JP4451816B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, to those obtained by particularly improving the security scale early detection and prevention of fraud.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a player can enjoy a game by inserting a predetermined number of medals and game media such as a game ball into the gaming machine. The game media necessary for the game can be borrowed at a game media rental machine or the like provided in the game hall, and the game can be started by putting it into the game media slot of a desired game machine.

  The slot machine basically pays out medals as prizes when the symbols are arranged, but whether or not the symbols are arranged depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer. Various prizes, such as big bonuses, regular bonuses, and small roles, also follow the results of internal computer lottery. The content of the lottery process can be changed within a predetermined range (hereinafter, “setting change”), and the setting operation is performed by the store in a hall where a gaming machine is installed. To change the setting, open the door of the gaming machine, turn on the setting key switch provided on the power supply unit, turn the power switch from off to on, enter the mode where the setting can be changed, and then press the setting change switch. It was performed according to a predetermined operation procedure.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-93580 “Game console” A lamp or the like is forcibly turned on when the power is turned on so that the presence or absence of the failure can be determined. JP, 2003-180966, A "Game machine" The effect state is backed up when the power is reduced, and restored when the power is turned on. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-40276 “Gaming Machine and Method of Preventing Unauthorized Actions and Program in Gaming Machine and Program” Detecting an illegal replacement of a board using a checksum.

  A small part of the players performed a dishonest act (so-called goto act). For example, there has been a person who illegally changes the setting of a gaming machine to one that is advantageous to him by making the setting change illegally. In order to prevent such illegal acts, the door of the gaming machine is provided with a key so that it cannot be easily opened and closed, and a key is required when entering the setting change mode. . However, it seems that the setting was changed by using a stolen key. Unauthorized settings could be changed with the key.

  Conventionally, anyone can easily change a setting by following a predetermined setting changing procedure. This has the problem that security against fraud is low, and it is easy to suffer from fraud.

  In addition, there is an illegal act of replacing a board on which a computer (microcomputer) and a ROM storing a program are installed with an illegal board on which a ROM having a program altered so as to increase the winning probability.

  In order to obtain profits by such an illegal act, it is necessary to turn off / on the power again when making an illegal setting change or after replacing the board. Conventionally, when a power source is turned on, a normal game playable state or a setting changeable state is entered. For this reason, in order to prevent fraud, there has been no choice but to make an operation of illegal setting change itself, or to physically replace the board.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that is always in an error state when the power is turned off and on again, and an object thereof is to suppress fraud.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a housing, a door provided on the front surface of the housing, a start lever provided on the door, and an internal lottery provided in the housing. A main board that performs the setting, a setting key switch and a setting change switch that are provided inside the housing and change predetermined setting values for the internal lottery, and a power switch that turns on and off the power of the gaming machine. ,
The main board 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.
A plurality of lottery tables for performing the internal lottery are stored in the ROM, and a lottery table corresponding to the set value is selected from the plurality of lottery tables, and the internal lottery is performed using the lottery table. In gaming machines,
The main board is
A first step of turning the gaming machine into an inoperable state when the gaming machine is turned off and then the gaming machine is turned on with the setting key switch turned off;
A second step of monitoring the output of a predetermined switch other than the power switch ;
When the switch predetermined is operated, a third step of the gaming machine and gaming ready,
A fourth step of turning the gaming machine into an inoperable state when the gaming machine is turned off and then the gaming machine is turned on with the setting key switch turned on; and
A fifth step of monitoring the output of a predetermined switch other than the power switch ;
A sixth step of setting the gaming machine to a setting change mode when the predetermined switch is operated;
A seventh step of changing the setting value in response to an operation of the setting change switch in the setting change mode;
An eighth step of monitoring the start lever;
A ninth step of determining the set value when the start lever is operated;
A tenth step of monitoring the setting key switch;
Set preferences change process and a 11th step of the gaming machine in a game ready when setting key switch is turned off,
The main board is
In the third step, when any of the following conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied, the gaming machine is set in a playable state,
In the sixth step, when any one of the following conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied, the gaming machine is set to the setting change mode.
(A) The predetermined switch is at least one of the setting key switch, the setting change switch, and a stop switch that is set to have or not to limit the number of medals to be paid out. When at least one of the switches is operated, the gaming machine is put into the game-ready state or set in the setting change mode. (A) The predetermined switch is provided on the door. When the switch is operated, the gaming machine is put into the gameable state or the setting change mode is set. (C) The predetermined switch detects opening / closing of the door. A door open / close detection sensor that detects that the door has been opened and closed a predetermined number of times. And or the setting change mode machine to the playable state

In the fourth step, when the gaming machine is turned off, and then the gaming machine is turned on while the setting key switch is turned on, the gaming machine is made in an unplayable state, Perform error notification.

  The present invention pays attention to the fact that in order to complete the fraud, it is necessary to turn off the power once and then turn on the power. By requiring a release operation, fraud can be suppressed. If an error state always occurs during the power-off operation, the reset switch must be operated in addition to the power switch operation, which is a heavy burden on the fraudster.

  A gaming machine (slot machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided further below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  Further, a start button 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop buttons 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three rotating reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the upper hopper unit 121 and the reel unit 203.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine can first borrow a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and insert a medal directly into the medal slot 132 of the medal slot device. A square window-like game display unit 131 facing the player side is formed at the center and upper part of the slot machine casing. The game display unit 131 is formed with a symbol display window so that the symbols of three rotating reels provided inside the gaming machine can be seen. The start switch 134 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotary reel, and starts driving the reel unit 203 on condition that a game medal is inserted. The reel unit 203 is stopped from driving by a stop switch 140. The reel unit is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

FIG. 3 shows details of the panel of the power supply unit 205.
In FIG. 3, a power switch 2051 is a power on / off switch, a power supply pilot lamp 2052 is a lamp (LED) that is lit when the power is on, and a strike / stop switch 2053 is a strike that limits the number of medals to be paid out. Is a switch for setting “Yes” or “No”. The stop / presence switch 2053 is normally set to “none” and is not frequently used. A setting key switch 2054 is a switch for changing a setting, a setting change / reset switch 2055 is a switch for changing a setting value or resetting the apparatus, and an AC100V pilot lamp 2056 is a power source of the casing. The lamp indicates that AC 100 V is supplied, and the AC power output and power cable 2057 are for supplying power.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the invention.
In FIG. 4, reference numerals 200 and 201 denote a main board (control unit) and a sub board that incorporate a CPU, ROM, and RAM, respectively. The main board 200 performs medal insertion, payout, reel control, winning process, and the like. The sub-board 201 performs processing such as effect display. Reference numeral 202 denotes an operation unit including switches such as a start switch 134, a stop switch 140, and a bet switch without reference numerals. A reel unit 203 includes three rotating reels. An effect display unit 204 includes a game display unit 131, internal illumination of a reel, a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like. The effect display unit 204 notifies the winning combination and the pressing order. A power supply unit 205 supplies power to each unit. 121 is a hopper device for paying out stored medals one by one to a payout opening 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. The door key switch DK is a switch provided in a keyhole for opening the front door 130, and is a switch that is turned on (or turned off) when a key is inserted into the keyhole and turned. The door open / close detection sensor DS is a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the front door 130.

  The main board 200 is used to perform an internal lottery (internal operation) in response to the player's operation, and to perform processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 200 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 200, for example, a plurality of lottery tables (not shown) respectively corresponding to the setting values 1 to 6 are stored, and lottery processing is performed using the lottery tables corresponding to the setting values set by the setting change. Is done. The set value is for selecting one of a plurality of tables prepared in advance.

  The sub-board 201 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 200 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 201 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with 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.

  A gaming machine basically pays out medals when symbols are arranged, but whether or not symbols are arranged 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 can be increased or decreased), and the setting operation is performed by the store in a hall 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 the setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as setting change.

  In addition, the ROM of the main board 200 stores the lottery table in addition to the game process procedure executed in the slot machine as a sequence program. The lottery table is divided to divide random numbers extracted by a random number generator (not shown) into respective winning modes, and random numbers extracted from a predetermined range of numerical values generated by the random number generating unit The data to be partitioned into is stored. That is, the lottery table has an area divided for each winning mode corresponding to the entire area of random numbers taken by the random number generator. 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 checked against each of the data classified for each winning mode in the entire area corresponding to the random number generated from the random number generator, and the winning corresponding to the winning mode to which the random number data belongs is selected. Is determined. For example, it is determined to which category (area) of the lottery table the extracted random number value belongs, 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 occur with the probability according to the data setting of such a lottery table and the stop control of the symbol is performed, so it is not extremely influenced by the skill of the player, for example, within the business hours of the day The total medal payment rate in Japan is maintained almost constant.

A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention always shifts to an error state when the power is turned on by the main board (control unit) 200 (S1 in FIG. 5). If the predetermined operation is not performed, the error state is not restored (S2 in the figure). This prevents fraud and facilitates discovery of the fraud.

  Normally, when a medal is jammed in the medal selector 1 or when there are no medals in the hopper device 121, an error state occurs, and an error notification to that effect (for example, a buzzer sounds or a lamp blinks) is performed. After the hall clerk has cleared the error state, when the error notification is canceled by pressing the error release button (setting change / reset switch 2055) provided in the gaming machine housing, the game returns to the game ready state and the player continues playing Will be able to.

  In addition to the normal error state as described above, the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention always shifts to the error state when the power is turned on, and makes the game impossible (S1 in FIG. 5). For example, the power supply voltage is monitored by a detector (not shown), and when the power supply voltage changes from zero to a specified voltage, the microcomputer is interrupted or reset to execute error processing. Alternatively, a flag may be set when the power supply voltage changes from zero to a specified voltage, and the flag may be viewed when the initial setting of the microcomputer is completed. The error state is different from the conventional error state (like an input waiting state), and the process is not continued unless an appropriate input described below is received.

  In order to cancel the error state, only a dedicated key input (setting key switch 2054, setting change / reset switch 2055, stop switch 2052, etc.) is accepted, and the error state is restored by the key operation (YES in S2 in the figure). . A specific operation different from the normal reset operation (turn the door key switch DK on (or off) by inserting a key into the keyhole, and open / close the front door 130 a predetermined number of times (this is the door open / close detection sensor DS). Or the like) may be performed to recover from the error state.

  The operation for canceling the error state is not difficult for the hall clerk, and since the power is turned on before the store is opened, it does not inconvenience surrounding players. However, if a fraudster performs an operation for canceling the error state during the business hours of the hall, it is noticeable to surrounding players (for example, the act of opening and closing the door many times is very unnatural). Therefore, the fraudster hesitates to cancel the error state and eventually gives up the fraud.

  If an error state is always caused when the power is turned off and on, a predetermined error canceling operation must be performed in addition to the operation of the power switch, which is a heavy burden on the fraudster. Therefore, cheating can be suppressed. In addition, since an error is notified in an error state, it is easy to find the illegal act.

  For example, when changing settings, the power must be turned on once. FIG. 6 shows the entire setting change procedure. First, the power of the gaming machine is turned off (S10 in FIG. 6), and the setting key switch 2054 is turned on (S11). When the power is turned on (S12), the setting change mode is set. The setting is changed in a predetermined procedure (for example, by pressing the setting change / reset switch 2055) (S13). When the desired set value is reached, the start lever is pressed to confirm the set value (14). When the setting key switch 2054 is turned off (S15), the game mode is changed to the normal game mode.

  When the setting is changed, the process of FIG. 5 is executed in S12 of FIG. Therefore, unauthorized setting changes can be suppressed.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, in order to complete fraud, it is necessary to perform an operation of turning off the power and then turning off the power. And deter fraud. The operation of turning the power off and on is not only an important operation, but also a noticeable operation because the lighting of the gaming machine blinks or the buzzer sounds. If an error state always occurs when the power is turned on / off, the reset switch must be operated in addition to the operation of the power switch. These phenomena and acts are a heavy burden for the fraudsters. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, fraudulent acts can be suppressed.

  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.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a front view of the power supply part of a slot machine. It is a functional block diagram of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. The process at the time of power-on which concerns on embodiment of invention is shown. The flowchart for changing the setting of the slot machine is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medal selector 100 Slot machine 120 Slot machine main body 121 Hopper device 122 Hopper tank 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal insertion slot 133 Reject button 134 Start button 135 Outlet 136 Outlet path 140 Stop button 200 Main board (control part)
201 Sub board 202 Operation unit 203 Reel unit 204 Production display unit 205 Power supply unit 2052 Stop switch 2054 Setting key switch 2055 Setting change / reset switch DK Door key switch DS Door open / close detection sensor

Claims (2)

A housing, a door provided on the front surface of the housing, a start lever provided in the door for starting a game, a main board provided in the housing for performing an internal lottery, and the housing A setting key switch and a setting change switch provided inside the body for changing a predetermined set value for the internal lottery, and a power switch for turning on and off the gaming machine ,
The main board 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.
A plurality of lottery tables for performing the internal lottery are stored in the ROM, and a lottery table corresponding to the set value is selected from the plurality of lottery tables, and the internal lottery is performed using the lottery table. In gaming machines,
The main board is
A first step of turning the gaming machine into an inoperable state when the gaming machine is turned off and then the gaming machine is turned on with the setting key switch turned off;
A second step of monitoring the output of a predetermined switch other than the power switch ;
When the switch predetermined is operated, a third step of the gaming machine and gaming ready,
A fourth step of turning the gaming machine into an inoperable state when the gaming machine is turned off and then the gaming machine is turned on with the setting key switch turned on; and
A fifth step of monitoring the output of a predetermined switch other than the power switch ;
A sixth step of setting the gaming machine to a setting change mode when the predetermined switch is operated;
A seventh step of changing the setting value in response to an operation of the setting change switch in the setting change mode;
An eighth step of monitoring the start lever;
A ninth step of determining the set value when the start lever is operated;
A tenth step of monitoring the setting key switch;
Set preferences change process and a 11th step of the gaming machine in a game ready when setting key switch is turned off,
The main board is
In the third step, when any of the following conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied, the gaming machine is set in a playable state,
In the sixth step, the gaming machine is set to the setting change mode when any one of the following conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied.
(A) The predetermined switch is at least one of the setting key switch, the setting change switch, and a stop switch that is set to have or not to limit the number of medals to be paid out. When at least one of the switches is operated, the gaming machine is put into the game-ready state or set in the setting change mode. (A) The predetermined switch is provided on the door. When the switch is operated, the gaming machine is put into the gameable state or the setting change mode is set. (C) The predetermined switch detects opening / closing of the door. A door open / close detection sensor that detects that the door has been opened and closed a predetermined number of times. And or the setting change mode machine to the playable state In the fourth step, when the gaming machine is turned off, and then the gaming machine is turned on while the setting key switch is turned on, the gaming machine is made in an unplayable state, gaming machine of claim 1 Symbol placement and performs error notification.

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