JP4347627B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention performs a lottery process with a predetermined hit probability according to a predetermined lottery start condition, and when the lottery result is a win, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine that causes a player to appear in a dominant state About.

There is known a gaming machine that draws a lottery in accordance with a predetermined lottery start condition and, when the result is a win, causes a player to appear in an advantageous state. For example, a pachinko gaming machine performs a lottery (special symbol lottery) in accordance with the winning of a game ball with respect to the start opening, and when the result is a win, a big hit state in which many prize balls can be obtained appears.
Usually, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is determined to perform the lottery process on the main control board. The main control board has a CPU and a ROM, and the lottery process is performed by the CPU executing a program written in the ROM.

In recent years, in the above-described gaming machines, in order to improve the rate of attracting customers, it has been desired to increase the unexpectedness of games (such as concentrated appearance of jackpots) and fairness (such as prevention of major losses). As a method for increasing the unexpectedness of the game, for example, it is proposed that the winning probability of the lottery process is not made constant, but moderate fluctuation is given to the winning probability. Further, as a method for improving the fairness of the game, for example, it is proposed to increase the hit probability according to the cumulative number of lotteries.
However, when the above-described functions are added to the lottery process, the processing load on the CPU increases, which may cause a delay in processing and a malfunction.

Therefore, it is proposed that the lottery process as described above is performed by hardware (IC) without being performed by the CPU (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). For example, the lottery processing IC (probability generation device) shown in Patent Document 1 has a function of giving an appropriate fluctuation to the hit probability, and the lottery processing IC (probability generation device) shown in Patent Document 2 is It has a function to increase the winning probability according to the cumulative number of lotteries. If such a lottery processing IC is employed in a gaming machine, it is possible to increase the unexpectedness and fairness of the game without increasing the processing load on the CPU.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-50695 (page 7, FIG. 5) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-62221 (page 5, FIG. 5)

  When the lottery processing IC as described above is employed in a gaming machine, the lottery processing IC is usually mounted on the main control board, and the lottery result output terminal of the lottery processing IC is connected to the CPU (game machine control unit) of the main control board. However, if the main control board of the gaming machine is configured in this way, an illegal act of deliberately inputting a hit signal from a connection line between the CPU and the lottery processing IC or a legitimate lottery processing IC is forged. There is a possibility that a fraudulent act of exchanging with an IC or a modified IC is performed.

The present invention was created to solve these problems in view of the actual situation as described above, and in response to reception of a lottery start signal, a lottery process is performed with a predetermined hit probability, and the result is obtained. A lottery processing IC that is transmitted as a lottery result signal, and a gaming machine control that transmits a lottery start signal to the lottery processing IC, receives a lottery result signal from the lottery processing IC, and makes a hit determination based on the lottery result signal A game machine comprising: a decision ID for sending / receiving a signal between the lottery processing IC and the game machine control unit, and that the decision ID matches that stored in advance. A lottery process and / or a winning determination are executed under conditions, and the lottery process IC and / or the gaming machine control unit updates the determination ID every predetermined number of lotteries.
If the gaming machine is configured in this way, a lottery process is performed using a lottery process IC, thereby enabling a complicated lottery process without increasing the processing load on the gaming machine control unit (CPU). However, when the signal is sent and received between the lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit, the determination ID is transmitted and received, and the lottery processing and / or the hit determination is performed on the condition that the determination ID matches the one stored in advance. In addition to the execution, the lottery processing IC and / or the gaming machine control unit updates the determination ID for each predetermined number of lotteries, so the security is extremely high between the lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit. Communication can be performed. As a result, even if a hit signal is intentionally input from the connection line between the gaming machine control unit and the lottery processing IC, or even if the regular lottery processing IC is replaced with a counterfeit IC or a forged IC, it is extremely possible to generate an illegal hit. It becomes difficult to effectively prevent these fraudulent activities.
The lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit include an ID storage area for storing a determination ID, and the gaming machine control unit transmits a lottery start signal and a determination ID to the lottery processing IC. A lottery result signal and the updated determination ID are received from the lottery processing IC, and the determination ID in the ID storage area is rewritten with the determination ID, and the lottery processing IC receives a lottery start signal from the gaming machine control unit. And when the determination ID matches the determination ID of the ID storage area, the determination ID of the ID storage area is updated and the lottery result signal and the updated determination ID are also received. The ID is transmitted to the gaming machine control unit.
If the gaming machine is configured in this way, the lottery processing IC updates the determination ID, thereby preventing an illegal act without increasing the processing load of the gaming machine control unit.
The lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit include an ID storage area for storing a determination ID, and the lottery processing IC receives a lottery start signal and a determination ID from the gaming machine control unit, The lottery result signal and the determination ID are transmitted to the gaming machine control unit, and the gaming machine control unit transmits the lottery start signal and the determination ID to the lottery processing IC, and the lottery processing IC receives the lottery result signal and When the determination ID is received and the determination ID matches the determination ID in the ID storage area, a hit determination is performed based on the received lottery result signal, and the determination ID in the ID storage area is updated. It is characterized by doing.
If the gaming machine is configured in this way, the gaming machine control unit updates the determination ID, so that the gaming machine control unit can take the initiative in communication with the lottery processing IC. As a result, the counterfeit IC In addition, it is possible to increase the effect of preventing fraud using a modified IC.
Further, the lottery processing IC transmits a hit / miss signal and / or a random number signal as a lottery result signal.
If the gaming machine is configured in this way, the effect of the present invention is not limited to the case where a lottery processing IC that transmits a hit / miss signal is employed, but also when a lottery processing IC that transmits a random number signal is employed. can get.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, a lottery process is performed using a lottery process IC, thereby enabling a complicated lottery process without increasing the processing load on the gaming machine control unit (CPU). Even if a hit signal is intentionally input from the connection line between the gaming machine control unit and the lottery processing IC, or a regular lottery processing IC is replaced with a counterfeit IC or a modified IC, it is extremely difficult to generate an illegal hit. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent these frauds.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Basic configuration of pachinko machines]
First, a basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine (game machine) according to the present invention will be described. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a pachinko gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is attached to an outer frame 2 fixed to a pachinko island so as to be freely opened and closed. At the position adjacent to the side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a ballroom lending machine 3 is juxtaposed, and by inserting cash (banknotes or coins) or a prepaid card into this ballroom lending machine 3, A game ball is rented out from the lending machine 3 or the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a pachinko game becomes possible.

  The front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a game board 4, an openable / closable glass frame 5 covering the front, an upper plate 6 for storing game balls, a lower plate 7 for storing surplus balls of the upper plate 6, and a game ball A launching handle 8 that performs a launching operation, a lending operation unit 9 that lends a gaming ball, and a speaker 10 that generates sound effects are provided. The back of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a gaming ball for payout. A game ball tank 11 for storing the game ball, a prize ball payout device 12 for paying out the game balls in the game ball tank 11 to the upper plate 6, a launch motor (launch device) 13 for firing the game balls, and various control boards described later. And.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 4 is provided with a start port 14, a winning port 15, a big winning port 16, a gate 17, an out port 18, and a game nail 19, and the game fired on the game board 4. The ball is guided to each of the mouths 14 to 18 by the game nail 19. A special symbol display unit 20 made of a liquid crystal panel is provided at the center of the game board 4 and is surrounded by a center ornament 21. In addition, a stage 22 for moving the game ball is provided at the inner lower portion of the center decoration 21.

[Basic operation of pachinko machines]
When the shooting handle 8 is turned and operated while the game balls are accumulated on the upper plate 6, the game balls are launched toward the game board 4. When the launched game ball wins the start port 14 or the winning port 15, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls.

  When the game ball passes through the gate 17, the normal symbol is displayed in the normal symbol display unit (in this embodiment, the special symbol display unit 20 is also used), and the stop symbol is a predetermined symbol. In the case of a winning symbol, the ordinary electric accessory 14a provided at the start port 14 is opened for a predetermined time.

  Further, when the game ball wins the start opening 14, the special symbol display unit 20 displays the variation of the special symbol lottery. A lottery right obtained by winning a prize at the start port 14 can be reserved up to a predetermined reserved number (for example, four), and the reserved number is indicated by a reserved number display section (in this embodiment, a special symbol). The display unit 20 is also used.). When the display symbol of the special symbol display unit 20 stops with a predetermined combination of jackpots, a jackpot mode (specific game state) described later is set. Hereinafter, various game modes of the pachinko gaming machine 1 that are switched in response to the start or end of a big hit will be described with reference to FIG.

[Game mode of pachinko machines]
1) Normal game mode In this mode, a low probability (for example, 1/359) of the two levels of big hit probability is applied. In this mode, the normal symbol lottery cycle is long.
2) Jackpot mode This mode is executed when a special symbol stops at a predetermined jackpot arrangement. In the big hit mode, the special electric accessory 16a provided in the big winning opening 16 is opened, which is advantageous to the player. The opening operation is terminated on the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number of winnings (for example, 10 balls), but the game ball that has been won during the opening operation is in a specific area within the big winning opening 16. When passing, the above opening operation is repeated up to a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 rounds).

3) Stochastic variation mode This mode is executed with a predetermined probability (for example, 1/2) after the big hit mode is finished. For example, when the special symbol at the big hit is a probability fluctuation symbol, That right is given. In the probability variation mode, the jackpot probability is high (for example, 1/65), the lottery cycle of the normal symbol is short, and the opening time of the normal electric accessory 14a is long. The big hit can be generated again.

4) Time reduction mode This mode is executed after the big hit mode is finished. In the time reduction mode, the same big hit probability (low probability) as in the normal game mode is applied, but the lottery cycle of the normal symbol is short and the opening time of the normal electric accessory 14a is long. The game can be continued. However, this mode is terminated when the number of changes in the special symbol reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times) after the big hit, and the mode is switched to the normal game mode.

[Board configuration of pachinko machines]
As shown in FIG. 5, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a main control board 23 as a main board, and a symbol display control board 24, a sound control board 25, a lamp control board 26, a payout control board 27, and a launch motor as sub boards. A control board 28 is provided. The payout control board 27 is connected to a ball break switch 29, a payout sensor 30, a payout motor 31, and the like, and in addition to paying out game balls in accordance with a payout designation command from the main control board 23, lending between balls. The game ball is paid out in accordance with the rental designation command from the machine 3. The firing motor control board 28 is connected to a firing switch (handle angle sensor) 32, a touch sensor 33, a firing motor 13, and the like. When the firing switch 32 and the touch sensor 33 are ON, the firing motor 13 is driven. Let

  The symbol display control board 24 is a sub board that performs display control of the special symbol display unit 20 in response to a command from the main control board 23, and the sound control board 25 corresponds to a command from the main control board 23. The lamp control board 26 is a sub board that controls lighting of the light emitting display lamp L in a predetermined pattern in response to a command from the main control board 23. .

  The main control board 23 has a winning port sensor S1 for detecting a winning at the winning port 15, a starting port sensor S2 for detecting a winning at the starting port 14, a gate sensor S3 for detecting the passage of the gate 17, and a big winning port 16 Sensors such as a grand prize port sensor S4 for detecting a prize winning, a V sensor S5 for detecting passage of the special prize slot 16 through a V zone (specific region), and a special electric accessory solenoid for opening and closing the special electric accessory 16a. The control boards 23 to 27 are connected to actuators such as a SOL1 and an ordinary electric accessory solenoid SOL2 that opens and closes the ordinary electric accessory 14a. That is, the main control board 23 is configured to perform a special symbol lottery process, a normal symbol lottery process, a command transmission process for each sub board, an electric accessory operation process, and the like according to the detection signals of the sensors S1 to S5. Hereinafter, the configuration and control contents of the main control board 23 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main control board 23 includes a CPU (game machine control unit) 34 and a lottery processing IC 35. The CPU 34 executes the various processes described above according to a main control program written in a ROM (not shown). The lottery process IC 35 is hardware configured to perform a lottery process. In the present embodiment, a special symbol lottery is performed using the lottery process IC 35. The lottery processing IC 35 has a TRG terminal that receives a lottery start signal (trigger signal), a H0 terminal that transmits a special symbol lottery result signal (win / fail signal) at a low probability as a lottery result signal, and a high as a lottery result signal. H1 terminal that transmits a special symbol lottery result signal (win / fail signal) at the time of probability, an ID receiving terminal that receives a fixed ID and a determination ID, and an ID output terminal that transmits a fixed ID and a determination ID Any terminal is connected to the CPU 34. As a communication method between the CPU 34 and the lottery processing IC 35, wired communication using a wiring cable is easy. However, wireless communication using radio waves, infrared rays, or the like may be used. In this case, the number of wiring cables is reduced. It becomes possible.

[Configuration and function of lottery processing IC]
The lottery processing IC 35 receives a lottery start signal at the TRG terminal, a lottery processing circuit that performs a lottery process with a predetermined hit probability, a lottery result transmission circuit that transmits a lottery result signal from the H0 and H1 terminals, and an ID input The ID receiving circuit that receives the fixed ID and the determination ID from the terminal, the ID determination circuit that determines whether the received fixed ID and the determination ID match those of the ID storage area, and the determination ID match In this case, an ID update circuit that updates the ID for determination in the ID storage area and an ID transmission circuit that transmits the fixed ID and the ID for determination from the ID transmission terminal are provided. As a determination ID update method, for example, a method of randomly changing with a random number, a method of calculating based on a fixed ID, a method of calculating based on a random number and a fixed ID, a method of changing based on an elapsed time, an elapsed time And a method of calculating based on a fixed ID, a method of calculating based on a random number, an elapsed time, and a fixed ID.

[Operation of CPU and lottery processing IC]
Next, operations of the CPU 34 and the lottery processing IC 35 relating to the special symbol lottery will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the CPU 34 and the lottery processing IC 35 first send and receive a fixed ID to each other, specify a communication target based on the fixed ID, and determine whether the communication target is a regular product. If the fixed ID received here does not match the fixed ID in the ID storage area, a predetermined error process is executed, and the subsequent processes are avoided.

  When the winning signal is received from the start port sensor S2, the CPU 34 transmits a lottery start signal and an ID for determining the ID storage area to the lottery processing IC 35. The lottery processing IC 35 that has received these signals determines whether or not the received determination ID matches the determination ID in the ID storage area. Here, if the determination IDs do not match, a predetermined error process is executed, and the subsequent processes are avoided. On the other hand, if the determination IDs match, the lottery process is performed with a predetermined lottery probability, the determination ID in the ID storage area is updated, and then the lottery result signal and the updated determination ID are transmitted to the CPU 34. . Receiving these signals, the CPU 34 overwrites the received determination ID in the ID storage area, and makes a special symbol lottery determination based on the received lottery result signal. Thereby, ID for determination is updated for every lottery and it becomes possible to perform highly secure communication. In this embodiment, the determination ID is updated every lottery, but the determination ID may be updated every predetermined number of lotteries.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment configured as described, a lottery process is performed using the lottery process IC 35, thereby enabling a complicated lottery process without increasing the processing burden on the CPU 34. However, when the signal is sent and received between the lottery processing IC 35 and the CPU 34, not only the determination ID is transmitted and received, but also the lottery process and the winning determination are executed on condition that this determination ID matches that previously stored. Since the determination ID is updated for each lottery, communication with extremely high security can be performed between the lottery processing IC 35 and the CPU 34. As a result, even if a hit signal is intentionally input from the connection line between the CPU 34 and the lottery processing IC 35, or the regular lottery processing IC 35 is replaced with a counterfeit IC or a modified IC, it becomes extremely difficult to generate an illegal hit. These fraudulent acts can be effectively prevented.
In the first embodiment, since the lottery processing IC 35 updates the determination ID, there is an advantage that fraud can be prevented without increasing the processing load on the CPU 34.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted, and the description of the first embodiment is cited. As shown in FIG. 8, when receiving a winning signal from the start port sensor S2, the CPU 34 of the second embodiment transmits a lottery start signal and an ID for determining the ID storage area to the lottery processing IC 35. Upon receiving these signals, the lottery processing IC 35 performs a lottery process with a predetermined lottery probability, and transmits a lottery result signal and a determination ID to the CPU 34. The CPU 34 that has received these signals determines whether or not the received determination ID matches the determination ID in the ID storage area. If they do not match, a predetermined error process is executed, Processing is avoided. On the other hand, if the determination IDs match, a hit determination is made based on the received lottery result signal and the determination ID in the ID storage area is updated. As a result, the determination ID is updated every lottery, and communication with extremely high security can be performed.

  According to the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment configured as described above, substantially the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the second embodiment, the CPU 34 updates the determination ID, so that the CPU 34 can take the initiative in communication with the lottery processing IC 35. As a result, an illegal act using a counterfeit IC or a modified IC The prevention effect can be enhanced.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is not limited to the case where a lottery processing IC that transmits a hit / fail signal is employed, but is a case where a lottery processing IC that transmits a random number signal is employed. Even if it exists, the effect of this invention is acquired. In the embodiment, the determination ID is updated by either the lottery processing IC or the CPU. However, the determination ID may be updated by both the lottery processing IC and the CPU. For example, if the same ID update rule is set for the lottery processing IC and the CPU, the consistency of the determination ID can be maintained even if the determination ID is updated by both the lottery processing IC and the CPU.

It is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a front view of a game board. It is a flowchart which shows switching of game mode. It is a block diagram which shows the whole control system of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU and lottery process IC in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU and lottery process IC in 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 4 Game board 14 Start opening 16 Extra prize opening 20 Special symbol display part 23 Main control board 34 CPU
35 lottery processing IC
S2 Start sensor

Claims (4)

In response to receiving the lottery start signal, a lottery process is performed with a predetermined hit probability, and the result is transmitted as a lottery result signal. A lottery start signal is transmitted to the lottery process IC, and the lottery process IC A gaming machine comprising a gaming machine control unit that receives a lottery result signal from and makes a hit determination based on the lottery result signal,
At the time of signal transmission / reception between the lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit, the determination ID is transmitted and received, and the lottery processing and / or the hit determination is performed on the condition that the determination ID matches that stored in advance. The gaming machine is further executed, and the lottery processing IC and / or the gaming machine control unit updates the determination ID every predetermined number of lotteries. The lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit include an ID storage area for storing a determination ID,
The gaming machine control unit transmits a lottery start signal and a determination ID to the lottery processing IC, and also receives a lottery result signal and an updated determination ID from the lottery processing IC. Rewrite the storage area ID
The lottery processing IC receives the lottery start signal and the determination ID from the gaming machine control unit, and when the determination ID matches the determination ID of the ID storage area, 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is updated with the lottery result signal and the updated determination ID. The lottery processing IC and the gaming machine control unit include an ID storage area for storing a determination ID,
The lottery processing IC receives a lottery start signal and determination ID from the gaming machine control unit, and transmits a lottery result signal and determination ID to the gaming machine control unit.
The gaming machine control unit transmits a lottery start signal and a determination ID to the lottery processing IC, and also receives a lottery result signal and a determination ID from the lottery processing IC. The determination ID is stored in the ID storage area. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the ID matches the determination ID, a hit determination is made based on the received lottery result signal and the determination ID in the ID storage area is updated.   The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lottery processing IC transmits a hit / miss signal and / or a random number signal as a lottery result signal.

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