JP2010155157A - Performance control board, game machine and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and effectively detect a game machine with a risk of fraudulence, or to improve the effect of preventing the fraudulence. <P>SOLUTION: If announcing an error based on a power supply time specifying command or a power restoration time specifying command when a board surface abnormality error start specifying command is received by an error command receiving part 601, and when it is during the annunciation period of the board surface abnormality error start specifying command at the point of time of ending the annunciation based on the power supply time specifying command or the power restoration time specifying command, the annunciation based on the board surface abnormality error start specifying command is started, and the annunciation based on the board surface abnormality error start specifying command is continuously performed during the annunciation period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine, a production board, and a program to be executed on the production board, and in particular, a pachinko gaming machine for detecting fraud against the pachinko gaming machine, a production board mounted on the pachinko gaming machine, and a program to be executed on the production board. About.

  Conventionally, there is a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that generates a jackpot based on a random number generated at the time of winning a specific winning opening and plays a jackpot game. The gaming machine includes a storage area for storing information related to a random number generation history (hereinafter referred to as “random number history information”), and generates a new random number based on the random number history information stored in the storage area. Thereby, a more random random number can be generated.

  In such a gaming machine, fraudulent acts that illegally obtain a prize by opening the glass frame and operating the game board without permission from the store side, or illegally opening the big prize opening by bringing a magnet etc. close to the board surface There are various kinds of gaming machines that notify such fraudulent acts to the surroundings of gaming machines such as store clerk.

  In recent years, by turning off the power to the gaming machine and then turning it on again, the random number history information stored in the storage area can be erased, creating a situation where random numbers that generate big wins are easy to generate, and illegally winning big wins The fraudulent act of obtaining is especially regarded as a problem. Conventionally, as a countermeasure against such an illegal act, there has been a gaming machine that outputs a sound notifying that the power is turned on when it is detected that the power is turned on.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine including a plurality of switches and a control unit that performs error notification when an predetermined condition is satisfied, and that releases error notification based on at least one output of the plurality of switches. The controller determines a procedure for canceling the error notification using all or part of the plurality of switches, notifies the contents of the determined error cancellation procedure, monitors the outputs of the plurality of switches, When an operation in accordance with the release procedure is performed, the error notification is canceled and the game is returned to a playable state. When an operation in accordance with the error release procedure is not performed, the intermediate error state different from the error state is set in a playable state. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 below.)

JP 2006-345594 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, if the gaming machine is turned on and then turned off and turned on again, it is scheduled to be executed for a predetermined time at the first power-off / turn-on. There is a problem that fraud alerts are interrupted and fraud cannot be noticed.

  In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above makes it difficult for an unauthorized person to cancel an error and can notify that there has been an unauthorized act. However, an appropriate error notification is always performed for each error. It is not. Specifically, for example, there is an error that it is preferable to continue the notification until it is canceled, but there is an error that only needs to be notified for a predetermined time.

  In order to eliminate the above-described problems caused by the prior art, this invention circulates illegal acts on a gaming machine to customers and stores around the gaming machine in accordance with the priority order based on the seriousness of damage caused by the illegal behavior. To provide a production control board, a gaming machine, and a program capable of informing a store clerk and efficiently and effectively discovering a gaming machine that may be fraudulent or improving the effect of suppressing fraud For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an effect control board according to the present invention is an effect control board that performs predetermined effect control according to a command output from a main control board, and receives an error command. And every time the error command is received by the error command receiving means, until a predetermined time elapses or until an end command of the error command is received (hereinafter referred to as “notification”). Error notification control means for controlling voice output means to continue voice error notification based on the error command, and error command reception means (hereinafter referred to as “reception error command”). ) Is already received by the error notification control means. Comparing means for comparing a predetermined priority between the received error command and the executing error command when performing error notification based on “the executing error command”), and the error The notification control means continues the notification based on the reception error command during the notification time only when the reception error command has a higher priority than the execution error command as a result of the comparison by the comparison means. It is characterized by performing.

  Further, in the production control board according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the error notification control means is compared by the comparison means, the reception error command and the error command being executed have the same priority. Alternatively, when the reception error command has a lower priority than the error error command being executed, if the notification based on the error error command being executed is in the notification time of the reception error command, the reception error command Is started, and the notification based on the reception error command is continuously performed during the notification time.

  In addition, a gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized by including the effect control board described above.

  The program according to the present invention is a program to be executed by an effect control board that performs predetermined effect control in accordance with a command output from the main control board, the error command receiving step for receiving an error command, and the error Each time the error command is received by the command receiving step, a voice output step until a predetermined time elapses or an end command of the error command is received (hereinafter referred to as “notifying time”). When the error command is received by the error command receiving step and the error command receiving step, the error notification is performed when the error command is received and the error command is continuously performed. The control process has already received another error command When the error notification based on the “command” is performed, a comparison step of comparing a predetermined priority order of the reception error command and the error command being executed is compared with the result of the comparison, The effect control board executes the step of continuously performing notification based on the reception error command during the notification time only when the reception error command has a higher priority than the execution error command. .

  In addition, in the above invention, in the above-described invention, when the reception error command and the error error command being executed have the same priority as a result of the comparison in the comparison step, the reception error command is more than the error error command being executed. If the notification is based on the error command being executed and the notification time of the reception error command is within the notification time when the priority is low, the notification based on the reception error command is started, and during the notification time, The step of continuously performing notification based on the reception error command is executed by the effect control board.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to report fraudulent acts on the gaming machine according to the priority order based on the seriousness of damage caused by the fraudulent acts.

  According to the production control board, the gaming machine, and the program according to the present invention, the fraudulent act on the gaming machine is visited by customers and stores around the gaming machine according to the priority order based on the seriousness of the damage caused by the fraudulent act. It is possible to notify the store clerk and to efficiently and effectively find a gaming machine that may be fraudulent, or to improve the effect of suppressing fraud.

It is a front view which shows an example of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part of a game machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an operation part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content and priority of an error alert | report. It is explanatory drawing explaining the error which may generate | occur | produce in a game machine, and operation | movement of each part at the time of each error generation | occurrence | production. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of an effect control part (effect control board) and its periphery. It is the flowchart (the 1) which shows the process sequence of an effect control part (effect control board). It is the flowchart (the 2) which shows the process sequence of an effect control part (effect control board). It is the flowchart (the 3) which shows the process sequence of an effect control part (effect control board).

(Embodiment)
Exemplary embodiments of an effect control board, a gaming machine, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Basic configuration of gaming machine)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. The gaming machine of the present invention includes a game board 101. An LED (not shown) is provided on the board surface of the game board 101. The LEDs provided on the board surface of the game board 101 are driven or controlled by a first light control unit 252 to be described later, so that the LED lights up or blinks during the game. Thereby, t, the effect of the game can be enhanced.

  A launcher (see reference numeral 292 in FIG. 2) is disposed at a lower position of the game board 101. The game ball launched by driving the launching unit 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. A plurality of nails (not shown) are provided in the game area 103, and a game ball is dropped in various directions, and a windmill or a prize opening that changes the fall direction of the game ball is placed in the middle of the fall. Is arranged.

  A symbol display unit 104 is arranged at the center of the game area 103 of the game board 101. For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used as the symbol display unit 104. Below the symbol display unit 104, a start winning port 105 for starting winning is arranged. On the left side of the symbol display unit 104, a winning gate 106 is provided.

  The winning gate 106 is provided to detect the passing of the game ball and perform a lottery to open the start winning opening 105 for a predetermined time. A normal winning opening 107 is disposed on the side of the symbol display unit 104 or below. When a game ball wins the normal winning opening 107, the number of winning balls (for example, 10) at the time of the normal winning is paid out. At the bottom of the game area 103, there is provided a collection port 108 for collecting game balls that have not won any winning ports.

  The symbol display unit 104 described above starts a variation in the display of a plurality of symbols when a game ball is won at a specific winning opening (at the time of starting winning), and the symbol stops after a predetermined time. When a specific symbol (for example, “777”) is prepared at the time of the stop, a big hit state is obtained. In the big hit state, the predetermined winning opening 109 located below is repeatedly opened for a predetermined period (for example, 15 rounds), and the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning game balls is paid out.

  The special winning opening 109 is closed by a special winning door 109a except for the big hit state. Although details will be described later, the grand prize winning port 109 and the grand prize winning door 109 a are a large winning port opening / closing switch for detecting the opening / closing of the big winning port 109, a left count switch for detecting a game ball won in the big winning port 109, Constructs a prize winning unit along with a count switch.

  A frame member 110 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the game area 103 of the game board 101. The frame member 110 has a shape that surrounds the periphery of the game area 103 on the four sides of the game board 101 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, the frame member 110 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 toward the player side. Thereby, the gaming machine of the present embodiment can be made more conspicuous than other types of gaming machines that do not include the frame member 110. By making the gaming machine conspicuous, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the gaming machine and to strengthen the deterrent against fraudulent acts on the gaming machine.

  In the frame member 110, an effect light unit 111 (lamp unit) is provided on two sides which are the upper side and the lower side of the game area 103. Each effect light unit 111 includes a plurality of lights 112. Each light 112 irradiates a player in front of the gaming machine, and the light irradiation direction can be changed in the vertical direction so that the irradiation position moves along the abdomen from the top of the player. Each light 112 is driven by a motor (see reference numeral 272 in FIG. 2) provided in the effect light unit 111 so as to change the light irradiation direction in the vertical direction.

  In addition, each light 112 can irradiate the surroundings of the gaming machine, and the light irradiation direction can be rotated so that the irradiation position forms a circle with respect to the gaming machine. Each light 112 is driven by a motor (see reference numeral 272 in FIG. 2) provided in the effect light unit 111 so as to rotate the light irradiation direction. The motor that is driven to rotate the direction of light irradiation from each light 112 is a motor different from the motor that changes the direction of light irradiation from each light 112 in the vertical direction.

  The effect light unit 111 can change the irradiation direction of the light irradiated from the entire effect light unit 111 to three dimensions by rotating the irradiation direction of the light irradiated from each light 112 while changing the vertical direction. it can.

  The light irradiation direction is changed when, for example, a big hit state is reached. Accordingly, the player and the surroundings of the gaming machine can be sequentially irradiated to inform the surroundings that the gaming machine is in the big hit state, and the attention of the player who has been in the big hit state can be increased. . Accordingly, it is possible to give the player an uplifting feeling due to the attention, and to continuously or repeatedly use the gaming machine of the present embodiment, thereby improving the operating rate of the gaming machine.

  Further, the light irradiation direction may be made different when an abnormal situation different from that in a normal game occurs, for example, when some illegal act is performed on the gaming machine. As a result, it is possible to quickly find an abnormal situation such as an illegal act, and to strengthen the deterrence against the illegal act on the gaming machine after the next time.

  An operation handle 113 is disposed at a lower position of the frame member 110. The operation handle 113 is operated by the player when the game ball is fired by driving the launching unit. Similar to the frame member 110 described above, the operation handle 113 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 to the player side.

  The operation handle 113 includes a firing instruction member 114 that drives the above-described launching unit 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 launcher causes the game ball to be launched 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.

  A light emitting unit (see reference numeral 263 in FIG. 2) is provided inside the operation handle 113. The light emitting unit includes a plurality of LEDs (see reference numeral 273 in FIG. 2) that emit light when energized. The light emitting unit, for example, energizes the LED when it becomes a big hit state, and causes the LED to emit light. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player and the surroundings that the gaming machine is in the big hit state, and the degree of attention of the player in the big hit state can be increased.

  The light emitting unit includes a reflecting member that reflects light emitted from the LED, and a motor (see reference numeral 274 in FIG. 2) that rotates the reflecting member so as to change the direction of reflection by the reflecting member. The light emitting unit can increase the effect of causing the light emitting unit to emit light by reflecting the light emitted from the LED in multiple directions using the reflecting member.

  In this way, by causing the light emitting unit to emit light and conspicuous light emission from the light emitting unit, it is possible to let the player and the surroundings know that the gaming machine is in the big hit state, and the player who has hit the big hit state The degree of attention can be increased. Then, by raising the player's attention level, the player who has been in a big hit state is given an uplifting feeling by being noted, and the gaming machine of this embodiment is continuously or repeatedly used, The operating rate of the machine can be improved.

  On the upper side and the side of the symbol display unit 104 (on the right side in FIG. 1), there are provided effects (hereinafter referred to as “effects”) 115, 116. The directors 115 and 116 in the gaming machine of the present embodiment schematically represent a part of the Japanese sword (the vicinity of the samurai). The directors 115 and 116 are provided so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the directors 115 and 116 as if the blade is pulled out from the sheath and the pulled blade is returned to the sheath again.

  The production role 115 is driven by a solenoid (see reference numeral 275 in FIG. 2), and the production role 116 is driven by a motor (see reference numeral 276 in FIG. 2). By driving the similar directors 115 and 116 with different types of driving sources, it is possible to cause the directors 115 and 116 to perform their own movements, thereby increasing the stage effect.

  In the frame member 110, a chance button 117 that accepts an operation by the player is provided on the lower side of the game area 103. The operation of the chance button 117 is effective while guidance for prompting the operation of the chance button 117 is displayed, for example, in a specific reach effect during the game.

  In the frame member 110, a cross key 118 is provided next to the chance button 117. The chance button 117 and the cross key 118 constitute an operation unit (see reference numeral 300 in FIG. 3). In addition, the frame member 110 incorporates a speaker (see reference numeral 277 in FIG. 2) that outputs sound.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control unit of the gaming machine. The control unit 200 includes a plurality of control units. In the example shown in the figure, a main control unit 201, an effect control unit 202, and a prize ball control unit 203 are included. The main control unit 201 controls basic operations related to gaming of the gaming machine. The production control unit 202 controls the production operation during the game. The prize ball control unit 203 controls the number of prize balls to be paid out.

  Based on the program stored in the ROM 212, the main control unit 201 executes a CPU 211 that performs basic processing as the game content progresses, a RAM 213 that functions as a data work area when the CPU 211 performs arithmetic processing, and a CPU 211 that performs arithmetic processing. The RAM 213 functions as a data work area, and an I / F 214 for inputting / outputting data to / from the main control unit 201. The main control unit 201 realizes its function by, for example, a main control board. The RAM 213 stores information related to a random number generation history (hereinafter referred to as “random number history information”) that is generated when a specific winning opening is won.

  On the input side of the main control unit 201, a start winning port detection unit 221 that detects a winning ball that has won a winning winning port 105, a gate detection unit 222 that detects a game ball that has passed through the winning gate 106, and a normal win An ordinary winning opening detection unit 223 that detects a game ball won in the mouth 107 and a large winning opening detection unit 224 that detects a winning ball won in the big winning opening 109 are connected.

  Connected to the input side of the effect control unit 202 is a chance button detection unit 220 that detects that the chance button 117 has been operated. Although illustration is omitted, on the input side of the production control unit 202, it is detected that the character or figure selected by the cursor key is specified and “ENTER” for confirming the specified character or figure is operated. A detection unit that performs this function may be provided instead of or in addition to the chance button detection unit 220.

  The detection units 220 to 224 can be configured using proximity switches or the like. The detection result by the chance button detection unit 220 is input to the effect control unit 202. Detection results from the start winning port detection unit 221, the gate detection unit 222, the normal winning port detection unit 223, and the big winning port detection unit 224 are input to the main control unit 201.

  A prize winning opening / closing part 231 is connected to the output side of the main control part 201, and the opening / closing of the prize winning opening / closing part 231 is controlled. The special prize opening / closing unit 231 has a function of opening the special prize opening 109 for a certain period of time when a big hit is made, and is configured using a solenoid or the like. This jackpot is pre-programmed to occur with a predetermined probability based on the generated random number.

  The production control unit 202 performs production control during the game. The effect control unit 202 includes a CPU 241 that executes effect processing, a ROM 242 that stores various image data such as programs, background images, design images, and character images, and a RAM 243 that functions as a data work area during the CPU 241 arithmetic processing. The VRAM 244 and the like for writing image data to be displayed on the symbol display unit 104 are provided.

  In the effect control unit 202, the CPU 241 reads a program stored in the ROM 242, executes various image processing such as background image display processing, symbol image display / variation processing, and character image display processing, and reads necessary image data from the ROM 242. Write to the VRAM 244. 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.

  In this case, when the background image and the design image overlap at the same position, the design image is preferentially stored in the VRAM 244 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. . The effect control unit 202 realizes its function by, for example, an effect control board.

  The effect control unit 202 receives various data during the game from the main control unit 201, and performs effect control during the game. On the output side of the effect control unit 202, the symbol display unit (LCD) 104, the lamp control unit 251, the first light control unit 252, the second light control unit 253, the accessory control unit 254, The audio control unit 255 is connected.

  The effect control unit 202 displays, for the symbol display unit (LCD) 104, the contents of the effect during the game, such as movement display of symbols, reach (a state where two of the three symbols are aligned), and a big hit Generate and output various display information. The effect control unit 202 outputs to the lamp control unit 251 data for performing lighting control and the like on various lamps 262 provided on the game board 101, the base frame, and the like.

  For the first light control unit 252, the effect control unit 202 performs data (LED lighting control information) for performing lighting control on the plurality of lights 112 in the effect light unit 111 and the light from each light 112. Data (motor drive control information) for performing drive control on the motor 272 to change the irradiation direction is output.

  For the second light control unit 253, the effect control unit 202 performs data (LED lighting control information) for performing lighting control on the plurality of LEDs 273 in the light emitting unit 263, and driving for the motor 274 that rotates the reflecting member. Data (motor drive control information) for performing control and the like is output.

  The effect control unit 202 performs, for the accessory control unit 254, data for performing drive control on the solenoid 275 for operating the accessory 115, and data for performing drive control for the motor 276 for operating the accessory 116, and the like. Is output.

  The effect control unit 202 provides data (sound output control) to the sound control unit 255 to perform drive control on an energization mechanism (not shown) that energizes a coil or the like included in the speaker 277 in order to output sound from the speaker 277. Information).

  The prize ball control unit 203 performs prize ball control based on a program stored in the ROM 282. The prize ball control unit 203 includes a CPU 281 that executes prize ball control processing, a RAM 283 that functions as a data work area during the calculation process of the CPU 281, and data input / output and payout to / from the main control unit 201 and the launch unit 292. An I / F 284 for outputting data to the unit 291 is provided. The prize ball control unit 203 realizes its function by, for example, a prize ball substrate.

  The winning ball control unit 203 performs control for paying out the number of winning balls at the time of winning a prize to the connected paying unit 291. 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 203 controls the paying unit 291 to pay out the number of winning balls corresponding to the game balls won in each winning port (start winning port 105, normal winning port 107, large winning port 109). Do it. The launcher 292 launches a game ball for a game, and includes a sensor that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid that launches the game ball, and the like. When the prize ball control unit 203 detects a game operation by the sensor of the launch unit 292, the prize ball control unit 203 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 effect control unit 202, and the prize ball control unit 203 configured as described above are provided on different printed circuit boards (main control board, effect control board, and prize ball board). For example, the prize ball control unit 203 can be provided on the same printed circuit board as the main control unit 201.

(Configuration of operation unit)
The configuration of the operation unit will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation unit. 3, the operation unit 300 includes a chance button (indicated as “CHANCE” in FIG. 3) 117 and a cross key 118. The chance button 117 in the gaming machine of the present embodiment is realized by a convex button.

  The chance button 117 may be an input pad that employs a touch panel system in addition to the convex button. The cross key 118 is a cursor key 301 to 304 for changing the position of the character or figure displayed on the symbol display unit 104, and the character or figure selected by the operation of the cursor key 301 to 304 is determined. ”Key 305.

(Basic operation of gaming machines)
An example of the basic operation of the gaming machine having the above configuration will be described. Control during the game is performed by the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201, and the winning status of the game balls for each winning opening is output to the winning ball control unit 203. The winning ball control unit 203 has the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning status. Make a withdrawal.

  In addition, every time a game ball wins at the start winning opening 105, a corresponding control signal is output to the effect control unit 202, and the effect control unit 202 repeatedly displays and stops the symbols on the symbol display unit 104. . When the big hit occurrence has been determined, a corresponding control signal is output to the effect control unit 202, and the effect control unit 202 stops with a predetermined design. At the same time, control for opening the special winning opening 109 is performed.

  The effect control unit 202 displays various effects in addition to the symbol variation display on the symbol display unit 104 during the jackpot occurrence period and during the reach until the jackpot occurrence, at the time of reach notice, etc. . In addition, effects such as performing specific driving for various types of accessories, changing the lighting state of the lamp 262 and the lights 112 and 273, and driving the motors 273 and 274 are performed.

  When a big hit occurs, the big winning opening 109 is opened a plurality of times. For example, 15 rounds are repeatedly executed as one open is one round. The period of one round is set when, for example, 10 game balls are won or a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). At this time, the winning ball control unit 203 pays out with 15 winning balls per winning game ball to the big winning opening 109. After the jackpot is over, the jackpot state is canceled and the normal gaming state is restored.

(Error priority)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents and priority of error notification. In FIG. 4, a plurality of error notification contents are set in accordance with a plurality of types of error commands output from the main control unit 201. The main control unit 201 appropriately outputs any one command from a plurality of types of commands according to an error that has occurred in the gaming machine.

  Specifically, the error commands output from the main control unit 201 include, for example, a “designate when power is turned on” command, a “designate when power is restored (1 to 4)” command, and a “special prize winning abnormal prize error designation” command. There is a “board error error start designation” command. In the error notification performed based on these error commands, the end point (timing) of the error notification is determined at the time (timing) when the error command is received.

  Specifically, the error commands output from the main control unit 201 include, for example, a “door open error start designation” command, a “door open error end designation” command, a “dish full tank error start designation” command, There are "full error end designation" command, "switch unconnected error start designation" command, "switch unconnected error end designation" command, and the like.

  The error notification performed based on these error commands is determined when the error notification end point (timing) is determined when the error notification end specification command is received after receiving the corresponding error notification start specification command. The time for performing (notification time) is not constant.

  The error notification is executed every time an error command is received when any one of the plurality of types of error commands output from the main control unit 201 is received. Each error command is associated with an order of priority when performing error notification. The priority is set from the highest “1” to the relatively lower “7”. For example, the highest priority “1” is set in the power-on designation command indicating that the gaming machine is powered on.

  Each error command is associated with an error notification operation. For example, in the “power-on designation” command, “error notification is immediately switched to error notification corresponding to the“ power-on designation ”command, and error notification is continued for 30 seconds after switching. Is associated with an error notification operation (control information for performing).

  In the gaming machine, when power is turned on, random number history information stored in the RAM 213 provided in the main control unit (main control board) 201 is deleted. In the state where the random number history information exists, a new random number is generated based on the random number history information stored in the RAM 213. The more random numbers to be generated, the more unique random number history information for each gaming machine is stored.

  On the other hand, immediately after the random number history information is erased, the generated random numbers are easier to guess from the outside than when the random number history information is stored. Because there is a fraudulent act that makes it easy to generate jackpots by erasing the random number history information stored in the RAM 213 and making it easier to predict the random numbers that are subsequently generated by exploiting the tendency of such gaming machines When the power is turned on, it is necessary to inform the store clerk that the random number history information in the RAM 213 has been erased. For this reason, the error notification priority when power is turned on is set to “1”.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an error that may occur in the gaming machine and the operation of each unit when each error occurs. In FIG. 5, each error that can occur in the gaming machine (see “Item” column in FIG. 5) is associated with an error message displayed on the symbol display unit 104 when each error occurs.

  The error message indicates the error content, for example, “board surface error”, “dish full error”, or respond to the error, such as “please call a staff member” or “please remove the ball”. It may be the content of guidance. The error message is displayed at a different position in the symbol display unit 104 for each error command. As a result, even when a plurality of errors occur simultaneously, the details of the errors that have occurred can be notified via the symbol display unit 104.

  Further, among the errors that can occur in the gaming machine (see the “Item” column in FIG. 5), some errors are associated with a voice that guides the occurrence of the error. The voice is, for example, a voice that is a combination of a message indicating the content of the error “RAM is cleared” and a siren (warning sound) such as “Beep!

  In addition, among the errors that can occur in the gaming machine (see the “Item” column in FIG. 5), for some errors, light emission from the LED provided on the gaming board 101 is designated. As the light emission pattern, for example, a light emission pattern in which part or all of the LEDs provided on the game board 101 are turned on (or blinked) is designated.

(Functional configuration of production control unit)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the effect control unit (effect control board) and its surroundings. In FIG. 6, the effect control unit (effect control board) 202 includes an error command receiving unit 601, an error command storage unit 602, an error notification control unit 604, a time measuring unit 603, and a comparison unit 605. .

  The error command receiving unit 601 receives an error command. The error command receiving unit 601 sequentially receives the output error commands every time an error command is output from the main control unit 201. The error command receiving unit 601 can realize its function by an I / F (not shown) included in the effect control unit 202, for example.

  The error command storage unit 602 stores the error received by the error command receiving unit 601 every time an error command is received. The error command storage unit 602 stores the received error command during an error notification execution period corresponding to the received error command. Here, the error notification execution period is a time determined based on the notification time described below. The error command storage unit 602 can realize its function by, for example, the RAM 243 in the effect control unit 202.

  Each time an error command is stored in the error command storage unit 602, the time measuring unit 603 measures the elapsed time since the stored error command is received for each stored error command. When a plurality of error commands are received in order, the time measuring unit 603 measures the elapsed time from the time when each error command is received. The timer 603 can be realized, for example, by a timer function provided in the CPU 241 in the effect control unit 202 described above.

  The error notification control unit 604 controls the voice output unit 277 every time an error command is received by the error command reception unit 601, and continuously performs voice error notification based on the error command. Here, the voice based on the error command is, for example, a voice that is a combination of a message indicating the content of the error “RAM is cleared” and a warning sound such as “Beep! .

  The error notification control unit 604 controls the notification time set for each error command and the voice output unit 277, and continuously performs error notification by voice based on the error command. Here, the notification time is a time from when the error command receiving unit 601 receives an error command until a predetermined time elapses.

  In this case, the time measuring unit 603 measures the time from when the error command is received by the error command receiving unit 601 until the notification time elapses. The error notification control unit 604 can be realized by the CPU 241 executing a program stored in the ROM 242 or the RAM 243 in the effect control unit 202 described above.

  Further, the notification time may be a time from when the error command receiving unit 601 receives an error command to when an error command end command is received. In this case, the time measuring unit 603 does not measure the time, waits for the reception of the end command of each error command for each received error command, and deletes the end command from the error command storage unit 602 in order from the received error command. .

  The notification time is set according to the error command. For example, the notification time of error notification performed in response to an error command having a high priority according to the above priority order corresponds to an error command having other low priority order. Thus, it can be set longer than the notification time of error notification performed. It is also possible to set an arbitrary length for each error command. The time counting unit 603 times a notification time for performing error notification by the error notification control unit 604.

  When the error command receiving unit 601 receives an error command, the error notification control unit 604 displays a liquid crystal display such as an error message corresponding to the received error command on the symbol display unit 104 in addition to the above voice. It may be output. In addition, when the error command receiving unit 601 receives an error command, the error notification control unit 604 turns on or turns on the LED provided on the game board 101 and the operation handle 113 and the CHANCE button in addition to the above voice. You may make it blink.

  When the error command receiving unit 601 receives an error command (hereinafter referred to as “reception error command”), the error notification control unit 604 is already based on another error command (hereinafter referred to as “in-execution error command”). When error notification is performed, a predetermined priority order is compared between the received error command and the error command being executed. Then, as a result of the comparison, which error command has a higher priority is determined.

  For example, when the power-on designation command is received during execution of error notification according to the door opening error start designation command, the comparison unit 605 compares the door opening error start designation command with the power-on designation command, The power-on specification command is determined to be an error command with a higher priority. The comparison by the comparison unit 605 is performed every time another error command is newly received during the execution of the error notification process corresponding to the error command.

  The error notification control unit 604 continues the notification based on the reception error command during the notification time only when the priority is higher than the error command being executed as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 605. Do it. Specifically, for example, when a power-on designation command is received during execution of an error notification according to a door opening error start designation command, instead of an error notification according to a door opening error start designation command, Performs error notification according to the power-on specification command.

  When the error notification control unit has not received a door opening error end designation command instructing to stop the door opening error notification at the time when the error notification corresponding to the error command having a higher priority is completed, The door opening error notification is executed from the time when the error notification of the specified command is completed until the door opening error end specifying command is received.

  The audio output unit 277 is driven and controlled by the error notification control unit, and outputs audio based on various error commands. For example, when the error notification control unit reports an error in response to a power-on designation command, the voice output unit 277 displays a message indicating the content of the error “RAM is cleared” and “Beep! ”And other warning sounds are continuously output.

(Processing procedure of production control unit)
Next, the contents of the processing procedure of the effect control unit 202 will be described. 7 and FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the effect control unit (effect control board).

  First, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, when an error command is received after waiting for the reception of an error command (step S701: Yes), the reception error command is received at step S701, and from that point in time. In step S702, it is determined whether an error notification by another error command (execution error command) that has already been received is in progress.

  Here, when error notification by another error command is not being performed (step S702: No), error notification processing is performed for the reception error command. Specifically, the notification is started (step S703), and then it is determined whether the notification time is running (step S704). Details regarding whether or not the notification time is in effect will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In step S704, when it is during the notification time (step S704: Yes), the error notification process is continuously executed (step S705), and the process returns to step S704. In this way, error notification processing is executed during the notification time, and when the notification time is not reached in step S704, that is, when a predetermined time has elapsed or an end command is received (step S704: No), The notification is stopped (step S706), and the series of processes is terminated. Although illustration is omitted, after the notification is stopped, the gaming machine is restored with a new command, or the gaming machine is restored to the state before the error notification.

  In step S702, when an error is being notified by another error command (error command being executed), that is, when the error command is duplicated (step S702: Yes), the priority of the received error command and the error command being executed is next. The ranks are compared, and it is determined whether the error command being received has a higher priority than the error command being executed (step S707).

  In step S707, if the reception error command has a higher priority than the error command being executed (step S707: Yes), the error notification process using the reception error command is executed instead of the error notification process using the error command being executed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S703. Since steps S703 to S706 are the same as those described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, when the priority of the received error command is not higher than that of the error command being executed in step S707, that is, the priority of the received error command is lower than that of the error command being executed (step S707: No). The error command during execution has priority. Therefore, it is determined whether the notification of the error command being executed has ended (step S708).

  In step S708, it waits for the notification of the error command being executed to end, and when it is ended (step S708: Yes), it is determined whether it is during the notification time of the reception error command (step S709). Here, if it is during the notification time of the reception error command (step S709: Yes), the process proceeds to step S703, and an error notification process using the reception error command is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is not during the notification time of the reception error command, that is, if the error notification processing by the reception error command has already been completed (step S709: No), there is no need to perform the error notification processing by the reception error command. Without doing so, the series of processing ends.

  8A, first, the process waits until an error command is received (step S801: No). In step S801, the process waits until an error command having a predetermined length of notification time is received. More specifically, when the error notification is terminated, the process waits until an error command that indicates the end time (time point) of the notification time is received without outputting the end designation command.

  When the above error command is received in step S801 (step S801: Yes), timer timing is started (step S802). The process of FIG. 8A is performed for each received error command every time an error command is received. In step S802, timer measurement of the error command received in step S801 is started. . If the length of the notification time is an error command having a predetermined time length, information regarding the notification time may be acquired.

  Subsequently, during the notification time of the error command received in step S801: Yes (step S803), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S804). In step S804, for each error command received in step S801: Yes, it is determined whether a predetermined time associated with each error command has elapsed.

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S804 (step S804: No), the process returns to step S803 and waits for the elapse of the predetermined time. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S804: Yes), it is determined that the notification time has elapsed and is not within the notification time (during the notification time: No) (step S805), and the series of processing ends.

  In FIG. 8B, first, it waits until an error command is received (step S811: No). In step S811, the length of the notification time is indefinite, and it waits until it receives an error command that ends when it receives an error end designation command. Specifically, the process waits until an error command is received that indicates the end time (time point) of the notification time when the end designation command is output.

  In step S811, when the above error command is received (step S811: Yes), timer timing is started (step S812). The process in FIG. 8-2 is performed for each received error command every time an error command is received. In step S812, timer measurement of the error command received in step S811: Yes is started. .

  Subsequently, during the notification time of the error command received in step S811: Yes (step S813), it is determined whether an end command has been received (step S814). In step S814, it is determined whether an end command corresponding to the error command received in step S811: Yes is received.

  In step S814, if the end command has not been received (step S814: No), the process returns to step S813 and waits for reception of the end command. On the other hand, when the end command is received (step S814: Yes), it is determined that the notification time has passed and is not within the notification time (during the notification time: No) (step S815), and the series of processing ends.

  In FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the error notification is performed during the notification time associated with the received error command after waiting until the error command is received. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . Although illustration is omitted, if no command is received in the production control unit (production control board) 202 for a predetermined time after the power of the gaming machine or production control unit (production control board) 202 is turned on, an abnormality occurs. It may be determined that the error notification is made.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, every time an error command is received, fraudulent acts are performed by continuously performing voice error notification based on the error command during the notification time. Attention can be drawn to gaming machines that may (or will be) performed.

  Further, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when an error command is received and an error notification based on another error command has already been performed, the received error command and the error notification are being executed. Comparing a predetermined priority with an error command, and if the received error command has a higher priority than the error command being executed as a result of the comparison, the above notification is continued. be able to.

  Specifically, for example, when a power-on designation command is received, error notification of the power-on designation command is performed for 30 seconds regardless of which error notification is performed at the timing of receiving the power-on designation command. Do it. Further, for example, when the door opening error signal is received after the execution of the power-on designation command is started, the presenting operation being executed is continuously performed for 30 seconds, regardless of which error command is received. “Continuing for 30 seconds” may mean that intermittent sound is output for 30 seconds, or “B ...!” Continuous sound may be output.

  Thus, when an error with a high priority occurs, the error notification can be performed regardless of whether or not the error notification based on other error commands is executed. For example, when performing error notification in the order in which error commands are received, if an error with a relatively low notification time with a relatively low priority occurs during notification of an error with a high priority, the error notification voice with a high priority is given priority. Although it may be interrupted by a voice with a relatively low error, according to the gaming machine of the embodiment, error notification according to an error command with a high priority may be executed without being interrupted. it can.

  In addition, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, other error commands that have already notified the error when the error command is received have a higher priority or the same priority as the received error command. If notification based on an error command during execution of error notification ends, if notification time of an error command received later is being measured, notification based on the received error command is started and timed in the RAM 213 Until the expired time expires, notification based on the error command received later can be continued.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the illegal acts on the gaming machine are patroled around customers and stores around the gaming machine according to the priority order based on the seriousness of damage caused by the illegal acts. The store clerk can be informed and can efficiently and effectively find gaming machines that may be fraudulent.

  As described above, the production control board, the gaming machine, and the program according to the present invention relate to a gaming machine having a function of notifying the surroundings of an illegal act on the gaming machine using voice, and in particular, an action that involves turning off and on the power. It is suitable for a gaming machine having a function of notifying the surroundings using voice, an effect control board provided in the gaming machine, and a program.

202 Production control unit (production control board)
601 Error command receiving unit 602 Error command storage unit 603 Timing unit 604 Error notification control unit 605 Comparison unit

Claims (3)

An effect control board that performs predetermined effect control according to a command output from the main control board,
Command receiving means for receiving a panel error start command,
Every time the command receiving means receives the board surface error start designation command, until a predetermined time elapses (hereinafter referred to as “informing time”), the voice based on the board surface error start specification command is used. While continuing to report errors,
When an error notification is issued based on the power-on designation command or the power-on designation command when the command receiving means receives a board surface error start designation command, the power-on designation command or the power-on designation command is used. If the notification is based on the board surface error error start designation command at the time when the notification based on the board is completed, the notification based on the board surface error error start designation command is started. Error notification control means for continuously performing notification based on;
An effect control board comprising:   A gaming machine comprising the effect control board according to claim 1. A program to be executed by an effect control board that performs predetermined effect control according to a command output from the main control board,
A command receiving process for receiving a board error error start designation command;
Every time the board surface error start specification command is received in the command receiving step, until a predetermined time elapses (hereinafter referred to as “notifying time”), the voice based on the board surface error start specification command is used. While continuing to report errors,
When an error notification is issued based on the power-on designation command or the power-on designation command when the board surface error start designation command is received by the command receiving process, the power-on designation command or the power-on designation command is used. If the notification is based on the board surface error error start designation command at the time when the notification based on the board is completed, the notification based on the board surface error error start designation command is started. An error notification control step of continuously performing notification based on
Is executed by the production control board.

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