JP4451818B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to an improved security related to setting change.

  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.

JP2004-201796 “Amusement Machine, Method for Preventing Unauthorized Action in Game Machine, and Program”

  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. It seems that unauthorized setting changes are made in a very short time in order to avoid unauthorized detection.

  In a conventional gaming machine, anyone who has a key and knows a predetermined setting change procedure can easily change the setting. This has the problem that security against fraud is low, and it is easy to suffer from fraud.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent unauthorized setting changes.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a setting key switch for shifting a gaming machine to a state for changing a setting relating to internal operation, and a setting for changing the setting in the state for changing a setting relating to internal operation. A change switch, a control unit for changing the setting according to a predetermined procedure based on signals from the setting key switch and the setting change switch, and a timer,
The control unit activates the timer when the setting key switch is operated to change to the state in which the setting related to the internal operation is changed, and the state is measured after a predetermined time is counted by the timer. A setting change preparation process for shifting the gaming machine is executed, and a signal of the setting change switch is invalidated in the setting change preparation process.

A sub-control unit that performs an effect related to a game, and an effect display unit controlled by the sub-control unit,
When the control unit executes the setting change preparation process, the control unit sends a command for notifying that the setting change preparation process is being executed to the sub-control unit, and performs the notification. When the preparation process is completed, a command for terminating the notification may be sent to the sub-control unit to terminate the notification.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a setting key switch for shifting a gaming machine to a state for changing a setting relating to internal operation, and a setting for changing the setting in the state for changing a setting relating to internal operation. A change switch, a control unit for changing the setting according to a predetermined procedure based on signals from the setting key switch and the setting change switch, and a timer,
The controller activates the timer when the setting change is completed, and executes a setting change completion preparation process for shifting the gaming machine to a gameable state after measuring a predetermined time by the timer. It is characterized by this.

A sub-control unit that performs an effect related to a game, an effect display unit controlled by the sub-control unit, and a reset switch;
The control unit, when executing the setting change completion preparation process, sends a command for notifying that the setting change completion preparation process is being executed to the sub-control unit, and performs the notification. When the setting change completion preparation process is completed and the reset switch is operated, a command for terminating the notification may be sent to the sub-control unit to terminate the notification.

  According to the present invention, when the gaming machine is transferred to the setting change mode, the setting change preparation mode is passed, or when the gaming machine is returned from the setting change mode to the normal gaming mode, the setting change completion preparation mode is passed. Thus, in each of the setting change preparation mode and the setting change completion preparation mode, control is performed so as not to shift to the next mode unless a predetermined time elapses by a timer. It is possible to prevent unauthorized setting changes made in. This greatly increases the possibility that the hall side can detect fraud.

  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.

  A start switch 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. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. 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. 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 (sub control unit) each incorporating a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. 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. Reference numeral 204 denotes an effect display unit including internal lighting of the reel of the game display unit 131, electrical decoration, 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.

  Reference numeral 200a denotes a timer. The timer 200a is realized by hardware such as a dedicated IC or a program executed by the CPU. The timer 200a is for measuring a predetermined time. That is, a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) is set in the timer 200a, and a signal to that effect is output when the predetermined time elapses from the activation of the timer 200a. The output (not shown) of the main board 200 is received by the CPU, and the processing described later is performed.

  The power supply unit 205 including at least the setting key switch 2054 and the reset switch 2055 is connected to the main board 200. Each of the aforementioned units outputs a signal to the main board 200 including the timer 200a. Needless to say, the power supply unit 205 includes various power supplies (not shown), and outputs of these power supplies are supplied to the main board 200, the sub board 201, and the like.

  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 stored in the main board 200 and is used to select 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. For example, for the setting values 1 to 6, the first lottery table to the sixth lottery table are selected and used, respectively.

  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.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the setting change preparation process and the setting change completion preparation process according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the setting change process according to the embodiment of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, operation | movement of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 5 shows the entire setting change procedure. First, the power of the gaming machine is turned off (S10 in FIG. 5), and the setting key switch 2054 is turned on (S11). A key is required to turn on the setting key switch 2054. Then, the gaming machine is turned on (S12). In the case of the prior art, the setting change mode is immediately entered, but in the embodiment of the invention, the setting change mode is entered after passing through the setting change preparation mode. That is, a setting change preparation process is executed (S13). In the setting change preparation mode, the buttons 2054 and 2055 for changing the settings are invalid.

  In the setting change preparation process of FIG. 6A, a timer waiting process is executed (S30). That is, after the power is turned on (S12), the timer 200a is started and the processing is stopped until a predetermined time is measured. The setting change process (S14) cannot be performed while the timer 200a is timing. Even if the switch is operated while the timer 200a is timing, it is ignored. When the timer 200a measures the predetermined time, the process of FIG. 6A is exited based on the signal to that effect, and the next process (setting change process (S14)) is executed. In summary, in the setting change preparation process of FIG. 6A, the signal from the setting change / reset switch 2055 is invalidated. That is, even if the setting change / reset switch 2055 is operated while the timer is counting, the signal generated by the operation is ignored.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when the setting change preparation process (S13) is executed, a notification command is sent from the main board 200 to the sub-board 201. In response to this, the sub-board 201 performs notification by the effect display unit 204 such as the internal illumination of the reel, electrical decoration, a liquid crystal display device, and a speaker. For example, lighting or lighting is turned on or blinking, “Preparation of setting change” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device, a buzzer sound is played from the speaker, or a sound such as “Preparing setting change” is played. When the execution of the timer waiting process (S30) in FIG. 6A is finished, a reset command is sent from the main board 200 to the sub board 201 as shown in FIG. (S21).

  Then, the setting change process of FIG. 7 is performed. This is the same procedure as before. When the setting change / reset switch 2055 is operated (YES in S50), 1 is added to the current setting value (stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board) (S51). When the upper limit of the set value is reached, for example, when the set value exceeds 6 (YES in S52), the set value is initialized, for example, returned to 1 (S53). Thereafter, and when the setting change / reset switch 2055 is not operated (NO in S50), it is determined whether or not the start switch 134 is pressed. If it is pressed (YES in S54), the set value is determined ( S55). For example, the set value is stored in the memory of the main board. Then, the setting key switch 2054 is turned off (S56). This completes the setting change process.

  When the setting change process (S14 in FIG. 5) is completed, a setting change completion preparation process (S15) is executed. In the past, the game mode was immediately entered, but in the embodiment of the invention, the game mode is entered after passing through the setting change completion preparation mode. In the setting change completion preparation mode, the buttons 2054 and 2055 for changing the setting are invalid.

  In the setting change completion preparation process of FIG. 6B, a timer waiting process is executed (S40). That is, in response to the start switch 134 being pushed down, the timer 200a is started and the processing is stopped until a predetermined time is measured. If the timer 200a measures a predetermined time, it is next monitored whether the setting change / reset switch 2055 is operated (S41). This is to make it more difficult to cheat by requesting further operation of the reset switch 2055 to enter the game mode. Note that S41 may be omitted.

  When the setting change completion preparation process (S15) is executed, a notification command is sent from the main board 200 to the sub board 201. In response to this, the sub-board 201 performs notification by the effect display unit 204 such as the internal illumination of the reel, electrical decoration, a liquid crystal display device, and a speaker (S22). When the execution of the timer waiting process in FIG. 6B is finished, a reset command is sent from the main board 200 to the sub board 201, and the sub board 201 ends the notification in response to this (S23).

  Instead of sending a reset command from the main board 200 to the sub board 201, the sub board 201 may monitor the output of the setting change / reset switch 2055. That is, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5, after the notification by the illumination / liquid crystal (S22), the operation of the reset switch is monitored (S24), and the notification is terminated when the reset switch is operated (S23). .

  Note that the notification mode may be different between S20 and S22 of FIG. 5 so that the setting change preparation mode and the setting change completion preparation mode can be distinguished.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the mode of the gaming machine and its transition according to the embodiment of the present invention. The modes of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention are generally as follows.
-The gaming machine is not in any mode when the power is off.
・ When the power is on, it takes one of the following four modes.
(1) Game mode: normal state in which game can be played (2) Setting change mode: state in which setting can be changed (3) Setting change preparation mode: state in the middle of setting change mode (4) Setting change completion preparation mode: setting State during transition from change mode to game mode

  As can be seen from FIG. 8, a setting change preparation mode is provided before the setting change mode, and a setting change completion preparation mode is provided between the game mode and the setting change mode. On the other hand, in the conventional gaming machine, there is no setting change preparation mode and setting change completion preparation mode as shown in FIG. Migrated immediately. For this reason, it is possible to quickly make an unauthorized setting change, and therefore, the illegal act may be missed. On the other hand, according to the embodiment of the invention, the setting change preparation mode and the setting change completion preparation mode are provided, so that the setting change cannot be performed quickly. As a result, the possibility of detecting fraud has greatly increased and it has become possible to deter fraud.

  According to the embodiment of the invention, since only the setting change preparation mode and the setting change completion preparation mode need to be performed at the time of mode transition, the change of the main board program can be reduced, and the realization thereof is easy. If it is monitored in the setting change mode in FIG. 9 that each procedure (each process in FIG. 7) is over a certain time, it is necessary to make many changes to the program. Therefore, the manner of the embodiment of the invention (mode shown in FIG. 8) is advantageous in terms of feasibility.

  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 the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a functional block diagram of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the setting change preparation process and setting change completion preparation process which concern on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of a setting change process. It is explanatory drawing about the mode of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and its transfer. It is explanatory drawing about the mode of the conventional game machine, and its transfer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medal selector 100 Slot machine 120 Slot machine main body 121 Hopper apparatus 122 Hopper tank 130 Front door 131 Game display part 132 Medal insertion slot 133 Reject button 134 Start switch 135 Outlet 136 Outlet path 140 Stop button 200 Main board (control part)
200a Timer 201 Sub board (sub control unit)
202 Operation unit 203 Reel unit 204 Production display unit (reel internal illumination, electrical decoration, liquid crystal display, speaker, etc.)
205 Power supply unit 2054 Setting key switch

Claims (2)

A setting key switch for shifting the gaming machine to a state for changing the setting relating to the internal operation, a setting changing switch for changing the setting in the state for changing the setting relating to the internal operation, and the setting key switch And a control unit that changes the setting according to a predetermined procedure based on a signal from the setting change switch, a timer , a sub-control unit that performs an effect related to the game , and an effect display unit that is controlled by the sub-control unit, With
The control unit activates the timer when the setting key switch is operated to change to the state in which the setting related to the internal operation is changed, and the state is measured after a predetermined time is counted by the timer. And executing a setting change preparation process for shifting the gaming machine to the above, invalidating the signal of the setting change switch in the setting change preparation process ,
When the control unit executes the setting change preparation process, the control unit sends a command for notifying that the setting change preparation process is being executed to the sub-control unit, and performs the notification. A gaming machine characterized by sending a command for terminating the notification to the sub-control unit when the preparation process is completed, and terminating the notification. A setting key switch for shifting the gaming machine to a state for changing the setting relating to the internal operation, a setting changing switch for changing the setting in the state for changing the setting relating to the internal operation, and the setting key switch And a control unit that changes the setting according to a predetermined procedure based on a signal from the setting change switch, a timer , a sub-control unit that performs an effect related to the game , and an effect display unit that is controlled by the sub-control unit, With a reset switch,
Wherein the control unit, the setting of the timer is started when the change is completed, and perform the migration is to set changed ready handling gaming machine in a game ready after counting a predetermined time in the timer ,
The control unit, when executing the setting change completion preparation process, sends a command for notifying that the setting change completion preparation process is being executed to the sub-control unit, and performs the notification. A gaming machine characterized in that when the setting change completion preparation process is completed and the reset switch is operated, a command for terminating the notification is sent to the sub-control unit to terminate the notification.

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