JP2009061160A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of announcing the initialization of a game controller even when a fraudulent electronic board is connected between the game controller and another controller, and eliminating the risk of blocking an announcement operation by the fraudulent electronic board. <P>SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine includes: the game controller for controlling the progress of a game; and a special pattern display apparatus which is directly controlled by the game controller so as to display a special pattern. The game controller is configured to announce the detection of an initialization command signal by allowing the special pattern display apparatus to perform a display operation when detecting the initialization command signal with respect to the game controller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine provided with a game control device that controls the progress of a game and a special symbol display that is directly controlled by the game control device and can display a special symbol.

  A conventional gaming machine, for example, a pachinko gaming machine, includes an initialization means (for example, an initialization switch) for initializing a memory of a game control device (main control unit). Is configured so that the game can be played again by operating the initialization means.

By the way, in recent years, an illegal act of connecting an illegal electronic board (so-called hanging board) to the game control apparatus may be performed. When the fraudulent electronic board is connected, the fraudulent person sends a fraudulent initialization command signal from the fraudulent electronic board to the game control device to initialize the memory of the game control device, and the jackpot random number generated by the game control device The generation timing is grasped. And a game is performed based on this generation timing, and a profit is illegally acquired. Therefore, when the game control device detects an initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device notifies the fact that it has been initialized by generating a sound from the speaker or causing the light emitting device to emit light. A pachinko gaming machine that makes it easy to find a chemical action has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The speaker and the light emitting device are connected to the game control device via the effect control device (sound control unit, display control unit), and controlled by the effect control device that has received the notification command signal from the game control device. It is comprised so that alerting | reporting operation | movement may be performed.
JP 2003-024553 A

  However, in the device described in the above-mentioned patent document, there is a possibility that an unauthorized electronic board is connected between the game control device and the effect control device. Even if the game control device transmits a notification command signal to the effect control device based on the detection of the initialization command signal, the notification command signal is invalidated by the unauthorized electronic board, and notification by the speaker or the light emitting device is performed. Can not do. As a result, it is not possible to find an unauthorized initialization action by the unauthorized electronic board.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to initialize a game control device even if an unauthorized electronic board is connected between the game control device and another control device. It is intended to provide a gaming machine that can notify the fact that there is no possibility of the notification operation being blocked by an unauthorized electronic board.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object. According to the present invention, a game control device for controlling the progress of a game and a special symbol controlled directly by the game control device are provided. In a gaming machine equipped with a special symbol display that can be displayed,
When the game control device detects an initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device causes a special symbol display to perform a display operation to notify the detection of the initialization command signal. It is a gaming machine.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the game control device is configured to notify the detection of the initialization command signal by causing a special symbol display to perform a blinking display operation. The gaming machine described in 1.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the game control device includes external transmission means capable of transmitting a signal to a management device that manages gaming machines in a game store, and when detecting an initialization command signal for the game control device, 3. A gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein detection of the initialization command signal is transmitted to a management device by an external transmission means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the game control device directly controls the game device to convert between an open state where the door member is opened and a game ball can be won and a closed state where the door member is closed and a game ball cannot be won. Equipped with a variable prize device,
When the game control device detects an initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device is configured to notify the detection of the initialization command signal by causing the variable winning device to open and close the door member. The gaming machine according to claim 1.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the game control device detects the initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device notifies the detection of the initialization command signal by causing the special symbol display to perform a display operation. Even if an unauthorized electronic board is connected between the game control device and another control device and the game control device is illegally initialized by the unauthorized electronic substrate, the initialization action is not performed. A special symbol display can be used to notify the event that the game has been performed, and a clerk at the amusement store can inspect the gaming machine, which in turn can provide an opportunity to discover unauthorized electronic board connections and unauthorized initialization. . Further, there is no inconvenience that the notification operation by the special symbol display is blocked by the illegal electronic substrate.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, the game control device is configured to notify the detection of the initialization command signal by causing the special symbol display to perform a blinking display operation. The notification operation can be made conspicuous, and the clerk in the amusement store can be promptly urged to investigate whether or not an illegal initialization act has been performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the game control device includes external transmission means capable of transmitting a signal to a management device that manages the gaming machines in the game store, and detects an initialization command signal for the game control device. Since the configuration is such that the detection of the initialization command signal is transmitted to the management device by the external transmission means, the management device can grasp that the initialization act has been performed, which is illegal to the store clerk in the amusement store. The investigation as to whether or not the initialization action has been executed, and consequently the investigation as to whether or not the illegal electronic board is connected, can be performed more quickly.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the game control device directly controls the conversion into an open state where the door member is opened and the game ball can be won, and a closed state where the door member is closed and the game ball cannot be won. When the game control device detects an initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device notifies the detection of the initialization command signal by causing the variable prize device to open and close the door member. Since it is configured, it is possible to make the initialization action notification operation more conspicuous, and to prompt the store clerk in the amusement store whether or not an illegal initialization action has been performed more quickly.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a pachinko gaming machine as a typical gaming machine as an example. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 2 is a rear view.
A pachinko gaming machine 1 has a front frame (inner frame) 3 pivotally attached to a machine frame (outer frame) 2 so that the front frame 3 can accommodate a game board 5, and on the surface of the game board 5 A substantially circular gaming area 7 is defined. Further, on the front side of the front frame 3, a transparent member holding frame 9 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) pivotally attached is provided so as to be openable and closable, and a transparent member 10 that can be seen through the transparent member holding frame 9 is provided. Stored. When the transparent member holding frame 9 is closed, the game board 5 is covered with the transparent member holding frame 9 and the transparent member 10 is disposed in front of the game area 7, and the game area 7 is passed through the transparent member 10 to the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is comprised so that it can visually recognize from the front. Further, an upper plate unit 11 having one side (left side in FIG. 1) pivotally attached is provided below the transparent member holding frame 9 so as to be openable and closable. A lower plate unit 12 is provided below the upper plate unit 11. Is disposed at a position shifted from the upper plate unit 11 in the left-right direction. Further, an ashtray 14 is provided on the left side of the lower plate unit 12, and a firing operation unit (launching operation handle) 15 is provided on the right side of the lower plate unit 12. And between the upper plate unit 11 and the lower plate unit 12, the speaker 16 which generate | occur | produces a sound according to a game state is arrange | positioned.

  In addition, the game board 5 has a partition member 21 fixed on the front surface thereof in a state along each side of the game board 5 to form a game area 7, and a center case 22 is disposed at the center of the game area 7. Under the center case 22, a start winning opening 23 for establishing a start condition for a special figure changing display game, which will be described later, is arranged by winning a game ball, and the side of the center case 22 (the left side) is generally open. A starting gate 24 is arranged. Further, a side lamp (decoration LED) 25 that performs various decorative displays by light emission is disposed on the lower left and lower right of the center case 22, and a general winning opening 26 is provided on the front side of the side lamp 25. A big prize opening 27 (corresponding to the variable prize apparatus in the present invention) is arranged below the start prize opening 23, and a prize is placed at the lower edge of the game area 7 below the big prize opening 27. An out port 28 for collecting the game balls that have flowed down is provided, and obstacle nails (not shown) are planted in the game area 7 except for the mounting portion such as the start winning port 23, the large winning port 27, the center case 22, and the like. Has been established.

  In addition, a display unit 30 composed of a large liquid crystal panel is faced from the rear in the center of the center case 22, and the top of the center case 22 is triggered by winning (passing) to the usual start gate 24. A normal symbol display 31 for displaying a general variation display game (auxiliary game), a special symbol display 32 for displaying a special variation display game (special game) with a winning condition at the start winning opening 23 as a starting condition, a game A figure start memory display 31 ', which can display up to a predetermined number (for example, four times) of the figure change display game that has passed through the figure start gate 9 but is pending (unprocessed) The special figure start memory display 32 ', which can display up to a predetermined number (for example, four times) of the special figure variation display game that has been won at the start winning opening 23 but is pending (unprocessed), the pachinko gaming machine 1 Gaming state (normal play Game status indicator 33 for displaying the jackpot gaming state, etc.) based on the state and results after each variable display games, and a round display 34 for displaying the round in the jackpot status. The special symbol display unit 32 is configured to variably display special symbols (special symbols) such as numerals and symbols by 7-segment LEDs. Further, the normal symbol display 31, the general diagram start memory display 31 ', the special diagram start memory display 32', the game state display 33, and the round display 34 are constituted by LEDs, and the LEDs are turned on or off. Display. The pachinko gaming machine 1 executes a special game (a jackpot gaming state) by dividing it into a plurality of rounds when the display mode of the special figure variation display game becomes a predetermined special result mode (a jackpot). Each time, the door member 27a of the big prize opening 27 is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, and the game ball is converted into an open state in which it can win the big prize opening 27, and the door member 27a is closed after the predetermined time has elapsed. The game ball is converted into a closed state in which a prize cannot be awarded.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a back mechanism board 35 is formed on the back side of the front frame 3, a substantially rectangular opening window 36 is opened in the back mechanism board 35, and the game board 5 is provided on the front frame 3. Are attached in a replaceable state from the front, and the rear portion (back side portion) of the game board 5 faces rearward from the opening window 36. Further, the back mechanism board 35 is provided with a series of back mechanism parts. More specifically, a ball discharge mechanism 38 (a ball tank 38a, a guide flow path 38b, a ball discharge device 38c, a ball flow down path 38d) is attached to the upper part of the back mechanism board 35, and a discharge is made to the lower part of the back mechanism board 35. A launch control device 40, a power supply device 41, a relay board 42, and the like are attached. Further, an external information terminal 45 for connecting the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the management device 44 (see FIG. 3) in the game store is attached to the side of the ball tank 38a. A game control device 47 and an effect control device 48 are mounted side by side on the portion of the back surface of the game board 5 facing the opening window 36 of the back mechanism board 35.

Next, the control system of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The game control device 47 is a device that functions as a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner. The CPU 50 that controls the game control, the ROM 51 that stores a game control program, and the like, and a work area during game control. A RAM 52 to be used and an I / O port 53 for transmitting input / output signals in the game control device 47 are provided. In addition, in response to detection signals from various detection devices (count sensor 56, ordinary start gate sensor 57, general winning sensor 58, starting winning sensor 59, etc.), various processes such as jackpot games are performed. In addition to the sub-control devices (discharge emission control device 40, production control device 48, etc.), the normal symbol display 31, the special symbol display 32, the general symbol start memory display 31 ', and the special diagram start memory display 32'. , A game status indicator 33, a round indicator 34, a start winning solenoid 61 for opening / closing the opening / closing member 23a (see FIG. 1) of the start winning port 23, and a big winning for opening / closing the door member 27a of the big winning port 27 A command signal is transmitted to the mouth opening / closing solenoid 62 and the like, and the progress of the game is comprehensively controlled. Furthermore, the management device 44 functions also as an external transmission means in the present invention, and manages information relating to the game via the external information terminal 45 outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, specifically, the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the gaming store. Send to. It should be noted that the normal symbol display 31, the special symbol indicator 32, the universal symbol start memory indicator 31 ', the special symbol start memory indicator 32', the game state indicator 33, the round indicator 34, and the start winning solenoid 61 (that is, start) The winning opening 23), the large winning opening / closing solenoid 62 (ie, the large winning opening 27), and the external information terminal 45 are directly controlled by the game control device 47, and the game is not performed through other control devices (eg, the effect control device 48). It is configured to receive a signal directly from the control device 47.

  The effect control device 48 is a device that performs display control of the display unit 30 or decoration effect of the pachinko gaming machine 1 based on an effect control command signal (control data) from the game control device 47. And the game control device 47 is electrically connected to the input side of the production control device 48, and the display part 30, the speaker 16, the side lamp 25, and the production effect member in the center case 22 (see FIG. A motor 64 or the like serving as a drive source (not shown) is electrically connected.

  The power supply device 41 is a device for supplying power to each of the control devices 40, 47, 48, etc., and supplies power to the power switch 67 for turning on / off the pachinko gaming machine 1 and at least the RAM 52 of the game control device 47. Is always supplied, and even if a power failure occurs, the backup power supply 68 that can maintain the storage contents of the RAM 52, the RAM initialization switch 69 for initializing the RAM 52 (specifically, the storage contents of the RAM 52), and the power supply voltage are monitored. Thus, the power failure detection circuit 70 that detects a power failure is provided. When the occurrence of a power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit 70, a power failure detection signal is output to the game control device 47 and the effect control device 48 based on the detection result.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 configured as described above, when the RAM initialization switch 69 of the power supply device 41 is operated or when a power failure occurs and power is not supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1, power is supplied. The device 41 transmits to the game control device 47 an initialization command signal for the game control device 47, specifically, an initialization command signal for initializing the RAM 52. Then, when the game control device 47 detects the initialization command signal, the game control device 47 detects that the game control device 47 can directly control regardless of whether the initialization command signal is a regular signal or an illegal signal. The display unit 32 performs display operation, specifically, blinking display of the 7-segment LED for a preset notification time (for example, 30 seconds) to notify that the initialization command signal has been detected. Therefore, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, an illegal electronic board (so-called hanging board) 72 is connected between the game control device 47 and another control device (production control device 48). Even if the game control device 47 is illegally initialized by 72, the special symbol display 32 can notify that the initialization act has been performed, and the opportunity to check the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the store clerk of the game store, As a result, it is possible to provide an opportunity to discover that the hanging board 72 is attached. Further, even if the store clerk can grasp the execution of the illegal initialization act by looking at the special symbol display 32, even if the game store is in a noisy state due to the sound of the game ball flowing down or the BGM in the game store. , The store clerk will not fail to investigate the presence or absence of unauthorized initialization.

  In addition, if the display unit 30 tries to notify an unauthorized initialization action, the hanging board 72 invalidates the initialization notification signal from the game control device 47 to the effect control device 48, in other words, to the control device that controls the display unit 30. In this embodiment, since the notification operation is performed in the special symbol display 32 directly controlled by the game control device 47, there is no inconvenience that the notification operation is blocked by the hanging board 72. Since the special symbol display 32 performs a blinking display operation to notify the detection of the initialization command signal, the notification operation by the special symbol display 32 can be made conspicuous, and illegal initialization is performed for the store clerk in the game store. It is possible to promptly investigate whether or not an action has been performed.

  Further, the game control device 47 functions as an external transmission means, outputs that the initialization command signal has been detected from the external information terminal 45 and transmits it to the management device 44. Therefore, the management device 44 can grasp that the initialization action has been performed, and investigate whether or not the unauthorized initialization action has been executed by the store clerk in the amusement shop, and whether or not the unauthorized electronic board is connected. Such a survey can be performed more quickly.

  Next, the control of the game control device 47 that realizes the above operation will be specifically described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the main process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the main process, the game control device 47 determines whether the RAM initialization switch 69 is operated (S1) or has recovered from the power failure state (S2), and determines whether or not the RAM 52 needs to be initialized. to decide. If it is determined that the initialization of the RAM 52 is not necessary, specifically, it is determined that the RAM initialization switch 69 is not operated in step S1, and the power failure state is recovered in step S2. If it is determined, a power failure recovery process (S3) and a power failure recovery command transmission process (S4) are performed. Specifically, in the power failure recovery process, processing is performed at the preparation stage to restore the gaming state at the time of the power failure that was saved based on the power failure information set at the time of the power failure, and the power failure recovery command is sent In the process, the command of the recovery content prepared in the power failure recovery process is transmitted. Further, the initial value random number update process (S5) is performed to update the random number for determining the winning of the special figure variation display game. If the random number is updated, whether or not a power failure has occurred, specifically, the power supply device It is determined whether or not a power failure detection signal has been received from the power failure detection circuit 70 (S6). If a power failure has not occurred (a power failure detection signal has been received), the process proceeds to step S5 and the initial value random number update process is performed again. If a power failure has occurred, the process is looped, and a power failure detection process (see FIG. 6) described later is interrupted and executed in the loop.

  If it is determined that the RAM 52 needs to be initialized, specifically, if it is determined in step S1 that the RAM initialization switch 69 is being operated, or if the RAM 52 is recovered from the power failure state in step S2. If it is determined that there is no RAM, the RAM initialization process (S7) is performed to initialize the RAM 52, the power-on command transmission process (S8) is performed, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In the power-on command transmission process, as shown in FIG. 5, an initial state display command is transmitted to the effect control device 48 to display an image of the initial state on the display unit 30 (S11). The command is transmitted and a notification image indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 1 (specifically, the RAM 52) has been initialized is displayed on the display unit 30 (S12). Then, the special symbol display 32 blinks to notify the initialization of the RAM 52, specifically, that the game control device 47 detects (receives) the initialization command signal of the RAM 52 (S13), and continues to transmit external information. The process (S14) is executed, and information indicating that the initialization command signal has been detected is transmitted to the management apparatus 44.

  When the occurrence of a power failure is detected in step S6 of the main process, the power failure detection process shown in FIG. 6 is executed. In the power failure detection process, the game control device 47 first temporarily saves the value of each register (S21). Subsequently, the setting process of the power outage occurrence information, specifically, the flag indicating that the power outage has occurred is set, and the determination in step S2 (that is, the determination as to whether the power outage has been recovered) is executed. Information is prepared (S22). If the power failure occurrence information setting is performed, the value of each register is restored (S23), the power failure detection process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (RET).

  By the way, in the said embodiment, although the detection operation of the initialization command signal with respect to RAM52 (game control apparatus 47) was alert | reported by the display operation of the special symbol indicator 32, and the information transmission to the management apparatus 44, this invention is limited to this. Not. For example, the detection of the initialization command signal may be notified by opening and closing the big prize opening 27 which is a kind of electric accessory in the game area 7. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in the power-on command transmission process, in addition to the blinking display of the special symbol display 32 (S13) and the external information transmission process (S14), the big prize opening / closing process (S31) May be performed. In the special prize opening / closing process, the game control device 47 directly transmits a signal to the special prize opening / closing solenoid 62 to perform the opening / closing operation of the door member 27a to notify that the initialization command signal for the RAM 52 has been detected. . Therefore, the notification operation of the initialization action of the RAM 52 can be made more conspicuous, and the clerk in the amusement store can be further promptly investigated whether or not an illegal initialization action has been performed. If a game ball wins the big prize opening 27 during the big prize opening / closing process, it is desirable to invalidate this prize. If this setting is made, the fraudulent person will perform an illegal initialization action. It is possible to prevent an inconvenience that a profit is obtained by going to the prize.

  In the above-described embodiment, the special symbol display 32 is displayed in a blinking manner and the initialization action is notified to the RAM 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification operation may be performed by continuously lighting the special symbol display device 32 for a preset notification time (for example, 30 seconds) or by continuously displaying symbols and numbers at random. Further, the normal symbol display 31, the universal diagram start memory display 31 ′, the special diagram start memory display 32 ′, the game state display 33, and the round display 34 are turned on or blinked to indicate initialization of the RAM 52. You may set so that alerting | reporting operation | movement may be performed. And although it set so that the notification operation | movement of the initialization act with respect to RAM52 may be performed by opening and closing the big winning opening 27, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the opening / closing member (door member) 23a of the start winning opening 23 may be opened and closed to perform the notification operation.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine, which is a typical gaming machine, has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game control device that controls the progress of a game and a game control device that directly Any gaming machine may be used as long as it is equipped with a special symbol display that is controlled to display a special symbol. For example, it may be a gaming machine such as an enclosed ball pachinko machine, an arrangement ball gaming machine, or a sparrow ball gaming machine.

  It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

It is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block block diagram with which it uses for description of a control system. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of a power-on command transmission process. It is a flowchart of a power failure detection process. It is a modification of the flowchart of a power-on command transmission process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 3 Front frame 5 Game board 7 Game area 22 Center case 23 Start winning opening 23a Opening and closing member 27 Large winning opening 27a Door member 30 Display part 31 Normal symbol display 32 Special symbol indicator 38 Ball discharge mechanism 40 Discharge launch Control device 41 Power supply device 44 Management device 45 External information terminal 47 Game control device 48 Effect control device 50 CPU
52 RAM
61 Start winning solenoid 62 Large winning opening / closing solenoid 67 Power switch 68 Backup power supply 69 RAM initialization switch 70 Power failure detection circuit

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine comprising a game control device that controls the progress of a game, and a special symbol display that is directly controlled by the game control device and can display a special symbol.
When the game control device detects an initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device causes a special symbol display to perform a display operation to notify the detection of the initialization command signal. Gaming machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game control device is configured to notify a detection of the initialization command signal by causing a special symbol display to perform a blinking display operation.   The game control device includes an external transmission unit capable of transmitting a signal to a management device that manages gaming machines in a game store, and when the initialization command signal for the game control device is detected, the initialization command signal is transmitted by the external transmission unit. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the game machine is configured to transmit the detection to the management device. Directly controlled by the game control device, comprising a variable winning device that converts the open state in which the door member is opened and the game ball can be won, and the closed state in which the door member is closed and the game ball cannot be won,
When the game control device detects an initialization command signal for the game control device, the game control device is configured to notify the detection of the initialization command signal by causing the variable winning device to open and close the door member. The gaming machine according to claim 1.

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