JP4498257B2 - 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.

  The main board incorporates a microcomputer (computer), that is, a ROM and RAM as a storage unit together with a CPU, and realizes lottery / winning / payout / production control by a program. When the microcomputer operates in accordance with this program, the main board receives an operation of the player and makes an internal lottery and a winning determination according to the lottery result, and also controls payout of game media according to the winning. In this way, the main board program performs important control relating to the game.

  By the way, gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines are regulated by law, and therefore the main board program must be subject to prior examination and approval by the relevant organizations, and can be altered without permission. Not. The program mounted on the main board, specifically, the content of the ROM is determined at the time of application to the related organizations, and the content of the ROM of the same type of gaming machine is always required to be the same. 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 ROM 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, and thereby, an illegal profit is obtained. Alternatively, it seems that the main board itself is replaced with an illegal board with an illegal ROM. 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 or making it a structure that cannot be easily removed, but fraud still continues. For this reason, it has become necessary to detect and notify it together with measures for preventing unauthorized substrate replacement.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and it is possible to determine whether or not a substrate has been illegally replaced, and to notify the user by sound, light, or symbol display when the substrate is rewritten. An object is to provide a gaming machine.

The present invention includes a processing unit and a storage unit that stores a program that is read into the processing unit and performs an operation of a predetermined procedure, and performs internal lottery and winning determination in response to a player's operation. A first processing unit for controlling the payout of game media in response,
In a gaming machine comprising a second processing unit that receives a command from the first processing unit and performs an effect process relating to a game,
The first processing unit generates a power-off detection unit that detects power-off of the gaming machine and at least one command to be transmitted to the second processing unit when the power-off detection unit detects the power-off. A command generation unit; a command storage unit that stores the command transmitted to the second processing unit; and a power-on detection unit that detects power-on of the gaming machine. The power-off detection unit detects power-off. Sometimes the command generated by the command generation unit is transmitted to the second processing unit, and when the power on detection is detected by the power on detection unit, the command stored in the command storage unit is read and the second Sent to the processing unit,
The second processing unit includes a command storage unit that stores a command received from the first processing unit, a power-on detection unit that detects power-on of the gaming machine, and a power-on detection unit that detects power-on. A command comparison unit that compares a command received from the first processing unit with a command stored in the command storage unit, and the first processing unit is replaced when the comparison result of the command comparison unit does not match, or the first And a notifying unit for notifying that the storage unit of one processing unit has been replaced.

  The command generation unit preferably stores a plurality of commands in advance and randomly selects at least one of the plurality of commands.

  The command comparison unit may determine that there is a mismatch when a command is not received from the first processing unit within a predetermined time after the power-on detection unit detects power-on.

  According to the present invention, when the main board is replaced, it can be notified by sound or light. This makes it practically impossible to play a game with an illegal program, so that illegal acts can be effectively prevented.

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 on the right side 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 pressed.

  The stop switch 50 is for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60. The stop switch 50 is composed of three switches corresponding to each rotary reel 40, and one stop switch 50 is arranged 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.

  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. On the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape 42, a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols 61 are displayed. Reference numeral 62 denotes a liquid crystal display unit for performing various effects.

  When the start switch 30 is operated on the condition that a medal is inserted or the bet switch 16 is pressed, or on the condition that a predetermined time elapses from the previous game at the time of replay, the reel unit 60 is driven and three rotating reels are operated. 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.

  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 receives a command from the main substrate 1 and operates as a main processing device. Each of the main board 1 and the sub board 2 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted 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 (processing unit) 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.

  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 (processing unit) that performs a control operation according to a program set in advance according to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores a processing result and the like. Including.

  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.

  A CPU (processing unit) (not shown) of the main board 1 performs a predetermined operation by reading a program stored in a ROM (storage unit). Specifically, a start switch 30 and a stop switch by a player The rotation and stop of the rotary reel 40 are controlled based on the operation 50, and the display of lamps, speakers, and the like are controlled. Temporary data required when the CPU operates is stored in RAM (storage unit: data is usually lost when the power is turned off, but data connected to the backup battery is not lost even when the power is turned off). Remembered. 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 and references the recorded data as necessary.

  When the main board 1 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 main board 1 performs a lottery for determining whether or not to win based on a predetermined internal lottery probability. A winning lottery means (not shown) is included. 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.

  The main board 1 includes a power-off detection unit 1a for detecting the power-off of the gaming machine, a command generation unit 1b for generating at least one command to be transmitted to the sub-board 2, and a command for storing the command transmitted to the sub-board 2 A storage unit 1c and a power-on detection unit 1d that detects power-on of the gaming machine are provided. When a plurality of commands are registered in advance and a command is generated by randomly selecting a command from these commands, the command generation unit 1b is configured to include a random number generation unit 1b-1. The random number generator 1b-1 extracts, for example, a random number generation function for generating a pseudo random number by updating a numerical value in a certain range at high speed, and an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers in response to a player's operation. The sampling function is provided. A specific example is a counter and a latch. Each of the above parts is realized by hardware such as an IC provided on the main board 1 or by software by a program stored in the ROM. The present invention includes both hardware and software configurations.

  The sub-board 2 includes a command storage unit 2a that stores commands received from the main board 1, a power-on detection unit 2b that detects power-on of the gaming machine, and a command storage unit that receives commands received from the main board 1 after power-on. A command comparison unit 2c for comparing with the command stored in 2a, and a notification unit 2d for notifying that the main board 1 has been replaced or its ROM has been replaced when the comparison result of the command comparison unit 2c does not match. . Similar to the main board 1, each of the above parts is realized by hardware such as an IC or by software by a program stored in a ROM.

  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. Has been. 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. When the CPU receives a 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 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. Using this effect display device, the notification unit 2d notifies that the main board 1 has been replaced.

  The ROM of the main board 1 stores the game processing procedure executed in the slot machine 10 as a sequence program, and separately 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 as to divide random numbers into respective winning modes, and stores data that divides random numbers extracted from numerical values within a certain range into each winning mode. That is, the winning probability table has an area divided for each winning mode corresponding to the entire area of random numbers taken by random number generation 0 (not shown). 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 winning determination area data segmented for each winning mode in all the regions corresponding to the random number generated from the random number generator, and the winning mode to which the extracted random number data belongs Winning corresponding to is decided. 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.

  The gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention transmits a command as a secret from the main board 1 to the sub board 2 when the power is turned off, and transmits the command from the main board 1 to the sub board 2 again when the power is turned on. 2 compares the command at power-off and the command at power-on, and if they do not match, it is determined that the main board 1 has been replaced or the ROM of the main board 1 has been replaced, and a notification to that effect is given. It is. The command may be arbitrary since it is not necessary to cause the sub-substrate 2 to perform any operation. For example, a command for performing an effect at the time of winning a prize, an AT command, or the like can be used. It is also possible to use commands that have no meaning and simple digital data.

  The operation of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a process flowchart when the power is turned off. S10 to S13 are processes on the main board 1 side, and S20 and S21 are processes on the sub board 2 side.

S10: Power off is detected. The power-off detection unit 1a detects the power-off of the gaming machine. For example, contact disconnection (off) of a power switch (not shown) is detected, or power off is detected when the power supply voltage decreases. Even after the power-off detection, a voltage that can operate the CPU of the main board 1 must be maintained for a certain period of time (at least during the processing of S11 to S13). In an actual gaming machine, a power-off (power-off) warning signal is sent from the power supply unit (not shown) to the main board 1 before the power supply voltage drops after the power is turned off. That's fine. The voltage is maintained for a certain time from the warning signal. Alternatively, the main board 1 may be provided with a backup battery.

S11: An arbitrary command is generated. Any command can be generated here. It is important that the command changes irregularly every time and cannot be predicted from the outside. For example, a plurality of commands are prepared in advance, and a number is assigned to each command and stored in the command generation unit 1b. When the processing of S11 is performed, a random number is generated by the random number generation unit 1b-1, and at least one is selected from a plurality of commands by searching for a corresponding number based on the random number, and this is used as a generated command. Alternatively, the random number generator 1b-1 may generate a number string or a character string at random and send it to the sub-board 2.

S12: The generated command is transmitted to the sub-board 2.
S13: At the same time, the generated command is stored in the command storage unit 1c. The command storage unit 1c is a non-volatile memory or a battery-backed memory, and data is not lost even when the power is turned off.

S21: The command is received by the sub-board 2.
S22: The received command is stored in the command storage unit 2a. The command storage unit 2a is a non-volatile memory or a battery-backed memory, and data is not lost even when the power is turned off.

  FIG. 4 is a process flowchart when the power is turned on. S30 and S31 are processes on the main board 1 side, and S40 to S45 are processes on the sub board 2 side.

S30: When the power of the gaming machine is turned on, the power-on detection unit 1d of the main board 1 detects it (the same applies to the sub-board 2), and reads the command stored in the command storage unit 1c. When the power is turned on, before starting the game, the main board 1 and the sub board 2 perform processing for determining whether or not the main board 1 or its ROM has been exchanged (if the main board 1 has been exchanged) The process itself is not executed, but this detection procedure will be described later with reference to FIG. Since the CPU normally executes a predetermined initial setting process when the power is turned on, the process shown in FIG. 4 may be executed. In this case, the power-on detection unit 1d is connected to the CPU and its CPU. This is realized by a program (the same applies to the sub-board 2).
S31: The read command is transmitted to the sub-board 2.

S40: The sub board 2 receives the command transmitted in S31.
S41: When a command is received from the main board 1, the command stored in the command storage unit 2a is read out.
S42: The command received in S40 is compared with the command read in S41.

S43: If they match (YES), it can be determined that the main board 1 and its ROM have not been replaced, and a normal game process is executed (S44). Since the normal game process is well known, its description is omitted. If they do not match (NO), it can be determined that the main board 1 or its ROM has been replaced, and an error notification is given by the notification unit 2d (S45). When the main board 1 is replaced, the command storage unit 1c that stores the command as a secret is lost, and when the ROM is replaced, the contents are altered, so that the processing after S40 in FIG. This is because the process is not executed (see FIG. 5). When the main board 1 or its ROM is replaced, it is necessary to turn the power off and on. When an error is reported on the sub-board 2, some kind of action occurs such as a hall clerk rushing to check the game table, so it is practically impossible to continue the game. Even if the game is continued, the effect by the sub-board 2 is stopped, so that the profit cannot be received and the game cannot be advantageously performed.

  Immediately after the power is turned on, a command is surely transmitted to the sub-board 2 (S31 in FIG. 4). A program for performing this processing is written in the ROM in advance. If the board or ROM is replaced, the program does not exist and it is expected that no command will be sent. Therefore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is preferable to perform error notification even when a command is not received for a certain period of time.

S40-1: In the power-on process (S40: command reception) of the sub-board 2 in FIG. 4, a timer (not shown) is activated to set a predetermined time.
S40-2: Wait for reception of a command in this state.
S40-3: When a command is received (YES), the processing after S41 in FIG. 4 is executed.
S40-4: When no command is received (NO in S40-3), it is determined whether a time-out, that is, the set timer time has elapsed. If the remaining time of the timer is zero (YES), it means that the command that should have been received within the predetermined time has not been received, and it is considered that the main board or ROM has been replaced. (S45). If the remaining time of the timer is not zero, the processes of S40-2 to S40-4 are repeated.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, when the main board is replaced, it can be notified by sound or light. This makes it practically impossible to play a game with an illegal program, so that illegal acts can be effectively prevented.

  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 a gaming machine (slot machine). 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a fraud determination process flowchart (process at the time of power-off) which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a fraud determination process flowchart (process at the time of power-on) which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a fraud determination process flowchart (process at the time of power-on) which concerns on embodiment of invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main board (first processing part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Power-off detection part 1b Command generation part 1b-1 Random number generation part 1c Command storage part 1d Power-on detection part 2 Sub board | substrate (2nd process part)
2a Command storage unit 2b Power-on detection unit 2c Command comparison unit 2d Notification unit 10 Slot machine 11 Housing 12 Display window 13 Symbol 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 100 Medal insertion slot 200 Liquid crystal control board 201 Speaker board 202 LED board 304 Medal payout slot 311 Medal receiving part (lower plate) )

Claims (3)

A processing unit, and a storage unit that stores a program that is read by the processing unit and performs an operation of a predetermined procedure, and receives an operation of a player to perform an internal lottery and a winning determination and a game medium according to a winning A first processing unit for performing payout control of
In a gaming machine comprising a second processing unit that receives a command from the first processing unit and performs an effect process relating to a game,
The first processing unit generates a power-off detection unit that detects power-off of the gaming machine and at least one command to be transmitted to the second processing unit when the power-off detection unit detects the power-off. A command generation unit; a command storage unit that stores the command transmitted to the second processing unit; and a power-on detection unit that detects power-on of the gaming machine. The power-off detection unit detects power-off. Sometimes the command generated by the command generation unit is transmitted to the second processing unit, and when the power on detection is detected by the power on detection unit, the command stored in the command storage unit is read and the second Sent to the processing unit,
The second processing unit includes a command storage unit that stores a command received from the first processing unit, a power-on detection unit that detects power-on of the gaming machine, and a power-on detection unit that detects power-on. A command comparison unit that compares a command received from the first processing unit with a command stored in the command storage unit, and the first processing unit is replaced when the comparison result of the command comparison unit does not match, or the first A gaming machine comprising: a notifying unit for notifying that the storage unit of one processing unit has been replaced. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the command generation unit stores a plurality of commands in advance and randomly selects at least one of the plurality of commands. The command comparison unit determines a mismatch when a command is not received from the first processing unit within a predetermined time after the power-on detection unit detects power-on. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images