JP4518335B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is provided with an arithmetic processing unit for gaming that controls game control of a ball game machine (commonly known as a pachinko gaming machine ) , and in particular, is illegal against the provisions of laws and regulations (Article 20 of the Wind Management Law: regulation and authorization of gaming machines). The present invention relates to a gaming machine that eliminates control and contributes to the sound development of the entire gaming industry.

Game control of a ball ball game machine or a revolving game machine (hereinafter referred to as a “game machine”) is considerably complicated, and a microcomputer is an indispensable control means. The misconduct used (for example, the incorporation of “back rom” and “hanging board”) has always been a worrying social issue.
The back ROM is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) containing a game program that has been tampered with so as to generate a jackpot when a certain procedure is performed. A hanging board is a board equipped with an electronic circuit that generates a false start winning signal that is inserted between the gaming machine main body and the game control device and leads to a jackpot (many of them are imitations similar to regular cables and connectors). Is). Gaming machines incorporating these illegal parts are not different from ordinary bases at a glance, and as long as the general customers are playing, the number of jackpots and the number of balls will not increase abnormally, so it is difficult to detect fraud. is there.

  By the way, in addition to advanced knowledge of electronic circuits and computers in general, in addition to the advanced knowledge of electronic circuits and computers, detailed analysis and examination of game programs incorporated in game machines are indispensable. This is because, regardless of the mechanism for generating a big hit or the timing of an appropriate start winning signal leading to the occurrence of a big win, it greatly depends on the control specifications of the game program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a microcomputer program development process. This figure is slightly different from the game machine development style in that it does not include the procedure for writing the validity confirmation information issued by a third-party organization, but it is essentially the same if you focus only on pure program development. It is.
The source program is a source program described in an assembly language (or C language, Pascal language, etc.) corresponding to the microcomputer architecture. The program at this stage has a symbolic representation that is readable in consideration of debugability and the like. For example, the address is represented by a character string called a label. The assembler is a tool that translates primitive programs into machine language. A program translated into a machine language is also called a target program. Since instructions are replaced with codes and addresses are replaced with real addresses of corresponding storage devices, they can be directly executed by a microcomputer.

  The target program is often distributed in a portable storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM, for example, as a general-purpose application program. Therefore, it is written in the ROM, and the ROM is shipped after being attached to the control board inside the gaming machine. Further, as a countermeasure against the above-mentioned ROM, the CPU and peripheral circuits are integrated (one-chip) together with the ROM.

An example of such a conventional gaming machine is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1.
JP-A-10-040095

In general, data written in a ROM can be read from the outside using a tool such as an ICE (in-circuit emulator). In this regard, the ROM of the game processor is no exception, and the machine language game program written in the ROM of the game processor is read from the outside, disassembled (reversely translated into the original program), and There is no particular difficulty in the act of analyzing the content itself.
Therefore, the ball game machine and the revolving game machine in which the game program is stored in the ROM have a weakness that the game program is inherently low in secrecy, and the ROM or the control board or the game machine in which the ROM is stored. When the main body is in the hands of an unauthorized person, reading of the game program cannot be prevented, and after all, the above-mentioned unauthorized parts are unwillingly allowed to be produced.

Therefore, the present invention improves the concealment of the game program to make the analysis impossible or extremely difficult, thereby preventing the production of illegal parts such as back roms and hanging boards, and an arithmetic processing unit for gaming with an external device It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that enables identification and legitimacy determination and contributes to the sound development of the entire gaming industry.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 provides a non-volatile storage means for storing a game program, an arithmetic processing means for performing arithmetic processing based on the game program, and a work area necessary for executing the arithmetic processing. A gaming arithmetic processing device having a volatile storage means is incorporated in a control device comprising a control board and a case for housing the control board,
In a gaming machine capable of variably displaying a plurality of identification information in a plurality of rows on a display device based on a winning of a game ball at a start opening provided in a game area,
An external terminal is provided that can determine the legitimacy of the gaming arithmetic processing device based on the determination information output from the gaming machine or can be electrically connected to an external device that can identify the gaming arithmetic processing device. ,
The gaming arithmetic processing device comprises:
A game area unit including the non-volatile memory means, the arithmetic processing means, and the volatile memory means for performing game control, electrically connected to the external terminal, and operable independently of the game area part. It is divided into an information area part that is configured and manages information,
First capturing means for capturing a first key encrypted with a predetermined algorithm from the outside;
A second fetching unit for fetching a game program encrypted by a predetermined algorithm from the outside;
Storage means for storing the second key in advance;
First decryption means for decrypting a first key captured from outside using the second key;
A second decryption means for decrypting a game program fetched from outside using the decrypted first key;
Writing means for writing the decrypted game program into the nonvolatile storage means;
Information storage means capable of storing the same information as the storage information stored in the volatile storage means based on the execution of the game program by the arithmetic processing means;
Copy storage control means for monitoring the arithmetic processing operation of the arithmetic processing means according to the state of the bus, copying the stored information stored in the volatile storage means during non-operation and storing the information in the information storage means;
Unique information storage means for storing unique information capable of identifying the game processing device;
In response to a predetermined command from the external device, the unique information stored in the unique information storage means is output as the determination information to the external device via the external terminal, and a memory from the external device In response to a content request command, determination information output means capable of outputting the stored information copied / stored in the information storage means via the external terminal ;
With
It said judgment information output means, the external terminal and the electrically provided that the information area portion connected, regardless of the arithmetic processing operation of the processing means in the gaming area part, to a request from the external device In response, the unique information or the stored information can be transferred to the external device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first key necessary for decrypting the game program encrypted by the predetermined algorithm is encrypted and fetched, and the first key is decrypted. Since the second key necessary for the game is held inside the game processing device, even if the encrypted game program is transferred to a third party, the first key and the second key are not passed. As long as the encrypted game program cannot be decrypted, the game program can be prevented from being tampered with, for example, the creation of illegal parts such as a back ROM or a hanging board can be prevented.
In addition, if the gaming arithmetic processing unit is removed from the used gaming machine removed from the gaming store and the second key inside the gaming arithmetic processing unit is successfully read, the first key There is no way to decrypt the game program. Therefore, it becomes more difficult to alter the game program.
In addition, an external terminal that can determine the legitimacy of the game processing device based on the determination information output from the gaming machine or can electrically connect the gaming machine with an external device that can identify the gaming processing device Since the unique information that can identify the game processing device via the external device is output to the external device as determination information in response to a predetermined command from the external device, the external device can identify and verify the game processing device. Can be determined.
In addition, the arithmetic processing operation of the arithmetic processing means is monitored by the state of the bus, and the storage information stored in the volatile storage means based on the execution of the game program during non-operation is copied and stored in the information storage means. The memory information copied and stored in response to the memory content request command from the device can be output to the external device via the external terminal, so that the validity of the game arithmetic processing device is determined by the external device. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to determine whether or not unauthorized game control is being executed on the gaming machine.
Furthermore, since the determination information output means is provided in the information area portion that is electrically connected to the external terminal and can be operated independently of the game area portion that controls the game, the arithmetic processing operation of the arithmetic processing means in the game area portion ( Regardless of the operation state, it is possible to transfer the specific information as the determination information or the copied / stored stored information to the external device in response to a command from the external device .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a game store (hereinafter referred to as a “hall”) in which a large number of pachinko gaming machines are installed.
1. Whole Hall Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall hall configuration. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a hall. In the hall 1, a pachinko island 11 in which a number of CR (card reader) type gaming machines 10j (j is a, b... , Auxiliary state change information recording device JRs, history processing device 12, counter computer CC, FAX device 13, office computer HC, printer 14, communication control devices 15-18, ball counter 19, island safe 20, surveillance camera A system 21, an announcement system 22, a setting / inspection device 23, and the like are arranged. The setting / inspection device 23 is connected to the in-store network 37 whenever necessary.

  Pachinko island 11 includes information collection terminal devices 31a and 31b (hereinafter also referred to as “information collection terminal device 31” as appropriate), gaming machines 10a and 10b (same “gaming machine 10”), card-type balls Lending device 32a, 32b (same as "card-type ball lending device 32"), ball cutting device 33a, 33b ("ball cutting device 33"), pulse tanks 34a, 34b ("pulse tank 34") and network relay device 35 (for example, a router). A plurality of pachinko islands 11 are arranged in the hall 1, but each “island” is similar (however, the type of gaming machine is different for each island), so here one pachinko island 11 is used. Will be described.

  One network relay device 35 is arranged for each pachinko island 11, but the other devices (for example, the information collecting terminal device 31, the ball cutting device 33, and the pulse tank 34) are the gaming machines 10a and 10b. The same number (ie, paired with the gaming machine 10) is arranged.

  Each of the gaming machines 10a and 10b has game control devices 41a and 41b (hereinafter referred to as “game control device 41” as appropriate) for controlling the game state, and the game control device 41 controls the objects. A game arithmetic processing device described later (see the arithmetic processing device 200 in FIGS. 4 and 5; this is an IC for a so-called amuse chip, the details of which will be described later). The game control device 41 includes a game control board and a case for housing the board.

  A card-type ball lending device 32 is arranged on the side of the gaming machine 10, and a ball lending operation using a prepaid card (PC) can be performed from the gaming machine 10. The ball cutting device 33 replenishes balls from the pachinko island 11 to the replenishment tank of the gaming machine 10, for example, a signal that becomes one pulse every time 10 balls are replenished (a replenishment ball number signal shown in FIG. 2 described later). ) Is output from the ball cutter 33. The pulse tank 34 counts the balls after the game collected from the gaming machine 10 to the outside. For example, the pulse tank 34 outputs a signal (which will be described later) which becomes one pulse every 10 outflows (collection) of the balls. The collected ball number signal shown in FIG. 2 is output.

  Each of the information collection terminal devices 31a and 31b includes PJ1 and PJ2 and distribution circuits 42a and 42b (hereinafter, appropriately represented by “distribution circuit 42”). The distribution circuit 42 is connected to the gaming machine 10, the card-type ball lending device 32, the ball cutting device 33, and the pulse tank 34, and distributes and transfers signals input / output from these devices to PJ1 and PJ2. For example, the distribution circuit 42 distributes and transfers the sales signal, supply ball number signal, recovered ball number signal, jackpot signal, special figure rotation signal, probability variation signal, and amuse communication signal to PJ1, and hits PJ2. Stop signal, metal frame opening / closing signal, wooden frame opening / closing signal, empty pan signal (signal for detecting that the amount of balls replenished from the pachinko island 11 to the storage tank of the gaming machine 10), abnormal signal (incorrect electromagnetic wave) Distributes and transmits a signal to detect an illegal magnetic force and electromagnetic wave) and a power-off signal.

  PJ1 is based on the sales signal, the supply ball number signal, the collected ball number signal, the jackpot signal, the special figure rotation signal, the probability change signal, and the amuse communication signal inputted / outputted from the game control device 41, and the gaming machine 10 and the game The game information output from the equipment and the game information (state change information) transferred from the PJ2 are calculated and processed, and processing for detecting changes in the game information from the collected game information is performed. The correctness determination (true / false determination) of the arithmetic processing unit 200 is also performed, and the detailed block configuration will be described later.

  PJ2 is a process for transferring state change information (for example, a gold frame opening signal, an empty pan signal, etc.) collected mainly from gaming machine 10 and gaming equipment to PJ1 and a request to stop firing from PJ1. When there is, the process etc. which make the gaming machine 10 impossible are performed. The network relay device 35 has, for example, a router function, and is a device that relay-connects between the island network 36 and the store network 37. The island network 36 and the store network 37 employ LON (LON (Local Operating Network: registered trademark of Echalon) developed by Echalon, USA).

  The pachinko island 11 is connected to a JR, JRs, history processing device 12, CC, HC, communication control devices 15 to 18 and a setting / inspection device 23 via an in-store network 37. The in-island network 36, the network relay device 35, and the in-store network 37 constitute a communication network 61 (also referred to as “LON communication network”) that connects PJ1, PJ2, JR, CC, and HC as a whole.

One JR is provided in Hall 1. For example, one is installed for 500 gaming machines. Or, if there are multiple floors, one may be installed on each floor. JR organizes and records game information (state change information) reported from PJ1 of each pachinko island 11 for each gaming machine, and JRs backs up JR.
The history processing device 12 is a device that records error information from PJ1, PJ2, JR, JRs, etc. connected to the communication network 37. The error history is analyzed after the failure (PJ1, PJ2,. Node to which JR, JRs, etc. are connected).

  A general-purpose personal computer can be used as the CC. The CC collects the state change information of the gaming machine 10 on the current day by polling JR or JRs, and performs a process of detecting and displaying the state change. Generally, in the state change information, the big hit or the probability fluctuation is usually required to check the detailed game information of the gaming machine 10 in which the event has occurred in the CC. Game information is collected from 10 PJ1, and detailed game information is displayed together with the previous state change information. If the JR has trouble and cannot collect information, it immediately switches to the backup JRs and collects and displays the same information.

Furthermore, when it is desired to check the game information of the desired gaming machine 10 through the CC, there is also a function of collecting and displaying the game information directly from the corresponding PJ1. CC and HC are connected by a dedicated network cable 62 (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark)). If you want to check management information such as sales, model information, and time-series information at CC, from HC Information can be obtained and displayed.
Note that a fax machine 13 is connected to the CC, and information collected and analyzed by the CC can be processed into a predetermined print format and transmitted to the outside.

  A general-purpose personal computer can also be used for the HC. HC generates various information that contributes to management decisions based on game information for the day and the past, collects game information by polling PJ1 or PJ2 at predetermined intervals, records it on a hard disk, etc. It can be displayed or printed in a predetermined format. In addition, when it is desired to check game information of a specific gaming machine 10 by HC, there is also a function of collecting and displaying game information directly from the corresponding PJ1. Further, when it is desired to confirm the state change information (real system information) of the gaming machine 10 by the HC, the information can be obtained from the CC via the network cable 62 and displayed. Note that a printer 14 is connected to the HC, and the collected information can be printed in a predetermined format. CC and HC constitute a management device that manages the entire game information of the game store 1.

The communication control devices 15 to 18 are devices that perform a communication interface between the ball counter 19, the island safe 20, the surveillance camera system 21, the announcement system 22, and the in-store network 37.
The ball counter 19 counts the spheres obtained by the player (for example, for exchanging prizes), transfers the count value to the CC and HC, and prints a counting result paper piece for exchanging prizes to the player. Out and output. The island safe 20 is a device for storing coins and banknotes collected from a money changer, a cash-type ball lending device or the like provided in the hall 1, and transfers the current storage amount to the HC and CC one by one.
The surveillance camera system 21 is a system that manages the surveillance cameras arranged in the hall 1 and records the captured images, and the announcement system 22 is a system that performs announcements in the hall 1 manually and automatically.

  For example, a notebook personal computer can be used as the setting / inspection apparatus 23. The setting / inspection device 23 can be connected to the in-store network 37 as needed, automatically acquires an account of the LON communication network at the time of connection, and is built in the game control device 41 of the gaming machine 10 connected to an arbitrary PJ1. The game processing unit 200) can be accessed to set a unique ID for determining validity.

  As described above, the setting / inspection device 23 is connected to the in-store network 37 "when necessary". For example, when it is necessary to replace it with a new machine, the setting / inspection device 23 is connected to the in-store network 37 after the exchange, and the game control device of the machine (replaced gaming machine 10) via the new machine PJ1. 41, the game processing unit 200 built in 41 is accessed to set a unique ID for determining validity.

  In addition, when determining the legitimacy of the game processing unit 200 at PJ1, in addition to the above-described unique ID determination, a game program may be used as determination information. The same reference game program as the game program built in the processing device 200 is set from the setting / inspection device 23 to PJ1. The PJ1 reads out the game program from the game arithmetic processing device 200, and compares with the set reference game program to determine the validity.

  However, as will be apparent from the following description, the game program read from the game processing device 200 according to the present embodiment is encrypted by a predetermined method, and therefore, a game for comparison and comparison. The program (game program set in the PJ1 from the setting / inspection device 23) must also be encrypted in the same manner. In such correctness judgment work, the consistency between both programs is checked, and if there is even one bit that does not match, it is determined that the program is a faulty or tampered program. It does n’t matter if you do n’t.

  On the other hand, an encrypted game program is highly confidential, and even if the program leaks out at the stage of the legitimacy determination, it is extremely difficult to analyze its contents, etc. compared to an unencrypted game program. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the production of illegal parts such as back roms and hanging boards.

2. Configuration of PJ1 Next, the block configuration of PJ1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of PJ1. In FIG. 2, PJ1 includes a CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, EEPROM 54, backup power supply 55, oscillation circuit 56, communication control device 57, output interface (I / F) 58, input interface (I / F) 59, and bus 60. Yes.

  Based on the processing program stored in the ROM 52, the CPU 51 calculates and processes the game information output from the gaming machine 10 and the game equipment device that it is responsible for and the game information (state change information) transferred from the PJ2, A process for detecting a change in game information from the collected game information is performed, and the validity of the game processing unit 200 is also determined. The ROM 52 stores a processing program for determining the legitimacy of the gaming arithmetic processing device 200 and a processing program for collecting and processing game information, and the RAM 53 is used as a work area.

The EEPROM 54 stores the unique ID of the game processing device 200 connected to the PJ1. The procedure for storing the unique ID in the EEPROM 54 is performed by the setting / inspection device 23. The EEPROM 54 also stores setting values for monitoring state change information. This set value is set by CC or HC.
The backup power supply 55 is a power supply for holding the information stored in the RAM 53 even during a power failure. The oscillation circuit 56 supplies a control clock signal to the CPU 51, and the communication control device 57 performs communication control between the PJ1 and another network terminal via the island network 36. The communication control device 57 stores a different monitoring device ID for each device, and the monitoring device ID is used to identify the PJ1 when transmitting / receiving information.

The output interface 58 performs an output interface process between the gaming machine 10 and the CPU 51, and an amuse communication signal (for example, a program request command) is output from the output interface 58 to the game control device 41 of the gaming machine 10. .
The input interface 59 performs input interface processing between the gaming machine 10 and the game equipment (ball rental device 32, etc.) and the CPU 51, and includes an amuse communication signal, a sales signal by a card from the card-type ball rental device 32C, Sales signal by cash from the cash-type ball lending device 32G, replenishing ball number signal from the ball cutting device 33, recovered ball number signal from the pulse tank 34, special figure rotation signal from the game control device 41 (rotation of special figure) ), A jackpot signal, and a probability change signal (signals that notify the probability change and the jackpot game).
Here, PJ1 and PJ2 monitor the unique ID of the gaming arithmetic processing device 200 included in the gaming control device 41 of the gaming machine 10 as a whole, and evaluate the legitimacy of the gaming arithmetic processing device 200. Configure.

3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 has a frame-shaped front frame 71, a metal frame (glass frame) 72 for supporting glass, and a gaming board 73 in which a gaming area is formed. A front display panel 74 and an operation panel 75 provided below the front display panel 74. The front frame 71 is supported by an upper hinge 77 and a lower hinge 78 so that it can be opened and closed with respect to a wooden machine frame (not shown) on which the gaming machine 10 is installed, and the metal frame 72 is supported by the front frame 71 so as to be opened and closed. ing.

  One end of the display panel 74 is supported by the front frame 71 so as to be openable and closable, and an upper plate 81 for receiving a prize ball is formed. In order to move the ball of the upper plate 81 to a ball storage plate (also called a tray) 82, An opening / closing lever 83 is provided for opening and closing the connecting passage. The operation panel 75 is provided with an ashtray 84 and the above-described sphere storage tray 82, and is provided with a sphere extraction lever 85 for extracting the sphere stored in the sphere storage tray 82 downward to the outside. Further, a ball launching operation knob 86 is provided on the right end side of the operation panel 75, and a big hit indicator 87 that is lit or blinks at the time of the big hit is provided above the front frame 71 of the gaming machine 10. .

  The game board 73 is formed with a game area in which a substantially circular area on the front surface is surrounded by a guide rail 88, and a plurality of rows of identification information (so-called special symbols; hereinafter referred to as “special figures”) are arranged in the game area. Special display device 89 for variable display, special variable winning device 90 having a large winning opening, ordinary variable winning device 91 (so-called ordinary power) functioning as a special drawing starting port, and normal symbols provided in the normal variable winning device 91 (A so-called ordinary figure; hereinafter referred to as "ordinary figure"), an ordinary figure display device 92, a plurality of through-chucking-type ordinary figure starting gates 93, a plurality of general winning holes 94, and a plurality of hitting ball direction changing members 96 called windmills. Left and right side lamps 97, 98, an out hole 99, and the like are provided.

  A special figure start switch 100 is provided in the winning flow path in the normal variation winning apparatus 91, and a general figure start gate switch 103 is provided in the passing flow path in the normal figure start gate 93. Further, a continuous switch 102 is provided in the continuous winning channel in the special winning slot of the special variable winning device 90, and a count switch 101 is provided in the general winning channel (refer to FIG. 4 for each switch).

  In the upper part of the special figure display device 89, the above-described general winning opening 94 is arranged, and four special figure start memory displays 105 are provided. A start memory indicator 106 is provided. The general-purpose display device 92 is, for example, a display made of a liquid crystal or LED having a 7-segment display unit for displaying a single-digit number, and in this case, the normal symbol (common diagram) is a single-digit number. . The start memory displays 105 and 106 respectively display the number of start memories stored in a special figure or a common figure.

The special figure start switch 100 detects that the ball has won the normal fluctuation winning device 91, the normal figure start gate switch 103 detects that the ball has passed the normal figure start gate 93, and the count switch 101 has the special variable prize. All the balls that have entered the big winning opening of the device 90 are detected, and the continuation switch 102 detects the balls that have won the continuous winning (so-called V winning) among the balls that have entered the big winning opening.
The game area of the game board 73 is provided with a number of obstacle nails called top nails, armored nails, etc., which are omitted here to avoid congestion in the drawing. The game board 73 may be provided with other various decorative lamps, LEDs, and the like.
There are various types of game areas on the game board, including those belonging to the so-called “first type” and those belonging to “third type” equipped with a symbol display device. It can also be applied to. In short, what is necessary is just to be provided with the arithmetic processing unit 200 for games which controls game control. Incidentally, the thing of this Embodiment is a type which belongs to "the 1st kind".

4). FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the game control device 41. The game control device 41 includes a game arithmetic processing device 200 composed of a microcomputer for performing an accessory control necessary for a pachinko game, etc. An oscillator 111 that divides the frequency to generate a predetermined clock signal, and generates an interrupt signal that further divides the clock signal to generate a pulse signal (reset interrupt signal RST) having a predetermined period (for example, 2 ms period). A circuit 118, an input interface 112 for inputting various sensor signals, an output interface 113 for outputting various drive signals, a sound generator 114 for generating sound effects (mechanical sound and / or sound) necessary for the game, and sound A sound effect signal from the generator 114 is amplified and a spin installed at a predetermined location of the gaming machine 10. An amplifier 116 that outputs to the car 115, and an external communication terminal 117 that exchanges signals between the game control device 41 and the information collection terminal device 31j (see the information collection terminal devices 31a and 31b in FIG. 1). Consists of.

  Signals from the special figure start switch 100, the count switch 101, the continuation switch 102, the general figure start gate switch 103, and the safe sensor 104 are input to the input interface 112. The safe sensor 104 detects a winning game ball. From the output interface 113, an external information terminal 119 for outputting game information to the information collecting terminal device 31, a display control device 120 for performing display control of the special figure display device 89, and a special prize winning device 90 which is a special variable winning device 90 are provided. Corresponds to the large winning opening solenoid 121 which is driven to open and close, the special figure start memory display 105, the general figure display device 92, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 122 which drives the normal variable prize winning device 91, the general figure start memory display 106 and the winning ball. Then, a control signal is output to the prize ball discharge circuit 123 for controlling the discharge of the prize ball, various decoration lamps, and LEDs (for example, ornaments including side lamps 97 and 98).

5). Configuration of Game Processing Unit 200 FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the game processing unit 200. In FIG. 5, the game processing unit 200 is manufactured as a so-called amuse chip IC, and is divided into a game area unit 200A for performing game control and an information area unit 200B for managing information.

First, the game area unit 200A includes a CPU core (arithmetic processing means) 201, a ROM (nonvolatile storage means) 202, a RAM (volatile storage means) 203, an external bus interface (I / F) 204a, a bus switching circuit 204b, a random number. The circuit includes a generation circuit 205, a clock generator 206, a reset / interrupt control circuit 207, an address decoder 208, an output control circuit 209, and a bus 210.
The CPU core 201 performs arithmetic processing for game control, and the ROM 202 stores the control program (game program 202a) and also stores validity confirmation information in a predetermined area. The legitimacy confirmation information is information in the case of performing a simple legitimacy check of the gaming arithmetic processing device 200. For example, a write end code 213a, initial setting information 213b, which will be described later, a manufacturer code (manufacturer of the gaming machine) A unique code assigned for each), a result value obtained by performing a predetermined calculation (for example, a checksum obtained by adding each information, a calculation such as CRC) using the authorization code and the unique ID. The legitimacy confirmation information is written in a predetermined area when a third party organization or a game machine manufacturer writes the game program 202a in the ROM 202. When the manufacturer of the gaming machine writes, only the result value is notified from the third party organization.

  When performing a simple check of the gaming arithmetic processing device 200, when the gaming arithmetic processing device 200 is powered on, a predetermined value in the ROM 202 in which the arithmetic value calculated by the gaming arithmetic processing device 200 itself and the gaming program 202a are stored. A configuration that enables a simple check of the arithmetic processing device 200 for gaming by comparing and determining the validity confirmation information (that is, a result value set in advance by a third party organization or the like) written in advance in It has become.

The RAM 203 is used as a work area (work area) when executing processing based on the game program 202a in the game area unit 200A.
The external bus interface 204a has an interface such as a memory request signal MREQ, an input / output request signal IORQ, a memory write signal WR, a memory read signal RD, and a mode signal MODE, and the bus switching circuit 204b has a 16-bit interface. The interface is used for address signals A0 to A15 and 8-bit data signals D0 to D7.

For example, if the data signals D0 to D7 are added while sequentially increasing the address signals A0 to A15 while the MODE signal is set to [H] level, the writing mode to the ROM 202 is set and the game machine manufacturer or the second The game program 202a can be written by a three-party organization. Note that the write mode allows a game program to be written, and does not allow a boot program to be described later to be written.
When the writing of the game program 202a to the ROM 202 is completed, a write end code 213a is recorded in a predetermined area of the parameter memory 213 described later (for example, recorded by physically cutting a predetermined code or a predetermined bit). When the write end code 213a is recorded in the parameter memory 213, a new game program cannot be written to the ROM 202.

The random number generation circuit 205 generates a random number related to whether or not to add a game value (for example, jackpot) in the game execution process (the random number is used for determining a jackpot or determining a symbol when stopped). A mathematical method (for example, a congruent method or an M-sequence method) for generating a uniform random number is used. In the present embodiment, information related to the model is used as a seed value when generating a random number.
The clock generator 206 generates a predetermined clock signal. The reset / interrupt control circuit 207 detects the reset interrupt signal RST from the interrupt signal generation circuit 118 and notifies the CPU core 201 of it. The address decoder 208 decodes the location of the built-in device and the built-in control / status register group by the memory mapped I / O method and the I / O mapped I / O method. The output control circuit 209 controls the signal from the address decoder 208 and outputs an 8-bit chip select signal (CS0 to CS7) from the external terminal. The bus 210 includes a data bus, an address bus, and a control bus, and extends to the information area unit 200B.

  Next, an information area unit 200B for managing information in the game processing unit 200 includes a decryption / ROM writing circuit 211, a ROM 212, a parameter memory (storage means) 213, a bus monitor circuit 214, a dual port (abbreviated as DP). The RAM 215, the security memory 216, the status memory 217, the control circuit 218, the external communication control circuit 219, the bus 220, the buffer circuit 221, and a part of the bus 210 extending from the game area unit 200A are configured.

  The decryption / ROM writing circuit 211 is used in the writing mode of the game program 202a to the ROM 202 provided in the game area unit 200A. While the mode signal MODE is at the [H] level, the bus After fetching the address signals A0 to A15 and the data signals D0 to D7 via the switching circuit 204b and decrypting the information (encrypted generation / decryption key and encrypted game program) included in the data signals D0 to D7 The data is output (written) to the ROM 202 via the bus 210. Details of the decryption / ROM writing circuit 211 will be described later.

The ROM 212 stores a boot program. When the gaming arithmetic processing unit 200 is powered on, first, the boot program starts up, performs a predetermined simple check, and if normal, passes the processing to a predetermined address of the gaming program. It is like that. The parameter memory 213 stores a write end code 213a, initial setting information 213b, and a fixed decryption key (corresponding to the second key described in the gist of the invention) 213c.
The write end code 213c is information indicating that the game program 202a has been written in the ROM 202 as described above. The initial setting information 213b is information for setting the usage (for input / output) of the chip select signals CS0 to CS7 when the game machine manufacturer writes the game program 202a. For example, CS0, This is information that CS1 and CS2 are used for input, and CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, and CS7 are used for output. The fixed decryption key 213c is information used as a key (key) when decrypting (reproducing) an “encryption generation / decryption key” to be described later. However, it may be information unique to each lot, for example, in consideration of the cost.

The DPRAM 215 copies and stores the contents of the RAM 203 on the game area unit 200A side via the bus 210, and can be accessed from both the game area unit 200A side and the information area unit 200B side. ing.
The bus monitor circuit 214 monitors and controls the state of the bus 210 on the game area unit 200A side from the information area unit 200B side. The control here is timing control when copying the contents of the RAM 203 to the DPRAM 215, or when the game program 202a is output to the outside (the bus 210 on the game area 200A side is opened and the game program 202a is read from the ROM 202). The timing control when the information area 200B is output to the outside. The game program 202a is output after being encrypted by an external communication control circuit 219 described later.

  Here, data access to the DPRAM 215 will be described. The DPRAM 215 is connected with a bus 210 (including an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) of the game area unit 200A via a buffer circuit 221. When information is written to a predetermined address of the RAM 203, the same address of the DPRAM 215 is set. Are also copied so that the same information is written. However, the RD signal (read control signal) in the control bus is not connected to the DPRAM 215.

  In terms of information copying, the RAM 203 and the DPRAM 215 may have different information writing speeds and preferable writing timings. Therefore, a buffer circuit 221 is provided in the address bus, data bus, and control bus connected to the DPRAM 215 side. The buffer monitor 221 is controlled by the bus monitor circuit 214 (for example, control for delaying the timing of writing data in the RAM 203 by pooling), and the contents of the high-speed operation RAM 203 are surely copied to the DPRAM 215 (high-speed operation). Since the contents of the RAM 203 need only be copied, even if the timing of copying to the DPRAM 215 is delayed, it is possible to perform reliable copying by sequentially putting the copied contents in the buffer). As a result, data duplication is prevented and data is reliably copied.

  The security memory 216 (for example, composed of an EEPROM) has a unique ID, a manufacturer code (manufacturer's manufacturer code), and an authorization code (third party) used for identifying the gaming arithmetic processing device 200 and determining its legitimacy. Is an authorization code of a gaming machine authorized by a number assigned to a gaming machine that has passed inspection by the institution. The security memory 216 constitutes unique information storage means for storing unique information (here, a unique ID) of the gaming arithmetic processing device 200.

  The status memory 217 is a storage area for the control circuit 218 to detect and write state change information of game information with reference to the contents of the DPRAM 215. In the DPRAM 215, the same information as that stored in the RAM 203 on the game area 200A side is written at the same address, and the game information is written in advance at a specific address in the RAM 203 on the game area 200A. In this case, the state change information can be obtained by acquiring information from the specific address from the DPRAM 215 on the information area unit 200B side. This is because the contents of the information stored in the RAM 203 cannot be understood on the information area unit 200B side unless such an arrangement is made.

  The control circuit 218 controls the information area unit 200B side, and has a buffer memory (simply referred to as “memory” in the figure). For example, the control circuit 218 monitors the operation of the CPU core 201 via the bus monitor circuit 214, and copies the contents of the RAM 203 of the game area unit 200A to the DPRAM 215 of the information area unit 200B during non-operation. In addition, in response to a memory content request command from the external device PJ1, the contents of the DPRAM 215 of the information area unit 200B are transferred to the outside, or in response to the game program request command, in the ROM 202 via the bus monitor circuit 214. Transfer game programs to the outside. The memory of the control circuit 218 is used for timing adjustment at the time of transfer.

The external communication control circuit 219 performs communication with the above-described PJ1 (see FIG. 2). For example, information stored in the arithmetic processing unit 200 based on a command from the outside (for example, state change information, game After the program, write end code, unique ID, etc.) are encrypted, processing such as transfer to the outside is performed.
In the gaming arithmetic processing device 200, the gaming area unit 200A and the information area unit 200B operate independently via the bus monitor circuit 214. That is, the information area unit 200B side can operate regardless of the operation of the CPU core 201 in the game area unit 200A (regardless of program execution).

6). Configuration of Decoding / ROM Writing Circuit 211 FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the main part including the decoding / ROM writing circuit 211. The decryption / ROM writing circuit 211 includes a key decryption circuit (first capture means, first decryption means) 211a, a program decryption circuit (second capture means, second decryption means) 211b, and a program write circuit. 211c, a generation / decryption key temporary storage unit 211d, and a game program temporary storage unit 211e, and an encrypted generation / decryption key (first described in the gist of the invention) via the bus switching circuit 204b (see FIG. 5). (Corresponding to a key) 300 and the encrypted game program 301, the encrypted decryption key 300 is decrypted using the fixed decryption key 213c of the parameter memory 213, and the encrypted game is decrypted using the decrypted generated / decryption key. The program 301 is decrypted, and the decrypted game program 202a is written into the ROM 202.

  The two temporary storage units (the generation / decryption key temporary storage unit 211d and the game program temporary storage unit 211e) perform “temporary storage” of data as the name indicates, and the storage period is at least a decrypted game program. Is stored in the ROM 202, in other words, after the decrypted game program is written in the ROM 202, the stored data is completely erased. This is a security measure for making the key used for decryption of the encrypted game program 301 unknown even when the used gaming machine 10 is removed from the hall 1 and passed to the hands of a third party.

  In the figure, the encryption / decryption key 300 and the encryption game program 301 to be fetched by the decryption / ROM writing circuit 211 are stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk. It is meant that the medium is taken in via a disk, and the medium is not specified (in a floppy disk).

  Here, the encrypted game program 301 is obtained by encrypting the target program in the above-described program development stage with a predetermined encryption algorithm (for example, DES: Data Encryption Standard). The encryption generation / decryption key 300 for decrypting the encrypted game program 301 is also encrypted with the same algorithm.

  Therefore, (1) even if the encrypted game program 301 before being fetched into the decryption / ROM writing circuit 211 is obtained, the encrypted game program 301 cannot be decrypted unless the encryption generation / decryption key 300 is obtained. (2) Even if both the encrypted game program 301 and the encrypted generation / decryption key 300 are obtained, the encrypted generation is not performed unless the fixed decryption key 213c necessary for decryption of the encrypted generation / decryption key 300 is acquired. Since the decryption key 300 cannot be decrypted, it is possible to improve the security by preventing the production of unauthorized parts such as back roms and hanging boards.

  This is because the secret key (generation / decryption key) necessary for decryption of the encrypted game program 301 is encrypted, and further, the secret key (fixed decryption key 213c) necessary for decryption of the encrypted generation / decryption key 300 is encrypted. Is written in advance in the parameter memory 213 of the arithmetic processing unit 200. In short, the key is doubled and the last key (fixed decryption key 213c) is incorporated into the arithmetic processing unit 200, and even the last key is the third. This is because the encrypted game program 301 cannot be decrypted unless it is handed over to the user.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the encrypted game program 301 is decrypted by the decryption / ROM writing circuit 211 and written to the ROM 202. Therefore, the encrypted game program 301 is stored in the altered location (or distribution process). If there is a bit error), a part that does not correspond to the generated decryption key 300 is generated in the process of decryption, and the part is written in the ROM 202 without being broken (normally decrypted). As a result of the abnormal control of the game control (operation not specified in the specification; typically runaway), the game program can be indirectly evaluated for legitimacy (evaluation of whether it contains tampering or bugs), There is also a merit that no special circuit is required for validity evaluation.

In the present embodiment, the encryption generation / decryption key 300 captured from the outside is decrypted by the key decryption circuit 211a, and the encrypted game program 301 is decrypted by using the decrypted key. Not exclusively. For example, a decryption key (decryption key) of the encrypted game program 301 may be stored in advance in the parameter memory 213 and the encrypted game program 301 may be decrypted using this key.
According to this, since the key necessary for decrypting the encrypted game program 301 is held inside (for example, stored in the parameter memory 213), the encrypted game program 301 is temporarily transferred to a third party. However, the encrypted game program 301 cannot be decrypted unless a decryption key is obtained. Therefore, the third party cannot understand the contents of the original program (equivalent to the decrypted game program), so the game program cannot be changed according to their own circumstances. Tampering can be prevented, for example, the production of illegal parts such as back roms and hanging boards can be prevented, and further, since it is not necessary to distribute the encryption generation / decryption key 300, security can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a hall | hole. It is a block diagram of PJ1. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram of a game control device. It is a block diagram of the arithmetic processing unit for games. It is a block diagram of the principal part containing a decoding and ROM writing circuit. It is a figure which shows the program development stage of the microcomputer general.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game machine 200 Arithmetic processing apparatus 201 CPU core (arithmetic processing means, write completion code recording means, write prohibition means)
202 ROM (nonvolatile storage means)
202a Game program 203 RAM (volatile storage means)
205 Random number generation circuit (random number generation means)
211a Key decryption circuit (first capture means, first decryption means)
211b Program decoding circuit (second fetching means, second decoding means)
211c Program writing circuit (writing means)
213 Parameter memory (storage means)
213c fixed decryption key (second key)
215 DPRAM (information storage means)
218 Control circuit (copy storage control means)
219 External communication control circuit (external communication control means)
221 Buffer circuit (buffer means)
300 Encryption generation / decryption key (first key)
301 Encrypted game program (encrypted game program)
PJ1 External device

Claims (1)

Arithmetic arithmetic processing comprising: nonvolatile storage means for storing a gaming program; arithmetic processing means for performing arithmetic processing based on the gaming program; and volatile storage means for providing a work area necessary for execution of the arithmetic processing The device is built in a control device comprising a control board and a case for housing the control board,
In a gaming machine capable of variably displaying a plurality of identification information in a plurality of rows on a display device based on a winning of a game ball at a start opening provided in a game area,
An external terminal is provided that can determine the legitimacy of the gaming arithmetic processing device based on the determination information output from the gaming machine or can be electrically connected to an external device that can identify the gaming arithmetic processing device. ,
The gaming arithmetic processing device comprises:
A game area unit including the non-volatile memory means, the arithmetic processing means, and the volatile memory means for performing game control, electrically connected to the external terminal, and operable independently of the game area part. It is divided into an information area part that is configured and manages information,
First capturing means for capturing a first key encrypted with a predetermined algorithm from the outside;
A second fetching means for fetching a game program encrypted with a predetermined algorithm from the outside;
Storage means for storing the second key in advance;
First decryption means for decrypting a first key captured from outside using the second key;
A second decryption means for decrypting a game program fetched from outside using the decrypted first key;
Writing means for writing the decrypted game program into the nonvolatile storage means;
Information storage means capable of storing the same information as the storage information stored in the volatile storage means based on the execution of the game program by the arithmetic processing means;
Copy storage control means for monitoring the arithmetic processing operation of the arithmetic processing means according to the state of the bus, copying the stored information stored in the volatile storage means during non-operation and storing the information in the information storage means;
Unique information storage means for storing unique information capable of identifying the game processing device;
In response to a predetermined command from the external device, the unique information stored in the unique information storage means is output as the determination information to the external device via the external terminal, and a memory from the external device In response to a content request command, determination information output means capable of outputting the stored information copied / stored in the information storage means via the external terminal ;
With
It said judgment information output means, the external terminal and the electrically provided that the information area portion connected, regardless of the arithmetic processing operation of the processing means in the gaming area part, to a request from the external device A gaming machine configured to be able to transfer the unique information or the stored information to the external device in response .

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