JP2011030926A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for reliably preventing illegal conducts performed by abusing gaps of connectors for connecting a ball dispenser with a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is formed so as to be connected to the ball dispenser 22. One or more connectors CN are arranged for connecting a control signal line, a ground line and a power supply line to the ball dispenser 22. A transistor Qa and a photocoupler PCa are arranged between the power supply line and the ground line. The transistor Qa performs ON/OFF operation corresponding to a voltage level of a control output signal EXS which is output to the ball dispenser 22. The photocoupler PCa performs ON/OFF operation corresponding to the ON/OFF operation of the transistor Qa. An XOR circuit is formed for detecting the illegal conduct by logically comparing a logic level of the control output signal EXS and a logic level of an output signal of the photocoupler PCa. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a game medium such as a game ball or a game medal, and more particularly, to a game machine that can avoid fraud using a ball lending operation in advance.

  For example, a ball game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium is roughly classified into a CR (Card Reader) machine and a cash machine. In the current CR machine, when cash is thrown into the ball lending machine adjacent to the gaming machine and the ball lending switch of the gaming machine is pressed, for example, 500 yen of gaming balls are lent out from the gaming machine. ing. In this specification, the terms “lending” and “ball lending” are used, but the game ball is paid out from the gaming machine, which is exactly the same as the winning ball operation.

  By the way, the ball lending machine and the ball game machine are connected to each other through, for example, a connection connector for connecting six wiring cables. In this case, when viewed from the ball game machine, the signals transmitted and received through the connection connector are usually six power supply voltage inputs VL, ground inputs LG, BRDY inputs, BRQ inputs, PRDY outputs, and EXS outputs.

  In addition, a switch signal indicating the operation state of the ball lending switch and the return switch is also transmitted from the gaming machine to the ball lending machine through a route different from the connection connector.

  In the ball lending operation, first, the ball lending machine that grasps the ON operation of the ball lending switch continuously outputs the BRDY signal and the BRQ signal of the active level (= L) (operation (1) operation in FIG. 6 ( 2)). Then, in response to the level change of the BRQ signal, the gaming machine outputs an EXS signal of an active level (= L) (operation (3) in FIG. 6), and on condition that the BRQ signal returns to the inactive level ( The operation (4) in FIG. 6, the gaming machine starts 25 ball lending operations.

  Since the gaming machine and the ball lending machine perform the ball lending operation according to the above procedure, if the gap between the connection connectors is abused and the signal lines of the BRDY signal and the BRQ signal are appropriately brought into contact with the ground line, The gaming machine repeats the ball lending operation any number of times. In order to eliminate such illegal activities, the ball lending machine also monitors the EXS signal output from the gaming machine, but when this EXS signal is fixed at the inactive level, the illegal activity can no longer be detected. It will be.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can reliably eliminate illegal acts that exploit the gaps of connection connectors that connect ball lending machines and gaming machines. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an external device for instructing a gaming machine to perform a payout operation of a game medium and executing a clearing process corresponding to the payout operation when receiving a game media rental request operation from a player. A gaming machine configured to be connectable to a device, wherein the control signal line is provided with a single or a plurality of connection connectors for connecting a control signal line, a ground line, and a power supply line to and from the external device. Through the first switch circuit that performs an ON / OFF operation corresponding to the voltage level of the control output signal output to the external device, and the second switch circuit that performs an ON / OFF operation corresponding to the ON / OFF operation of the first switch circuit. And a switch circuit between the power supply line and the ground line, and a logic level of the control output signal and a logic level of the output signal of the second switch circuit. And sense compared, characterized in that a detection circuit for detecting fraud.

  The game medium of the present invention is typically a game ball or a game medal. The power supply voltage transmitted through the power supply line is generated in the external device. The voltage value of the power supply voltage is suitably 12V to 18V in order to ensure a noise margin.

  The first switch circuit preferably receives the control output signal from the connection connector. Such a configuration is excellent in that the detection position is close to an illegal act.

  The first switch circuit is preferably composed of an FET that receives the control output signal at its gate terminal. Such a configuration is excellent in that current does not flow through the first switch circuit in a normal state and does not affect the original circuit. Here, the FET is typically a P-channel MOSFET.

  The second switch circuit is preferably composed of a photocoupler. By adopting such a configuration, the input and output of the second switch circuit can be electrically separated. For the same reason, the control output signal is preferably transmitted to the connection connector via a photocoupler while maintaining a logic level. The detection circuit is typically configured to perform an exclusive OR operation.

  In addition, the present invention is preferably configured to start the payout operation by determining a logical relationship between an instruction signal for instructing the gaming machine to perform a game medium payout operation and a switch signal corresponding to the lending request operation. The The present invention is configured such that when a game medium lending request operation is received from the player, the game machine is instructed to be paid out and connected to an external device that executes a clearing process corresponding to the payout operation. In addition to a connection connector that transmits a switch signal corresponding to the lending request operation to the external device, the gaming machine is provided with a connection connector that receives an instruction signal for the payout operation from the external device, and the instruction signal And the switch signal may be determined, and the payout operation may be started.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to reliably eliminate an illegal act that misuses the gap of the connection connector that connects the ball rental machine and the gaming machine.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The peripheral circuit (a) of the payout control board and the operation principle (b) of the stepping motor are illustrated. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a payout control board. It is a circuit diagram which shows the interface circuit of a payout control board. It is a circuit diagram which does not provide a fraud monitoring circuit. It is a time chart which shows the communication procedure of a ball lending machine and a gaming machine. It is a circuit diagram which shows another Example. It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a side view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG.

  Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall circuit configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. Broken lines in the figure mainly indicate DC voltage lines.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine has a power supply board 7 that receives 24 VDC and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, a RAM clear signal CLR, and the like, and a main control board 1 that is centrally responsible for game control operations. An effect control board 2 that executes a lamp effect and an audio effect based on a control command CMD ′ received from the main control board 1, an effect interface board 3 that transmits a signal received from the effect control board 2 to each part, and an effect The liquid crystal control board 4 that drives the liquid crystal display DISP based on the control command CMD "received from the interface board 3 and the payout motor M based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 1 are used to pay the game ball. The payout control board 5 to be taken out and the launch control board 6 for launching a game ball in response to the player's operation are mainly configured.

  Here, the payout control board 5 is connected to the ball lending machine 22, and the ball lending machine 22 realizes a ball lending operation by the payout control board 5 within the range of the cash inserted here. In order to realize such an operation, the payout control board 5 receives two control signals BRDY and BRQ from the ball lending machine 22 and outputs two control signals EXS and PRDY to the ball lending machine 22. Yes.

  A launch handle 30 is connected to the launch control board 6, and a game ball is launched by intermittently supplying a drive current having a strength corresponding to the rotation position to the rotary solenoid SL1. The ball feed solenoid SL2 is intermittently energized at the same timing, so that the game balls are continuously supplied to the launch position, and the game balls are launched at a speed of about 100 per minute.

  The main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Therefore, in this specification, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the circuits mounted on the payout control board 5 and the operations realized by the circuits are generically named. It may be called the control part 1, the production control part 2, the liquid crystal control part 4, and the payout control part 5. Note that all or part of the effect control unit 2, the liquid crystal control unit 4, and the payout control unit 5 are sub-control units.

  The main control unit 1 transmits a control command CMD to the payout control unit 5 in one direction, while the payout control unit 5 receives a prize ball count signal indicating a payout operation of a game ball, a payout operation, and a ball lending operation. The status signal CON related to the abnormality is received. The status signal CON includes an abnormal signal ERR indicating an abnormal payout operation of the game ball in addition to the supply replenishment signal and the full ball clogging signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 are supplied with a backup power supply BU of DC 5V from a power supply board 7. Therefore, the RAM data in the one-chip microcomputer is retained even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to the end of business or a power failure. In this embodiment, the storage contents of the RAM are designed to be retained for at least several days.

  Further, the power supply board 7 is configured to output a voltage drop signal ABN to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 when the AC power supply 24V is shut off. In this embodiment, the voltage drop signal ABN is supplied to the input port instead of the interrupt terminal of each one-chip microcomputer. The main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 grasp the level drop of the voltage drop signal ABN by the flag sense method, and then save necessary data in the RAM. Therefore, coupled with the operation of the backup power supply BU described above, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 can resume the operation before the power shutoff at the start of business or at the time of recovery from a power failure.

  Furthermore, the power supply board 7 outputs a RAM clear signal CLR indicating an operator's switch operation to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. This switch operation is mainly performed when the power is turned on, but is an operation for erasing the stored contents of the RAM held by the backup power supply BU. Therefore, the control boards 1 and 5 can grasp the presence or absence of the switch operation by the staff by determining the level of the RAM clear signal CLR.

  FIG. 2A illustrates a peripheral circuit of the payout control board 5. As shown in the drawing, the payout control unit 5 not only receives the DC power supply voltage (including the backup power supply BU) from the power supply board 7 but also the RAM clear signal CLR for clearing the RAM of the payout control unit 5 (one-chip microcomputer), A voltage drop signal ABN indicating a voltage drop of the AC power supply and a system reset signal SYS are received.

  Further, the payout control unit 5 is provided with a circuit board having a balance display unit 32a indicating a three-digit numerical value related to the ball lending operation, a ball lending switch 32b, and a return switch 32c. 5 is located between the circuit board and the ball lending machine 22 and relays necessary signals. Each time the ball lending switch 32b is pressed, the cash stored in the ball lending machine 22 is consumed, the display content of the balance display portion 32a is subtracted, and a predetermined number (for example, 125 for 500 yen). ) Game balls are paid out.

  In any case, the payout control unit 5 needs to pay out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls accompanying winning of game balls or as rental balls cleared by the ball lending machine 22. Therefore, the drive pulse data Φ1 to Φ4 are output to the payout motor M as the stepping motor (see FIG. 2B), and the game balls to be paid out along with the rotation of the payout motor M are displayed by the left and right counting switches RSW and LSW. I try to detect it. As shown in FIG. 2A, the signals of the left and right counting switches RSW and LSW are also transmitted to the main control board 1 as part of the status signal CON.

  The payout control unit 5 is supplied with a switch signal for detecting an out-of-supply state or a full ball clogging state. Here, the replenishment state means a state in which a game ball supplied from the upstream side of the payout motor M is interrupted and a winning ball operation or a ball lending operation is virtually impossible. The full ball clogging state means a state where the downstream side of the dispensing motor M is full and further dispensing is practically impossible.

  The payout control unit 5 is also connected to the ball lending machine 22 and transmits and receives various control signals (BRDY, BRQ, EXS, PRDY) related to the ball lending operation. Here, the BRDY signal is a signal for transmitting from the ball lending machine 22 to the gaming machine that the ball lending operation is being performed. The BRQ signal is a signal for requesting a lending operation for one unit from the ball lending machine 22 to the gaming machine.

  On the other hand, the PRDY signal is a signal for transmitting to the ball lending machine 22 that the gaming machine is capable of lending the ball. The EXS signal is a signal for transmitting to the ball lending machine 22 that the lending operation for one unit has been completed. Further, the payout control unit 5 receives the power supply voltage VL (= 18V) from the ball lending machine 22 and outputs a permission signal CTL to the firing control board 6 on condition that the voltage value can be normally received. Operation is permitted. In this embodiment, the ball lending machine 22 independently generates the power supply voltage VL, but instead of this configuration, an AC voltage (= AC 24 V) is transmitted from the payout control board 5 to the ball lending machine 22. The AC voltage may be rectified to generate the power supply voltage VL.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a communication procedure between the payout control unit 5 and the ball lending machine 22. When the gaming machine is powered on, the payout control unit 5 changes the PRDY signal to an active level (L), and then the ball lending machine 22 grasps the ON operation of the ball lending switch, the ball lending machine 22 First, the BRDY signal is changed to the active level (L) (operation 1), and then the BRQ signal is changed to the active level (L) (operation 2).

  Then, when the payout control unit 5 grasps the BRQ signal at the active level and changes the EXS signal to the active level (L) (operation 3), the ball lending machine 22 grasping this changes the BRQ signal to the original level. (Operation 4). Then, the payout control unit 5 starts a ball lending operation and pays out one unit (for example, 25 pieces) of game balls. When the payout operation is completed, the completion of one unit of the payout operation is notified to the ball lending machine 22 by returning the EXS signal to the original level (operation 5).

  Normally, 125 game balls are paid out by a single ON operation of the ball lending switch. In such a case, the ball lending machine 22 outputs a BRQ signal corresponding to the H level EXS signal. Since the level is changed to the active level (operation 6), the processes of (operation 3) to (operation 5) described above are repeated thereafter. When such processing is repeated five times and 125 game balls are paid out, the level of the BRQ signal of the ball lending machine 22 does not change, so that a series of ball lending processing is completely completed (initially State 0).

  As described above, the payout control unit 5 pays out one unit of the game ball as many times as the level of the BRQ signal changes from H → L → H while the BRDY signal is in the active level. . For this reason, there is a concern about an illegal act of illegally acquiring a game ball by exploiting this operation procedure, but in this embodiment, such illegal act is surely eliminated by providing a fraud monitoring circuit.

  Prior to the fraud monitoring circuit, the internal configuration of the payout control unit 5 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown, the payout control unit 5 includes an input buffer 10 that receives a control command CMD from the main control unit 1, a first input port 13A that receives various switch signals and control signals CLR and ABN, and a second input port 12. , A third input port 13B, a one-chip microcomputer 14 incorporating a Z80 CPU equivalent product, a decoder 15 for generating a chip select signal of an input / output port, a first output port 16, a second output port 17, and a first A transistor group (open collector) 18 that supplies a drive signal received from the output port 16 to the payout motor M is mainly configured.

  The third input port 13B receives two control signals BRDY and BRQ from the ball lending machine 22 via the photocoupler unit and the inverter. The first input port 13A is supplied with switch signals from a counting switch, a replenishment detection switch, and a full ball clogging detection switch. In addition, a RAM clear signal CLR and a voltage drop signal ABN, which are control signals from the power supply board 7, are also supplied to the first input port 13A. In this embodiment, the input buffer 10, the first, second and third input ports 12, 13A, 13B are constituted by 74541 equivalent bus buffers, and the decoder is constituted by 74138 equivalents. . The output ports 16 and 17 are 74273 equivalent D-type flip-flops.

  The control command CMD is supplied from the main control board 1 to the second input port 12 via the bus buffer 10, and the main control board 1 is supplied with the strobe signal STB in accordance with the supply of the control command CMD. The The strobe signal STB is supplied to an interrupt terminal (maskable interrupt) of the CPU core. Accordingly, the payout control board 5 starts a reception interrupt routine to acquire a control command CMD.

  From the bit 3 to bit 0 of the first output port 16, drive pulse data of (Φ4, Φ3, Φ2, Φ1) = 1100 → 0110 → 0011 → 1001 → 1100 →. (See FIG. 2 (b)). In addition, an LED drive signal is output to bit 4 of the first output port 16, and the abnormal lamp ER2 is turned on. Note that a clear signal of a watchdog timer circuit (not shown) is output to bit 7 of the first output port 16 every predetermined time.

  From bit0 of the second output port 17, an abnormal signal ERR transmitted to the hall computer is output, and if this is an abnormal level, the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on. Further, the bit 1 and bit 2 of the second output port 17 output a replenishment signal and a full ball clogging signal to the main control unit 1. On the other hand, control signals PRDY and EXS are output from the bit 6 and bit 7 of the second output port 17 to the ball lending machine 22. The control signals PRDY and EXS are transmitted to the ball lending machine 22 via the inverter and the photocoupler unit.

  As shown in the drawing, an interface circuit IF is configured including two photocoupler units, and is connected to the ball lending machine 22 via a connection connector CN. The two photocoupler units have a ground line LG common to the ball lending machine 22 and operate based on the power supply voltage VL supplied from the ball lending machine 22. The interface circuit IF is provided with a fraud monitoring circuit for detecting illegal activities.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the interface circuit IF (FIG. 3), a part of the ball lending machine 22, and a connection connector CN that connects both of them. The connection connector CN connects six wiring cables between the ball lending machine 22 and the payout control unit 5, but signals transmitted and received via the connection cable CN are evaluated by the payout control unit 5 as power supply voltage. (= 18V) Input VL, ground input LG, BRDY signal input, BRQ signal input, PRDY signal output, and EXS signal output.

  The payout control unit 5 (interface circuit IF) is provided with five photocouplers PC1 to PC5 corresponding to the control signals PRDY, EXS, BRDY, BRQ, and POUT. The control signal POUT is a signal indicating that the power supply voltage VL is output from the ball lending machine 22 and corresponds to the permission signal CTL output to the launch control board 6.

  The light emitting diode of the photocoupler PC2 receives the DC voltage DC5V at the anode terminal and the control signal EXS at the cathode terminal via the current limiting resistor R7. Therefore, when the control signal EXS is at the L level, the phototransistor of the photocoupler PC2 is turned on.

  On the other hand, the collector terminal of the phototransistor of the photocoupler PC2 is connected to the connection connector CN via the collector resistor R2, and further, the light emitting diode of the photocoupler PC6 via the current limiting resistor R9 of the ball lending machine 22. Connected to the cathode terminal. Therefore, when the control signal EXS is at the L level, the photocoupler PC2 and the photocoupler PC6 are turned on.

  The same applies to the photocoupler PC1. That is, the light emitting diode of the photocoupler PC1 receives the DC voltage DC5V at the anode terminal and the control signal PRDY at the cathode terminal via the current limiting resistor R6. On the other hand, the phototransistor of the photocoupler PC1 is connected to the connection connector CN through the collector resistor R1. Although the circuit on the ball lending machine 22 side is omitted, the circuit configuration is the same as that of the photocoupler PC6. Therefore, when the control signal PRDY is at the L level, the photocoupler (not shown) on the ball lending machine 22 side is turned on together with the photocoupler PC1.

  On the other hand, to the cathode terminals of the light emitting diodes of the photocouplers PC3 to PC5, the control signal BRDY, the control signal BRQ, and the ground signal LG are supplied from the ball lending machine 22 via the connection connector CN, respectively. . A power supply voltage VL is supplied to the anode terminal of the light emitting diode via current limiting resistors R3 to R5, respectively. Here, the control signal BRDY and the control signal BRQ are supplied from the photocouplers PC7 and PC8 of the ball lending machine 22, and the ground LG of the photocouplers PC3 to PC5 is the same as the ground LG of the output side circuit of the payout ball lending machine 22. is doing.

  Therefore, when the control signal BRDY and the control signal BRQ are each at the active level (L level), the phototransistors of the photocouplers PC3 to PC4 are turned on, and the control signal BRDY having the same logic level (L level) A control signal BRQ is output. Note that the detection signal POUT is always at the L level unless there is a device trouble such as disconnection.

  In this embodiment, a fraud monitoring circuit WATCH for monitoring the voltage level of the control signal EXS output from the payout control unit 5 is provided. This fraud monitoring circuit WATCH has a P-channel MOS transistor Qa, a photocoupler PCa, and an XOR gate GT as main elements.

  The XOR gate GT receives the collector output Vc of the phototransistor of the photocoupler PCa and the control signal EXS supplied to the light emitting diode of the photocoupler PC2, and outputs a fraud detection signal DET. When normal, the fraud detection signal DET = L level, and when fraud is detected, the fraud detection signal DET = H level.

  As shown in the figure, the gate terminal of the transistor Qa receives the control signal EXS of the connection connector CN via the gate resistor Ra. Further, the source terminal of the transistor Qa receives the power supply voltage VL of the connection connector CN, and the drain terminal is connected to the light emitting diode of the photocoupler PCa via the current limiting resistor Rb.

  Therefore, in the connection connector CN, when the voltage level Vo of the control signal EXS is high and is a level approximate to the power supply voltage VL, the transistor Qa is turned off, and conversely, the voltage level Vo of the control signal EXS is low. The transistor Qa is turned on.

  Here, it is assumed that the control signal EXS supplied to the photocoupler PC2 is at the L level. In such a case, since the photocoupler PC2 is turned on, the potential Vo of the control signal EXS at the connection connector CN is assumed to be Vce = 0 of the phototransistor in the ON state, Vo = (VL−VF) * R2 / (R2 + R9). Vf is a voltage drop in the light emitting diode.

  In this embodiment, since VL = 18V and R2 = R9 are set, when the control signal EXS supplied to the photocoupler PC2 is at the L level, the potential Vo of the control signal EXS at the connection connector CN is Vf≈ Assuming 1.2V, it is approximately (VL−Vf) /2≈8.4V.

  On the other hand, when the control signal EXS supplied to the photocoupler PC2 is at the H level, the photocoupler PC2 is turned off, so that the potential Vo of the control signal EXS at the connection connector CN is almost the same as the power supply voltage VL = 18V. Become a level.

  When the operation of the transistor Qa is confirmed based on the above, when the control signal EXS is L level and Vo≈8.4V, the transistor Qa is turned on and the photocoupler PCa is turned on. Therefore, the collector potential Vc of the phototransistor of the photocoupler PCa is at the L level.

  Conversely, when the control signal EXS is at the H level and Vo≈VL = 18 V, the transistor Qa is turned off and the photocoupler PCa is also turned off. For this reason, the collector potential Vc of the phototransistor of the photocoupler PCa is at the H level.

  The control signal EXS and the collector potential Vc are supplied to the XOR gate GT. However, the two input signals (EXS, Vc) are always at the same logic level, and when normal, an L level signal is output from the XOR gate. Is output.

  Next, assuming an illegal act, it is assumed that the control procedure of FIG. However, until the connection connector CN is removed and the illegal circuit board is attached, there is usually no possibility, and the most likely is to insert a short-circuit piece into the gap of the connection connector CN. Specifically, in order to counterfeit the control procedure of FIG. 5, it is considered that the BRDY signal is maintained at the ground level and the level of the BRQ signal is switched at the position of the connection connector CN. Further, in order to prevent abnormality detection in the ball lending machine 22, it is considered that the EXS signal is maintained at the power supply voltage VL level at the position of the connection connector CN.

  When the fraud monitoring circuit WATCH is not provided, the voltage level Vo of the control signal EXS at the connection connector CN is fixed to VL regardless of the ON / OFF state of the photocoupler PC2, as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the photocoupler PC2 of the payout control unit 5 repeats the ON / OFF operation and repeats the ball lending operation, the photocoupler PC6 of the ball lending machine 22 maintains the OFF state, and the ball lending machine 22 , Cannot detect illegal activities.

  Note that the circuit configuration of FIG. 4 is the same in that the ball lending machine 22 cannot detect illegal acts. However, in the present embodiment in which the fraud monitoring circuit WATCH is provided, when the state of Vo = VL is maintained, the transistor Qa maintains the OFF state, and the collector output Vc of the photocoupler PCa maintains the H level. .

  In this case, the EXS signal supplied to the light emitting diode of the photocoupler PC2 switches between the H level and the L level, whereas the collector output Vc maintains the H level, so the moment when the ball lending operation is started. (Operation 3 in FIG. 6), the output DET of the XOR gate GT changes to an abnormal level (H level), and an illegal act is detected.

  Although the circuit configuration on the output side of the XOR gate GT is arbitrary, for example, by simply providing a latch circuit that holds the rising edge of the fraud detection signal DET, the abnormal state detection state is continuously held thereafter. be able to.

  In any case, the fraud detection signal DET is reported to the main control unit 1 as an abnormal signal ERR via the one-chip microcomputer 14 of the payout control unit 5 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the occurrence of an abnormal situation can be made known around the gaming machine by image notification or voice notification. Further, since the abnormal signal ERR is also notified to the hall computer, it is possible to urge the attendant to an unauthorized site.

  As mentioned above, although it demonstrated in detail based on the Example, the specific description content does not limit this invention at all. For example, in the above embodiment, the alarm operation is executed based on the fraud detection signal DET, but it is preferable to stop the game ball payout operation instead of or in addition to this.

  That is, the payout control unit 5 determines the logical relationship of the control signals BRDY, BRQ, PRDY, and EXS in time sequence, and shows that there is no irrational (operation 1) → (operation 2) → It is preferable that the processing of (Operation 3)... Is advanced, the fraud detection signal DET is checked at an appropriate timing, and the payout operation is stopped when an abnormality occurs.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fraudulent act is detected exclusively focusing on the control signal EXS, but the control signal EXS is not limited at all. For example, after the ball lending switch 32b is pressed, it is also preferable to execute the program process so as to shift to the subsequent process only when the control signal BRDY falls.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the main part of such an embodiment. The switch signal SW of the ball lending switch 32b arranged on the payout control unit 5 (frequency display board) is sent to the one chip via the input port. It is returned to the microcomputer 14.

  The ball lending switch 32b is connected to the photocoupler in the ball lending machine 22 via a current limiting resistor. As shown in the figure, the switch signal SW is 0 volt when the switch signal SW is ON, but is VL (= 18 V) volt when OFF. For this reason, the switch signal SW is appropriately level-shifted by a circuit similar to the fraud monitoring circuit WATCH in FIG. In this embodiment, when the payout control unit 5 detects the fall of the BRDY signal (timing (1) in FIG. 6), the process shifts to the next process on condition that the ball lending switch 32b is in the ON state. It is controlled as follows.

  Such control may be executed alone or in addition to the previous embodiment. In the case of the latter configuration, since it is difficult to perform the camouflaging operation in synchronization with the operation of the ball lending switch 32b and the connection connector CN in a completely different place, a particularly excellent crime prevention function is exhibited.

  Further, instead of the configuration in which the switch signal SW of the ball lending switch 32b is fed back, all or part of the 7 segment LED frequency display signals SEGa to SEGg is fed back to the one-chip microcomputer, and the data corresponds to the payout operation. It may be determined whether or not it changes. However, this measure is problematic in that it lacks simplicity.

  Lastly, the bullet ball game machine to which the present embodiment is applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. Note that a plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the ball lending machine 22. The ball lending machine 22 receives cash prior to the start of the game, and at the end of the game, discharges a card storing a numerical value corresponding to the balance.

  The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing a game ball for launch. A lower plate 29 communicating with the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are provided at the lower portion of the front frame 24. In this embodiment, the driving current of the rotary solenoid SL1 is changed in accordance with the rotation angle of the firing handle 30, and the striking rod 31 is intermittent with the strength corresponding to the driving current of the rotary solenoid SL1. The game ball is fired by operating. The game ball on the upper plate 28 is guided to the launch position by the striking rod 31, while the overflowing game ball is automatically guided to the lower plate 29.

  On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for ball lending operation for the ball lending machine 22 is provided. In this operation panel 32, a value of 1/100 of the balance of the ball lending machine 22 is a three-digit number. Are displayed, a ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount (for example, 500 yen), and a return switch 32c pressed at the end of the game. When the return switch 32c is pressed, the card corresponding to the balance is discharged from the ball lending machine 22.

  On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. Further, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 indicating a replenishment state or a full ball clogging state are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and the display device 8 (specifically, at the approximate center of the game area 25a on the inside is provided. In particular, a liquid crystal color display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are arranged a symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and a gate portion 38 which is two passing openings. It is installed. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate unit 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the gate unit 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.

  For example, the symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a. When the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, the symbol start port 35 is opened and closed. The claw 35a is opened only for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 35, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time, and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 35. Stop at the stop symbol.

  The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. Inside the big winning opening 36, there is a winning area 36b for detecting a winning ball.

  After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times at maximum, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 11, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 that presses the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 8) via the passage unit 44.

  The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45 (see FIG. 11).

  Below these cases CA2 and CA3, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided in a case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. A launch control board 6 is provided inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the launch handle 30.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the embodiment, a ball game machine has been described, but it is applicable not only to a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine, and a sparrow ball machine, but also to a spinning machine using medals and a spinning machine using game balls. Of course you can.

21 gaming machine 22 external device CN connection connector Qa first switch circuit PCa second switch circuit GT detection circuit

Claims (10)

When a game medium lending request operation is received from a player, the game machine is configured to instruct the game machine to perform a game medium payout operation and to be connected to an external device that executes a clearing process corresponding to the payout operation. And
Provided with a single or a plurality of connection connectors for connecting a control signal line, a ground line, and a power supply line with the external device,
A first switch circuit that performs an ON / OFF operation corresponding to a voltage level of a control output signal output to the external device through the control signal line, and an ON / OFF corresponding to an ON / OFF operation of the first switch circuit An operating second switch circuit is disposed between the power supply line and the ground line, and
A gaming machine comprising: a detection circuit that detects a fraud by logically comparing a logic level of the control output signal with a logic level of an output signal of the second switch circuit.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a power supply voltage transmitted through the power supply line is generated in the external device.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first switch circuit receives the control output signal from the connection connector.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first switch circuit is configured by an FET that receives the control output signal at a gate terminal.   The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the FET is a P-channel MOSFET.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second switch circuit is configured by a photocoupler.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control output signal is transmitted to the connection connector via a photocoupler while maintaining a logic level.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is configured to perform an exclusive OR operation.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game medium is a game ball or a game medal.   9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the payout operation is started by determining a logical relationship between an instruction signal for instructing a gaming machine to perform a game medium payout operation and a switch signal corresponding to the lending request operation. The gaming machine described in 1.

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