JP2010099305A - Game machine, authentication method and authentication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect fraudulent actions such as the exchange of a main control board, on which a regular main control part is mounted, to a fraudulent control board, and to reduce processing loads of a CPU configuring a peripheral part. <P>SOLUTION: The disclosed Pachinko game machine is provided with: a main control part 21 for outputting a control command; an authentication part 202 for authenticating the main control part 201; and the peripheral part 203 for performing prescribed processing on the basis of the control command. When the control command is a jackpot start command for starting the processing of a jackpot state, the main control part 201 adds authentication data for authenticating the main control part 201 to the jackpot start command and supplies it to the authentication part 202. The authentication part 202 authenticates the main control part 201 using the authentication data added to the jackpot start command, also adds an authenticated result to the jackpot start command and supplies it to the peripheral part 203. The peripheral part 203 executes processing corresponding to the authenticated result added to the jackpot start command. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko machine installed in a game shop such as a pachinko shop, a ball game machine such as a sparrow ball game machine, an arrangement ball or the like, a game machine such as a revolving type game machine such as a slot machine, or the like. The present invention relates to an authentication method and an authentication program to be performed.

Among fraudulent acts that are performed on gaming machines and forcibly pay out game media such as medals and game balls regardless of the game, the main control board on which the main control unit is mounted and the periphery on which the peripheral unit is mounted The following are related to the substrate.
(1) Replacing an authorized main control board with an unauthorized main control board (2) A ROM storing a legitimate program executed by the CPU mounted on the main control board and an unauthorized program obtained by falsifying the above program are stored. (3) ROM replacement as described in (2) above, with an illegal board (spoofing board) provided between the main control board and the peripheral board

  In order to prevent such illegal acts, there are the following conventional gaming machines. That is, this gaming machine includes a game control board (main control board) on which game control means including a game control program for controlling the progress of the game is mounted, and each peripheral board other than the main control board. The main control means sends a security check code to one or more peripheral boards of each peripheral board. On the other hand, one or more peripheral boards that receive the security check code are equipped with analysis means that analyzes the security check code and stops the operation of the circuit on the peripheral board if the analysis result is not normal. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, this technique is referred to as a first conventional example.

  Further, the conventional gaming machine is connected to the main control unit (main control unit) that determines whether or not the privilege can be granted and stores the third identification information, and stores the first identification information. A first sub control unit (first peripheral unit) and a second sub control unit (second peripheral unit) connected to the main control unit and storing second identification information. In this gaming machine, information can be output only from the main control unit toward the first peripheral part, and the main control part and the second peripheral part can mutually input and output information. The second peripheral part has means for outputting the second identification information to the main control part. On the other hand, the main control unit has means for outputting the second identification information and the third identification information to the first peripheral portion. The first peripheral portion includes a computing unit that performs a predetermined computation using the first identification information, the second identification information, and the third identification information, and whether or not the gaming machine has been illegally modified based on a computation result of the computing unit. Means for determining whether or not (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Hereinafter, this technique is referred to as a second conventional example.

JP-A-11-276699 JP-A-2005-21330

  In the first conventional example described above, the display control CPU mounted on the display control board for controlling the display that is complicated and has a heavy burden among the effects in the peripheral portion performs the security check code analysis process. . Also in the above-described second conventional example, the CPU mounted on the first peripheral board that controls the lamp, the speaker, etc. performs a predetermined calculation using the first identification information, the second identification information, and the third identification information. The CPU mounted on the second peripheral board that controls the display determines whether or not the gaming machine has been illegally modified based on the calculation result.

  As described above, in order to cause the CPU to execute the authentication process in addition to the existing process (for example, the effect process), it is necessary to add processes such as an authentication function and an authentication timing to the existing process. For this reason, a great deal of time and effort is spent on the design of the authentication timing for adding the authentication function, the realization of the authentication function, the simulation of the operation, and the verification (verification) to confirm whether the desired function can be obtained. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort to develop a gaming machine. Such a problem appears particularly when changing the model of a gaming machine. Furthermore, with the recent diversification of the effects of gaming machines, the code size of the program to be executed by the CPU tends to become enormous, so that the above-mentioned problems are further increased by adding an authentication function.

  In addition, when the CPU performs authentication processing in addition to the existing processing, the processing load of the CPU increases, so the processing speed decreases, display for production is not performed smoothly, or in the worst case There are inconveniences such as the authentication process itself being unable to be added. In recent years, in particular, in order to improve the interest of the game, there is a tendency for various effects to appeal to the visual and auditory sense of the player at the time of reach or jackpot. Therefore, the possibility that the above-described inconvenience occurs increases.

  By the way, a gaming machine may malfunction when external electrical noise or mechanical vibration is applied. For example, when noise such as electromagnetic waves or static electricity is added from outside the gaming machine when a control command is transmitted from the main control unit to the peripheral part, a bit error occurs in the control command data due to the influence of this noise, Control commands may be changed. In this case, if the control command that should originally be transmitted to the peripheral part is a control command other than the jackpot command but the bit error occurs and the control command is changed to the jackpot command, the above-described fraud Even if the game is not performed, an unreasonable amount of game media (for example, game balls and medals) is paid out to the player, and the game hall suffers a great deal of damage. However, in the first and second conventional examples described above, since no countermeasure is taken for such a situation, the inconvenience that the game hall suffers a great deal of damage cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an example is to solve the above-described problems. A gaming machine, an authentication method, and a game machine that can solve these problems The purpose is to provide an authentication program.

  In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to claim 1 is a main control unit that outputs a control command, an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit, and a predetermined process based on the control command. The main control unit, when the control command is a jackpot start command for starting the processing of the jackpot state, the authentication data for authenticating the main control unit It is added to the start command and supplied to the authentication unit, and the authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot start command and adds an authentication result to the jackpot start command. Then, the data is supplied to the peripheral part, and the peripheral part performs processing according to the authentication result added to the jackpot start command.

  A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a main control unit that outputs a control command, an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit, and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command. The main control unit adds authentication data for authenticating the main control unit to the big end command when the control command is a big jack end command for ending the big hit state process. The authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot end command, and adds an authentication result to the jackpot end command to the peripheral unit. And the peripheral portion performs processing according to the authentication result added to the jackpot end command.

  The invention according to claim 3 relates to the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main control unit includes storage means in which a predetermined program code is stored, and the predetermined program code is used. Generating the authentication data.

  The invention according to claim 4 relates to the gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the main control unit uses the predetermined program code and the jackpot start command or the jackpot end command to store the authentication data. It is characterized by generating.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 relates to the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral unit is configured such that when the authentication result indicates that the main control unit is unsuccessful, It is characterized by outputting a notification signal to notify that effect.

  An authentication method according to the invention of claim 6 includes a main control unit that outputs a control command, an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit, and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command, An authentication method used in a gaming machine comprising: when the control command is a jackpot start command for starting processing of a jackpot state, the main controller authenticates the main controller A first step of adding data to the jackpot start command and supplying the authentication section to the authentication section; and the authentication section authenticates the main control section using the authentication data added to the jackpot start command; A second step of adding an authentication result to the jackpot start command and supplying the authentication result to the peripheral portion; and the peripheral portion includes the authentication result added to the jackpot start command. It is characterized by a third step of performing a process according to.

  An authentication method according to the invention of claim 7 includes a main control unit that outputs a control command, an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit, and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command, An authentication method used in a gaming machine comprising: when the control command is a jackpot end command for ending the jackpot processing, the authentication for the main control section to authenticate the main control section A first step of adding data to the jackpot end command and supplying the authentication unit to the authentication unit; and the authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot end command; A second step of adding an authentication result to the jackpot end command and supplying the peripheral section to the peripheral portion; and the peripheral section includes the authentication result added to the jackpot end command. It is characterized by a third step of performing a process according to.

  The invention according to claim 8 relates to the authentication method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the main control unit includes storage means in which a predetermined program code is stored, and in the first step, The authentication data is generated using the predetermined program code.

  The invention according to claim 9 relates to the authentication method according to claim 8, wherein, in the first step, the main control unit executes the predetermined program code and the jackpot start command or the jackpot end command. And generating the authentication data.

  The invention described in claim 10 relates to the authentication method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, and in the third step, the peripheral unit is configured such that the authentication result is not authenticated by the main control unit. When it indicates success, it is characterized in that a notification signal for notifying that is output.

  An authentication program according to an invention described in claim 11 causes a computer to realize the function described in any of claims 6 to 10.

  According to the present invention, the regular main control board on which the main control unit is mounted is replaced with an unauthorized main control board, the ROM that stores the normal program executed by the CPU mounted on the main control board, and the program For example, replacement with a ROM that stores an unauthorized program that has been altered, or replacement of the ROM after providing an unauthorized substrate (spoofing substrate) between the main control board and the peripheral board on which the peripheral portion is mounted. It can detect fraud. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce malfunction of the gaming machine due to electrical noise or mechanical vibration applied from the outside. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the authentication process is executed only by the authentication unit, the processing load on the CPU constituting the peripheral part does not increase. For this reason, the processing speed of a peripheral part falls and the trouble that the display for production | presentation is not performed smoothly does not generate | occur | produce.

Further, according to the present invention, since the authentication unit that performs the authentication process and the peripheral unit that performs the predetermined process are independent of each other, the authentication program and the predetermined process program are designed separately. be able to. As a result, compared to the case where an authentication function is added to the peripheral processing that performs a predetermined process, it is easier to design the timing to add the authentication function, implement the function, verify the function, etc. Can be realized.
Further, according to the present invention, the configuration of the authentication program and the predetermined processing program is relatively simple, and it is easy to maintain consistency with other functions. In addition, even if the predetermined processing differs for each gaming machine model, the authentication process can be shared, so that the program design for each gaming machine model is easy and the design time can be shortened. Work efficiency.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the authentication algorithm for authentication is changed, it is possible to change the authentication program of the authentication unit without changing the peripheral part for performing the predetermined processing. As a result, the authentication algorithm can be changed with a small number of work steps.
Further, according to the present invention, when the control command transmitted from the main control unit is a predetermined control command, the authentication data is added to the control command, so that the main control is compared with the case where the authentication data is transmitted alone. An increase in communication load between the part and the peripheral part can be suppressed. Moreover, compared with the case where it transmits by authentication data single-piece | unit, possibility that authentication data will be extracted from communication data and analyzed can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, the jackpot start command and the jackpot end command are control commands for starting or ending the jackpot state, and since the transmission frequency is low compared to other control commands, the authentication data is included in the control signal. The possibility of being extracted can be reduced. Further, even if authentication data is extracted from the control signal, the number of samples that can be acquired is small, so that the possibility that the authentication data is analyzed can be reduced. Furthermore, since the authentication process is performed only when the jackpot start command or jackpot end command is transmitted, the rate at which the processing load of the main control unit increases due to the authentication process can be suppressed.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a pachinko gaming machine 1 that is one of gaming machines according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a game board 101. An operation handle 113 that is operated by the player and operates the launching section 292 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the lower right side of the game board 101 in FIG. 1 and at the lower right portion of the frame member 110 (described later). ing. The operation handle 113 has a shape protruding to the player side. The operation handle 113 includes a firing instruction member 114 that activates the launching portion 292 to launch a game ball. The firing instruction member 114 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation handle 113 so as to rotate clockwise as viewed from the player. The firing unit 292 causes the game ball to be fired when the firing instruction member 114 is directly operated by the player. Although not described because it is a known technique, the operation handle 113 is provided with a sensor that detects that the player directly operates the firing instruction member 114.

  The game ball launched by the operation of the launch unit 292 rises between the rails 102 a and 102 b and reaches the upper position of the game board 101, and then falls within the game area 103. The game area 103 is provided with a plurality of nails (not shown), a windmill that changes the falling direction of the game ball, and a entrance, so that the game ball can be dropped in various directions. Yes. Here, the “ball entry” is a general term for a first start opening 105, a second start opening 120, a normal winning opening 107, a first large winning opening 109c, and a second large winning opening 129c, which will be described later.

  A symbol display unit 104 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game board 101. The symbol display unit 104 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a plasma display panel (PDP), for example. Below the symbol display unit 104, a first start port 105 capable of receiving a game ball driven toward the game area 103 is disposed. A second start port 120 is disposed below the first start port 105. When the pair of movable pieces (not shown) is in the closed state, the second starter port 120 is unable to accept the game ball or is difficult to accept, and when the pair of movable pieces is in the open state. The game ball can be received more easily than the first starting port 105.

  A winning gate 106 is arranged on the left side of the symbol display unit 104. The winning gate 106 is provided to detect the passing of a game ball and to draw a normal symbol for opening the second start port 120 for a predetermined time. A plurality of normal winning holes 107 are arranged on the left side or the lower side of the symbol display unit 104. When a game ball enters each normal winning port 107, a predetermined number of winning balls (for example, 10) is paid out. At the bottom of the game area 103, a collection port 108 is provided for collecting game balls that have not entered any of the entrances.

  The symbol display unit 104 described above has a plurality of decorative symbols when a sub-control unit 203 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, reports that a game ball has entered the first starting port 105 or the second starting port 120. The change display of the decorative pattern is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. When specific symbols (for example, “777”) are prepared at the time of the stop, the player has acquired the right to execute the first jackpot game (game per long), and then the first jackpot game (long game) is obtained. Be started. When the first big winning game (long winning game) is started, the first big winning opening opening / closing door 109a in the first big winning opening / closing device 109 located below the gaming area 103 is opened for a predetermined period of time. Repeated a number of times (for example, 15 times), the winning ball corresponding to the game ball that has entered is paid out.

  On the other hand, when the specific symbol (for example, “737”) different from the specific symbol is prepared when the decorative symbol is stopped in the symbol display unit 104, the player has the right to execute the second big hit game (short win game). After that, the second big hit game (short win game) is started. When the second big win game (short win game) is started, the second big prize opening / closing door 129a in the second big prize opening / closing device 129 located diagonally right above the first big prize opening / closing device 109 is If there is a game ball that has been entered by repeating a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) the operation of opening for a certain period of time in a short time compared to the opening / closing operation of the one big winning opening opening / closing door 109a, the corresponding prize ball Will be paid out.

  A frame member 110 is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 103 of the game board 101, and the game area 103 is exposed to the player side through the opening. The frame member 110 has a shape protruding toward the player side. In the frame member 110, effect lights (lamp units) 111a and 111b are provided at the upper left and lower right of the game area 103, respectively. Each effect light 111 a and 111 b includes a plurality of lights 112. Each effect light 111a and 111b is driven by a vertical drive motor (not shown), so that the direction of the light emitted from the plurality of lights 112 provided in the vertical direction is the vertical direction, that is, the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. It can be changed in a direction parallel to the direction connecting the head and abdomen of the player.

  Each light 112 is driven by a rotational drive motor (not shown) constituting each effect light 111a and 111b, and thereby moves in the circumferential direction of a circle having a predetermined radius. With the configuration described above, it is possible to perform an effect of moving the light irradiated from the entire effect lights 111a and 111b up and down while rotating the light irradiated from each light 112. Furthermore, a tray unit 119 to which game balls are supplied is provided at the lower part of the frame member 110. The tray unit 119 is supplied with a game ball lent out from a rental ball device (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, on the right side of the symbol display section 104, an effect for the effect (hereinafter referred to as “effect effect”) 115 is provided. The director character 115 schematically represents the upper body (particularly the head) of a human as a character. The director 115 is provided to open and close the character's buttocks 116 and move the buttocks 116 along the vertical direction as the character blinks. In addition, the director 115 is provided so that the head of the character can be shifted in the left-right direction.

  In the frame member 110, a chance button 117 operated by the player is provided on the left side of the operation handle 113. The operation of the chance button 117 is effective only while guidance for prompting the operation of the chance button 117 is displayed, for example, in the case of a specific reach effect during a game.

  In addition, the frame member 110 incorporates a speaker 277 (see FIG. 2) that outputs a production effect sound or a sound that informs the fraud. This speaker 277 is of a type that can output high, medium, and low sound areas, and outputs a high sound, medium sound, and low sound in a well-balanced manner during normal production, for example, during special production or fraud In such a case, control is performed so that the high sound region is output high so that it can be heard well around.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The pachinko machine 1 is electrically connected to the control unit 200 in terms of electrical configuration, as described above and described later, various detection units such as the first start-up port detection unit 221, various production units such as the symbol display unit 104, An object operating device 231, a payout unit 291, a launching unit 292 and the like are connected.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 200 includes a main control unit 201, an authentication unit 202, a sub control unit 203, a prize ball control unit 204, and a lamp control unit 205.
The main control unit 201 controls the basic operation related to the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and executes a basic process associated with the progress of the game content based on a program stored in advance in the ROM 201b, and a calculation process of the CPU 201a And a RAM 201c functioning as a data work area.
The main control unit 201 performs a lottery lottery triggered by a game ball entering the first starting port 105 or the second starting port 120, and based on the lottery result, an effect stored in the ROM 201b. Select the command related to.

  On the input side of the main control unit 201, there are a first start port detection unit 221, a second start port detection unit 225, a gate detection unit 222, a normal winning port detection unit 223, and a first big winning port detection unit. 214 and a second big prize opening detection unit 224 are connected. The first start port detection unit 221 detects that a game ball has entered the first start port 105 and supplies the detection result to the main control unit 201. The second start port detection unit 225 detects that a game ball has entered the second start port 120 and supplies the detection result to the main control unit 201. The gate detection unit 222 detects that the game ball has passed through the winning gate 106 and supplies the detection result to the main control unit 201. The normal winning opening detection unit 223 detects a game ball that has entered the normal winning opening 107 and supplies the detection result to the main control unit 201. The first grand prize opening detection unit 214 detects a game ball that has entered the first big prize opening 109c and supplies the detection result to the main control unit 201. The second big prize opening detection unit 224 detects the game ball that has entered the second big prize opening 129 c and supplies the detection result to the main control unit 201. Each detection part demonstrated above can be comprised using a proximity switch etc., for example.

  In addition, an accessory operating device 231 is connected to the output side of the main control unit 201. In the present embodiment, the accessory actuating device 231 includes a first big prize opening opening / closing solenoid 109b and a first big prize opening opening / closing solenoid 109b for opening and closing the first big prize opening opening / closing door 109a and the second big prize opening opening / closing door 129a (see FIG. 1), respectively. It is composed of a two major winning opening / closing solenoid 129b and a second starting opening / closing solenoid 120b for opening / closing the second starting opening 120 (see FIG. 1).

  The above-mentioned accessory operating device 231 is controlled by the main control unit 201 and energizes the first big prize opening / closing solenoid 109b to open the first big prize opening / closing door 109a, During the small hit game, the second big prize opening / closing solenoid 129b is energized to open the second big prize opening / closing door 129a, or the second start opening / closing solenoid 120b is energized by winning the normal symbol. 2 Open and close the start port 120.

  In addition to the basic operation control related to the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as outlined above, the main control unit 201 generates authentication data for preventing fraud, which is a feature of the present embodiment, and performs authentication as necessary. Processing such as data encryption, transmission of unencrypted or encrypted authentication data is performed. The details of the processing related to authentication will be described later.

  On the other hand, the authentication unit 202 receives control command data (control command data), accompanying data, and authentication data transmitted from the main control unit 201 based on a program stored in the ROM 202b in advance, The accompanying data is transmitted as it is to the sub-control unit 203, and the authentication data is provided with a CPU 202a that executes processing related to authentication such as decryption and authentication, and a RAM 202c that functions as a data work area when the CPU 202a performs arithmetic processing. Configured. The details of the processing related to authentication will be described later.

  A chance button detection unit 220 that detects that the chance button 117 has been operated is connected to the input side of the sub-control unit 203. This sub-control unit 203 mainly controls the effects during the game, and executes effect lottery and effect processing based on the control command data transmitted from the main control unit 201 via the authentication unit 202. A CPU 203a, a ROM 203b that stores programs and past effect patterns, a RAM 203c that functions as a data work area at the time of arithmetic processing of the CPU 203a, a VRAM 203d in which image data to be displayed on the symbol display unit 104 is written, and the like. Yes.

When the sub-control unit 203 receives control command data related to the effect transmitted from the main control unit 201 via the authentication unit 202, the sub-control unit 203 performs a lottery based on the control command data to produce an effect background pattern, a reach effect pattern, An effect such as an appearing character is determined and the determined effect is controlled.
In addition, a symbol display unit 104 is connected to the output side of the sub-control unit 203, and a decorative symbol effect is developed in the symbol display unit 104 according to the contents determined by lottery.

Usually, the CPU 203a reads a program stored in the ROM 203b, executes various image processing such as background image display processing, symbol image display and variation processing, and character image display processing, reads necessary image data from the ROM 203b, and stores it in the VRAM 203d. Write. The background image, the design image, and the character image are superimposed and displayed on the design display unit 104 on the display screen.
That is, the design image and the character image are displayed so as to be seen in front of the background image. At this time, if the background image and the design image overlap at the same position, the design image is preferentially stored in the VRAM 203d by referring to the Z value of the Z buffer of each image data by a known hidden surface removal method such as the Z buffer method. .

A speaker 277 is connected to the output side of the sub-control unit 203 so that sound is output as determined by the sub-control unit 203.
On the output side of the sub-control unit 203, a lamp control unit 205 that controls the lamp 262, the effect lights 111a and 111b, and the effect agent actuating device 254 is provided. The stage effect actuating device 254 is configured by a motor, a solenoid, and the like that actuate a stage role such as the stage role 115.
The lamp control unit 205 operates a program read from the ROM 203b based on the control command data transmitted from the sub-control unit 203 to execute the effect process, a ROM 205b that stores the program and various effect pattern data, and a CPU 205a. And a RAM 205c functioning as a data work area at the time of the arithmetic processing.

The lamp control unit 205 performs lighting control for various lamps 262 provided on the game board 101, the base frame, and the like, and performs lighting control for a plurality of lights 112 constituting the effect lights 111a and 111b, respectively. In order to change the irradiation direction of the light from each light 112, drive control for the motor is performed.
In addition, the lamp control unit 205 performs drive control on the solenoid that operates the effector 115 based on the control command data transmitted from the sub-control unit 203, and performs drive control on the motor that operates the collar unit 116. .

  Further, a prize ball control unit 204 is connected to the main control unit 201 so as to be capable of transmitting in both directions. The prize ball control unit 204 performs prize ball control based on a program stored in the ROM 204b. The prize ball control unit 204 includes a CPU 204a that executes a prize ball control process by operating a program stored in the ROM 204b, a RAM 204c that functions as a data work area during the calculation process of the CPU 204a, and the like. Yes.

  The winning ball control unit 204 performs control for paying out the number of winning balls at the time of entering the paying unit 291 connected thereto. In addition, an operation of launching a game ball with respect to the launch unit 292 is detected, and the launch of the game ball is controlled. The payout unit 291 includes a motor for paying out a predetermined number from the game ball storage unit.

  The winning ball control unit 204 provides each paying port 291 with respect to each paying port (first starting port 105, second starting port 120, normal winning port 107, first large winning port 109c, second large winning port 129c. ) Is controlled to pay out the number of prize balls corresponding to the game ball entered in (). The launching unit 292 launches a game ball for gaming, and includes a sensor (not shown) that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid that launches the game ball, and the like (not shown). When the award ball control unit 204 detects a game operation by the sensor of the launch unit 292, the prize ball control unit 204 intermittently fires a game ball by driving a solenoid or the like in response to the detected game operation, thereby playing the game area 103 of the game board 101. A game ball is sent out.

  The main control unit 201, the authentication unit 202, the sub control unit 203, the prize ball control unit 204, and the lamp control unit 205 configured as described above are different printed circuit boards (main control board, authentication board, sub control board, (Prize ball control board, lamp control board) Among these, “peripheral board” is used as a general term for the authentication board, the sub-control board, the prize ball control board, and the lamp control board. For example, the prize ball control unit 204 can be mounted on the same printed circuit board as the main control unit 201. The authentication unit 202 can also be mounted on the same printed circuit board as the sub control unit 203.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, “send a command” means “send a control signal including data (control command data) indicating the command”. For example, the authentication data shown in FIG. The presence or absence of data is not considered.

(A) Processing including command transmission to the authentication unit 202 and the prize ball control unit 204 by the main control unit 201 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
First, the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on (see step S1 in FIG. 3). When the determination result is “NO”, the main control unit 201 repeats the same determination. When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the determination result in step S1 is “YES”, and the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the main control unit 201 transmits a power-on command to the authentication unit 202 and the prize ball control unit 204, and then proceeds to step S3. When the power-on command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the power-on command to the sub-control unit 203. When the power-on command is transmitted, the sub-control unit 203 sends a control command for effect at power-on to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205 (specifically, displays a demonstration screen, etc.). Control commands to be instructed, lamp lighting, etc.).

  In step S <b> 3, the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the number of undrawn winning prizes is 0 with reference to the data for undrawn winning prizes stored in the RAM 201 c. Here, the number of undrawn winning prizes refers to a lottery corresponding to the number of winning game balls based on the number of game balls (number of winning prizes) detected by the first start port detecting unit 221 or the second start port detecting unit 225. This is the number obtained by subtracting the number of times performed (number of already drawn lots). If the determination result in step S3 is “NO”, that is, if the number of undrawn winning prizes is not 0, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S10 described later. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S3 is “YES”, that is, if the number of undrawn prizes is 0, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the main control unit 201 measures the time that has elapsed since the start of the customer waiting demonstration, and then proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the main control unit 201 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the customer waiting demonstration was started. If the determination result in step S5 is “YES”, that is, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the customer waiting demonstration, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the main control unit 201 transmits a customer waiting demo command to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S7. When the customer waiting demo command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the customer waiting demo command to the sub-control unit 203. When the customer waiting demonstration command is transmitted, the sub-control unit 203 transmits a control signal for customer waiting demonstration to each of the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S5 is “NO”, that is, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the customer waiting demonstration, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, the main control unit 201 detects whether or not the first start port detection unit 221 detects that a game ball has entered the first start port 105 or the second start port detection unit 225 detects that the second start port 120 has entered the second start port 120. It is determined whether or not a game ball is detected. If the determination result in step S7 is “YES”, that is, whether the first start port detection unit 221 detects that a game ball has entered the first start port 105 or the second start port detection unit 225 performs the second start. If a game ball has entered the mouth 120, the main control unit proceeds to step S8.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S7 is “NO”, that is, the first start port detector 221 does not detect the entry of a game ball into the first start port 105, and the second start port detector 225 When the game ball is not detected to enter the second start port 120, the main control unit returns to step S4 and repeats the processes after step S3.

  In step S8, the main control unit 201 clears the time measured since the start of the customer waiting demonstration, and then proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the main control unit 201 adds 1 to the number of undrawn winning prizes, and then proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the main control unit 201 randomly acquires one jackpot determination random number from random numbers (for example, 0 to 250) prepared in advance, and then proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S12 shown in FIG.

  In step S12 shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the jackpot determination random number acquired in the process of step S10 is a predetermined jackpot random number. If the determination result in step S12 is “YES”, that is, if the jackpot determination random number acquired in step S10 is a predetermined jackpot random number, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the main control unit 201 transmits a jackpot reach command (design variation command) to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S14. When the jackpot reach command (symbol variation command) is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the jackpot reach command (symbol variation command) to the sub-control unit 203. In step S14, the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the symbol variation time has elapsed. If the determination result in step S14 is “NO”, that is, if the symbol variation time has not elapsed, the main control unit 201 repeats the same determination. When the symbol variation time has elapsed, the determination result in step S14 is “YES”, and the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the main control unit 201 transmits a symbol stop command to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S16. When the symbol stop command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the symbol stop command to the sub-control unit 203. In step S16, the main control unit 201 transmits a jackpot start command to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S17. When the jackpot start command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the jackpot start command to the sub-control unit 203. In step S17, the main control unit 201 sequentially transmits to the authentication unit 202 the commands corresponding to each of the big hits (big hit command). After completing the transmission of the big hit commands for all the rounds, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S18. When the jackpot command corresponding to each round is sequentially transmitted, the authentication unit 202 sequentially transmits the jackpot command corresponding to each round to the sub-control unit 203. In step S18, the main control unit 201 transmits a jackpot end command to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S22. When the jackpot end command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the jackpot end command to the sub-control unit 203.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S12 is “NO”, that is, if the jackpot determination random number obtained in the process of step S10 is not a predetermined jackpot random number, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the main control unit 201 transmits a shift reach command (design variation command) to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S20. When the outlier reach command (design variation command) is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the outlier reach command (design variation command) to the sub-control unit 203.

  In step S20, the main control unit 201 determines whether the symbol variation time has elapsed. If the determination result in step S20 is “NO”, that is, if the symbol variation time has not elapsed, the main control unit 201 repeats the determination. When the symbol variation time elapses, the determination result in step S20 is “YES”, and the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the main control unit 201 transmits a symbol stop command to the authentication unit 202, and then proceeds to step S22. When the symbol stop command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the symbol stop command to the sub-control unit 203.

  In step S22, the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been turned off. If the determination result in step S22 is “NO”, that is, if the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not turned off, the main control unit 201 returns to step S3 shown in FIG. repeat.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S22 is “YES”, that is, if the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned off, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S23. In step S <b> 23, the main control unit 201 transmits a termination process command to the authentication unit 202 and then terminates a series of processes. When the end process command is transmitted, the authentication unit 202 transmits the end process command to the sub-control unit 203.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a timing chart as an example of the transmission timing of the jackpot related command (the jackpot reach command, the jackpot start command, the jackpot command, the jackpot end command). The jackpot reach command shown in FIG. 5A is transmitted more frequently and randomly than a jackpot actually occurs. Also, the jackpot start command shown in FIG. 5 (2) is transmitted only once when shifting to the jackpot state when a jackpot has actually occurred. Furthermore, the jackpot command shown in FIG. 5 (3) is continuously transmitted for each round after shifting to the jackpot state. Also, the jackpot end command shown in FIG. 5 (4) is transmitted only once when all rounds of the jackpot state are completed and the normal state is entered.

(B) Next, processing by the sub-control unit 203 will be described. In the following, regarding the process of the sub-control unit 203 at the time of symbol change (when a jackpot reach command (see step S13 shown in FIG. 4) or a loss reach command (see step S19 shown in FIG. 4) is received) and a jackpot reach command. explain.

(I) First, the symbol variation processing by the sub-control unit 203 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the sub-control unit 203 sends a jackpot reach command (see step S13 shown in FIG. 4) or an unreachable reach command (see step S19 shown in FIG. 4) from the main control unit 201 through the authentication unit 202. It is determined whether any of the above has been received (see step S31 in FIG. 6). If the determination result is “NO”, the sub-control unit 203 repeats the determination. When either the jackpot reach command or the miss reach command is received, the determination result in step S31 is “YES”, and the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the sub control unit 203 randomly acquires one random effect selection random number from random numbers prepared in advance (for example, 0 to 250), and then proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the sub-control unit 203 selects the variation effect type based on the variation effect selection random number acquired in step S32, and then proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the sub-control unit 203 transmits an effect start command for each variation effect to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205, and then proceeds to step S35. In step S <b> 35, the sub control unit 203 determines whether or not the production time of the variation effect has elapsed. If the determination result in step S35 is “NO”, that is, if the production time of the variation effect has not elapsed, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, the sub-control unit 203 determines whether a symbol stop command (see steps S15 and S21 shown in FIG. 4) is received from the main control unit 201 via the authentication unit 202. If the determination result in step S36 is “NO”, that is, if the symbol stop command has not been received, the sub-control unit 203 returns to step S35 and repeats the processing after step S35.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S36 is “YES”, that is, if a symbol stop command is received, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S37. Also, if the determination result in step S35 is “YES”, that is, if the production time of the variation effect has elapsed, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S37. In step S <b> 37, the sub control unit 203 transmits an effect stop command to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205 and then ends a series of processes.

(Ii) Next, the process of jackpot by the sub-control unit 203 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the sub-control unit 203 determines whether or not a jackpot start command (see step S16 shown in FIG. 4) is received from the main control unit 201 via the authentication unit 202 (see step S41 in FIG. 7). If the determination result is “NO”, the sub-control unit 203 repeats the determination. When the jackpot start command is received, the determination result in step S41 is “YES”, and the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, the sub control unit 203 transmits a jackpot start processing command to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205, and then proceeds to step S43. In step S43, the sub-control unit 203 determines whether or not a round-by-round jackpot command (see step S17 shown in FIG. 4) is received from the main control unit 201 via the authentication unit 202. If the determination result is “NO”, the sub-control unit 203 repeats the determination. Then, when the round-by-round jackpot command is received, the determination result in step S43 is “YES”, and the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the sub control unit 203 transmits a round processing command corresponding to the round jackpot command received to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205, and then proceeds to step S45. In step S45, it is determined whether a jackpot end command (see step S18 shown in FIG. 4) is received from the main control unit 201 via the authentication unit 202. If the determination result is “NO”, the sub-control unit 203 repeats the determination. When the jackpot end command is received, the determination result in step S45 is “YES”, and the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the sub-control unit 203 transmits the received jackpot end command to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205, and then ends the series of processes.

(C) Next, lamp control processing by the lamp control unit 205 will be described. Here, processing when a symbol variation command is received from the control unit 203 (during symbol variation) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the lamp control unit 205 determines whether or not an effect start command has been received from the sub-control unit 203 (see step S51 in FIG. 8). When the determination result is “NO”, the lamp control unit 205 repeats the determination. Then, when an effect start command is received, the determination result in step S51 is “YES”, and the lamp control unit 205 proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the lamp control unit 205 reads, for example, data stored in advance for each command from the ROM 205b, and then proceeds to step S53. In step S53, the lamp control unit 205 executes a selection routine for each command, and then proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the lamp control unit 205 sets the lamp data, and then proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the lamp control unit 205 outputs the lamp data to the lamp 262, and then proceeds to step S56. Accordingly, the lamp 262 is turned on or off based on the lamp data output from the lamp control unit 205. In step S56, the lamp control unit 205 determines whether an effect stop command has been received from the sub control unit 203. When the determination result is “NO”, the lamp control unit 205 returns to Step S55 and repeats the processes after Step S55. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S56 is “YES”, that is, if an effect stop command is received from the sub-control unit 203, the lamp control unit 205 proceeds to step S57. In step S57, the lamp control unit 205 ends the series of processes after stopping the output of the lamp data.

As described above, the sub control unit 203 and the lamp control unit 205 perform various processes based on the control command supplied from the main control unit 201. The same applies to the prize ball control unit 204. Hereinafter, “peripheral part” is used as a generic term for the sub-control unit 203, the prize ball control unit 204, and the lamp control unit 205.
On the other hand, as described above, the main control board (main control unit) and the peripheral board among the fraudulent acts that are performed on gaming machines and forcibly pay out game media such as medals and game balls regardless of the game. The following are related to (peripheral part).

(1) Replacing an authorized main control board with an unauthorized main control board (2) A ROM storing a legitimate program executed by the CPU mounted on the main control board and an unauthorized program obtained by falsifying the above program are stored. (3) ROM replacement in (2) above with an unauthorized substrate (spoofed substrate) between the main control board and the peripheral substrate. The peripheral part performs an illegal operation by the illegal control command data output from the illegal control part. This is because the existing control command data does not include information that can be identified by the sender, so that the transmitted control command data is transmitted from the legitimate control unit in the peripheral unit that receives the control command data. This is because it is not possible to identify whether or not it is a thing.

  In addition to the above-described fraudulent acts, for example, when control command data is transmitted from the main control unit to the peripheral unit, external noise or mechanical vibration is applied to the gaming machine. Due to the influence of noise and the like, a bit error may occur in the control command data, and the control command data may be changed. In this case, when the control command data that should originally be transmitted to the peripheral portion is control command data other than the jackpot command, a bit error occurs and the control command data is changed to jackpot command data. Even if the above-described fraud is not performed, an unreasonable amount of game media (for example, game balls and medals) is paid out to the player, and the game hall suffers a great deal of damage.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the malfunction of the gaming machine due to the above-described fraud and noise, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with an authentication unit 202 between the main control unit 201 and the sub-control unit 203. When the control command supplied from the main control unit 201 is a predetermined control command, authentication processing is performed between the main control unit 201 and the authentication unit 202. Here, the predetermined control command specifically refers to a jackpot start command for starting the jackpot state processing or a jackpot end command for ending the jackpot state processing.

  Next, an example of a data format of a control signal supplied from the main control unit 201 to the authentication unit 202 will be described with reference to a schematic diagram shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9 (1), the normal control signal 300 output from the main control unit 201 includes control command data 301 and accompanying data 302. The control command data 301 in this case is data unique to the control command other than the above jackpot start command and jackpot end command. The accompanying data 302 is data accompanying the control command data 301, and is data necessary for processing based on the control command data 301 such as the number of winning game balls, for example.

  On the other hand, when the control command data 301 in the control signal is data unique to the jackpot start command or jackpot end command as described above, the main control unit 201 controls the control command data 301 and accompanying data as shown in FIG. In addition to 302, an authentication data-added control signal 310 including authentication data 303 is output to the peripheral portion.

  As described above, by including the authentication data 303 in the control signal, an increase in communication load between the main control unit 201 and the peripheral unit can be suppressed as compared with a case where the authentication data is transmitted alone. Further, by including the authentication data 303 in the control signal, it is possible to reduce the risk that the authentication data is extracted from the communication data and analyzed as compared with the case where the authentication data 303 is transmitted alone. Further, since the authentication process is performed only when jackpot start command data or jackpot end command data is transmitted, the rate at which the processing load of the main control unit 201 due to the authentication process increases due to the authentication process can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, since the authentication process is executed only by the authentication unit 202, the processing load on the CPU 203a constituting the sub-control unit 203 does not increase. For this reason, the processing speed of the sub-control unit 203 is not reduced, and there is no inconvenience such as display for production not being performed smoothly.

Since the authentication unit 202 that executes the authentication process and the sub-control unit 203 that mainly executes the effect process are independent of each other, the authentication program and the effect program can be designed separately. As a result, compared to the case where an authentication function is added to the peripheral processing that performs a predetermined process, it is easier to design the timing to add the authentication function, implement the function, verify the function, etc. Can be realized.
Further, in the configuration where the sub-control unit performs both the authentication process and the effect process as in the conventional case, the following inconvenience occurs when it is necessary to change the design of either one of the above programs. There is nothing.

(A) Since the program becomes complicated, it becomes difficult to maintain consistency with other functions (in this case, an unexpected error may occur).
(B) Although the authentication process can be made common even if the model of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is different, the production process is often different for each model of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Therefore, it is necessary to design the entire program of processing executed by the sub-control unit 203 including the authentication processing that can be shared for each model of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and it takes a lot of time to design and the work efficiency is improved. bad.
(C) When the authentication algorithm for authentication is changed, the processing in the peripheral part that performs the predetermined processing must be changed. This change requires a lot of time and labor to verify whether or not the desired authentication function can be obtained, and it takes time and effort to develop a gaming machine. It cannot be changed easily.

  The authentication data 303 is data for the peripheral unit to authenticate that the main control unit 201 is an authorized main control unit. Specifically, the authentication data 303 includes, for example, an identification number (ID) uniquely assigned to the CPU 201a, a value of a program counter (PC), a stack point value, and all or a part of a program stored in the ROM 201b. On the other hand, values (hereinafter referred to as “authentication values”) obtained by performing error detection operations such as operations using a hash function, parity check, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), and check sum (Check Sum). ) Or a value obtained by encrypting the authentication value by a predetermined encryption method as necessary.

  The peripheral unit can determine whether the output source of the control signal is the regular main control unit 201 by performing authentication using the authentication data 303 described above. In order for the peripheral unit to perform authentication using the authentication data 303, data necessary for authentication (hereinafter referred to as “expected value” or the like) is stored in advance in a storage unit such as a ROM constituting the peripheral unit. Needless to say, there is a need. Further, it is possible to detect unauthorized rewriting of the program code stored in the ROM 201b of the main control unit 201 or unauthorized replacement of the ROM 201b of the main control unit 201.

  Note that the main control unit 201 generates different authentication data 303 for each control signal. Specifically, for example, the range of the program code in the ROM 201b used for generating the authentication data 303 is changed, or the error detection calculation for generating the authentication data 303 is changed. Further, the data used for generating the authentication data 303 is not limited to the program code, and may be arbitrary data stored in the ROM 201b.

Further, the authentication data 303 may include data related to the control command data 301 and accompanying data 302 transmitted together with the authentication data 303. The data related to the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 is obtained by performing an operation using the error detection method as described above on the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 itself, or the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302. Value. In general, an unauthorized control unit attempts to cause a peripheral unit to perform an unauthorized operation by transmitting a control command different from that of the regular main control unit 201. If the authentication data 303 is generated using the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 transmitted together with the authentication data 303, even if the authentication data is reused by an unauthorized control unit, the authentication data matches the control command. Unable to detect and detect fraud.
In addition, not only the above-described fraud, but due to electrical noise, mechanical vibration, etc., if a bit error occurs in the control command data and the control command data is changed, authentication is not successful. It is also possible to prevent the execution of the control command corresponding to the control command data changed due to the noise or the like.

  When the authentication data 303 includes data related to the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302, the main control unit 201 generates the authentication data 303 by encrypting the authentication command and the data related to the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 together. To do.

  The control signal with authentication data is not limited to the control signal with authentication data 310 arranged in the order of the control command data 301, the accompanying data 302, and the authentication data 303 as shown in FIG. As shown in (3), the authentication data 303 is the control signal with authentication data 311 provided at the head of the control signal, or between the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 as shown in FIG. 9 (4). Alternatively, the control signal 312 with authentication data into which the authentication data 303 is inserted may be used. Further, the authentication data 303 may be output separately from the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302. For example, after transmitting a control signal including a jackpot command, the authentication data 303 may be added at the time of the third control signal transmission.

(D) Next, control signal transmission / reception processing performed between the main control unit 201 and the peripheral unit will be described. Hereinafter, the transmission / reception process of the control signal between the main control unit 201 and the authentication unit 202 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, but between the main control unit 201 and the prize ball control unit 204. The control signal transmission / reception process is also performed in the same procedure.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control signal transmission processing by the main control unit 201. First, the main control unit 201 determines whether it is currently the transmission timing of control command data (see step S61 in FIG. 10). When the determination result is “NO”, the main control unit 201 repeats the same determination. When the control command data transmission timing comes, the determination result in step S61 is “YES”, and the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S62.

  In step S62, the main control unit 201 determines whether the control command transmitted this time is a jackpot start command or a jackpot end command. If the determination result in step S62 is “YES”, that is, if the control command transmitted this time is a jackpot start command or a jackpot end command, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S63. In step S63, the main control unit 201 sets the control command data 301 (the jackpot start command data or jackpot end command data) and the accompanying data 302 in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 201c, and then proceeds to step S64.

  In step S64, the main control unit 201 generates the authentication data 303, and then proceeds to step S65. As described above, the authentication data 303 is specifically for, for example, all or part of the ID, the PC value, the stack point value, and the program stored in the ROM 201b, which are uniquely assigned to the CPU 201a. An authentication value obtained by performing an error detection operation such as a hash function operation, parity check, CRC, checksum, or the like, or a value obtained by encrypting the authentication value as necessary using a predetermined encryption method. Note that the order of the processing in step S63 and the processing in step S64 may be interchanged. In step S65, the main control unit 201 authenticates a control signal (control signal with authentication data) made up of the control command data 301, the accompanying data 302, and the authentication data 303 generated by the processes in steps S63 and S64 described above. After the transmission to 202, the series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S62 is “NO”, that is, if the control command to be transmitted this time is neither a jackpot start command nor a jackpot end command, the main control unit 201 proceeds to step S66. In step S66, the main control unit 201 sets control command data 301 (command data other than jackpot start command data and jackpot end command data) and accompanying data 302 in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 201c, and then proceeds to step S67. In step S67, the main control unit 201 transmits a control signal (normal control signal) composed of the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 generated in the processing of step S66 described above to the authentication unit 202, and then performs a series of processing. finish.

As described above, the main control unit 201 adds the authentication data 303 to the control command data 301 only when the jackpot start command data or jackpot end command data is transmitted to the authentication unit 202. The jackpot start command and jackpot end command are control commands for starting or ending the jackpot state, and have a lower transmission frequency than other control commands. Therefore, the possibility that the authentication data 303 is extracted from the control signal can be reduced. Further, even if the authentication data 303 is extracted from the control signal, the number of samples that can be acquired is small, so that the possibility that the authentication data 303 is analyzed can be reduced.
Further, since the authentication process is performed only when the jackpot start command or jackpot end command is transmitted, the rate at which the processing load of the main control unit 201 increases due to the authentication process can be suppressed.

  Next, control signal reception processing by the authentication unit 202 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control signal reception processing by the authentication unit 202. First, the authentication unit 202 determines whether or not the control signal transmitted from the main control unit 201 has been received (see step S71 in FIG. 11). If the determination result is “NO”, the authentication unit 202 repeats the determination. And if the control signal transmitted from the main control part 201 is received, the judgment result of step S71 will be "YES", and the authentication part 202 will progress to step S72.

  In step S72, the authentication unit 202 determines whether or not the authentication data 303 is included in the received control signal. If the determination result in step S72 is “YES”, that is, if the authentication data 303 is included in the received control signal, the authentication unit 202 proceeds to step S73. Here, whether or not the authentication data 303 is included in the control signal is determined, for example, whether or not the data amount of the control signal is larger than that of the normal control signal, or whether the authentication data 303 is included in the control signal. This is done by determining whether or not a flag indicating that the device is present is set.

  In step S73, the authentication unit 202 extracts the authentication data 303 from the control signal, acquires the expected value of the authentication data 303, and then proceeds to step S74. In step S74, the authentication unit 202 performs an authentication process, and then proceeds to step S75. The authentication process is performed by the following method, for example. That is, for example, it is determined whether the authentication data 303 included in the control signal matches the expected value.

  At this time, the authentication unit 202 may determine whether or not the authentication data 303 and the expected value have a predetermined relationship, instead of whether or not the authentication data 303 and the expected value match. The predetermined relationship refers to a relationship in which, for example, a value obtained by performing a predetermined calculation on the authentication data 303 matches an expected value. When the authentication data 303 is encrypted, the authentication unit 202 decrypts the authentication data 303 before the above-described authentication processing.

  The expected value used for verification by the authentication unit 202 is stored in advance in a predetermined storage area of the ROM 202b constituting the authentication unit 202, for example, at the time of manufacture. Note that the expected value used for verification by the authentication unit 202 may be transmitted to the authentication unit 202 from another component unit. Examples of other components include a prize ball control unit 204 and a dedicated processing unit for generating an expected value of authentication data (hereinafter referred to as an “expected value calculation unit”). The expected value calculation unit may transmit an expected value stored in advance to the authentication unit 202, or may generate an expected value for each matching process. Also, a coefficient necessary for calculating an expected value may be transmitted from an external device to the authentication unit 202 or the expected value calculation unit via an external connection interface (not shown). In this way, if the expected value of the authentication data 303 is not stored in advance in a predetermined storage area of the ROM 202b that constitutes the authentication unit 202, the authentication data is changed afterwards if it is obtained from another configuration unit. It becomes possible to do.

  In the process of step S72, the authentication unit 202 does not determine whether the authentication data 303 is included in the received control signal, but the control command data 301 included in the control signal is a jackpot start command or jackpot. It may be determined whether the data is an end command data. In this case, if the authentication unit 202 determines that the control command data 301 included in the control signal is data of a jackpot start command or jackpot end command, the authentication unit 202 extracts the authentication data 303 from the control signal and authenticates The expected value of the data 303 may be acquired (step S73), and it may be determined whether or not the authentication data 303 included in the control signal matches the expected value (step S74).

  In step S75, the authentication unit 202 transmits the control command data 301 and accompanying data 302 included in the control signal to the sub-control unit 203, and then proceeds to step S76. In step S76, the authentication unit 202 transmits the authentication result obtained in the process of step S74 described above to the sub control unit 203, and then ends the series of processes. In this case, in the process of step S76, the authentication unit 202 may encrypt the authentication result and transmit it to the sub-control unit 203.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S72 is “NO”, that is, if the authentication data 303 is not included in the received control signal, the authentication unit 202 proceeds to step S77. In step S77, the authentication unit 202 transmits the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 included in the control signal to the sub control unit 203, and then ends the series of processes.

  Next, control signal reception processing by the sub-control unit 203 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control signal reception processing by the sub-control unit 203. First, the sub-control unit 203 determines whether the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 transmitted from the authentication unit 202 have been received (see step S81 in FIG. 12). If the determination result is “NO”, the sub-control unit 203 repeats the determination. When the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 transmitted from the authentication unit 202 are received, the determination result in step S81 is “YES”, and the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S82.

  In step S <b> 82, the sub control unit 203 determines whether the authentication result transmitted from the authentication unit 202 has been received. If the determination result of step S82 is “YES”, that is, if the authentication result transmitted from the authentication unit 202 is received, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S83. In step S83, the sub-control unit 203 determines whether or not the received authentication result indicates that the authentication has succeeded. If the determination result in step S83 is “YES”, that is, if the received authentication result indicates that the authentication is successful, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S84. Also, if the determination result in step S82 is “NO”, that is, if the authentication result transmitted from the authentication unit 202 is not received, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S84. If the authentication result is encrypted in the process of step S76, the sub-control unit 203 decrypts the authentication result in the process of step S82 or the process of step S83.

  In step S84, the sub-control unit 203 performs a process based on the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302, and then ends a series of processes. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S83 is “NO”, that is, if the received authentication result does not indicate that the authentication is successful, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S85. In step S85, the sub-control unit 203 discards the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302, and manages the symbol display unit 104, the lamp control unit 205, or the pachinko gaming machine 1 with a notification signal for notifying an illegal act. After the transmission to the center control device or the like, the series of processing ends. In the process of step S85, the sub control unit 203 may perform only one of data discarding and notification.

  Based on the supplied notification signal, the symbol display unit 104, the lamp control unit 205, and the like perform an effect that notifies the main control unit 201 that there is a possibility that fraud has been performed. This effect is, for example, causing a character that does not normally appear in the symbol display unit 104 to appear, or causing a character that normally appears to appear in a manner different from normal. Further, the brightness of the symbol display unit 104 may be changed, the color may be changed, or the lamp control unit 205 may be controlled to display a predetermined lamp. In any case, it is sufficient that the employee notices the state when passing in front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Further, this effect may be an effect that the customer does not notice the state, or an effect that the customer can easily notice. If the production is easily noticed by the customer, fraud can be efficiently suppressed.

  In addition, information regarding the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 such as “Big hit” or “Probability changing” may be included in the notification signal. Based on the information regarding the gaming state, it may be determined whether or not an illegal act is performed by a center control device that manages the pachinko gaming machine 1 or the like. For example, there may be a case where winnings are concentrated during jackpots or probability fluctuations even if the winnings are concentrated. Therefore, it is better to determine whether or not there is a risk of fraudulent behavior under conditions different from other states during jackpots and probability fluctuations. Moreover, you may make it output the information regarding a gaming state as another signal, without including in a notification signal. In this case, the employee determines whether there is a risk of fraud based on both the notification signal and the information regarding the gaming state.

  Next, an example of the mutual relationship between the processes executed by the main control unit 201, the authentication unit 202, and the sub control unit 203 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In FIG. 14, the part surrounded by the broken line is one authentication process. When the control command data 301 is control command data other than the jackpot start command and jackpot end command, the main control unit 201 sets the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 201c (step of FIG. 13). After step S91), the process proceeds to step S92. In step S92, the main control unit 201 transmits the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 to the authentication unit 202 as normal control signals.

  The authentication unit 202 receives the normal control signal transmitted in step S92 (see step S93), and then proceeds to step S94. In step S94, the authentication unit 202 transmits the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 included in the control signal to the sub-control unit 203. After receiving the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 transmitted in the process of step S94 (see step S95), the sub control unit 203 proceeds to step S96. In step S <b> 96, the sub control unit 203 performs processing based on the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302. In this way, when the control command data 301 is control command data other than the jackpot start command and jackpot end command, the authentication unit 202 performs the received control command data 301 and accompanying data 302 without performing authentication processing. Is transmitted to the sub-control unit 203 as it is, and the sub-control unit 203 performs processing based on the received control command data 301 and accompanying data 302.

  On the other hand, when the control command data 301 is jackpot start command data or jackpot end command data, the main control unit 201 sets the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 201c (step S97 in FIG. 14). Then, go to step S98. In step S98, the main control unit 201 generates the authentication data 303, and then proceeds to step S99. In step S <b> 99, the main control unit 201 transmits an authentication data-added control signal including control command data 301, accompanying data 302, and authentication data 303 to the authentication unit 202.

  On the other hand, the authentication unit 202 receives the control signal with authentication data transmitted in the process of step S99 (see step S100), and then proceeds to step S101. In step S101, the authentication unit 202 performs authentication processing using authentication data included in the control signal, and then proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the authentication unit 202 transmits the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 included in the control signal to the sub-control unit 203, and then proceeds to step S104. In step S <b> 104, the authentication unit 202 transmits the authentication result obtained by the processing in step S <b> 101 to the sub control unit 203.

  Thereby, the sub-control unit 203 receives the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 transmitted in the process of step S102 (see step S103), and then proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the sub control unit 203 receives the authentication result transmitted in the process of step S104, and then proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the sub control unit 203 determines whether or not the received authentication result indicates that the authentication is successful. If the determination result in step S106 is “YES”, that is, if the received authentication result indicates that the authentication has succeeded, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S107. In step S <b> 107, the sub control unit 203 performs processing based on the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S106 is “NO”, that is, if the received authentication result does not indicate that the authentication has succeeded, the sub-control unit 203 proceeds to step S108. In step S <b> 108, the sub-control unit 203 discards the control command data 301 and the accompanying data 302 and transmits a notification signal for notifying an illegal act to the symbol display unit 104 and the lamp control unit 205.

  Note that the authentication process using the authentication data may not be performed every time the authentication data is received, but may be performed when a plurality of authentication data is received. In this case, for example, when the authentication unit 202 receives the first authentication data together with the first jackpot start command data or the first jackpot end command data and the first associated data, the authentication unit 202 performs the authentication process without performing the authentication process. The processing based on the 1 jackpot start command data or the first jackpot end command data and the first associated data is performed. When the authentication unit 202 receives the second authentication data together with the second jackpot start command data or the second jackpot end command data and the second associated data, the authentication unit 202 receives the second jackpot start command data or the second Before performing the process based on the jackpot end command data and the second associated data, the authentication process using the first authentication data is performed. At this time, the authentication unit 202 may perform authentication processing using both the first authentication data and the second authentication data. In this way, if authentication processing is performed at the time when a plurality of authentication data is received, the risk of erroneous authentication processing is reduced, for example, when extra data is added to the control signal due to an error. be able to.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the jackpot start command or jackpot end command is transmitted, the authentication process is performed using the authentication data for authenticating the validity of the main control unit 201. Do. For this reason, the following fraud can be detected. In addition, if the authentication data including the control command data and the accompanying data to be transmitted this time is generated, the authentication data is prevented from being reused by an unauthorized main control unit, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 is more surely illegal. Actions can be detected.

(1) Replacing an authorized main control board with an unauthorized main control board (2) ROM storing a legitimate program executed by the CPU mounted on the main control board and an unauthorized program obtained by falsifying the above program (3) ROM replacement described in (2) above with an unauthorized substrate (spoofed substrate) provided between the main control board and the peripheral substrate. If a bit error occurs in the control command data due to static noise or mechanical vibration, and the control command data is changed, the authentication is not successful. It is also possible to prevent execution of a control command corresponding to the control command data.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the main control unit 201 transmits a jackpot start command or jackpot end command to the peripheral portion, an authentication process for authenticating the validity of the main control unit 201 is performed. The jackpot start command and jackpot end command are control commands for starting or ending the jackpot state, and have a lower transmission frequency than other control commands. Therefore, the possibility that the authentication data is extracted from the control signal can be reduced. Further, even if authentication data is extracted from the control signal, the number of samples that can be acquired is small, so that the possibility that the authentication data is analyzed can be reduced. Further, the processing load of the main control unit 201 and the peripheral unit increases by performing the authentication process only during the period when the jackpot start command or jackpot end command is transmitted, and the processing of the main control unit 201 and the peripheral unit The rate at which the load increases can be suppressed.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control command transmitted from the main control unit 201 is a predetermined control command, authentication data is added to the control command data, so that the authentication data is transmitted alone. Compared to the case, an increase in communication load between the main control unit 201 and the peripheral unit can be suppressed. Moreover, compared with the case where it transmits by authentication data single-piece | unit, possibility that authentication data will be extracted from communication data and analyzed can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the authentication process is executed only by the authentication unit 202, so that the processing load of the CPU 203a constituting the sub control unit 203 does not increase. For this reason, the processing speed of the sub-control unit 203 is not reduced, and there is no inconvenience such as display for production not being performed smoothly.

  In addition, since the authentication unit 202 that executes the authentication process and the sub-control unit 203 that mainly executes the effect process are independent of each other, the authentication program and the effect program can be designed separately. This makes it easier and less time-consuming to design, implement the function, verify the function, etc. Can be realized.

  In addition, since the configuration of the authentication program and the production program is relatively simple, it is easy to maintain consistency with other functions. In addition, even if the presentation process is different for each model of the pachinko gaming machine 1, since the authentication process can be shared, it is easy to design a program for each model of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and shorten the design time. Work efficiency can be improved.

  Furthermore, even when the authentication algorithm for authentication is changed, it can be realized only by changing the authentication program of the authentication unit without changing the peripheral part for performing the predetermined processing. As a result, the authentication algorithm can be changed with a small number of work steps. In addition, even with the same model, it is possible to easily adopt a different authentication algorithm. Thereby, possibility that authentication data will be analyzed can be reduced.

  Further, when the control command transmitted from the main control unit is a predetermined control command, authentication data is added to the control command. Therefore, compared with the case where the authentication data is transmitted alone, the main control unit and the peripheral unit An increase in communication load during the period can be suppressed. Moreover, compared with the case where it transmits by authentication data single-piece | unit, possibility that authentication data will be extracted from communication data and analyzed can be reduced.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the design can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the authentication unit 202 is provided between the main control unit 201 and the sub-control unit 203 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the main control unit 210, the prize ball control unit 204, An authentication unit may be provided between the two. In this case, the prize ball control unit 204 is not provided with a notification means, but since the two-way communication is possible between the main control unit 210 and the prize ball control unit 204, the authentication is unsuccessful. The prize ball control unit 204 may be configured to transmit data indicating that the authentication is unsuccessful to the main control unit 201 together with the control command data and accompanying data. Then, the main control unit 201 transmits the data indicating the failure to the sub-control unit 203 via the authentication unit 202, and the sub-control unit 203 determines that the data indicating the failure has occurred. , Let them know that cheating has been done.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines such as sparrow ball gaming machines and arrangement balls. The present invention can also be applied to other game machines such as a ball game machine and a slot machine such as a slot machine. Even in these gaming machines, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained by configuring in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

1 is a front view showing an external configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is one of gaming machines according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process including the command transmission to the authentication part and prize ball control part by the main control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process including the command transmission to the authentication part and prize ball control part by the main control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the transmission timing of a jackpot related command. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol variation process by the sub-control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of jackpot by the sub-control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the lamp control process by the lamp control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the data format of the control signal which the main control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. 1 outputs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission process of the control signal by the main control part which comprises the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the reception process of the control signal by the authentication part which comprises the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the reception process of the control signal by the sub-control part which comprises the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the mutual relationship of the process which the main control part, authentication part, and sub control part which comprise the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the mutual relationship of the process which the main control part, authentication part, and sub control part which comprise the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

201 Main control unit 201a CPU
201b ROM
201c RAM
202 Authentication unit 202a CPU
202b ROM
202c RAM
203 Sub control unit 203a CPU
203b ROM
203c RAM
204 Prize ball control unit 204a CPU
204b ROM
204c RAM
301 Control command data 302 Accompanying data 303 Authentication data 310, 311, 312 Control signal with authentication data

Claims (11)

A main control unit that outputs a control command; an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit; and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command;
The main control unit adds authentication data for authenticating the main control unit to the jackpot start command when the control command is a jackpot start command for starting the processing of the jackpot state. Supply to the department,
The authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot start command, and adds an authentication result to the jackpot start command and supplies it to the peripheral unit,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion performs processing according to the authentication result added to the jackpot start command. A main control unit that outputs a control command; an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit; and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command;
When the control command is a jackpot end command for ending the jackpot state processing, the main control unit adds authentication data for authenticating the main control unit to the jackpot end command. To the certification department,
The authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot end command, adds an authentication result to the jackpot end command, and supplies it to the peripheral unit,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion performs processing according to the authentication result added to the jackpot end command. The main control unit
Comprising storage means for storing a predetermined program code;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the authentication data is generated using the predetermined program code.   The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the main control unit generates the authentication data using the predetermined program code and the jackpot start command or the jackpot end command.   The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the authentication result indicates that the main control unit is unsuccessful, the peripheral unit outputs a notification signal informing that effect. Machine. An authentication method used in a gaming machine including a main control unit that outputs a control command, an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit, and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command,
When the control command is a jackpot start command for starting the processing of the jackpot state, the main control unit adds authentication data for authenticating the main control unit to the jackpot start command to add the authentication unit A first step of supplying to
A second step in which the authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot start command, and adds an authentication result to the jackpot start command and supplies it to the peripheral unit; ,
And a third step in which the peripheral section performs processing according to the authentication result added to the jackpot start command. An authentication method used in a gaming machine including a main control unit that outputs a control command, an authentication unit that authenticates the main control unit, and a peripheral unit that performs predetermined processing based on the control command,
When the control command is a jackpot end command for ending the processing of the jackpot state, the main control unit adds authentication data for authenticating the main control unit to the jackpot end command to add the authentication unit A first step of supplying to
A second step in which the authentication unit authenticates the main control unit using the authentication data added to the jackpot end command, and supplies an authentication result to the peripheral unit by adding the authentication result to the jackpot end command; ,
And a third step in which the peripheral section performs processing according to the authentication result added to the jackpot end command. The main control unit includes storage means for storing a predetermined program code,
The authentication method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the first step, the authentication data is generated using the predetermined program code.   9. The authentication method according to claim 8, wherein, in the first step, the main control unit generates the authentication data using the predetermined program code and the jackpot start command or the jackpot end command. .   In the third step, when the authentication result indicates that the main control unit is unsuccessful, the peripheral unit outputs a notification signal to notify that fact. The authentication method in any one of.   An authentication program for causing a computer to realize the function according to claim 6.

Images