JP2013106686A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine with a simpler structure, configured to quickly and reliably detect removal of a storage medium such as a ROM, and to determine fraud as quickly as possible when a storage medium such as a ROM is removed in a power-off state.SOLUTION: The game machine outputs a signal indicating an abnormal condition when a count value counted by a counting means 300 becomes a predetermined value. A CPU starts, when power is supplied from a power source 106 for a substrate, from a suspended state at a predetermined timing after the counting means 300 starts counting before the count value reaches a predetermined value. When the CPU starts, the CPU performs processing corresponding to a predetermined program stored in the storage medium and is suspended again. When the above processing is executed, the count value is reset, and the counting means 300 resumes counting from the initial value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine including a board on which a storage medium such as a CPU and a ROM and other electronic components are mounted, and a control device configured by the board.

Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, for example, a slot machine, a main control device that mainly controls the progress of the game, such as a lottery of a role, rotation and stop control of a rotating reel, and commands and data transmitted by the main control device, etc. And a sub-control device that controls notifications and effects performed using predetermined notification means (for example, a speaker that performs notification by audio output, a liquid crystal display device that performs notification by displaying images, etc.) Are known.
The main control device and the sub control device are configured by a substrate on which a storage medium such as a CPU or a ROM is mounted, and based on a program related to a gaming machine stored in each ROM (storage medium), The CPU is configured to execute processing related to the gaming machine according to the program.

Here, the ROM for the main control device stores a program for executing the role lottery, a role lottery table for determining the lottery probability of the role, and the ROM for the sub-control device. A program or the like for executing notification regarding the result is stored. Since the programs and data as described above stored in each ROM have a direct influence on the appearance of the slot machine, a legitimate ROM can be obtained by Goto, who intends to obtain an illegal appearance. There is a high possibility that an illegal act of removing the program and replacing the above-described program and data with an illegal ROM altered to an advantageous content will be performed.
Then, in order to prevent such an illegal act, a wire is wound around the ROM, and by detecting whether this wire is disconnected, it is electrically detected that the regular ROM has been removed. A slot machine has been devised that can detect unauthorized ROM replacement by informing the user.

  Such a slot machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

JP 2009-082454 A

However, in the slot machine as described above, winding an electric wire around the ROM requires a lot of labor in the manufacturing process, which may increase the manufacturing cost.
Also, in order to detect that the ROM has been removed, current must continue to flow through the wire wound around the ROM, but the slot machine is powered off and no current flows through the wire. When the ROM is removed, it is impossible to detect that fact, and there is a possibility that unauthorized ROM replacement cannot be immediately grasped.
Furthermore, there has been a risk of causing an electrical failure to programs and data stored in the ROM by continuing to pass a current through the wound wire.

  Therefore, the following invention has been made under the circumstances described above, and with a simpler configuration, it is possible to quickly and reliably detect the removal of a storage medium such as a ROM, and the ROM and the like in a state where the power is turned off. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of grasping the illegal act as quickly as possible even when the storage medium is removed.

The following invention has been made to achieve each of the above-described objects, and features of each invention will be described below using the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings.
In addition, a code | symbol shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(First invention)
In the first invention, a storage medium (sub control ROM 151) storing a game-related program and a CPU (first sub CPU 140) capable of executing a game-related process in accordance with the program stored in the storage medium are mounted. A substrate, a counting unit 300 (counter circuit 301) that starts counting from a predetermined initial value, and a substrate power source 106 capable of supplying power to the substrate, and the count value of the counting unit 300 becomes a predetermined value A gaming machine that outputs a signal indicating that there is an abnormality, and the CPU is based on the power supply from the board power supply 106 and before the count value reaches the predetermined value after the counting means 300 starts counting. The computer is started from the hibernation state at a predetermined timing until it is activated, and when it is started, processing corresponding to a predetermined program stored in the storage medium is executed, and then the hibernation state is again entered. Are, on the basis of said processing is executed, the count value of the counting means 300 is reset, and counting means 300 is characterized in that it is formed so as to resume counting from the initial value.

Here, the gaming machine is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-described configuration. For example, in a gaming machine, a pachinko gaming machine in which a game is played using a game ball as a game medium, a slot machine in which a game is played using a game medal as a game medium, or a slot machine using a game ball as a game medium Parrot (registered trademark) gaming machines and the like in which the same games are performed are included.
The storage medium in the present invention is a storage medium mounted on a substrate, and includes, for example, memories such as ROM and RAM.
Further, as the counting means 300, for example, a counter circuit 301 that performs counting by counting electric pulses (clock signal) generated by a predetermined oscillator 302 at a constant cycle can be used. Specifically, the counter circuit 301 is set to count from a predetermined initial value (for example, 0) to a predetermined threshold value (for example, 65535). Then, a count-up signal for counting up to a predetermined value that is the next value of the predetermined threshold value can be output as a signal indicating that it is abnormal.

As the counting means 300, a real time clock module which is an IC having a timer function can be used. That is, the real-time clock module sets a timer that outputs an alarm signal when a predetermined value (for example, 1 second) is reached, and starts time counting from a predetermined initial value (for example, 0 second). Set to Then, an alarm signal output when the time count value reaches a predetermined value can be used as a signal indicating an abnormality.
As a signal indicating that there is an abnormality, a signal output from a predetermined signal output means provided separately from the count means 300 is used instead of the signal output from the count means 300 as described above. May be.

Further, in the present invention, the predetermined unit 300 is configured so that the time taken for the counting unit 300 to count from the predetermined initial value to the predetermined value is sufficiently shorter than the time required for replacing the storage medium. It is desirable to set a value.
For example, when a time of at least about 15 seconds is required to exchange the storage medium, the counting means 300 cyclically counts a numerical range from “0” to “65535”, and this numerical range is reduced to about A 16-bit counter circuit capable of counting in 1 second can be used. At this time, “0” can be set as the predetermined initial value, and “0” (that is, 65536) after one round can be set as the predetermined value determined to be abnormal.

Further, the CPU according to the present invention starts from the hibernation state at a predetermined timing from when the counting means 300 starts counting until the count value reaches the predetermined value, based on the power supply from the substrate power supply 106. It is like that.
Specifically, when the count value of the counting means 300 reaches a specific value (any value in a range from a predetermined initial value to immediately before the predetermined value that is determined to be abnormal). The normalization signal for starting the CPU from the hibernation state can be transmitted to the CPU. In other words, the normalization signal can be transmitted to the CPU when the count value of the counting means 300 reaches a specific value that reaches before the predetermined value.

Further, the measurement of the predetermined timing may be performed by using the counting means provided separately from the counting means 300 described above, instead of sharing the counting means 300 described above.
In the present invention, the count value of the counting means 300 is reset based on the execution of a process according to a predetermined program when the CPU is activated.
Specifically, for example, a reset program for resetting the count value of the counting means 300 is stored as a predetermined program, and processing corresponding to the reset program (that is, resetting the count value) is executed. Based on this, the count value of the counting means 300 can be directly reset.

In addition, for example, a check program for performing a predetermined check when the CPU is started is stored as the predetermined program, and triggered by the execution of processing according to the check program (that is, the predetermined check). The count value of the count unit 300 may be reset by executing a reset program for resetting the count value of the count unit 300. In other words, the count value of the counting means 300 may be indirectly reset when a predetermined process is executed when the CPU is activated.
(Action / Effect)
In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the counting means 300 starts counting from a predetermined initial value, and when the count value reaches the predetermined value, a signal indicating abnormality is output. Further, the CPU starts from the hibernation state at a predetermined timing after the counting means 300 starts counting and before the count value reaches a predetermined value, and responds to a predetermined program stored in the storage medium. After executing the process, it enters a dormant state again. Then, based on the execution of the predetermined processing, the count value of the counting means 300 is reset, and the counting means 300 restarts counting from a predetermined initial value.

That is, according to the gaming machine according to the present invention, in principle, the count value of the counting means 300 is reset before reaching a predetermined value determined to be abnormal, so that the counting means 300 restarts counting from the initial value. It has become. However, when the count value of the counting means 300 reaches a predetermined value, a signal indicating abnormality is output.
Therefore, in order to replace the regular storage medium provided in the gaming machine with an unauthorized storage medium whose contents have been tampered with, all operations must be completed before the count value of the counting means 300 reaches a predetermined value. This must be very difficult. Therefore, when Goto and the like try to exchange an illegal storage medium, an abnormality is reliably detected during this operation.

As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to quickly and reliably detect the removal of the storage medium such as the ROM.
In addition, according to the gaming machine according to the present invention, since the removal of the storage medium such as the ROM can be detected with a simple configuration in which the count value of the counting means 300 is reset before reaching the predetermined value, the manufacturing cost increases. It can be prevented.
In addition, according to the gaming machine according to the present invention, since the CPU is intermittently activated even when the CPU is in the hibernation state, the removal of the storage medium such as the ROM is monitored. Even when the storage medium is removed, the fraud can be grasped as quickly as possible.

(Second invention)
In addition to the features of the first invention described above, the second invention is provided with a power supply 105 for counting means that can supply power independently to the counting means 300, and the counting means 300 is triggered by reception of a predetermined start signal. The count is started, and after the count is started, the count is always executed based on the power supply from the power supply 105 for the counting means.
(Action / Effect)
According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, the count unit 300 continues to execute the count by receiving power supply independently from the count unit power source 105 after the count is once started.

Therefore, even when a storage medium such as a ROM is removed while the power is turned off, it is possible to reliably detect the occurrence of fraud.
(Third invention)
In addition to the features of the first or second invention described above, the third invention is for activating the CPU from a hibernation state when the count value of the counting means 300 becomes a predetermined specific value. It is characterized by being configured to transmit a normalization signal.
(Action / Effect)
According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, in order to measure the timing for sending a normalization signal to the CPU and the count of a predetermined value for determining abnormality by sharing one count means 300 Therefore, it is possible to effectively use hardware resources, and to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost due to an increase in hardware resources to be mounted.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exists an effect as described below.
That is, according to the present invention, the removal of the storage medium such as the ROM can be detected quickly and reliably with a simpler configuration, and the storage medium such as the ROM is removed while the power is turned off. Even in this case, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can grasp the fraud as quickly as possible.

FIG. 2 is an external front view showing a slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of inputs and outputs of a control device and a counter circuit of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a main control device, a sub control device, and a counter circuit of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a form of this invention, Comprising: It is a time chart which shows the outline of the count in a counter circuit, and the output of various signals. It is a form which is the form of this invention and shows the outline of the process by a counter circuit. It is a form of the present invention, and is a flow showing an outline of reset processing by the first sub CPU.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Slot machine 10)
The gaming machine according to the present embodiment is a slot machine 10 that uses a disk-shaped game medal as a game medium.
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 10 includes a box-shaped housing 20 that opens to the front side (the direction of the player facing the slot machine 10 as viewed from the slot machine 10), and the housing 20 The front door 30 is configured to close the front opening so as to be openable and closable.
(Case 20)
Although not particularly illustrated in the housing 20, the main board unit including a board for controlling the operation of the slot machine 10, the reel unit 21 including a plurality of rotating reels 25, and a game medal are stored and used. A hopper unit 27 for paying out game medals at the time of stopping display of the combination of symbols 51 constituting the power supply, a power supply device 28 (main power supply) for supplying power to various devices provided in the slot machine 10 and the like are installed. ing.

The main board unit houses a main board on which various electronic components such as an IC are mounted. The main board constitutes the main control device 101 among the control devices 100 that control the operation of the slot machine 10, and specifically controls the game of the slot machine 10.
The reel unit 21 is a main device used in the game of the slot machine 10, and includes three stepping motors (not shown) fixed to the frame and three fixed to the rotation shaft of each stepping motor. It is composed of a single rotating reel 25. Specifically, the rotary reel 25 includes a left reel 22 located on the left side in FIG. 1, a right reel 24 located on the right side in FIG. 1, and between the left reel 22 and the right reel 24. The middle reel 23 is positioned. Although not specifically shown, 21 symbols 51 are attached around each rotary reel 25. Further, these rotating reels 25 rotate around the rotation axis of the stepping motor so that a pattern 51 of the rotating reel 25 passes from the upper side to the lower side through a display window 34 described later.

(Front door 30)
As shown in FIG. 1, a lamp 52 for notifying various effects and various abnormal states by turning on and off according to the gaming state, as shown in FIG. A decorative portion 31 having 53 or the like is provided.
In addition, a medal payout opening 40 for paying out game medals from a hopper unit 27 provided in the housing 20 is provided at the lower center of the front door 30, and sound is output to both sides of the medal payout opening 40. One speaker 54 is provided for each.
Further, although not particularly illustrated, a sub-board unit in which a sub-board, which is a board on which various electronic components such as an IC are mounted, is provided on the back surface of the front door 30. The sub-board constitutes a sub-control device 102 for performing control related to effects and notifications in the control device 100 that controls the operation of the slot machine 10.

In addition, an operation portion 33 that protrudes to the front side is provided at the approximate center of the front surface of the front door 30.
In this operation unit 33, in order to bet a game medal at the start of the game, a medal slot 44 for inserting a game medal, a credit medal which is a medal electronically stored in the slot machine 10 is a game medal Bet switch to replace bets (single bet switch 36a capable of betting one game medal, max bet switch 36b capable of betting three game medals, which is the maximum number of bets allowed to start a game) , A settlement switch 39 for settlement of credit medals, a lever-like start switch 37 for starting rotation of all three rotary reels 25, and corresponding to each rotary reel 25, and rotation of each rotary reel 25 There are provided three stop switches 38 for individually stopping the two.

In addition, a display window 34 is formed between the decorative portion 31 and the operation portion 33 in the front door 30 so that the symbols 51 of the three rotary reels 25 provided in the housing 20 can be visually recognized.
The display window 34 is provided in front of the three rotary reels 25. When the rotation of all the three rotary reels 25 is stopped, the display position corresponding to each rotary reel 25 in the display window 34 is displayed. The symbols are displayed in the upper, middle and lower stages. That is, a total of nine symbols arranged in three vertical columns and three horizontal rows are displayed in the display window 34.
Further, the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment is not particularly shown, but in the state where the left reel 22, the middle reel 23, and the right reel 24 are stopped, each of the rotary reels 25 in the display window 34 There are a total of five stop display lines configured by connecting the stop positions of one symbol in a straight line.

When a game medal is bet to start one game, the stop display line is activated. Then, as a result of the lottery of the part lottery means (not shown in particular), when a predetermined part is won and the combination of symbols constituting the part stops on one of the activated stop display lines, A profit corresponding to the combination (for example, paying out a predetermined number of game medals or executing a special game) is given.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a medal selector for judging whether the game medal inserted through the medal slot 44 is correct or not at a position corresponding to the lower part of the medal slot 44 on the back surface of the front door 30. 43 and a medal sensor 35 for detecting a game medal determined to be an appropriate game medal by the medal selector 43 are provided.

Further, the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a counter board on which an oscillator 302 that generates electrical pulses (clock signal) at a constant period and a counter circuit 301 that counts the electrical pulses generated by the oscillator 302 are mounted. It has been. Further, the counter board and the sub board constituting the sub control apparatus 102 are electrically connected. As will be described later, the counter circuit 301 can cyclically count a predetermined numerical range, and detects that the sub control ROM 151 of the first control unit 102A constituting the sub control device 102 has been removed. It functions as the counting means 300 for this. The counter circuit 301 will be described in detail later.
In addition, the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment is connected to an abnormality notification device 55 for notifying that a later-described sub control ROM 151 has been removed. The abnormality notification device 55 includes a device provided directly in the slot machine 10 (a warning light (warning lamp) provided separately from the effect lamp 52, and a warning sound for outputting a predetermined warning sound). An output device (alarm speaker) or the like can be used.

Further, as the abnormality notification device 55, a device provided directly in the slot machine 10 is not used, but a device separate from the slot machine 10 (a lamp provided in a spot where the slot machine 10 is installed) Or a monitor for monitoring, a server monitor for managing the appearance of the slot machine 10, etc.). Specifically, these devices and the slot machine 10 are connected by predetermined connection means (communication cable, wireless communication device, etc.), and output from the slot machine 10 when it is determined that the sub control ROM 151 has been removed. It is possible to make a setting so that the above-described device performs notification based on a signal or the like.
In addition, when the sub-control ROM 151 is removed, not only the above-mentioned notification but also a log file recording that an abnormality has occurred in the above-mentioned server is created based on a signal indicating an abnormality described later. It may be set to report to a security company or the like.

(Control device 100)
As described above, the control device 100 is for controlling the operation of the slot machine 10, and is composed of the main control device 101 and the sub-control device 102.
The main control device 101 and the sub control device 102 have input means (medal sensor 35, single bet switch 36a, max bet switch 36b, start switch 37, stop switch, etc.) that can input various signals to these devices. 38, settlement switch 39, etc.), output means capable of outputting the result of control based on input by the input means (reel unit 21, hopper unit 27, lamp 52, liquid crystal display device 53, speaker 54, abnormality notification device 55, etc. ) Is connected. Further, the main control device 101 and the sub control device 102 function as various control means when a CPU described later reads a program stored in a ROM described later.

In addition, between the main control device 101 and the sub control device 102, a predetermined command or data can be transmitted and received by a transmitting unit 111A and a receiving unit 141A described later provided on a board constituting the main control device 101. However, commands and data are transmitted only to one side from the main control device 101 to the sub control device 102, and commands and data are not transmitted from the sub control device 102 to the main control device 101. Yes.
The main control device 101 performs control related to the progress of the game, such as lottery of the combination, rotation and stop control of the rotary reel 25, and payout of the game medal by operating the start switch 37 and the stop switch 38. Based on the commands and data transmitted from the main control device 101, the sub-control device 102 performs effects and notifications related to the game corresponding to these transmission contents.

Further, in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as will be described later, based on the functions of the counter circuit 301 (counting means 300) and the sub control device 102, the sub control device 102A constituting the sub control device 102 is connected to the sub machine 102A. It is possible to detect that the control ROM 151 has been removed. The detection of removal of the sub control ROM 151 will be described in detail later.
(Main control device 101)
As described above, the main control device 101 is constituted by the main board.
As shown in FIG. 3, the main board has a main ROM 120 in which a program and data related to the game are stored, a main CPU 110 that controls the progress of the game based on the program stored in the main ROM 120, and the like. However, various electronic components such as a main RAM 130 for temporarily storing data for controlling the progress of the game are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main CPU 110 is provided with a transmission unit 111A for transmitting commands, data, and the like to a first control unit 102A of a sub-control device 102 described later.
In the present embodiment, a CPU with an interface port built-in can be adopted as the main CPU 110, and the above-described transmitter 111A can be configured by this built-in interface port. Further, a separate interface circuit may be formed in the main control apparatus 101, and the above-described transmission unit 111A may be configured by this interface circuit.
(Sub-control device 102)
The sub-control device 102 receives the command, data, etc. transmitted from the main control device 101, and based on these commands, data, etc., the first control unit 102A that determines the contents of notification and production, and this Based on the command transmitted from the first control unit 102A, the second control unit 102B is configured to cause the liquid crystal display device 53 and the speaker 54 to execute the notification and presentation content determined by the first control unit 102A. (See FIGS. 2 and 3).

Further, the sub control device 102 is constituted by a sub substrate as described above.
As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-board is provided with various electronic components that constitute the first control unit 102A and the second control unit 102B.
Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, a substrate power source 106 capable of supplying drive power independently is connected to the sub-substrate of this embodiment. As a result, even when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is OFF, by supplying driving power from the board power supply 106 to the sub board, various electronic components provided on the sub board are driven. It can be done.
(Configuration of the first control unit 102A and the second control unit 102B)
(1) First control unit 102A
As shown in FIG. 3, on the sub-board, commands from the sub-control ROM 151 and the main CPU 110 that store programs and data for determining the contents of notifications and effects as electronic components constituting the first control unit 102A And a first sub-CPU 140 that determines the contents of notifications and effects based on a program stored in the sub-control ROM 151, a first sub-RAM 160 that is readable and writable and temporarily stores data related to the notifications and effects, etc. Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first sub CPU 140 is connected to an effect device such as a lamp 52 and an LED, and the first sub CPU 140 can cause these effect devices to directly execute notifications and effects. It can be done.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first sub CPU 140 includes a receiving unit 141A for receiving a command transmitted by the transmitting unit 111A of the main CPU 110, a second control unit 102B of the sub control device 102 described later, A first inter-sub-transceiver 141B for transmitting / receiving commands, data, etc., and an inter-counter transmitter / receiver 141C for transmitting / receiving to / from the counter circuit 301 are provided.

In this embodiment, as the first sub CPU 140, a CPU incorporating an interface port can be adopted, and the built-in interface port allows the above-described reception unit 141A, first inter-sub transmission / reception unit 141B, and The counter circuit transmission / reception unit 141 can be configured. Further, a separate interface circuit may be formed in the first control unit 102A, and the interface circuit may constitute all or part of the above-described transmission / reception unit.
The sub control ROM 151 in this embodiment stores a reset program for resetting a count value of a counter circuit 301 described later. When the first sub CPU 140 reads and executes the reset program, the reset signal for resetting the count value of the counter circuit 301 is transmitted to the counter circuit 301.

In this embodiment, when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is ON, a predetermined timing (any timing from when the counter circuit 301 starts counting until the count value reaches “0”) For example, the first sub CPU 140 is set to execute this reset program every time the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches a specific value (for example, 65000).
Further, when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is OFF, the first sub CPU 140 is in a dormant state. However, by receiving a predetermined normalization signal at the predetermined timing, Based on the driving power supplied from the power source 106, the first sub CPU 140 is activated from the hibernation state. When activated, the first sub CPU 140 reads the above-described reset program from the sub control ROM 151 and executes it, and then is set to be in a resting state again.

(2) Second control unit 102B
As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-board stores in the image control ROM 181 and the image control ROM 181 in which a program for controlling the operation of the liquid crystal display device 53 is stored as an electronic component constituting the second control unit 102B. The second sub CPU 170 for controlling the operation of the liquid crystal display device 53 (control of the VDP 200 described later) based on the programmed program and the like, the control of the sound chip 220 described later, and the control of the liquid crystal display device 53, which is readable and writable. Output from the second sub-RAM 191 for temporarily storing data, the character ROM 210 for storing image and character data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 53, the VRAM 211 for storing display data in the liquid crystal display 53, and the speaker 54 A sound ROM 230 storing sound data, a sound chip 220 for executing sound output from the speaker 54, and the like are provided.

The second sub CPU 170 is connected to the liquid crystal display device 53 and the speaker 54 via the VDP 200 and the sound chip 230. The second sub CPU 170 controls the VDP 200 and the sound chip 230 described above, thereby It is possible to cause the liquid crystal display device 53 and the speaker 54 to execute the contents of the notification or effect.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second sub CPU 170 is provided with a second inter-sub transmission / reception unit 171B for transmitting / receiving commands and data to / from the first control unit 102A of the sub-control device 102. ing.
In the present embodiment, a CPU having an interface port can be adopted as the second sub CPU 170, and the above-mentioned second inter-sub transmission / reception unit 171B can be configured by this built-in interface port. it can. Further, a separate interface circuit may be formed in the second control unit 102B, and the above-described second inter-sub transceiver unit 171B may be configured by this interface circuit.

(3) Communication path between each control device and counter circuit 301 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission unit 111A provided in the main CPU 110 of the main control device 101 and the first of the sub control device 102 A communication path is formed by connecting the reception unit 141A provided in the first sub CPU 140 in the control unit 102A to each other through a signal line or the like. In this communication path, commands and data can be transmitted only from the main CPU 110 to one of the first sub CPUs 140.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first inter-sub transceiver unit 141B of the first control unit 102A and the second inter-sub transceiver unit 171B of the second control unit 102B are connected to each other by a signal line or the like. A communication path is formed. In this communication path, commands and data can be transmitted and received bidirectionally between the first control unit 102A and the second control unit 102B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the inter-counter transmission / reception unit 141C of the first sub CPU 140 and the first inter-control unit transmission / reception unit 303 of the counter circuit 301 described later are connected to each other by a signal line or the like. A communication path is formed. In this communication path, bidirectional communication is possible between the first control unit 102A and the counter circuit 301.
(Counter board)
The slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a counter substrate in addition to a main substrate constituting the main control device 101 and a sub substrate constituting the sub control device 102.
As described above, the counter substrate is equipped with the oscillator 302 that generates electric pulses (clock signal) at a constant cycle and the counter circuit 301 as the counting means 300 that counts the electric pulses generated by the oscillator 302. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a power supply 105 for counting means capable of supplying drive power independently is connected to the counter board. Thereby, even when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is OFF, the driving power is supplied from the power supply 105 for counting means to the counter board, so that the oscillator 302 and the counter provided in the counter board are provided. The circuit 301 can be driven.
The counting means power supply 105 is preferably formed so as to be attached to the counter board so that it cannot be removed or is difficult to remove. Specifically, after the counting means power source 105 is attached to the counter substrate, the count means power source 105 is temporarily attached to the counter substrate by sealing with a predetermined sealing member (caulking member) or the like. After that, the power source 105 for counting means can be formed so as not to be removed from the counter substrate unless the caulking member is destroyed.

(Counter circuit 301)
The counter circuit 301 in this embodiment has a 16-bit numerical range from 0 (predetermined initial value) to 65535 in a predetermined time (about 1 second in this embodiment) by counting the electric pulses generated by the oscillator 302 described above. The counting means 300 is capable of counting cyclically.
When the counter circuit 301 receives a predetermined start signal (enable signal), the counter circuit 301 starts counting from 0. When the counter circuit 301 reaches 65535, the counter circuit 301 returns to 0 and performs counting again. When the counter circuit 301 receives a reset signal transmitted by the first sub CPU 140 reading and executing the reset program stored in the sub control ROM 151, the count value is reset and the count is reset from 0. It is supposed to resume.

Further, after the counter circuit 301 starts counting by receiving the predetermined start signal, not only when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is ON but also when the main power supply is OFF. It is set to continue counting by the supply of driving power from the power supply 105 for counting means.
The predetermined start signal is set so as to be transmitted to the counter circuit 301, for example, when the main power of the slot machine 10 is first turned on or when the RAMs are cleared. Can do.
Further, in this embodiment, when the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches 0 (that is, switches from 65535 to 0), a signal indicating an abnormality is output. Note that the signal indicating that the counter circuit 301 is abnormal is obtained by using the count-up signal when the count value of the counter circuit 301 switches from 65535 to 0 as a signal indicating that the counter circuit 301 is abnormal. This can be done by outputting. Further, instead of using the count-up signal of the counter circuit 301, an abnormal signal output means provided separately outputs a predetermined abnormal signal.

Then, in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, a signal indicating an abnormality is transmitted to the second sub CPU 170 that controls the liquid crystal display device 53 or the like, the abnormality notification device 55 or the like, and there is an abnormality in these devices. A notification to that effect is made.
(Detection that sub-control ROM 51 has been removed)
In the present embodiment, it is configured so that it can be detected that the sub-control ROM 51 is removed based on the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaching a predetermined value (“0” in this embodiment).
Hereinafter, the contents of each process executed for the detection will be described.

The processing can be formed so that the CPU can be executed by various control means that function by reading a predetermined program stored in the ROM (that is, by software), or an arithmetic unit included in the CPU. Or a circuit such as a comparator (ie, by hardware).
(1) Count start request process In the count start request process, the first sub CPU 140 outputs a predetermined start signal (enable signal) indicating that counting is started at a predetermined start signal transmission timing set in advance. It is processing to transmit to.

In the present embodiment, the first sub CPU transmits a predetermined start signal when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is first turned on or when the RAMs are cleared in the control device 100. (See FIG. 4A). The start signal transmission timing is not limited to this.
(2) Count start process The count start process is a process in which the count circuit 301 starts counting from “0” which is a predetermined initial value when the counter circuit 301 receives the start signal transmitted from the first sub CPU 140. is there.

As described above, the counter circuit 301 in this embodiment cyclically counts a numerical value range from 0 to 65535 in about 1 second, and once the count is started, the main power source of the slot machine 10 is turned off. Whether it is ON or OFF, counting continues.
(3) Reset request processing The reset request processing is performed at any timing after the counter circuit 301 starts counting until the count value reaches “0” (in this embodiment, the count value of the counter circuit 301 is This is a process in which the counter circuit 301 transmits a normalization signal to the first sub CPU 140 at “65000” (a specific value) (see FIG. 4B).

Here, when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is OFF, the counter circuit 301 outputs a normalization signal for starting the first sub CPU 140 from the hibernation state as the predetermined signal. The data is transmitted to the CPU 150.
(4) Reset Process The reset process is a process for resetting the count value of the counter circuit 301 when the first sub CPU 140 receives the predetermined signal from the counter circuit 301 (see FIG. 4B). ).
Specifically, in the case where the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is ON, when the first sub CPU 140 receives the predetermined signal from the counter circuit 301, the first sub CPU 140 stores in the sub control ROM 151. The stored reset program is read and executed.

Further, when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is OFF, when the first sub CPU 140 receives the predetermined signal (normalization signal) from the counter circuit 301, the drive supplied from the board power supply 106 is performed. Based on the power, the first sub CPU 140 is activated to read and execute the reset program stored in the sub control ROM 151.
When the reset program is executed, the first sub CPU 140 transmits a reset signal to the counter circuit 301, the count value of the counter circuit 301 that has received the reset signal is reset, and the counter circuit 301 has an initial value. The count is restarted from “0”.
(5) Abnormal output processing In the abnormal output processing, when the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches “0”, a signal (count up signal) indicating that the count circuit 301 is abnormal is output to the liquid crystal display device 53. Is transmitted to the second sub CPU 170, the abnormality notification device 55, and the like connected to each other (see FIG. 4C). When the second sub CPU 170 or the abnormality notification device 55 receives the signal, the liquid crystal display device 53 or the abnormality notification device 55 notifies the abnormality.

As described above, in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, if the first control unit 102A in the sub-control device 102 is appropriately provided with the sub-control ROM 151 that stores the reset program described above, it is less than one second. In this predetermined cycle, the count value of the counter circuit 301 is reset. That is, if the sub control ROM 151 is appropriately provided, the count value is always reset before the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches “0”. Never reaches “0”.
On the other hand, when the sub control ROM 151 is removed, the first sub CPU cannot read the reset program stored in the sub control ROM 151, so the count value of the counter circuit 301 is not reset and “0”. Is reached and a notification of an abnormality is made.

Theoretically, if the sub-control ROM 151 is replaced before the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches “0”, the count value is reset, but the count starts from the initial value “0”. The time until the next “0” is reached is about 1 second, and it is practically impossible to complete the replacement of the sub-control ROM 151 in this extremely short time. Therefore, when the sub-control ROM 151 is started to be replaced, immediately after the sub-control ROM 151 is removed, the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches “0”, and notification that an abnormality has occurred is performed.
In this way, it is possible to detect that the sub control ROM 151 has been removed based on the count value of the counter circuit 301.

Next, an outline of the processing relating to the detection that the sub-control ROM 151 has been removed will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
First, an outline of processing by the counter circuit 301 will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. Note that after the counter circuit 301 starts counting, the processing shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly performed.
In step 100 shown in FIG. 5, when the reset signal transmitted by the first sub CPU 140 is received, the process proceeds to the next step 101. On the other hand, if the reset signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step 102.

In step 101, the count value is reset based on the received reset signal, and the count is restarted from “0” which is a predetermined initial value. Then, the process returns to step 100.
If the count value reaches the predetermined value “0” in step 102, the process proceeds to the next step 103. On the other hand, if the count value has not reached “0”, the routine proceeds to step 104.
In step 103, the count-up signal output from the counter circuit 301 is transmitted to the second sub CPU 170, the alarm notification device 55, etc. as a signal indicating that there is an abnormality. Then, when the second sub CPU 170, the alarm notification device 55, or the like that has received this signal receives it, notification that it is abnormal is executed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the count value reaches “0” and a notification that there is an abnormality is executed, the counter circuit 301 stops counting and the counter circuit 301 is not reset. (In other words, the reset of the counter circuit 301 is invalidated) and a signal (count up signal) indicating the above-described abnormality is continuously transmitted. In addition, when a predetermined release operation is performed with the sub-control ROM 151 attached, the notification that there is an abnormality is canceled and the count by the counter circuit 301 is restarted. In addition, as a predetermined release operation, an operation that is difficult or a procedure is complicated can be determined. Specifically, for example, operating a plurality of switches provided on the front side of the slot machine 10 and turning on the main power while operating a plurality of switches provided on the back side of the slot machine 10 etc. Release operation that is difficult for one person to perform, or the number of times that the switch is operated until it is released, or the release operation that is set so that the procedure for operating the switch until release is extremely complicated It can be.

When counting by the counter circuit 301 is resumed, the process returns to step 100.
If the count value reaches “65000” in step 104, the process proceeds to the next step 105. On the other hand, if the count value has not reached “65000”, the process returns to step 100.
In step 105, a predetermined signal (normalization signal) for executing the reset program stored in the sub control ROM 151 is transmitted to the first sub CPU 140. Then, the process returns to step 100.

Next, an outline of the reset process by the first sub CPU 170 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step 200 shown in FIG. 6, when the first sub CPU 140 receives the predetermined signal, the process proceeds to the next step 201. On the other hand, if the predetermined signal has not been received, the process returns to step 200.
In step 201, if the main power of the slot machine 10 is OFF (when the first sub CPU 140 is in a dormant state), the process proceeds to the next step 202. On the other hand, when the main power supply of the slot machine 10 is ON (when the first sub CPU 140 is activated), the process proceeds to step 203.

In step 202, the first sub CPU 140 is activated based on the reception of the predetermined signal (normalization signal). Then, the process proceeds to the next step 203.
In step 203, the first sub CPU 140 reads the reset program stored in the sub control ROM 151. If the reset program can be read, the process proceeds to the next step 204. On the other hand, when the reset program cannot be read, the reset process ends.
In step 204, the first sub CPU 140 executes a reset program and transmits a reset signal to the counter circuit 301. Then, the reset process ends.

(Summary)
In the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the counter circuit 301 as the counting means 300 starts counting from a predetermined initial value “0” at a predetermined start signal transmission timing (at the time when the main power supply is first turned on). When the count value reaches “0”, a signal indicating an abnormality is output. Further, when the main power of the slot machine 10 is OFF, the first sub CPU 140 is in a dormant state, but before the count value reaches “0” after the counter circuit 301 starts counting. After starting from the hibernation state at a predetermined timing until the count value reaches “65000”, the reset program stored in the sub-control ROM 151 is executed, and then the hibernation state is entered again. Then, a reset signal for resetting the count value is transmitted to the counter circuit 301 by the execution of the reset program. When the counter circuit 301 receives the reset signal, the count value is reset, and a predetermined initial value “0” is started. Resume counting.

That is, according to the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, in principle, the counter circuit 301 is reset before reaching the count value “0” that is determined to be abnormal, and the counter circuit 301 counts from the initial value “0”. To resume. However, when the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches “0”, a signal indicating abnormality is output.
Therefore, in order to replace the regular sub-control ROM 151 provided in the slot machine 10 with an illegal sub-control ROM 151 whose contents have been tampered with, all operations must be performed before the count value of the counter circuit 301 reaches “0”. This must be completed, but this is extremely difficult. Therefore, when Goto and the like try to replace the sub-control ROM 151 with an illegal one, an abnormality is surely detected during this operation.

As described above, according to the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the removal of the sub control ROM 151 can be detected quickly and reliably.
Further, according to the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, since the removal of the sub control ROM 151 can be detected with a simple configuration in which the count value of the counter circuit 301 is reset before reaching “0”, the manufacturing cost increases. This can be prevented.
Further, according to the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, even when the main power of the slot machine 10 is OFF, even if the first sub CPU 140 is in the hibernation state, the sub control Since the removal of the ROM 151 is monitored, even if the sub-control ROM 151 is removed while the power is turned off, the illegal act can be grasped as quickly as possible.

Further, according to the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the counter circuit 301 continues to execute counting by receiving power supply independently from the power supply 105 for counting means after the counting is once started.
Therefore, even when the sub control ROM 151 is removed while the power is turned off, it is possible to reliably detect the occurrence of an illegal act.
In addition, according to the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the counter circuit 301 is shared to measure the count for performing the abnormality determination and the timing for transmitting the normalization signal to the first CPU 140. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use hardware resources, and to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost due to an increase in hardware resources to be mounted.

The above-described embodiment can be applied to gaming machines other than the slot machine 10 as long as the control device 100 having the same configuration is provided. For example, a pachinko game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium, a parrot (registered trademark) game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium to perform a game similar to the slot machine 10, an arrange ball game machine, It may be used for sparrow balls, casino machines and the like.
(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the removal of the sub control ROM 151 included in the first control unit 102A of the sub control device 102 can be detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the removal of the storage medium of the sub control ROM 151 can be detected. It can also be.

Specifically, the reset program as described above is stored in a storage medium other than the sub-control ROM 151, and when the counter circuit 301 reaches a predetermined value, the reset program is read from the storage medium and the counter circuit By forming so as to reset the value of 301, the removal of the storage medium can be detected.
Further, as the counting means 300, instead of using the counter circuit 301 as described above,
A real-time clock module which is an IC having a timer function having a timer function can also be used.
Specifically, this real-time clock module sets a timer that outputs an alarm signal when a predetermined value (for example, 1 second) is reached, and counts time from a predetermined initial value (for example, 0 second). Set to start. When the reset signal transmitted at a predetermined timing is received by the real time clock module, the timer is set again as described above, and the time count from the predetermined initial value is restarted. Then, an alarm signal that is output when the time count value reaches a predetermined value is transmitted to the second sub CPU 170 or the like as a signal indicating that it is abnormal, thereby notifying that it is abnormal. It can be carried out.

If the real-time clock module is used, it is not necessary to provide an independent power source for continuous counting even when the main power of the slot machine 10 is OFF, so the number of parts can be reduced. This increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of electronic components.
In the above-described embodiment, the timing for transmitting the normalization signal is determined based on the count value of the counter circuit 301. However, a predetermined count provided separately from the counter circuit 301 is used. The timing may be determined using a means or a time measuring means.
Further, in the above embodiment, a reset signal is transmitted by executing the reset program, and the count value of the counter circuit 301 is reset.
For example, a program that is stored in the sub-control ROM 151 and that is always executed when the first sub-CPU 140 is started, and that is different from the reset program (for example, a predetermined check program) It is also possible to set so that the reset value is transmitted and the count value of the counter circuit 301 is reset when the process is executed.

  Even when formed in this way, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

10 slot machine
20 Housing 21 Reel unit
22 Left reel 23 Middle reel
24 Right reel 25 Rotating reel
27 Hopper unit 28 Power supply
30 Front door 31 Decoration
33 Control section 34 Display window
35 Medal sensor 36a Single bed switch
36b Max bet switch 37 Start switch
38 Stop switch 39 Checkout switch
40 Medals outlet 43 Medals selector
44 Medal slot 52 Lamp
53 Liquid crystal display 54 Speaker
55 Abnormality notification device
100 Controller 101 Main controller
102 Sub-control device 102A First control unit
102B Second controller 105 Power supply for counting means
106 Power supply for board
110 Main CPU 111A Transmitter
120 Main ROM 130 Main RAM
140 First sub CPU 141A receiver
141B Transmitter / receiver between the first sub 141C Transmitter / receiver between counter circuits
151 Sub control ROM 160 First sub RAM
170 Second sub CPU 171B Second sub inter-transmission / reception unit
181 Image control ROM 191 Second sub RAM
200 VDP 210 character ROM
211 VRAM 220 sound chip
230 Sound ROM
300 Counting means 301 Counter circuit
302 Oscillator 303 Transmitter / receiver between first control units

Claims (3)

A storage medium storing a game-related program, and a board on which a CPU capable of executing a game-related process corresponding to the program stored in the storage medium is mounted;
Counting means for starting counting from a predetermined initial value;
A power supply for a board capable of supplying power to the board,
A gaming machine that outputs a signal indicating an abnormality when the count value of the counting means reaches a predetermined value,
The CPU is activated from a hibernation state at a predetermined timing from when the counting means starts counting until the count value reaches the predetermined value based on the power supply from the substrate power supply, and when activated, the CPU stores the information in the storage medium. After executing the process according to the predetermined program, it is formed so as to be in a rest state again,
The gaming machine is configured so that the count value of the counting means is reset based on execution of the processing, and the counting means restarts counting from the initial value. A power supply for counting means capable of supplying power independently to the counting means,
The counting means starts counting upon receipt of a predetermined start signal, and is configured to always continue counting based on the power supply from the power supply for counting means after the count is started. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a normalization signal for starting the CPU from the hibernation state is transmitted when the count value of the counting means becomes a predetermined specific value. 2. The gaming machine according to 2.

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