JP4344332B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Pachislot machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines have built-in microcomputers that control lottery, winning, payout, and production by programs. This type of gaming machine receives a player's operation, performs an internal lottery and a winning determination according to the lottery result, and also controls a game medium payout control according to the winning and a first processing unit (so-called main board) And a second processing unit (so-called sub-board) for receiving a command generated by receiving a player's operation from the first processing unit and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. A block diagram of a conventional slot machine is shown in FIG.

  The sub-board 2 receives a command from the main board 1 and performs processing such as rendering according to the command. The flow of commands is only one from the main board 1 to the sub board 2, and conversely, no command or the like is issued from the sub board 2 to the main board 1.

Connected to the main board 1 are a start switch 30, a stop switch 50, a reel drive unit 70, a reel position detection circuit 71, a hopper drive unit 80, and a medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. ing. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a control substrate 200, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 of the liquid crystal display device 62 is connected to the sub substrate 2. Details of these will be described later.
JP, 2003-225360, A "slot machine" In a slot machine provided with a main board which controls progress of a game, a specific signal different from a signal which controls progress of a game etc. is outputted from the main board to a sub board. When the sub-board does not receive a specific signal within a certain time, error processing is performed to detect unauthorized replacement of the main board.

  As described above, the main board 1 incorporates a microcomputer, that is, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and realizes lottery / winning / payout / production control by a program. When the microcomputer operates in accordance with this program, the main board 1 performs an internal lottery and a winning determination according to the lottery result in response to the player's operation, and performs a game medium payout control according to the winning. . Thus, the program of the main board 1 performs important control regarding the game.

  By the way, gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines are regulated by law, and therefore the program for the main board 1 needs to be subject to prior examination and approval by the related organizations, and can be altered without permission. It has not been. The program mounted on the main board 1, specifically, the contents of the ROM are determined at the time of application to the related organizations, and the contents of the ROM of the same type of gaming machine are always required to be the same. The main substrate 1 is sealed and fixed, and the ROM is protected by a structure that cannot be removed from the substrate by caulking or the like so as not to be modified in the market.

  However, there are cases where the main board 1 or the ROM mounted on the main board 1 or the ROM mounted on the main board 1 is exchanged using unauthorized means, and the contents of the program are changed. The ROM in which the program modified so as to increase the winning probability at the time of the lottery is written is illegally attached to the main board 1 to thereby obtain illegal profits. The damage caused by such fraudulent acts is squeezing up the hall management and becoming a social problem. In order to prevent such fraud, measures are taken such as sealing the main board 1 or making it a structure that cannot be easily removed, but still fraudulent acts continue. For this reason, it has become necessary to detect when an unauthorized main board 1 is mounted, together with measures for preventing unauthorized replacement of the main board 1.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such problems, and to provide a gaming machine capable of promptly confirming the fact by sound or light when an unauthorized main board is replaced. With the goal.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a first setting change number storage unit that stores the number of change of setting related to internal lottery and winning determination, and the first setting change when setting related to internal lottery and winning determination is performed. Including a setting change number updating unit for updating the number of setting changes in the setting change number storage unit, performing internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performing game control for paying out game media according to winning A first processing unit;
A second setting change count storage unit for storing the number of setting changes related to internal lottery and winning determination, and the setting change count stored in the first setting change count storage unit from the first processing unit; 2 includes a setting change number consistency determination unit that determines consistency with the setting change number stored in the setting change number storage unit, and an error notification unit that notifies based on an output of the setting change number consistency determination unit A second processing unit.

  The setting change number consistency determination unit, for example, M is the number of setting changes in the first setting change number storage unit received from the first processing unit, and the setting stored in the second setting change number storage unit. When the number of changes is N, it is determined that there is consistency when M = N or M = N + α (α is a predetermined integer, for example, α = 1, 2, 3,...). .

  For example, when the number of setting changes stored in the second setting change number storage unit is N, the setting change number consistency determination unit sets N when receiving a setting change notification from the first processing unit. Update to N + α (α is a predetermined integer, for example, α = 1, 2, 3,...). In order to correctly calculate the cumulative number of setting changes, α = 1, but even if α = 2, 3,..., Fraud detection is possible. α may be a negative integer.

  For example, the setting change number consistency determination unit does not receive the setting change number stored in the first setting change number storage unit from the first processing unit for a longer period than a predetermined period. Judge that there is no.

  The second processing unit may include an error reset unit that counts the number of times of game control in the first processing unit and resets error notification when it reaches a predetermined number of games.

  The second processing unit may include an error reset unit that resets the error notification when the error notification continues longer than a predetermined time.

  Preferably, the error reset unit updates the setting change count of the second setting change count storage unit so as to be consistent with the setting change count of the first setting change count storage unit received from the first processing unit. To do.

According to the present invention, an internal lottery and winning determination are performed in response to a player's operation, and a first processing unit for performing game control for paying out game media in accordance with winning, and a command received from the first processing unit. A method for preventing fraud in a gaming machine comprising a second processing unit for performing an effect including notification of a lottery result,
Updating a setting change count stored in the first processing unit when a setting change related to the internal lottery and winning determination is performed;
Sending the number of changes of the setting stored in the first processing unit to the second processing unit triggered by a game;
Determining the consistency between the number of setting changes from the first processing unit and the number of setting changes stored in the second processing unit;
Reporting an error when consistency is not achieved;
And updating the number of setting changes stored in the second processing unit when consistency is achieved.

Counting the number of game controls in the first processing unit;
And a step of resetting an error when the number of game controls reaches a predetermined number of games.

The present invention is a program for operating a computer as a first processing unit that performs internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation, and performs game control for paying out game media in accordance with winning,
A step of updating the stored number of setting changes when a setting change related to the internal lottery and winning determination is performed;
A program for executing the step of sending the number of change of the setting stored in response to a game to the outside.

The present invention includes an internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation, and includes notification of an internal lottery result in response to a command from a first processing unit that performs game control for paying out game media in accordance with winning. A program for operating a computer as a second processing unit for performing an effect,
A step of receiving the number of setting changes related to the internal lottery and winning determination of the gaming machine from outside;
Determining the consistency between the number of setting changes received from the outside and the number of setting changes stored in the second processing unit;
Reporting an error when consistency is not achieved;
A program for executing a step of updating the number of change of settings stored in the second processing unit when consistency is achieved.

In the above program, receiving information related to gaming of the gaming machine from outside and counting the number of games;
A step of resetting an error when the number of games reaches a predetermined number of games may be further executed.

The program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium, for example.
Examples of the medium include EPROM device, flash memory device, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk, CD (including CD-ROM and Video-CD), DVD (DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD- RAM), ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.

  A medium is a medium in which information (mainly digital data, a program) is recorded by some physical means, and allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. is there.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect unauthorized replacement of the main board by determining the consistency of the number of change of settings, and to notify the fact by sound or light quickly when the unauthorized action is performed. become able to.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine (slot machine).

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with the slot machine 10 first borrows a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and inserts a medal directly into the medal insertion slot 100 of the medal insertion device. The medal slot 100 is provided at a substantially central height in front of the slot machine 10.

  The slot machine 10 has a square box-shaped housing 11. A square window-like display window 12 facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the casing 11. A symbol display window 13 through which the symbols 61 of the three rotary reels 40 can be seen is formed at the center of the display window 12 at the center. The bet switch 16 is a switch located below the rotary reel 40, and reduces the number of stored medals that are continuously inserted into the medal insertion slot 100 and stored to replace the medal insertion. The settlement switch 17 is a switch located obliquely below the rotating reel, and pays out the stored inserted medal. The start switch 30 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotary reel 40 and starts driving the reel unit 60 on condition that a game medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted. The stop switch 50 is for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60. The reel unit 60 is composed of three rotating reels 40. Each rotary reel 40 includes a rotary drum made of synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape 42 attached around the rotary drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols 61 are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape 42. Reference numeral 62 denotes a liquid crystal display unit for performing various effects.

  Inside the slot machine 10, although not shown, a control device for controlling the entire operation of the slot machine 10 is incorporated. Although not shown, the control device is configured around a CPU and includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. The CPU (processing unit) is operated by reading a program stored in a ROM (storage unit) in response to the player's operation. Specifically, the CPU (processing unit) is operated by the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50. Based on this, the rotation and stop of the rotary reel 40 are controlled, and the display of lamps, speakers, and the like are controlled. Temporary data necessary for the CPU to operate is stored in a RAM (storage unit: data is retained even when the power is turned off by a backup power source not shown). The CPU performs a predetermined operation in accordance with a program recorded in the ROM, records temporary data necessary for processing in the RAM, and reads out and refers to the recorded data as necessary.

  The start switch 30 is a lever that is positioned obliquely below the rotary reel 40 as described above. The start switch 30 can be obtained on the condition that a game medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted or according to a winning determination. "Replay)" is to start driving the reel unit 60 on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous game.

  The stop switch 50 is for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60 as described above. Specifically, the stop switch 50 includes three switches corresponding to each rotary reel 40, and one stop switch 50 is disposed below each rotary reel 40. The operation of the stop switch 50 corresponding to the rotating reel 40 is set to stop the rotation of the corresponding rotating reel 40.

  When the start switch 30 is operated on the condition that the medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is inserted, or on the condition that a predetermined time elapses from the previous game at the time of the “replay”, the reel unit 60 is driven, and the three The rotary reel 40 starts to rotate. Thereafter, when one of the stop switches 50 is operated, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reel 40 is stopped. When all three stop switches 50 are operated, the rotation of the three rotary reels 40 is stopped. At this time, if a predetermined symbol 61 on the effective pay line of the display window 12 stops, it is determined that a winning is made, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out through a hopper unit (not shown). In addition, you may credit instead of paying out medals.

  When the control device controls the rotation and stop of the rotary reel 40 based on the operation of the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50, the lottery for determining whether or not to win based on a predetermined internal lottery probability. Including a winning lottery means. A winning flag is established when the internal lottery result by the winning lottery means is a win, and the winning combination is made on the condition that the combination of the stopped symbols of the rotating reel 40 matches a predetermined winning symbol while the winning flag is established. Is determined, and the player is given a profit such as paying out medals or a special game advantageous to the player.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic structure of the slot machine 10. In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. The slot machine 10 includes a main substrate 1 (first processing unit) and a sub substrate 2 (second processing unit) that operates in response to a command from the main substrate 1 (first processing unit). Each of the main board 1 and the sub board 2 is housed inside the case so as to be inaccessible from the outside, and is sealed so that a trace remains when the boards are removed.

  The main board 1 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 1 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. In the ROM of the main board 1, for example, a plurality of lottery tables (not shown) respectively corresponding to the setting values 1 to 6 are stored, and the lottery tables corresponding to the setting values set by setting changes described later are used. A lottery process is performed.

  The sub-board 2 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 1 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 2 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The flow of commands is only one from the main board 1 to the sub board 2, and conversely, no command or the like is issued from the sub board 2 to the main board 1.

In FIG. 2, 1a is a setting change number storage unit (first setting change number storage unit) that stores the number of setting changes related to internal lottery and winning determination, and 1b is a setting change number storage when a setting change is performed. It is a setting change frequency update unit that updates the number of setting changes of the unit 1a.
The gaming machine basically pays out medals when the pattern is complete, but whether the pattern is complete or not depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer. Also, various prizes such as a big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), and small role follow the result of the lottery by the internal computer. The lottery process can be set within a predetermined range (the probability of winning is increased or decreased), and the setting work is performed by the store in a hall or the like where a gaming machine is installed. A normal slot machine is preliminarily provided with a plurality of lottery tables (for example, six) having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles. In the slot machine lottery, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing a setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as a setting change (setting change). The value stored in the setting change count storage unit 1a is the number of times such a setting change has been performed. A specific procedure for changing the setting will be described later.

  In FIG. 2, 2a is a setting change number storage unit (second setting change number storage unit) that stores the number of setting changes related to internal lottery and winning determination, and 2b is stored from the main board 1 to the setting change number storage unit 1a. The setting change count consistency determination unit 2c that receives the set change count and determines consistency with the setting change count stored in the setting change count storage unit 2a. An error notifying unit 2d for notifying an error based on the output of No. 2d is an error resetting unit for resetting the error when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  In FIG. 2, 1a, 1b, and 2a to 2d are incorporated in the main board 1 and the sub board 2, or expressed in a form that is realized by the programs of the main board 1 and the sub board 2, respectively. Is not limited to this. 1a, 1b, and 2a to 2d may be realized in the form of hardware separate from the main board 1 and the sub board 2, respectively.

  Connected to the main board 1 are a start switch 30, a stop switch 50, a reel drive unit 70, a reel position detection circuit 71, a hopper drive unit 80, and a medal detection unit 82 for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. ing. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a control substrate 200, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 of the liquid crystal display device 62 is connected to the sub substrate 2. Hereinafter, these peripheral substrates / devices except for the start switch 30 and the stop switch 50 will be described.

  The reel driving unit 70 is a circuit that drives a stepping motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the three reels 40. Each stepping motor is subjected to 1-2 phase excitation by the reel drive circuit 70 and rotates once when a drive signal having a predetermined number of pulses is supplied.

  The reel position detection circuit 71 is provided in the vicinity of the reel 40, receives an output pulse signal from a photosensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation position of the reel 40, detects the rotation position of each of the three reels 40, and detects the detected position. A signal is output. A photosensor (not shown) detects a shielding plate provided on each reel 40 and generates a reset pulse every time each reel 40 rotates once. This reset pulse is given to the CPU of the main board 1 via the reel position detection circuit 71. In the RAM of the main board 1, a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range is stored for each reel 40, and when the CPU receives the reset pulse, the count value formed in the RAM is stored. Clear to “0”. By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor is eliminated every rotation.

  The hopper driving unit 80 is a circuit that drives a motor of a hopper 81 that stores medals and pays out the number of medals corresponding to the designated winning.

The medal detection unit 82 is for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. The CPU of the main board 1 stops driving by the hopper driving unit 80 when the actually paid out medal count value received from the medal detection unit 82 reaches the predetermined payout number data corresponding to the winning. Finish paying out. A predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player by the hopper driving circuit 80 and the medal detection unit 82 based on a winning obtained as a result of the game.
The setting key switch 90 is a switch for performing the setting change described above. The switch 90 is housed inside the housing and can be operated only by a hall attendant with a key.

The liquid crystal control board 200 is a circuit for driving the liquid crystal display unit 62.
The speaker board 201 is a circuit for driving a loudspeaker (not shown).
The LED substrate 202 is a circuit for driving a display lamp and a back lamp (not shown).

  The liquid crystal display device 62, a speaker and a display lamp (not shown), etc. constitute an effect display device. This effect display device is for notifying a player of a prize or the like, or for teaching a user a specific small role during a certain game with some action during a so-called assist time (AT).

  The ROM of the main board 1 stores game processing procedures executed in the slot machine 10 as a sequence program, and stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like. Has been. The winning probability table is divided so that random numbers extracted by a random number generation unit (not shown) are divided into respective winning modes, and random numbers extracted from a certain range of numerical values generated by the random number generating unit are assigned to each winning mode. The data to be partitioned into is stored. That is, the winning probability table has an area divided for each winning mode corresponding to the entire area of random numbers taken by the random number generator 20. For example, a range of 0 to a certain number is divided into a plurality, one division (area) is excluded, and the other division (area) is set as winning 1, winning 2,. The extracted random number data is collated with each of the winning determination area data divided for each winning mode in all areas corresponding to the random number generated from the random number generator 20, and the winning prize to which the extracted random number data belongs. The winning corresponding to the aspect is determined. For example, it is determined which category (region) of the winning probability table 5 the extracted random number value belongs to, and if the category is, for example, a category of winning 1, it is determined as “winning 1”. Similarly, if the extracted random number value belongs to an out-of-range category (region) in the winning determination table 5, it is determined as “out”. For example, when the evaluation of the lottery process is out of place, it is set so that the predetermined symbols are not aligned (so-called kicking), and when winning, the predetermined symbols are aligned on the condition that the stop switch is pressed at a predetermined timing. (So-called pull-in). And if predetermined symbols are prepared, medals corresponding to winning symbols are paid out. Various winnings are generated under the probability according to the data setting of the winning probability table, and the symbol stop control is performed. For example, the operating hours of the day are not influenced by the skill of the player. The total medal payment rate is maintained almost constant.

  As described above, the gaming machine has the sub-board 2 in addition to the main board 1, and controls production such as sound, light, and symbol (image) display. The main board 1 and the sub board 2 transmit data from the main board 1 to the sub board 2 through a communication line capable of performing only one-way communication. In the embodiment of the present invention, the number of setting changes in the main board 1 is sent to the sub board 2 using this communication path, and it is determined whether the main board 1 has been replaced based on the number of setting changes.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the number of setting changes is used as a secret password. The number of setting changes is unique for each gaming machine, and it is difficult to know it from the outside. For this reason, the number of setting changes is appropriate as a secret password. In a normal use state, the number of setting changes of the main board 1 and the sub board 2 are the same and the consistency between the two is maintained, but when the main board 1 is replaced, the number of setting changes stored therein Then, the number of setting changes stored in the sub-board 2 becomes inconsistent. By detecting this and reporting an error, it can be easily known that the main board 1 has been replaced. Note that the main board 1 may be replaced in repair or the like, but when a predetermined condition is satisfied (a condition that cannot be tolerated by a fraudulent person who continues error notification for a long time), the error reset unit 2d By resetting the error and adapting the number of changes in the setting of the sub-board 2 to that of the main board 1, it is possible not to interfere with normal use.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall processing of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention.
S1: Turn on the power switch of the gaming machine. When changing the setting, the power switch of the gaming machine is turned on while the setting key switch 90 is turned on. The setting key switch 90 is provided on a panel of a power supply unit (provided inside the door) (not shown). Normally off. When the setting key switch is on, the current setting value is displayed on a display unit (not shown) (for example, provided below the symbol display window 13).

S2: If the setting key switch is on (YES in S2) when the power switch is on, the setting mode is entered, and the processes of S3 and S4 are performed. If it is off (NO in S2), the process proceeds to S5 and enters a normal gaming state.

S3: A setting change process is performed. Details of the setting change processing will be described later (see FIG. 4).

S4: After the setting change process, the setting change count in the setting change count storage unit 1a is updated. For example, when the setting change count stored in the setting change count storage unit 1a is M, the new setting change count is M + 1. In this case, M means the cumulative number of setting changes. The secret password is not limited to +1, but may be +2, +3,. What is necessary is just to predetermine how the number of setting changes is calculated by the program of the main board 1 and the program of the sub board 2 so that the two can be matched. Furthermore, it may be a value that is uniquely calculated at the time of setting change based on a predetermined function from the initial value, and such a value is also included in the number of setting changes according to the present invention. Since the fact that the setting change processing has been performed is also notified to the sub-board 2 by a command, the number of setting changes in the setting change number storage unit 2a is updated as in the case of the main board 1. As a result of the above processing, when the number of times of changing the settings of the main board 1 and the sub board 2 matches, the two always match.

  Even when the command indicating that the setting change process has been performed is not sent to the sub-board 2, the method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized. Details will be described later.

S5: A normal game process is performed.

Next, the internal setting process will be described with reference to FIG.
S31: Select an internal setting. The internal setting can be set, for example, in 1 to 6 stages. When the setting switch is operated, the displayed setting value changes.
S32: The start lever 30 is operated.
S33: The set value is determined by the operation of S12.
S34: The setting key switch 90 is turned off. Then, the set value is stored in the main board 1, and the set value display on the display disappears.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the process of the fraud prevention method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention is demonstrated.

S10: A normal game process is executed in response to the player's operation. At the same time, a prescribed number of games (for example, 100) is set on the sub-board 2 (S20). The specified number of games corresponds to the condition for resetting the error.

S11: Each time a game is played, the main board 1 sends a setting change count command to the sub-board 2. The transmission timing may be any of the start time of the game, the game, and the end time of the game. The setting change count command includes identification information indicating the command and a value stored in the setting change count storage unit 1a.

S21: The sub-board 2 receives the setting change count command.

S22: Check the consistency of the number of setting changes. For example, the setting change number consistency determination unit 2b sets M as the number of setting changes in the setting change number storage unit 1a received from the main board 1, and N as the setting change number stored in the setting change number storage unit 2a. When M = N, it is determined that there is consistency. As described in S4 of FIG. 3, when the number of setting changes (initial value) of the main board 1 and the sub board 2 coincides, the two always coincide with each other thereafter. If both do not match, it is considered that the main board 1 has been replaced.

  When the command indicating that the setting change process has been performed is not sent to the sub-board 2, the following process is performed. The setting change frequency consistency determination unit 2b determines that there is consistency when M = N or M = N + 1. If the setting is not changed, M = N. Immediately after the setting is changed, M = N + 1. The latter is also determined to be in a normal range and consistent. If the difference of +1 is left as it is, an error accumulates for each setting change, and it may be determined that consistency is not achieved even though the main board 1 is not replaced. A process (not shown) for updating the value of the setting change count storage unit 2a may be executed later. In addition to +1, +2, +3,... And other processes may be performed (see the description of S4 in FIG. 3).

S23: When consistency is obtained (YES), the process of FIG. 5 is terminated and the process returns to the normal game process. When consistency is not achieved (NO), an error notification process (S24) and an error reset process (S25 to S28) are performed.

S24: Notification that consistency is not achieved in various devices, and the state is maintained until reset. Error notification is performed by causing all or a part of the lamps, LEDs, and liquid crystal display device 62 that can be controlled by the sub-board 2 to emit light or blinking, lighting a specific pattern or displaying an image, or blowing a speaker. Alternatively, the notification modes are arbitrarily combined. Instead of or in addition to this, an error signal may be output to the outside. This error signal is received by the hall computer, for example, and an error is displayed on the hall monitoring device.

S25: In response to a game end command (S12) from the main board 1, the specified number of games set in S20 is subtracted.

S26: It is determined whether or not the prescribed number of games has been consumed. If not (NO), the processes of S25 and S26 are repeated.

S27: When the prescribed number of games has been consumed (YES in S26), the consistency of the number of setting changes is adjusted. Specifically, the value N of the setting change count storage unit 2a is made to coincide with the value M of the setting change count storage unit 1a.

S28: Each device is returned to the normal state, the process of FIG. 5 is terminated, and the normal game process is returned.

  Through the processing of S24 to S28, an error is notified when the consistency of the set number of times cannot be obtained, and the error can be reset by repeating the game for a preset specified number of games (for example, 100 times). Although such a reset operation is performed when the main board 1 is replaced for repair or the like, an error occurs as a result of fraud, and it is not very tolerable to repeat such an operation there. Therefore, it is considered that an unauthorized person cannot misuse the reset processing of S25 to S28.

  In the first embodiment of the invention, the main board side memorizes the number of setting changes, transmits it to the sub board as a command for each game, analyzes the command on the sub board side, and is not consistent with the previous time. Displays this on each device. When the main board is replaced, the above-mentioned consistency cannot be obtained. Therefore, according to Embodiment 1 of the invention, the replacement of the main board can be notified. By continuing the display relating to the error processing until the specified number of games (for example, 100 or more) is consumed (that is, for a certain period of time or more), the hall side can quickly find an unauthorized replacement of the main board.

  In addition, an error reset unit is provided to provide an error reset function and a function to ensure consistency between the main board side setting change count and the sub board side setting change count. In this case, the error can be reset so that the normal game is not hindered, and the reset operation is complicated to make it difficult for the unauthorized person to reset.

  Settings are changed many times, and the number of times is usually not recorded. The number of setting changes is unique to each gaming machine, and it is difficult to know from the outside. Therefore, the setting change frequency can be used as a secret password that no one knows, and the security of the apparatus / method according to the first embodiment of the invention using this is very high.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
If the main board is illegally replaced, the setting change count storage unit 1a is not provided in the first place, and the update of the setting change count in S4 in FIG. 3 and the transmission of the setting change count command in S11 in FIG. 5 may not be executed. Conceivable. The processes of S4 and S11 are special and are not necessarily mounted on the main boards of all models. Therefore, an error may be determined when the setting change count command cannot be received.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows only a part of the processing. 6 adds processing (S21a) for determining whether or not the setting change count command can be received before S22 in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, for convenience, S21 and S21a are displayed separately, but both actually function as a unit. That is, after setting the prescribed number of games (S20), the sub-board 2 continues to wait for a setting change count command from the main board 1. When the setting change number consistency determination unit 2b does not receive the setting change number command and / or the setting change number stored in the setting change number storage unit 1a from the main board 1 for a longer period than a predetermined period (S21a). YES), it is determined that there is no consistency, and an error is notified (S21b). For example, an error is notified when a setting change count command is not received within a predetermined time (several seconds to several minutes) after receiving a game start notification.

Embodiment 3 of the Invention
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the condition for canceling the error state is that the game is repeated more than a predetermined number of times of the predetermined game. Good. FIG. 7 shows processing according to the third embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, time is set in the timer (S25 ′), and when the error notification continues longer than the time (YES in S26 ′), consistency is adjusted (S27) and the error is reset (S28). ).

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

  In the present specification, means does not necessarily mean physical means, but includes cases where the functions of each means are realized by software. Furthermore, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

It is a front view of a gaming machine (slot machine). 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a process flowchart at the time of power activation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal setting process flowchart which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a fraud determination process flowchart which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a fraud determination process flowchart which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a fraud determination process flowchart which concerns on Embodiment 3 of invention. It is a block diagram of the conventional gaming machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main board (first processing part)
1a Setting change count storage section (first setting change count storage section)
1b Setting change count update unit 2 Sub-board (second processing unit)
2a Setting change count storage section (second setting change count storage section)
2b Setting change frequency consistency determination unit 2c Error notification unit 2d Error reset unit 10 Slot machine 11 Housing 12 Display window 13 Pattern display window 16 Bet switch 17 Checkout switch 30 Start switch 40 Rotating reel 42 Reel tape 50 Stop switch 60 Reel unit 61 Symbol 62 Liquid crystal display unit 70 Reel drive unit 71 Reel position detection circuit 80 Hopper drive unit 81 Hopper 82 Medal detection unit 90 Setting key switch 100 Medal insertion slot 200 Liquid crystal control board 201 Speaker board 202 LED board 304 Medal payout slot 311 Department (lower plate)

Claims (7)

A first setting change number storage unit that stores the number of setting changes related to internal lottery and winning determination, and a setting of the first setting change number storage unit when a change in setting related to internal lottery and winning determination is performed. A first change processing unit for performing game control for performing internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation, and paying out game media in accordance with the winning;
A second setting change count storage unit for storing the number of setting changes related to internal lottery and winning determination, and the setting change count stored in the first setting change count storage unit from the first processing unit; 2 includes a setting change number consistency determination unit that determines consistency with the setting change number stored in the setting change number storage unit, and an error notification unit that notifies based on an output of the setting change number consistency determination unit And a second processing unit.   The setting change frequency consistency determining unit receives the setting change number stored in the second setting change number storage unit as M and the setting change number stored in the second setting change number storage unit received from the first processing unit. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that there is consistency when M = N or M = N + α (α is a predetermined integer), where N is N.   The setting change number consistency determining unit, when N is the number of setting changes stored in the second setting change number storage unit, N is set to N + α (when a notification of setting change is received from the first processing unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein α is updated to a predetermined integer).   The setting change number consistency determination unit has no consistency when it does not receive the setting change number stored in the first setting change number storage unit from the first processing unit for a longer period than a predetermined period. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game machine is determined.   The second processing unit includes an error reset unit that counts the number of times of game control in the first processing unit and resets an error notification when it reaches a predetermined specified number of games. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second processing unit includes an error reset unit that resets the error notification when the error notification continues longer than a predetermined time. .   The error reset unit updates the setting change count of the second setting change count storage unit so as to be consistent with the setting change count of the first setting change count storage unit received from the first processing unit. The gaming machine according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above.

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