JP2007319422A - Game machine and method for automatic settlement for game machine, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a loss to a hall by automatically performing settlement when a time for closing the hall passes. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with: a main substrate for performing drawing processing concerning a game; a sub substrate for performing performance processing by receiving a command signal from the main substrate; a power source part for supplying power to the main substrate and the sub substrate; and a timer to output time information. The main substrate comprises: an automatic settlement part for automatically performing settlement based on an output signal from the timer; a power control part to output power cut-off signal based on the output signal from the timer; and a sub substrate reset part to output a reset signal to the sub substrate. The sub substrate performs reset processing based on the signal from the sub substrate reset part, and the power source part cuts off the power based on the power cut-off signal from the power source control part, and restores the power after passage of a prescribed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and an automatic settlement method and program in the gaming machine.

  Pachinko machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines that are installed and used in game halls such as pachinko parlors are given a certain value to game media such as pachinko balls and medals, and the game media acquired by playing games It can be exchanged for various prizes. The gaming machine is provided with various drive devices such as a lamp device and a sound generation device that are operated based on the supply of the game medium, and a control circuit device corresponding to control these drive devices inside the housing. Therefore, when the player plays a game, the game is filled with interest by appropriately operating them. Further, in recent years, a variable symbol display device such as a reel display device or a liquid crystal image display device that can display predetermined identification information (symbol) in a variable manner is built in and stopped after changing the identification information when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The mainstream is to operate the variable symbol display device so that it can be displayed. These devices are controlled by a control device.

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

  The slot machine basically pays out medals as prizes when the symbols are arranged. Whether or not the symbols are arranged depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer (CPU). Also, various prizes such as a big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), and small role follow the result of the lottery by the internal computer.

  When the player inserts medals, it is determined and the number of inserted medals is displayed as credits. Thereafter, when the player operates the start switch, the three rotating reels start to rotate. When one of the stop switches is operated, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reel is stopped. When all three stop switches are operated, all three reels stop rotating. At this time, if a predetermined symbol stops on the effective winning line of the display window, it is determined that the winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out through the hopper unit. Instead of paying out medals, the credit display may be increased.

  The current gaming machine has a plurality of types of winning modes as described above. In particular, when a predetermined winning combination is established, a single medal is not paid out, and the gaming state is better in condition than the normal state for a predetermined period. As such a role, a role that can play a game that gives a relatively large profit to the player a predetermined number of times (referred to as “Big Bonus”, hereinafter abbreviated as “BB”) and a relatively small profit to the player There is a role (referred to as “regular bonus”, hereinafter abbreviated as “RB”) that allows the game to be played a predetermined number of times. The bonus is called a specific winning, and the bonus is called a specific (game) state.

  As described above, in current mainstream models, a combination of predetermined symbols is arranged along an activated winning line (hereinafter referred to as “effective line”), and a winning in which medals, coins, etc. are paid out is established. Indicates the winning of the winning combination (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”) and the winning combination of the internal winning combination (hereinafter referred to as “internal winning combination”). The player is required to perform a stop operation at a timing at which the symbol combination can be stopped on the active line. In other words, no matter how much the internal winning is made, if the timing of the stop operation of the player is bad, a winning cannot be established. That is, a gaming machine that requires a technique for performing a stop operation in a timely manner (having a high specific gravity of technical intervention called “to push”) is currently the mainstream.

  In addition, the current gaming machine has a function of automatic settlement and stopping to give the game a break. Automatic settlement generally refers to automatically paying out game media such as credited medals. Further, the term “stopping” generally means that a player cannot play a game.

  When the automatic checkout is performed, the credited game medium is automatically paid out. In addition, when the game is stopped, the player cannot resume the game unless the game store releases the stop.

  Automatic payment and stop are performed when a specific game state (so-called BB general game or RB game) generated based on the establishment of a BB or RB winning is completed.

JP, 2003-79812, A "Game machine" Regardless of whether BB or RB is provided as a role, automatic settlement or stopping is performed at an unprecedented timing. The gaming machine decides the reels that display the symbols necessary for the game in multiple rows, and determines the internal winning combination for each game, and controls to stop the variable display operation of the reels based on the determination result and the player's stop operation A main control circuit. The main control circuit performs automatic settlement when the winning of the small part of the bell is established.

  In addition to the above automatic settlement, manual settlement is also possible. If credits (unused stored medals) remain when the player changes the slot machine (gaming machine) to play, manual settlement is performed. In other words, the settlement switch is pressed to refund the remaining medals as credits, and the medals that have been refunded move to another slot machine.

  Normally, there is no problem with the above operation and refund operation. However, we often see players who continue to play games such as assist time (AT) by stealing the eyes of store clerk even after the closing time in the hall. Accepting such an action causes unfairness among players and may cause damage to the hall.

  The invention of the present application was made to prevent the above action, and in a gaming machine and a gaming machine that can automatically pay out medals after the closing time has passed, without the player himself operating the checkout switch. The purpose is to provide a settlement method and a program.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a main board that performs a lottery process related to a game, a sub board that receives a command signal from the main board and performs an effect process, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the main board and the sub board And a timer for outputting time information,
The main board includes an automatic settlement unit that performs automatic settlement based on the output signal of the timer, a power supply control unit that outputs a power-off signal based on the output signal of the timer, and the sub-board based on the output signal of the timer. A sub-board reset unit that outputs a reset signal,
The sub board performs reset processing based on a signal from the sub board reset unit,
The power supply unit is characterized in that the power supply is turned off based on a power-off signal from the power supply control unit, and the power supply is restored after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The automatic checkout unit, the power supply control unit, and the sub-board reset unit preferably each start processing when it is determined that a predetermined closing time has elapsed based on the output signal of the timer.

  When the gaming machine is in a specific gaming state when the store closing time has elapsed, the automatic settlement unit, the power supply control unit, and the sub board reset unit start processing after the specific gaming state ends, respectively. It may be.

The present invention includes a main board that performs a lottery process relating to a game, a sub board that performs an effect process in response to a command signal from the main board, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the main board and the sub board. A method for automatically adjusting in a machine,
A first step of reading time information and comparing it with a predetermined closing time;
A second step of executing automatic payment when it is determined that the closing time has elapsed;
A third step of turning off the power after executing the automatic checkout;
And a fourth step of returning the power after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Determining whether the gaming machine is in a specific gaming state when it is determined that the closing time has elapsed;
In the case of the specific game state, a step of waiting for the end of the specific game state and then executing the second step to the fourth step may be provided.

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

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

  According to the present invention, automatic settlement and resetting of the sub-board are performed at the closing time, and the power is turned off for a certain period of time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the loss of holes without giving an extra profit to the player.

  A gaming machine (slot machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  In addition, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door.

  The bet switch 142 is a switch located on the lower left side of the game display unit 131, and reduces the number of stored medals inserted and stored in the medal insertion slot 132 to replace the medal insertion. The medals inserted into the medal slot 132 are displayed as credits. The settlement switch 141 is a switch located obliquely to the left of the start switch 134, and is used for paying out unused inserted medals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the slot machine main body 120. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three rotating reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the upper hopper unit 121 and the reel unit 203.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate 10 and a sub-substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board (control unit) 10 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command signal flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command or the like is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 counts the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel unit (including the reel driving device) 70, the reel position detection circuit 71, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. For this purpose, a medal detection unit 82 (the hopper driving unit 80 to the medal detection unit 82 constitutes the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a control substrate 200 of the liquid crystal display device, a speaker 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  As described above, the main board 10 and the sub board 20 are configured around the CPU and include a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. Then, a CPU (processing unit) receives a player's operation and reads a program stored in a ROM (storage unit) to perform a predetermined operation. Specifically, the rotation and stop of the three rotating reels built in the reel unit 70 are controlled based on the operation of the start switch 134 and the stop button 140, and the display of lamps, speakers, and the like are controlled. Temporary data necessary for the CPU to operate is RAM (generally RAM is a volatile memory, and data is lost in principle when the power is turned off. A backup power source may be prepared, and in this case, data is not lost even if the power is turned off. The CPU performs a predetermined operation in accordance with a program recorded in the ROM, records temporary data necessary for processing in the RAM, and reads out and refers to the recorded data as necessary.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine first borrows a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and inserts a medal directly into the medal insertion slot 132 of the medal insertion device. The start switch 134 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotating reel, and starts driving the reel unit 70 on condition that a game medal is inserted. The drive of the reel unit 70 is stopped by a stop button 140. The reel unit 70 is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

  The gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention further includes a timer TM that outputs at least information related to time. An output signal of the timer TM is input to the main board 10, and the main board 10 executes processing described later based on the signal.

  The main board 10 includes an automatic settlement unit 10a, a sub board reset unit 10b, and a power supply control unit 10c for performing a process described later. These are realized by hardware such as an IC or a program (software) for operating a CPU.

  The automatic settlement unit 10a performs automatic settlement based on the output signal of the timer TM. That is, at the predetermined time, the credited game medium is paid out in the same manner as when the settlement switch 141 is operated.

  The sub board reset unit 10b resets the sub board 20 based on the output signal of the timer TM. Specifically, when a predetermined time comes, a command signal (reset signal) for instructing resetting is sent to the sub-board 20. The sub-board 20 is reset by the reset signal and set to an initial state. Thereby, a special profit state (AT (assist time), etc.) is canceled.

  The power controller 10c cuts off the power based on the output signal of the timer TM. Specifically, when a predetermined time comes, a signal is sent from the power supply control unit 10c to the power supply unit 205 to instruct the DC power supply to the main board or the like to be cut off (voltage is zero). Upon receiving the signal, the power supply unit 205 turns off the DC power supply by turning off a device (for example, a relay) (not shown). Note that the device (relay) has a timer function, and is turned on again after a certain period of time as will be described later. At this time, since the power-off signal is not output from the power control unit 10c (the main board 10 is reset when the power is turned off and the main board 10 is initialized when the power is turned on, so that the power-off signal is not output. The gaming machine can operate normally. If the power supply control unit 10c has a backup power supply, the power supply control unit 10c turns off the device (relay) based on the output signal of the timer TM and then turns off the device (relay) after a lapse of a certain time. You can also turn it on.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the timing charts of FIGS. 5 and 6.

  The main board 10 executes normal game processing and reads time information from the timer TM (S1). The read time information is compared with the closing time stored in the main board 10 in advance, and if it is determined that the closing time has come (YES in S2), the automatic settlement / power-off processing after S2 is executed.

  Before actually executing the automatic settlement / power-off processing, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is in a bonus state (whether it is a specific gaming state such as BB or RB) (S3). If it is not during the bonus (NO in S3), the automatic settlement is executed immediately (S4). Automatic settlement is to automatically switch the settlement switch 141 to “payout” or to handle the switch as if it was switched to “payout” regardless of the actual state of the settlement switch 141. It means starting the checkout process. Accordingly, if automatic settlement is performed when the number of stored medals is one or more, the stored medals are paid out. In S4, the sub-board 20 is reset by outputting a reset signal to the sub-board 20 at the same time. A special profit state (such as AT) is eliminated by resetting the sub-board 20.

Thereafter, the power is turned off (S5). When a preset power-off time elapses (for example, when 5 minutes elapses) (YES in S6), the power-off is restored (S7).
If the bonus is in progress (YES in S3), the end of the bonus is waited (S8). When the bonus is over (YES in S9), the processes after S4 are executed.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the processing when the bonus is not in the closing time (specific game state) (NO in S3 of FIG. 4). As soon as the closing time is reached, the automatic checkout process is executed, the power is turned off after the automatic checkout process is completed, and the power supply is restored when a predetermined time elapses. During the period from the start of the automatic checkout process to the return of power, the acceptance of games is stopped.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing processing in a case where a bonus is in effect at the closing time (a specific gaming state after a specific winning) (YES in S3 of FIG. 4). Even when the closing time comes, the automatic checkout process is not executed immediately. When the bonus ends, the automatic checkout process starts. The subsequent steps are the same as in FIG.

  According to the embodiment of the invention, automatic closing and resetting of the sub-board are performed at the closing time, and then the power is automatically turned off for a certain period of time, so that the game cannot be played after the closing time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the loss of holes without giving an extra profit to the player. If the bonus is in progress, automatic settlement and resetting of the sub-board are performed after the bonus is over, so there is no loss to the player.

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

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a process flowchart of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of invention (when not in a bonus). It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of invention (in the case of a bonus).

Explanation of symbols

1 Medal selector 10 Main board (control unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10a Automatic adjustment part 10b Sub board reset part 10c Power supply control part 20 Sub board 100 Slot machine 120 Slot machine main body 121 Hopper device 122 Hopper tank 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal insertion port 133 Reject button 134 Start switch 135 Delivery port 136 Derivation Road 140 Stop button 141 Settlement switch 142 Bet switch 205 Power supply unit TM Timer

Claims (6)

A main board that performs a lottery process relating to a game, a sub board that receives a command signal from the main board, performs an effect process, a power supply unit that supplies power to the main board and the sub board, and a timer that outputs time information And
The main board includes an automatic settlement unit that performs automatic settlement based on the output signal of the timer, a power supply control unit that outputs a power-off signal based on the output signal of the timer, and the sub-board based on the output signal of the timer. A sub-board reset unit that outputs a reset signal,
The sub board performs reset processing based on a signal from the sub board reset unit,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit turns off the power supply based on a power-off signal from the power supply control unit, and returns the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed.   The automatic checkout unit, the power supply control unit, and the sub-board reset unit each start processing when it is determined that a predetermined closing time has elapsed based on an output signal of the timer. The gaming machine according to 1.   When the gaming machine is in a specific gaming state when the store closing time has elapsed, the automatic settlement unit, the power supply control unit, and the sub board reset unit start processing after the specific gaming state ends, respectively. The gaming machine according to claim 2. Automatically in a gaming machine comprising a main board that performs a lottery process relating to a game, a sub board that receives a command signal from the main board and performs an effect process, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the main board and the sub board A method for performing settlement
A first step of reading time information and comparing it with a predetermined closing time;
A second step of executing automatic payment when it is determined that the closing time has elapsed;
A third step of turning off the power after executing the automatic checkout;
And a fourth step of returning the power after a predetermined time has elapsed. An automatic settlement method in a gaming machine, comprising: Determining whether the gaming machine is in a specific gaming state when it is determined that the closing time has elapsed;
5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, further comprising a step of waiting for the end of the specific game state when the specific game state is reached, and then executing the second step to the fourth step. Automatically in a gaming machine comprising a main board that performs a lottery process relating to a game, a sub board that receives a command signal from the main board and performs an effect process, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the main board and the sub board A program for causing a computer to execute a method for performing settlement.
A first step of reading time information and comparing it with a predetermined closing time;
A second step of executing automatic payment when it is determined that the closing time has elapsed;
A third step of turning off the power after executing the automatic checkout;
A program for causing a computer to execute a fourth step of returning the power after a predetermined time has elapsed.

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