JP2010158361A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a fraudulent act for winning a prize through fraudulently initializing a game machine and to prevent a memory clear process from being fraudulently performed when a power source is turned on. <P>SOLUTION: In this game machine, a memory clear signal transmitted by a memory clear switch provided on a power source is transmitted to a main substrate via a release control section. When receiving a memory clear signal, the release control section determines whether the timing of receiving the memory clear signal coincides with the timing of starting the power source or not. If it determines that the timing of receiving the memory clear signal does not coincide with the timing of starting the power source, the memory clear signal is nullified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a ball game machine (pachinko machine), and more particularly to a technique for preventing an act of illegally initializing a gaming machine.

  A ball ball game machine (a so-called pachinko machine) installed in a game machine installation store (hall) or the like uses a game ball (also called a game medium) to play a game. The borrowed game balls are launched to the board surface provided on the game board of the ball game machine, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out each time the game balls enter a predetermined winning opening. The game balls to be paid out are called prize balls.

There are the following winning holes provided on the board of the ball game machine.
(1) Ordinary winning device (2) Start chucker (starting winning device)
(3) Attacker (Large winning device)
(4) Through chucker (winning chucker)

The start chucker (starting winning device) is also called a specific winning device. When a game ball is accepted by the start chucker (start prize-winning device) and enters the winning state, the prize ball is paid out and an electronic lottery is performed. In the case of winning, the game state is advantageous to the player from the normal state. Thus, the attacker (large winning device) is opened.
The attacker (large winning device) is also called a special winning device.

  The through chucker (winning chucker) does not pay out the winning ball directly, but is included in the winning slot in this specification. When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the through chucker (winning chucker), an electronic lottery is performed. When winning, a predetermined start chucker (starting winning device) is set so that a game state is advantageous to the player. The time is released to make it easier for the game ball to enter the start chucker (start prize winning device). The game ball received by the through chucker (winning chucker) moves on the board as it is and is received by another winning port or discharge port (out port).

  In recent years, pachinko machines are known that generate special benefits for players by the display screen of a variable display device (center accessory) provided in the center of the game board. For example, an action called “winning” is started by a combination of symbols when the symbols displayed on the variable display device (center role) fluctuate and stop, and a large winning device provided below the game board surface continues. In some cases, a large number of winning balls are paid out to the player because a large number of winnings are obtained during that time. Such a pachinko machine is provided with a random number generating means for determining hits, and when a game ball is won in the start winning device, it extracts the random number of the random number generating means and changes the design of the variable display device (center accessory) When the extracted random number value matches a predetermined condition, the display variation of the variable display device (center accessory) is stopped at the winning symbol, and the hitting operation is started. As the random number generating means, there are one constituted by hardware such as a counter and a register, or one realized by a counter executed by software.

With reference to Fig.8 (a), description is added about the internal structure of the conventional game machine.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit (also referred to as a “main board”) that performs electrical game control processing and generates main processing information.
Reference numeral 40b denotes a sub-control unit (also referred to as “sub-board”) that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing by obtaining the processing information generated by the control unit 40.
A payout control unit 42 performs payout control of prize balls.

  PS is a power supply unit that supplies a DC voltage such as +5 V to the control unit 40, the sub-control unit 40b, the payout control unit 42, and other units. The power supply unit PS includes a memory clear switch MCLR, a reset circuit C1 that generates a reset signal, and a power interruption monitoring circuit C2 that detects a decrease in power supply voltage, together with a power supply device (not shown) that generates the DC power supply.

  A plurality of wire harnesses (wirings) come out from the power supply unit PS, and they are connected to the control unit 40, the sub-control unit 40b, the payout control unit 42, and other units. A power supply, a memory clear signal (RAM clear signal), a reset signal, a power interruption signal, and the like are sent through the wire harness.

  In FIG. 8, the control unit 40 and the sub-control unit 40b are drawn as dotted lines in the game board (exchange member). This is because the control unit 40 and the sub-control unit 40b are one in terms of physical arrangement. It means that the power supply unit PS and the payout control unit 42 can be separated from each other as a unit. On the other hand, the power supply unit PS and the payout control unit 42 are both located at the lower back of the gaming machine, and both are arranged relatively close to each other.

JP 2007-244799 A JP 2004-89701 A JP 2003-230727 A

  Specifically, the random number generation means described above is a counter that operates at a constant period. That is, the generated random number repeats a value from an initial value (0000) to a maximum value (for example, FFFF) at a constant cycle. By the way, the gaming machine has a built-in backup power source that supplies power to the memory when the power is turned off, and the contents of the memory are not erased by the power being turned off, and the random number holds the value immediately before the power is turned off. In order to bring the memory to the initial state when the power is turned on (in other words, to clear the memory), the gaming machine must be turned on while the memory clear switch MCLR is turned on. When the memory clear switch MCLR is on, a memory clear signal is output from the power supply unit PS. The memory clear is not performed every time the power is turned on.

  When the power is turned on, the CPU of the control unit 40a checks the state of the memory clear switch MCLR at that time. If it is on, that is, if the memory clear signal is valid, the CPU clears all areas of the memory (initial state) after performing the startup process. After that, a predetermined process for performing the normal process is executed to shift to the normal process, and the game can be accepted. In normal processing, random numbers are generated. Specifically, data in a predetermined area (address) of the memory is defined as a random value (for example, a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535), and the data is incremented by 1 at a predetermined interval (for example, Counting up from 0 to 65535) is repeated.

  As can be seen from the above description, the random number of the gaming machine is an updated value in which the counting operation is regularly repeated at a constant period unless a specific process such as initialization is performed. When the memory clear switch MCLR is turned on and the power is turned on, the initial value is the same every time. Therefore, knowing the time from power-on to starting normal processing and the repetitive cycle for updating random numbers, it is possible to predict the random number value to be updated at any point in time, and obtain the desired random number value It is also possible to win big hits.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, an illegal board X is provided in the middle of the wire harness, and a memory clear signal or a reset signal is illegally output from the board X to clear the memory, thereby predicting a random value. There is a dishonest act.

  Since the actual random number generation cycle is very short, it is difficult to adjust the hitting timing so as to obtain a desired updated random number value by human skill. However, a fraudulent act of acquiring a desired updated random number value is performed using a device called a sensory device that directly senses a certain tempo in order to notify the timing of hitting the ball. A ball hitting timing that increases the probability of generating a hit by wearing a sensory device that stores the activation processing time and random number generation cycle in advance, playing the game, and starting the sensory sensor operation when the power is turned on. It seems to let you know. Although the use of such sensation devices is not permitted, it is difficult to detect them. Therefore, it is required to make it difficult to predict random numbers generated by gaming machines as a countermeasure for the sensory device.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent unauthorized execution of memory clear.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a control unit that includes a memory and executes a control process related to a game, a payout control unit that pays out game media based on a command from the control unit, and at least the control unit and the payout control unit A power supply for supplying power to the power supply, a first wire harness connecting the power supply and the payout controller, a second wire harness connecting the payout controller and the controller, and initializing the contents of the memory And a memory clear switch for
The power supply unit generates a memory clear signal when the memory clear switch is operated, and sends the memory clear signal to the payout control unit through the first wire harness.
The payout control unit includes a processing unit, a power receiving unit that receives power from the power source unit through the first wire harness, and power transmission for sending power received by the power receiving unit through the second wire harness to the control unit. And a reset circuit that monitors a voltage of the power receiving unit and generates a predetermined reset signal at the rising edge of the voltage,
The processing unit of the payout control unit is
Monitoring the memory clear signal of the first wire harness;
If the memory clear signal is received, determine whether the reception timing of the memory clear signal is based on the reset signal when the power is turned on,
When it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is when the power is turned on, the memory clear signal is sent to the control unit through the second wire harness,
When it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is not when the power is turned on, the memory clear signal is invalidated,
The control unit includes a processing unit, and a power receiving unit that receives power from the power transmission unit of the payout control unit through the second wire harness,
The processing unit of the control unit is
Monitoring the memory clear signal of the second wire harness;
When the memory clear signal is received, a predetermined memory clear process is executed.

The control unit further includes a reset circuit that monitors the voltage of the power receiving unit and generates a predetermined reset signal at the rising edge of the voltage,
The processing unit of the control unit determines whether the reception timing of the memory clear signal is a power-up time based on the reset signal of the reset circuit,
When it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is when the power is turned on, the memory clear process is executed,
The memory clear process may not be executed when it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is not when the power is turned on.

When the processing unit of the payout control unit determines that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is not when the power is turned on, a predetermined memory clear error signal is generated and transmitted to the control unit,
The processing unit of the control unit may execute a predetermined error process when receiving the memory clear error signal.

  The memory clear error signal may be obtained by inverting the bit of the memory clear signal.

  According to the present invention, the memory clear signal from the memory clear switch provided in the power supply unit is given to the control unit (main board) via the payout control unit, and the memory other than when the power supply is turned on in the payout control unit. By invalidating the clear signal, it is possible to prevent unauthorized execution of memory clear.

It is a perspective view which shows the surface structure of a game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a game machine. It is a figure (front view) which shows the mode of the board surface seen from the player. It is a functional block diagram of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply system which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the memory clear signal process of the payout control part which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the reception process of the control part which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply system of the conventional game machine.

An outline of the structure of the ball game machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
First, the external structure of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The outer frame 50 is a wooden frame member having a vertical rectangular shape for fixing to an installation location (island facilities or the like) provided in a gaming machine installation sales shop.
The main body member 51 is a member that is provided inside the outer frame 50 and serves as a longitudinal rectangular gaming machine base body that is rotatably attached to the outer frame via a hinge portion 51a. The main body member 51 is formed in a frame shape and has a space portion inside thereof.
The opening frame door 52 is mounted on the front surface of the main body member 51 on the front side of the gaming machine so as to be openable and closable, and is configured in a frame shape so that the inside is an opening. It is a door member.
A transparent plate member made of glass or resin is provided at the opening of the opening frame door 52, and an electrical decoration 52a, a speaker 52b, and the like are attached in the vicinity of the opening.
A game board (not shown in FIG. 1), which will be described later, is detachably attached to the main body member 51 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space of the main body member 51. After the game board is mounted on the main body member 51, the game area can be observed from the opening.

The door 53 with a ball tray is a door member provided at least with a ball tray for storing a game ball attached to the lower part of the main body member 51 on the front surface of the gaming machine so as to have a lock function and be openable and closable. In addition, the following members are attached to the door with a ball tray in the present embodiment.
(1) A ball tray in which a plurality of game balls can be stored and a passage for guiding the game balls to the firing drive device 48 is provided.
(2) A rotary operation handle 48b for performing an operation of launching the stored game ball guided to the launch drive device 48 to a game area provided on the board surface 11 of the game board 10.
(3) A ball lending-related operation unit provided with buttons for instructing a read-in related to reading a paid card and a lending process related to a borrowed game ball.
(4) A storage ball discharge operation button for a ball tray for releasing the game ball stored in the ball tray into a game ball collecting container (common name, dollar box).

Next, an internal configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit that is provided via the main body member 51 or the game board 11 or a support member attached thereto, and performs electrical game control processing to generate main processing information.
40b is provided through the main body member 51 or the game board 11 or a support member provided to the main body member 51, or a sub member that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing by obtaining processing information generated by the control unit 40. It is a control unit.
A payout control unit 42 performs payout control of prize balls.
43 is a game ball payout device for paying out game balls.
Reference numeral 44 denotes an electric decoration control unit that controls a lamp and electric decoration 52a (not shown).
An acoustic control unit 46 generates sound by controlling and driving the speaker 52b.
49 is a control device for controlling the firing drive device 48, and is a launch control device for controlling the launch of a game ball to a game area provided on the board surface via a rotary operation handle 48b.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board of the gaming machine.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a board surface of the game board 10. The board surface 11 changes the direction of the guide rail 12, the discharge port (out port) 13 that guides the game ball that has fallen through the substantially circular game area defined by the guide rail 12, and the direction of the game ball that moves in the game area. It is a rectangular board surface provided with a plurality of obstacles such as the nailing 14 and the windmill 14a.

  The game area of the board surface 11 described above is partitioned and formed into a substantially circular shape by the guide rail 12 (including a sliding part for sliding the game ball and a regulation part for regulating the game ball), and the movement of the game ball that has been launched It is an area that regulates the range. A restricting portion is provided to follow the sliding portion. The sliding portion is arranged on the board surface 11 in a spiral as a whole.

  The discharge port (out port) 13 is a collection opening provided at a position where the game balls thrown into the game area converge.

  The game nails as the obstacles 14 are a plurality of rod-shaped members that are driven into appropriate positions on the board surface 11 in order to make the movement direction irregular by contacting with the game ball or to restrict the movement direction.

Reference numeral 30a denotes a variable display device (center accessory) that is provided at the center or slightly above the game area and has one or more variable display sections such as an effect display lamp and an LCD (liquid crystal display device).
30b is a through chucker (winning chucker).
30c is a normal winning device having a normal winning opening.
30d is a start chucker (start winning device) having a start winning opening.
30e is an attacker having a big prize opening.
In the following description, 30b to 30d may be collectively referred to as a winning opening 30 or the like.
Although not shown, the ball passage detectors 20b, 20c, and 20d are provided inside the 30b, 30c, and 30d (the reference numerals in parentheses in the figure mean that).

The start winning device of the start chucker 30d is also called a specific winning device, and the big winning device of the attacker 30e is also called a special winning device.
The start chucker (start winning device) 30d is provided with movable pieces on both sides for expanding and contracting the opening range of the winning opening, making a variable display by winning a game ball and winning a prize for a player. Device.
The attacker (large winning device) 30e is driven and controlled by a movable door that exposes the winning port and closes the winning port, and is compared with other winning devices by winning game balls. This is a winning device that allows more prize balls to be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a control unit that performs electrical game control processing and generates main processing information. The control unit 40 moves (flows down) the game area and receives signals from the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d that detect the game balls that have passed through the winning holes 30b to 30d, respectively, and passes the gaming balls through the winning holes 30b to 30d. A winning determination unit 40a for performing a lottery / determination in accordance with the selection.

  The winning determination unit 40a includes a random number generation unit 40a-1 that generates random numbers for lottery. The random number generator 40a-1 generates a plurality of random numbers for various lotteries. Specifically, the generation method is a counting operation in which data in a predetermined area (address) of the memory is defined as a random number value and the data is incremented by 1 at a predetermined time interval. When the random number increases and reaches the maximum value MAX, it returns to the minimum value MIN (for example, 0000). The same is repeated again. This process is also called a random number update process. Since the memory is cleared when the power is turned on with the memory clear switch MCLR turned on, the random number value of the random number generator 40a-1 returns to the initial value (for example, 0000).

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a display control unit that turns on an effect display lamp of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a and displays an image related to the effect on an LCD (liquid crystal display device). The display control unit 41, in accordance with the result of the electronic winning / losing lottery based on establishment of a predetermined condition in the winning determination unit 40a provided in the control unit 40 (for example, winning of a game ball to the start winning device 30d, etc.) It is also a display control device that performs stop display after variably displaying the identification display information (effect display on the LCD of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a). Furthermore, the display control unit 41 determines the identification lighting information (in accordance with the result of electronic determination of lottery based on the establishment of a predetermined condition in the winning determination unit 40a (for example, the passing of a game ball to a predetermined passing port). This is a display control device that performs stop display after variable display of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a is lit and displayed on the effect display lamp.

  The LCD of the variable display device (center accessory) 30a is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and also displays a background image, various characters, and the like in an animated manner. When it is detected that the game ball has passed through the start chucker (start winning device) 30d, the displayed symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and the lottery is drawn when the game ball start chucker (start winning device) 30d passes. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery is displayed on the LCD and stopped. The attacker 30e includes an opening / closing plate that can be opened forward. When the symbol after the LCD fluctuation stops is a winning symbol such as “777”, a special game called “big hit” is started, and the opening / closing plate of the attacker 30e is opened a predetermined number of times. After the opening / closing plate of the attacker 30e is opened, the opening / closing plate is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls are won.

42 is a payout control unit that receives the signal of the winning determination unit 40a and controls the game ball payout device 43 according to the game balls passing through the winning holes 30b to 30d and / or according to the lottery / determination result. .
43 is a game ball payout device provided with a driving source for paying out a predetermined number of game balls according to the result of the lottery / determination according to the game balls passing through the winning openings 30b to 30d and / or as the game profits. .

  Reference numeral 40b denotes a sub-control unit that performs control to perform predetermined output mode processing including effects such as blinking of light and generation of sound by obtaining the processing information generated by the control unit 40.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a lamp control unit for controlling lighting of the lamp / electric decoration 52a and the like provided on the gaming board 10 or the gaming machine casing.
An acoustic control unit 46 generates sound effects / sounds through a speaker 52b provided in the gaming board 10 or the gaming machine casing.

  PS is a power supply unit that supplies a DC voltage such as +12 V to the control unit 40, the sub-control unit 40b, and other units. The power supply unit PS includes a memory clear switch MCLR as well as a power switch PW for turning on and off the power. When the power switch PW is turned on, the memory clear switch MCLR is operated to clear the memory and start the gaming machine from the initial state.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a concentrated terminal board that relays a signal from the control unit 40 and sends it to a hall computer (not shown).

  The winning devices 30b to 30d provided in the game area are respectively provided with ball passage detectors (for example, switches) 20b to 20d so that the passage of the game ball can be detected. When the position of any of the winning devices 30b to 30d passes, the ball passage detectors 20b to 20d detect this, and the winning determination unit 40a performs a predetermined lottery / determination process. For example, when the ball passage detector 20b detects a game ball that has passed through the through chucker (winning chucker) 30b, a predetermined lottery is performed, and when winning, the start chucker (starting winning device) 30d is released for a predetermined time. That is, a pair of movable pieces provided opposite to each other on both the left and right sides of the start chucker (start winning device) 30d are opened outward. At the same time, the effect of winning is displayed on the variable display device (center accessory) 30a. Then, when it is detected that the game ball has passed the start chucker (starting winning device) 30d, a predetermined lottery is performed, and when winning, the big winning device of the attacker 30e is released.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram relating to the power supply system of the control unit 40, the sub-control unit 40 b and the payout control unit 42.

  The power supply unit PS and the payout control unit 42 are connected by a wire harness H1, the payout control unit 42 and the control unit 40 are connected by a wire harness H2, and the control unit 40 and the sub control unit 40b are connected by a wire harness H3. There is no wire harness connecting between the power supply unit PS and the control unit 40 and the sub-control unit 40b. Therefore, the control unit 40 receives power from the power supply unit PS via the payout control unit 42.

  The control unit 40 and the payout control unit 42 include voltage conversion circuits 401 and 421, reset circuits 40C1 and 42C1, and power interruption monitoring circuits 40C2 and 42C2, respectively.

  The voltage conversion circuits 401 and 421 are circuits that convert a predetermined voltage (12V) output from the power supply unit PS into a voltage (5V) required by itself. As this circuit, a known circuit, for example, a three-terminal regulator IC is used.

  The reset circuits 40C1 and 42C1 monitor the power supply voltage (secondary voltage) output from the voltage conversion circuits 401 and 421, and when the power is turned on, in other words, the voltage is changed from 0V to a predetermined value (threshold value of 5V or less). It is a circuit that outputs a predetermined reset signal when it starts up. A known circuit such as a reset IC is used for this circuit.

  The power interruption monitoring circuits 40C2 and 42C2 monitor the power supply voltage (primary side voltage) output from the power supply unit PS, and when the power supply is cut off, in other words, the voltage falls below a predetermined value (threshold value of 5V or less). And a circuit for outputting a predetermined power interruption signal. A known circuit such as a voltage detection IC is used for this circuit. Upon receiving the power interruption signal, the CPU (processing unit) executes a predetermined power interruption process. Since the voltage conversion circuits 401 and 421 include a capacitor, the secondary voltage is maintained for a predetermined time even if the primary voltage decreases. In the meantime, the CPU can execute the power interruption process.

  The control unit 40 and the payout control unit 42 include a CPU and a RAM (memory). The sub-control unit 40b is the same, but its display is omitted in FIG. The RAM is backed up (not shown) by a primary battery, a secondary battery, a large-capacity capacitor, etc., and the contents are not lost even when the gaming machine is turned off. The backup power supply is provided in the power supply unit PS, but may be provided in each of the control unit 40 and the payout control unit 42.

  The CPU of the control unit 40 and the CPU of the payout control unit 42 can mutually transmit and receive serial signals through the wire harness H2. For example, a payout command is transmitted from the control unit 40 to the payout control unit 42, and a memory clear signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 42 to the control unit 40 (this will be described later).

  The voltage conversion circuits 401 and 421 may be referred to as a power receiving unit that receives power including a terminal of a connector (not shown) that receives a harness and internal wiring. The payout control unit 42 further includes a power transmission unit for sending the power received by the power reception unit to the control unit 40. In the example of FIG. 5, only the primary power supply (12 V) is transferred from the power supply unit PS, and therefore the wiring that connects the terminal of the connector that receives the wire harness H1 to the terminal that receives the wire harness H2 corresponds to the power transmission unit. . In FIG. 5, the power transmission unit is denoted by reference numeral 422. Note that a voltage conversion circuit 401 may be provided in the dispensing control unit 42 so that the secondary power supply (5 V) is supplied to the control unit 40 through the wire harness H2. In this case, the voltage conversion circuit 401, the terminal of the connector, and the internal wiring correspond to the power transmission unit.

  The power supply unit PS includes the memory clear switch MCLR as described above. The output enters the CPU of the payout control unit 42, undergoes predetermined processing, and is transmitted to the control board 40 as a memory clear signal (this point will be described later).

Next, a power interruption process using a power interruption signal will be described.
The power interruption process is to restart a game such as information on the immediately preceding game before the game machine is turned off and stopped, in other words, between the power-off operation and the actual drop in power supply voltage. This is a process of storing data necessary for storage in a memory (RAM). For example, all the checksum detection target areas of the RAM are added and stored at the predetermined address. Since this process is publicly known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, reset processing (initialization processing) using a reset signal will be described.
The reset process includes a common process such as an internal check that is executed when the power is turned on, and an initial activation or a power recovery activation that is performed when the memory clear switch MCLR is pressed.

  In the initial activation, processing such as clearing all the contents of the RAM and setting data at the initial activation is performed. Random number data is also cleared, making it easier to predict random numbers and win. It is this initial activation that fraudsters aim for.

  In the power recovery activation, the process is resumed based on the data stored in the RAM. Since the random number data is not cleared and its initial value varies every time the power is turned on, it is difficult to predict the random number.

  Operations of the payout control unit 42 and the control unit 40 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The payout control unit 42 and the control unit 40 execute various processes in addition to the processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, all of which are known processes, and according to the embodiment of the present invention. Since they are not directly related to the processing, their explanation is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart of the memory clear signal of the payout control unit 42. This process is for relaying the memory clear signal received from the power supply unit PS to the control unit 40. As described above, the memory clear signal is a signal generated when the memory clear switch MCLR of the power supply unit PS is pressed, and is a signal for executing the initial activation.

S10: The CPU of the payout control unit 42 monitors the memory clear signal.

S11: If a memory clear signal is received (YES), the processing after S12 is executed.

S12: It is determined whether the reception timing of the memory clear signal is when the power is turned on. Specifically, the CPU determines YES in S12 when receiving the reset signal of the reset circuit 40C1 simultaneously with the reception of the memory clear signal. The memory clear signal is generated only when the power is turned on. In other words, a predetermined pulse signal is generated when the secondary voltage rises from 0 V and exceeds a predetermined threshold (threshold of 5 V or less). . The memory clear signal usually does not occur at timings other than power-up, and there is a possibility of fraud. Therefore, in the case of NO in S12, the control unit 40 is not allowed to perform the initial activation.

S13: If YES in S12, the memory clear process of the payout controller 42 is executed, and S14: A memory clear signal is generated and transmitted to the control board 40. Transmission is serial transmission. The memory clear process is a process for executing the above-described initial activation.

S15: If NO in S12, the memory clear signal is invalidated. In other words, the propagation of the memory clear signal to the control unit 40 is prevented. As a result, the control unit 40 does not perform initial activation. Invalidation includes not only erasing a specific signal but also not performing a process on the signal (for example, outputting the signal).

S16: Together with S15, a signal indicating that the memory clear signal has been received (memory clear error signal) may be generated and transmitted to the control unit 40 at times other than when the power is turned on.

  FIG. 7 is a reception process flowchart of the control unit 40. This is a process executed by the control unit 40 when receiving a signal from the payout control unit 42. There are various signals from the payout control unit 42. Here, processing related to the memory clear signal will be described.

S20: The signal from the payout control unit 42 is monitored.

S21: If a signal is received (YES), the processing from S22 is executed.

S22: It is determined whether the received signal is a memory clear signal. If it is a memory clear signal (YES), memory clear processing, that is, initial activation is performed (S24). At this time, the reset signal of the reset circuit 40C1 may be checked, and the memory clear process may be executed only when the reset signal is generated.

S23: It is determined whether the received signal is a memory clear error signal. If it is a memory clear error signal (YES), error processing is performed (S26). For example, the game is stopped and error notification is performed. If it is not a memory error signal (NO), other processing corresponding to the received signal is executed (S25). Description of other processing is omitted.

  The memory clear error signal may be obtained by inverting the bit of the memory clear signal. For example, if the memory clear signal is 410 and 1010, the memory clear signal is set to 0101. Alternatively, only a part thereof may be inverted (for example, 0010 in which the first bit is inverted).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the memory clear signal from the memory clear switch provided in the power supply unit is given to the control unit via the payout control unit, and the memory clearing at a time other than when the power is turned on in the payout control unit. By invalidating the signal, it is possible to prevent unauthorized execution of memory clear using an unauthorized substrate.

  Further, since the power from the power supply unit is supplied to the control board and the sub control board via the payout control board, only one wire harness connected from the power supply part is connected to the payout control board. Unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of wire harnesses for each substrate. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, by making communication between the payout control unit and the control unit serial communication, it is possible to reduce the number of wires of the wire harness connecting between them and the number of pins of the connector.

  Since the reset circuit and the power interruption monitoring circuit are provided in each of the payout control unit and the control unit, the initialization process and the power interruption process can be surely executed for each substrate. For example, even when noise is superimposed on the wire harness between the payout control unit and the control unit and the operation of any CPU becomes unstable, if it is accompanied by fluctuations in the power supply voltage, the initialization process And normal operation can be restored by the power interruption process.

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

40 control unit 401 voltage conversion circuit (power receiving unit)
40C1 reset circuit 40C2 power-off monitoring circuit 40b sub-control unit 42 payout control unit 421 voltage conversion circuit (power receiving unit)
422 Power line to control unit (power transmission unit)
42C1 reset circuit 42C2 power-off monitoring circuit H1 first wire harness H2 second wire harness H3 third wire harness MCLR memory clear switch RAM memory CPU processing unit

Claims (4)

A control unit that includes a memory and executes a control process related to a game; a payout control unit that pays out game media based on a command from the control unit; and a power supply unit that supplies power to at least the control unit and the payout control unit A first wire harness connecting the power supply unit and the payout control unit, a second wire harness connecting the payout control unit and the control unit, and a memory clear switch for initializing the contents of the memory Prepared,
The power supply unit generates a memory clear signal when the memory clear switch is operated, and sends the memory clear signal to the payout control unit through the first wire harness.
The payout control unit includes a processing unit, a power receiving unit that receives power from the power source unit through the first wire harness, and power transmission for sending power received by the power receiving unit through the second wire harness to the control unit. A reset circuit that monitors the voltage of the power receiving unit and generates a predetermined reset signal at the rising edge of the voltage,
The processing unit of the payout control unit is
Monitoring the memory clear signal of the first wire harness;
If the memory clear signal is received, determine whether the reception timing of the memory clear signal is based on the reset signal when the power is turned on,
When it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is when the power is turned on, the memory clear signal is sent to the control unit through the second wire harness,
When it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is not when the power is turned on, the memory clear signal is invalidated,
The control unit includes a processing unit, and a power receiving unit that receives power from the power transmission unit of the payout control unit through the second wire harness,
The processing unit of the control unit is
Monitoring the memory clear signal of the second wire harness;
A gaming machine, wherein a predetermined memory clear process is executed when the memory clear signal is received. The control unit further includes a reset circuit that monitors the voltage of the power receiving unit and generates a predetermined reset signal at the rising edge of the voltage,
The processing unit of the control unit determines whether the reception timing of the memory clear signal is a power-up time based on the reset signal of the reset circuit,
When it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is when the power is turned on, the memory clear process is executed,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the memory clear process is not executed when it is determined that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is not when the power is turned on. When the processing unit of the payout control unit determines that the reception timing of the memory clear signal is not when the power is turned on, a predetermined memory clear error signal is generated and transmitted to the control unit,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit of the control unit executes a predetermined error process when receiving the memory clear error signal.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the memory clear error signal is obtained by inverting a bit of the memory clear signal.

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