive path is electrically disconnected. Also good. The game control board (C1) includes a plurality of the second connectors (CN2), and the conductive path includes at least one of the first connectors (CN1) to the second connectors (CN2a, CN2b) and the Connected to the volatile memory (102) via connection parts (CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25) outside the game control board (C1), and the at least one second connector (CN2a, CN2b) ) And the connection part (CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25) outside the game control board (C1), the conductive path is electrically disconnected. Also good.

  In the first gaming machine, the game control board (C1) includes a switching circuit (103) for switching conduction / non-conduction of the conductive path, and the second connector (CN2, CN2a, CN2b, CN2 ′, CN2 ″) And the connection part (CB, CB1, CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25, CN2P ′, CN2P ″) outside the game control board (C1) are not connected, the switching circuit (103 ), The conductive path may be made non-conductive. Further, the game control board (C1) includes a plurality of the second connectors (CN2a, CN2b), and one of the second connectors (CN2a, CN2b) and a connection part (CB, CB1) outside the game control board (C1). , CB2, C2, 232, 233, 25), the conductive path may be made non-conductive by the switching circuit. According to these gaming machines, it is possible to prevent a voltage drop of the auxiliary power supplied to the volatile memory (102) and to make it less susceptible to external noise.

  In each of the above gaming machines, the game control board (C1) reads data from a predetermined storage area of the volatile memory (102), determines whether the data is different from predetermined data, When it determines with differing, you may make it provide the control part (100) which alert | reports abnormality, without controlling progress of a game. In this gaming machine, a person in charge of managing the gaming machine can know abnormality of data in the volatile memory (102). Moreover, the effect that the progress control of a game stops reliably is also acquired.

  In each of the above gaming machines, the gaming machine includes a plurality of display columns (211) that execute a plurality of types of games and cyclically variably display a plurality of types of symbols, and the gaming control board (C1) In the control of the progress of the game by the game information, the game information indicating one of the plurality of types of games is stored in the volatile memory (102), and the plurality of display columns are based on the game information and the operation signal. When the stop of variable display of (211) is controlled and the arrangement of the symbols in the state where the variable display of the plurality of display columns (211) is stopped is in a predetermined mode, the game value corresponding to the game information is You may make it give to a player.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized act using an unauthorized device that outputs a signal similar to a regular operation signal without significantly increasing the system configuration.

<1: Game>
The slot machine S according to the embodiment of the present invention allows a player to perform a game similar to a general slot machine, that is, a game aiming for a medal by betting a medal. In the game, the player operates the slot machine S and repeats the game. That is, the game progresses by repeating the game. In order for a player to play a game, it is necessary to insert medals. That is, the medal is a medium (game medium) having a value (game value) in the game. In each game, the player operates the slot machine S to start the rotation of the three reels, stops the rotation of each reel, and aims to acquire medals.

  The slot machine S selects one of a plurality of prizes or loses by an internal lottery, and stops the rotation of the three reels. If the stop mode is a mode corresponding to the prize, it is determined that a prize has been won, and a game value (privilege) corresponding to the prize is given to the player. In addition to paying out a predetermined number of medals as a payout, the game value is given as a game of a type advantageous to the player (game type (game state)). As game types, a plurality of games such as a normal game and a bonus game in which a lottery probability of an internal lottery is set higher than that of the normal game are prepared. In addition, when a prize for winning a bonus game as a subsequent game is won as a result of the internal lottery, the carry-over game is given a chance to win the prize from the subsequent game to the game where the prize is won. The game executed on the slot machine S is one of a plurality of game types. Carry-over games and bonus games can be said to be advantageous game types for players.

<2: Overall configuration of slot machine S>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine S. FIG. As shown in the figure, the slot machine S has a main body B in which various devices are accommodated. The main body B includes a box-shaped housing 10 whose front surface is open and a front door 20 disposed on the front surface of the housing 10. One side of the front door 20 is fixed to the housing 10 by a hinge and is opened and closed. Hereinafter, the front door 20 side as viewed from the housing 10 is referred to as “front side”, and the housing 10 side as viewed from the front door 20 is referred to as “rear side”. The right side of the front door 20 is denoted as “right”, and the opposite side is denoted as “left”.

  The front door 20 is provided with an operation unit OP, a panel display unit DP, a payout display panel TP, and a saucer unit BP. Various operating elements operated by the player are arranged in the operation unit OP. The panel display unit DP is provided with a substantially rectangular reel window 211 for allowing the player to visually recognize the symbol of the reel and a display 212 for displaying information related to the progress of the game. The payout display panel TP is a device that executes a display for a game effect (for example, display of the number of medals to be paid out as a payout (number of payouts)). The tray portion BP includes a medal tray 222 that stores medals discharged from the medal payout port 221.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front door 20 of the slot machine S is opened. As shown in the figure, main electric power (for example, DC (direct current)) used inside the main body B by taking in external electric power (for example, AC (alternating current) 100V) into the main body B (inside the casing 10). 5V), various devices including a reel unit RL including three tokens R (left, middle and right reels) arranged in the horizontal direction. Is stored. Each reel R is an annular member that is rotatably supported, and a plurality of types of symbols are printed on each outer peripheral surface along the circumferential direction. The player can visually recognize the design of each reel R through each reel window 211. That is, each reel window 211 is a display row that variably displays a plurality of types of symbols.

  1 includes a bet button 231, a start lever 232, and three stop buttons 233. Each game is started by inserting a medal into the medal insertion slot 24 or operating the bet button 231 (BET operation). The three reels R start to rotate when the start lever 232 is operated (start operation), and are stopped when the corresponding stop button 233 (left, middle, right stop button) is operated (stop operation). . The power supply device 60 is provided with a power switch 61 for activating the slot machine S, a reset switch 62, and a key switch 63.

  In the slot machine S, six stages of probabilities are prepared as the probability that a prize will be selected in the internal lottery (lottery probability), and one of these six stages is the stage of the lottery probability (game) used for the internal lottery. Status). This setting is performed by operating the key switch 63, and step setting values (game information (“1” to “6”)) indicating settings 1 to 6 are stored in the RAM 102. Compared with the lottery probability at the stage corresponding to setting 1, the lottery probability at the stage corresponding to setting 6 is higher, and the game played at setting 6 is easier to win than the game played at setting 1.

  A game control board unit U is installed on a plate member (hereinafter referred to as “back plate”) 11 on the back side of the housing 10 as illustrated in a part where the housing 10 is partially broken in FIG. This game control board unit U is a mechanism for holding the game control board C1. The game control board C1 is a circuit board on which various electronic components are mounted.

<3: Schematic configuration of game control board unit U>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the game control board unit U is disassembled. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the game control board unit U includes a board case 30, an attachment member 50, a guide member 70, and four locking members 80. The board case 30 is a member for supporting the game control board C1. Connectors CN1 to CN3 for connecting various devices such as each reel R with cables are mounted on the game control board C1. The board case 30 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the game control board C1 is accommodated in the space between the upper cover 311 and the lower cover 312. The upper cover 311 and the lower cover 312 are fixed by a fixing portion (not shown), and cannot be separated unless the fixing portion is broken. As described above, when the upper cover 311 and the lower cover 312 are separated, traces of destruction remain, so that it is possible to clearly and visually confirm the presence or absence of unauthorized contact with the game control board C1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, four receiving members 40 are connected to the right side end surface of the substrate case 30. Each receiving member 40 is a member for mounting the substrate case 30 to the mounting member 50. The connectors CN1 to CN3 mounted on the game control board C1 are provided by cutting out the upper cover 311, so that the connectors CN1 to CN3 are connected even when the upper cover 311 and the lower cover 312 are fixed. This makes it possible to connect and disconnect cables to improve workability, such as replacing devices when various devices fail.

  The attachment member 50 and the guide member 70 in FIG. 3 are members for fixing the substrate case 30 to the main body B (housing 10), and are fixed to the back plate 11 of the housing 10 by screws. The guide member 70 includes two guide bodies 71 and 72 that protrude from the back plate 11 to the front side. These guide bodies 71 and 72 are arranged in the vertical direction with an interval corresponding to the height of the substrate case 30. The substrate case 30 can be slid in the lateral direction while being held between the guide bodies 71 and 72 in a state where the substrate case 30 is not attached to the attachment member 50. Further, an engagement hole H is formed at a position facing each of the guide cases 71 and 72 to the substrate case 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, two protrusions P are formed on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate case 30 along the longitudinal direction. When the substrate case 30 is slid rightward along the guide bodies 71 and 72 and reaches a predetermined position, the protrusions P located on the left side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate case 30 are formed on the guide bodies 71 and 72. Engage with the engagement hole H. In the state where each projection P of the substrate case 30 is engaged with the engagement hole H of the guide member 70, the movement of the substrate case 30 in a direction other than the sliding direction (for example, the front side) is restricted.

  When the substrate case 30 reaches the target position, each receiving member 40 overlaps with the mounting member 50. The substrate case 30 is fixed to the housing 10 by fixing one receiving member 40 to the mounting member 50 at this target position. Each locking member 80 is a component for fixing one receiving member 40 to the mounting member 50. When one receiving member 40 is fixed to the mounting member 50 by the locking member 80, the substrate case 30 cannot be separated from the mounting member 50 unless the connection between the receiving member 40 and the substrate case 30 is broken. In this manner, since the trace remains when the substrate case 30 is removed, the presence or absence of unauthorized contact with the game control board C1 can be clearly confirmed visually. In the present embodiment, a plurality (four in this case) of the receiving member 40 and the locking member 80 are arranged. According to this configuration, the fixation and separation between the substrate case 30 and the mounting member 50 can be repeated four times, so that a request for separating the substrate case 30 for a valid reason such as inspection of the substrate can be easily met. be able to.

<4: Electrical configuration of slot machine S>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine S. The slot machine S includes a game control board C1 that performs the main control of the game, and a sub-control board C2 that controls the LEDs of the panel display unit DP and sound effects. The game control board C1 and the sub control board C2 are operated by the main power V1 supplied from the power supply device 60.

  The game control board C1 stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100 as a control unit that controls each unit of the slot machine S by executing a program, and stores a program executed by the CPU 100 and data used for the execution. A ROM (Read-Only Memory) 101 is provided as a volatile memory, and a RAM (Random-Access Memory) 102 is provided as a volatile memory for storing data used in executing the program. The RAM 102 is specifically an SRAM (Static RAM), but may include a volatile memory other than the SRAM (for example, a DRAM (Dynamic RAM)) as the RAM 102.

  The power supply device 60 is used in the game control board C1 and the sub control board C2 in a state where the power switch 61 is turned on (ON state) when so-called commercial power (AC100V) is supplied as external power. Main power V1 (for example, DC5V or DC24V) is generated. Further, the power supply device 60 detects a voltage drop of the external power (AC100V), and controls the power-off signal notifying that the supply of the external power is cut off when the voltage drops below a predetermined voltage (for example, AC85V). It has a function of outputting to the substrate C1. Specifically, when the power switch 61 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, when a power failure occurs and external power is not supplied, or when the main power V1 cannot be generated normally by the power supply device 60, the power cut signal Is output. Furthermore, the power supply device 60 is equipped with an electric double capacitor in order to supply the auxiliary power V2 to the game control board C1 when the supply of external power is interrupted as described above. By supplying this auxiliary power V2 to the RAM 102 in the game control board C1, the data on the RAM 102 can be retained even when the main power V1 is cut off. The auxiliary power V2 is the same as the main power V1 when the main power V1 is output, and is the power from the electric double capacitor when the main power V1 is not output.

  The game control board C1 includes a connector CN1 to which the power supply device 60 is connected. The main power V1 and the auxiliary power V2 are input from the connector CN1 into the game control board C1, and the CPU 100 mounted on the game control board C1 is clocked. The electronic components such as the generation circuit, the ROM 101, the RAM 102, and the input / output port are operated. As the CPU 100, a one-chip type incorporating a ROM or RAM can be adopted. In that case, the external ROM 101 and RAM 102 are unnecessary.

  The game control board C1 includes a connector CN2 to which various devices are connected and a connector CN3 to which the reel unit RL is connected. Various signals input from the connector CN2 into the game control board C1 and from the connector CN3 Based on each reel position detection signal (left, middle, and right reel position detection signal) input into the game control board C1, game progress control (game repeat control) is performed. The subject of this control is the CPU 100. Since the specific contents of the control performed by the CPU 100 are the same as those of a general slot machine, only those related to the present invention will be described as appropriate.

  As various signals inputted into the game control board C1 from the connector CN2, operation signals from various operators of the operation unit OP operated by the player, and medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 24 are detected. There are a medal insertion signal from the coin selector 25 and a medal payout signal from the medal payout device 64. The operation signals include a single BET signal, a double BET signal, a MAXBET signal, a start lever signal, a left stop button signal, a middle stop button signal, and a right stop button signal.

  Each BET signal is generated by the bet button 231 and sent to the CPU 100. The CPU 100 receives a single BET signal, activates one winning line, receives a two BET signal, controls three winning lines, receives a MAX BET signal, and receives five winning lines. Control to enable the line. The winning line is a line that crosses the three reel windows 211 (see FIG. 1). In the winning determination process described later, the CPU 100 has a predetermined arrangement of symbols stopped on the activated winning line. It is determined that the prize has been won.

  The start lever signal is generated by the start lever 232 and sent to the CPU 100. Each stop button signal is generated by each stop button 233 and sent to the CPU 100. When the CPU 100 receives the start lever signal after the BET signal, the CPU 100 controls the rotation of the reels R until the three reels R are stopped. That is, each reel drive signal (left, middle, and right reel drive signal) for driving each reel R is sent to the reel unit RL through the connector CN3. The rotation control of the reels R includes start control for receiving the start lever signal and starting rotation of the three reels R, and stop control for receiving the stop button signals and stopping the rotation of the reels R. The stop control of each reel R is performed based on each reel position detection signal and lottery result information described later.

  The medal insertion signal is generated every time one medal is inserted by the coin selector 25 and sent to the CPU 100. The CPU 100 performs control to validate the winning line only when a sufficient number of medals are inserted. Further, the CPU 100 performs control for preventing insertion of medals as necessary. Specifically, a medal block signal is sent to the coin selector 25 through the connector CN2. Upon receiving the medal block signal, the coin selector 25 blocks the medal insertion by, for example, driving a solenoid (not shown) to close the medal insertion slot 24.

  Further, the CPU 100 performs an internal lottery and performs control for storing the lottery result information (game information) indicating the result (game state (one prize or lose)) in the RAM 102. Further, the CPU 100 performs a winning determination process based on the reel position detection signal. That is, it is determined whether or not a prize has been won. If it is determined that a prize has been won, control is performed to give the player a game value corresponding to the prize that has been won. The contents of this control are as exemplified below.

  For example, the CPU 100 sends a medal payout drive signal corresponding to the winning prize to the medal payout device 64 through the connector CN2. When the medal payout device 64 receives the medal payout drive signal, the medal payout drive signal drives a motor (not shown) to discharge a medal with the number of payouts corresponding to the prize, while generating a medal payout signal for each payout of one medal. Then, the data is sent to the CPU 100 through the connector CN2. Upon receiving the medal payout signal, the CPU 100, through the connector CN2, displays an acquired number display signal for displaying the acquired number of medals on the display 212, and a payout number for displaying the number of payouts corresponding to the winning prize. Sends a display signal.

  Further, for example, the CPU 100 causes the RAM 102 to store game type information (game information) indicating a game type (game state) corresponding to the winning prize. Since the CPU 100 performs control according to the game type indicated in the game type information stored in the RAM 102 at the start of each game, the next game is a game type game corresponding to the winning prize. That is, the game is advantageous to the player. Further, when the CPU 100 receives the power-off detection signal through the connector CN1, the CPU 100 stops the control of the progress of the game including the above-described various controls, and as a specific mark in the storage area (specific mark storage area) of the predetermined address in the RAM 102. The value “5AH (hexadecimal)” is stored.

  Various devices connected to the connector CN2 are mounted on the front door 20. The front door 20 is provided with a sub-control board C2 to which these devices are connected, and the connection between the connector CN2 and various devices is realized via the sub-control board C2. That is, the connector CN2 of the game control board C1 and the connector CN10 of the sub control board C2 are connected by one multi-core cable (cable CB described later), and the individual connectors CN11 to CN16 of the sub control board C2 and various devices Are connected by cables. Specifically, the bet button 231 is connected to the connector CN11, the start lever 232 is connected to the connector CN12, the stop button 233 is connected to the connector CN13, the indicator 212 is connected to the connector CN14, the coin selector is connected to the connector CN15, and the medal payout device 64 is connected to the connector CN16. Yes.

  The connector CN2 on the game control board C1 has an output terminal TP1 for outputting auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 to the outside of the game control board C1 in addition to signal terminals transmitted and received between the CPU 100 and various devices. The auxiliary power V2 output from the output terminal TP1 is input again into the game control board C1 and supplied to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102. When a one-chip CPU is employed, the auxiliary power V2 is supplied to the one-chip CPU. As described above, in the slot machine S, the game is started by inserting a medal or operating the bet button 231 by the game control board C1, and the three reels are rotated by operating the start lever 232. Is stopped, and when the line of symbols stopped on the winning line is a predetermined line, a game is won, and a game value corresponding to the prize is given to the player to control the progress of the game to end the game.

<5: Path of auxiliary power>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a single conductive path for supplying auxiliary power V2 input from connector CN1 to the power supply terminal of RAM 102. The cable CB connected to the connector CN2 includes a connector CN2P, and is connected to the connector CN2 by fitting the connector CN2P and the connector CN2. In the game control board C1, the auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 is output from the output terminal TP1 of the connector CN2 through the path L1. The auxiliary power V2 input again from the input terminal TP2 is supplied to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 through the path L2. On the other hand, a short circuit wiring LC that connects the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 is formed in the cable CB. Note that the short-circuit wiring LC is merely an example, and any conductor that can electrically connect the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 can be employed instead of the short-circuit wiring LC.

  Since the above configuration is adopted, when the cable CB is connected to the connector CN2, the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 are connected by the cable CB (short-circuit wiring LC) and short-circuited. Therefore, the output terminal TP1 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102. That is, the conductive path is formed so that the auxiliary power V2 can be supplied to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102. Therefore, when the auxiliary power V2 is supplied from the power supply device 60, the auxiliary power V2 is supplied from the connector CN1, the path L1, the output terminal TP1 of the connector CN2, the short circuit wiring LC of the cable CB, the input terminal TP2 of the connector CN2, and the path L2. → The data is supplied to the RAM 102 through the path RAM 102.

  On the other hand, when the cable CB is not connected to the connector CN2, the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 are not electrically connected. Therefore, the output terminal TP1 and the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 become non-conductive. That is, the conductive path is formed so as to be electrically disconnected between the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 so that the auxiliary power V2 cannot be supplied to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102.

  As is clear from the above description, the conductive path is formed so that the auxiliary power V2 can be supplied to the RAM 102 only when the connector CN2 and the cable CB are connected. Therefore, if the connection between the connector CN2 and the cable CB is released while the external power supply is cut off, the supply of the auxiliary power V2 to the RAM 102 is cut off, and the data in the RAM 102 becomes unstable. Therefore, in the slot machine S, it is possible to prevent an illegal act of illegally changing the data in the RAM 102 by releasing the connection between the connector CN2 and the cable CB when the external power is cut off.

<6: Startup processing of slot machine S>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the startup process in the slot machine S. The main body of the startup process is the CPU 100 mounted on the game control board C1.
First, the CPU 100 performs a sum check of the ROM 101 (S100). That is, the checksum of the ROM 101 is confirmed to check whether the data in the ROM 101 is normal. Here, the description will be continued assuming that it is normal. Next, the CPU 100 initializes the work memory area of the RAM 102 (S101). The work memory area is a part of the storage area of the RAM 102, and its initialization means that default value data is stored in the entire area. Game information such as stage setting values, lottery result information, and game type information is stored in a storage area of the RAM 102 other than the work memory area.

  Next, the stage setting value is checked (S102). That is, it is checked whether or not the step set value stored in the RAM 102 is a regular value (“1” to “6”). Then, the process is branched according to the result of this check (step S103). That is, if the result of the check in step S102 is positive, the process proceeds to step S104, and if not, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S104, a specific mark check is performed. That is, it is checked whether or not the specific mark “5AH” is stored in the specific mark storage area of the RAM 102. As described above, in the slot machine S, when the connection between the connector CN2 and the cable CB is released while the external power supply is cut off, the data in the RAM 102 becomes undefined. Therefore, the fact that the specific mark is stored in the specific mark storage area at this point means that the connection between the connector CN2 and the cable CB is not released during the interruption of the external power supply. The specific mark storage area may be singular or plural. In the case of a plurality of specific mark storage areas, it is checked whether or not the specific mark “5AH” is stored in all the specific mark storage areas.

  Next, the CPU 100 branches the process according to the result of the check in step S104 (step S105). That is, if the result of the check in step S104 is positive, the process proceeds to step S106, and if not, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S106, the CPU 100 performs processing for resuming the program from the address at which the control of the progress of the game is stopped in response to the power-off detection signal. Thereby, the control of the progress of the game is resumed. Information indicating the above address is stored in a storage area of the RAM 102 other than the work memory area.

  On the other hand, in step S107, an error display for notifying that the data in the RAM 102 of the slot machine S is abnormal is performed (S107). Thereby, the store clerk can know that the fraudulent act was performed. For example, a payout display panel TP is used for error display. Next, the process waits until the clerk presses the reset switch 62 provided in the power supply device 60 (S108), and when the reset switch 62 is pressed, a step setting process is performed (step S109). In the stage setting process, for example, the store clerk operates the key switch 63 to set the stage of the lottery probability to any one of the settings 1 to 6, and the CPU 100 stores the stage setting value corresponding to this setting in the RAM 102. Next, the CPU 100 performs a RAM initialization process (step S110). In the RAM initialization process, default value data is stored in all the storage areas of the RAM 102, and the program is started from a predetermined address (first address). Thereby, control of the progress of the game is started.

  As is clear from the above description, in the slot machine S, the illegal operation of setting the step set value to a value other than the normal value or the disconnection of the connector CN2 and the cable CB when the external power is interrupted. Even if an unauthorized act of connecting an unauthorized device to the connector CN2 and changing the data in the RAM 102, removing the unauthorized device and connecting the connector CN2 and the cable CB is performed, control of the progress of the game is resumed or When started, the step set value stored in the RAM 102 is a normal value, and the data in the RAM 102 is appropriate data.

<7. Modification>
(1) The embodiment described above may be modified such that the game control board C1 includes a plurality of connectors corresponding to the connectors CN2 instead of the connectors CN2. FIG. 7 shows the only conductive path for supplying the auxiliary power V2 input at the connector CN1 to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 in this example. In this example, the game control board C1 includes two connectors CN2a and CN2b as connectors corresponding to the connector CN2.

  The auxiliary power V2 input through the connector CN1 is output from the output terminal TP1a of the connector CN2a to the outside of the game control board C1 through the path L3. The auxiliary power V2 input again from the input terminal TP2a of the connector CN2a is again output from the output terminal TP1b of the connector CN2b to the outside of the game control board C1 through the path L4. The auxiliary power V2 input again from the input terminal TP2b of the connector CN2b is connected to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 through the path L5.

  A cable CB1 having a connector CN2aP mated with the connector CN2a is connected to the connector CN2a, and a cable CB2 having a connector CN2bP mated with the connector CN2b is connected to the connector CN2b. The cable CB1 has a short-circuit wiring LC1 that connects the output terminal TP1a and the input terminal TP2a. The cable CB2 has a short-circuit wiring LC2 that connects the output terminal TP1b and the input terminal TP2b.

  Since the above configuration is adopted, when the cable CB1 is connected to the connector CN2a, the output terminal TP1a and the input terminal TP2a are connected by the cable CB1 (short-circuit wiring LC1) and short-circuited. On the other hand, when the cable CB2 is connected to the connector CN2b, the output terminal TP1b and the input terminal TP2b are connected by the cable CB2 (short-circuit wiring LC2) and short-circuited. Therefore, when the cable CB1 is connected to the connector CN2a and the cable CB2 is connected to the connector CN2b, the output terminal TP1a and the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 are electrically connected.

  That is, the only conductive path for supplying the auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 is formed so that the auxiliary power V2 can be supplied to the RAM 102 in the above case. In this case (when one or both of the connection between the connector CN2a and the cable CB1 and the connection between the connector CN2b and the cable CB2 are released), the auxiliary power V2 cannot be supplied to the RAM 102. The path of the auxiliary power V2 when the auxiliary power V2 is supplied to the RAM 102 is as follows: connector CN1 → path L3 → output terminal TP1a of the connector CN2a → short circuit wiring LC1 of the cable CB1 → input terminal TP2a of the connector CN21 → path L4 → Output terminal TP1b of connector CN2b → short-circuit wiring LC2 of cable CB2 → input terminal TP2b of connector CN2b → RAM 102.

  As is clear from this example, in a form in which the game control board C1 includes a plurality of connectors corresponding to the connector CN2 instead of the connector CN2, the plurality of cables respectively connected to the plurality of connectors and the plurality of connectors If the conductive path is formed through each of the connectors, the conductive path is electrically disconnected when any of the connections between the plurality of connectors and the plurality of cables is released. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an illegal act of illegally changing the data in the RAM 102 by releasing the connection between at least one of the plurality of connectors and the cable when the external power is cut off.

  In order to perform this fraud, it is necessary to input various operation signals to the game control board C1. Therefore, even if these operation signals are input to the game control board C1 across a plurality of connectors, by providing the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 only in at least one of the plurality of connectors. , The above-mentioned fraud can be prevented. In this case, it is sufficient that only the cable connected to the only connector provided with the output terminal TP1 and the input terminal TP2 has a short-circuit wiring among the plurality of cables respectively connected to the plurality of connectors.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 of the game control board C1 is output from the output terminal TP1 of the connector CN2 to the outside of the game control board C1, and is input again from the input terminal TP2 of the connector CN2. The auxiliary power V2 was supplied to the RAM 102. In other words, the slot machine S including the conductive path for supplying the auxiliary power V2 to the RAM 102 in the cable CB connected to the connector CN2 is illustrated, but as shown in FIG. 8, the connector CN1 is connected to the game control board C1. It is also possible to form a single conductive path for supplying the input auxiliary power V2 to the RAM 102 via the switching circuit 103 and to switch the conduction / non-conduction of this conductive path in accordance with the control signal of the switching circuit 103. When the connector CN2 and the cable CB are not connected, the switching circuit 103 makes the conductive path non-conductive. That is, not the conductive path (hereinafter referred to as “first conductive path”) but the conductive path of the control signal of the switching circuit 103 (hereinafter referred to as “second conductive path”) is routed through the cable CB. In this embodiment, when the connector CN2 and the cable CB are connected, the switching circuit 103 is closed, and the only conductive path for supplying the auxiliary power V2 to the RAM 102 is formed.

  Specifically, a control signal to be supplied to the switching circuit 103 is output from the output terminal TP1 of the connector CN2 to the outside of the game control board C1, and the control signal input from the input terminal TP2 of the connector CN2 is supplied to the switching circuit 103. Is done. Of course, the switching circuit 103 may generate a control signal to be supplied to the switching circuit 103. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the auxiliary power V2 is supplied from the connector CN1 to the first input terminal a of the switching circuit 103 through the path La, and from the first output terminal b of the switching circuit 103 to the RAM 102 through the path Lb. Supplied. The control signal of the switching circuit 103 is supplied from the second output terminal c of the switching circuit 103 to the connector CN2 through the path Lc, and is output from the output terminal TP1 of the connector CN2 to the outside of the game control board C1. The control signal of the switching circuit 103 input from the input terminal TP2 of the connector CN2 is supplied to the second input terminal d of the switching circuit 103 through the path Ld.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the switching circuit 103. The switching circuit 103 includes two resistors, a P-channel FET (Field Effect Transistor) 1 and an N-channel FET 2, and a resistor R 1 and a resistor R 2. The auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 is supplied to the source terminal (S) of the FET1 through the first input terminal a. On the other hand, the source terminal (S) of the FET 2 is connected to GND (ground). The drain terminals (D) of the mutual FETs are connected and connected to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 through the first output terminal b. That is, when the mutual FETs are exclusively turned on and the auxiliary power V2 is supplied to the power supply terminal of the RAM 102 (FET1 is turned on), and when GND is supplied to the power supply terminal of the RAM102 (FET2 is turned on). Switch. These switching operations are controlled by the gate voltage of the gate terminal (G) of each FET. The gate terminals (G) of the FETs are connected to each other, and the FET 1 is turned on when the gate voltage is L level (low level), and the FET 2 is turned on when the gate voltage is H level (high level). When the second output terminal c and the second input terminal d are connected, the gate voltage is closer to the GND level than 1/2 of the voltage of the auxiliary power V2 by voltage division by the resistors R1 and R2. Each resistance value is set. Accordingly, when the second output terminal c and the second input terminal d are connected, the FET 1 is turned on and the auxiliary power V2 is supplied to the RAM 102. On the other hand, when the second output terminal c and the second input terminal d are not connected, the gate voltage becomes the level of the auxiliary power V2, the FET1 is turned off, the FET2 is turned on, and the auxiliary power V2 is supplied to the RAM 102. Is cut off. As in this example, by using the second conductive path via the cable CB connected to the connector CN2, the auxiliary power V2 supplied to the RAM 102 is compared with the case where the first conductive path is via the cable CB. A voltage drop can be prevented, and it can be made less susceptible to external noise.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the short-circuit wiring LC serving as a part of the only conductive path that supplies the auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 of the game control board C1 to the RAM 102 is accommodated in the cable CB. However, the short-circuit wiring LC may be configured in the connector housing of the connector CN2P of the cable CB without being accommodated in the cable CB. An example is shown in FIG. In the connector housing of the connector CN2P 'on the cable CB side to be fitted to the connector CN2' mounted on the game control board C1, a contact TP1P that contacts the output terminal TP1 'and a contact TP2P that contacts the input terminal TP2' are provided. In addition, a short circuit path LC ′ for connecting the two contacts is provided. Specifically, the connector CN2 ′ is provided with an accommodating portion for accommodating two terminals (TP1 ′, TP2 ′) in a non-contact posture in the connector housing, and the two connectors CN2P ′ on the cable CB side have the above-mentioned two housings. It has a contact part which contacts a terminal (TP1 ', TP2'), respectively, and has an accommodating part provided with the electroconductive piece (LC ') which short-circuits these two contacts. By adopting the connector having such a structure, the output terminal TP1 'and the input terminal TP2' can be short-circuited when the connector CN2 'and the connector CN2P' are engaged.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the short-circuit wiring LC that is a partial section of the only conductive path that supplies the auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 of the game control board C1 to the RAM 102 is accommodated in the cable CB. However, it may not be included in the cable CB. For example, instead of the short-circuit wiring LC, one wiring (conductor) that loops from the connector CN2 to the cable CB and the sub-control board C2 is formed, and this wiring becomes a part of the conductive path. May be. Further, for example, instead of the short-circuit wiring LC, one wiring that loops over at least one of the cables connected from the connector CN2 to the cable CB, the sub-control board C2, and the connectors CN11 to CN16 of the sub-control board C2. (Conductor) may be formed, and this wiring may be a part of the conductive path. That is, the conductor which becomes a part of the conductive path can be formed in an arbitrary connection portion connected to the connector CN2.

(5) In the above-described modification, a switching circuit using an FET is illustrated as the switching circuit 103. When the control signal for switching the switching circuit 103 is routed through the cable CB, the connector CN2 and the cable CB are not connected. The conductive path (first conductive path) is made non-conductive by the switching circuit 103. As another example of functioning as the switching circuit, a connector having a switch for detecting the insertion state of the connector to be fitted in the connector housing is used, and the contact of the switch is switched according to the detection state of the switch. A method for switching conduction / non-conduction of the conductive path can be exemplified. FIG. 11 shows a conceptual diagram of an example. Specifically, the connector CN2 ″ mounted on the game control board C1 includes a switch SW in the connector housing, and the switch SW is operated by a projecting portion T that can move forward and backward. The connector CN2P ″ coupled to the connector CN2 ″. When the connector CN2 ″ and the connector CN2P ″ are not engaged with each other, the protruding portion T protrudes forward. One terminal is connected to the auxiliary power V2 input from the connector CN1 of the game control board C1, and the other terminal is connected to the RAM 102. When the connector CN2 ″ and the connector CN2P ″ are fitted together The switch SW is turned on, the two terminals of the switch SW are closed, and the auxiliary power V2 is supplied to the RAM 102. Write, if the connector CN2 "connector CN2P" is not fitted, the switch SW is turned two terminals open circuit state of the switch SW turned off, supply of the auxiliary power V2 to RAM102 is interrupted.

(6) Although the above-described embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine, the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine in addition to a slot machine.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine S according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a front door 20 of the slot machine S is opened. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a game control board unit U in the slot machine S is disassembled. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine S. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a single conductive path for supplying auxiliary power V2 input from a connector CN1 of a game control board C1 in the game control board unit U to a power supply terminal of a RAM 102. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of start processing in the slot machine S. It is a figure which shows the conductive path in the slot machine which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the conductive path in the slot machine concerning another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a switching circuit 103 in a modification example according to FIG. 8. It is a figure showing the conductive path in the slot machine concerning another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view showing a conductive path in a slot machine according to still another modification of the embodiment of the present invention, and the switch portion is conceptually illustrated.

Explanation of symbols

C1 Game control board C2 Sub control board (connection part)
CB, CB1, CB2 cable (connection part)
CN1 connector (first connector)
CN2, CN2a, CN2b connector (second connector)
OP operation unit S slot machine 102 RAM (volatile memory)
232 Start lever (connection)
233 Stop button (connection part)
25 Coin selector (connection part)
60 Power supply (power supply unit)
100 CPU (control unit)
103 switching circuit 211 reel window (display row)

Claims (7)

An operation unit that generates an operation signal in response to a player's operation;
A game control board that controls the progress of a predetermined game in response to the operation signal;
An external power is input to generate main power and supply it to the game control board, and a power supply unit that generates auxiliary power when the external power is cut off.
The game control board has a volatile memory for storing game information for managing the progress of the game,
In the gaming machine capable of holding the gaming information when the external power is cut off by supplying the auxiliary power to the volatile memory,
The game control board includes a first connector to which the main power and the auxiliary power are input, and a second connector to which the operation signal is input by being connected to a connection part outside the game control board,
The auxiliary power is supplied from the first connector to the volatile memory through a single conductive path;
The conductive path is formed so that the auxiliary power can be supplied to the volatile memory only when the second connector and a connection part outside the game control board are connected.
A gaming machine characterized by that.   The conductive path is connected from the first connector to the volatile memory via a second connector and a connection part outside the game control board, and the second connector and a connection part outside the game control board are connected. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein if not, the conductive path is electrically disconnected. The game control board includes a plurality of the second connectors,
The conductive path is connected from the first connector to the volatile memory via all the second connectors and connection portions outside the game control board,
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when one of the second connectors is not connected to a connection portion outside the game control board, the conductive path is electrically disconnected. . The game control board includes a switching circuit for switching conduction / non-conduction of the conductive path,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the second connector and a connection part outside the game control board are not connected, the conductive path is made non-conductive by the switching circuit. The game control board includes a plurality of the second connectors,
5. The game according to claim 4, wherein when one of the second connectors is not connected to a connection part outside the game control board, the conductive path is made non-conductive by the switching circuit. Machine. The game control board reads data from a predetermined storage area of the volatile memory, determines whether or not the data is different from predetermined data, and controls the progress of the game if determined to be different. Including a control unit for notifying abnormality without performing
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The gaming machine executes a plurality of types of games,
It has multiple display columns that cyclically variably display multiple types of symbols,
In the control of the progress of the game by the game control board, the game information indicating one of the plurality of types of games is stored in the volatile memory, and the plurality of displays are based on the game information and the operation signal. When the variable display of the columns is controlled and the arrangement of the symbols in a state where the variable display of the plurality of display columns is stopped is in a predetermined mode, a game value corresponding to the game information is given to the player. The
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gaming machine is characterized by that.

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