JP4524603B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that shares control functions related to game progress and effects by a plurality of control boards.

  Related to this type of gaming machine is a prior art in which a payout control board is provided in addition to a game control board that plays a central role in game control (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, the control function previously performed on the game control board is shared by another payout control board, and the load on the game control board can be reduced accordingly.

  In other words, in the prior art, each control board has its own CPU (arithmetic processing unit), so that not only the CPU of the game control board can be distributed to other CPUs, but also the configuration of each control board can be easily downsized. can do. Further, by allowing communication from the game control board to another control board in only one direction, it is possible to prevent illegal information from intervening in the game control board.

  As a prior art similar to the above, there is one that controls a payout operation of a medal or the like by a payout control board different from the game control board (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to this prior art, it is sufficient for the game control board to simply output a medal payout command signal to the payout control board, and the subsequent actual payout operation (addition of the number of credits and driving / driving of the hopper device). Since the payout control board performs stop, etc., it is considered that the processing load on the game control board is reduced accordingly.

  In the prior art (Patent Document 2), the actual payout number can be detected by a payout sensor or the like. At this time, a signal from the payout sensor is input not only to the payout control board but also to the game control board. Yes. Therefore, both the game control board and the payout control board can determine the abnormality of the payout operation, and the other control board performs the abnormality occurrence control even though the abnormality control is performed on one control board. It is possible to prevent inconsistencies in processing such as performing normal control without performing it.

Furthermore, there is a prior art that enables bidirectional communication between a game control board and a payout control board (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In this case, the payout control board controls the payout operation based on a command from the game control board, and information on whether or not the payout operation is actually completed is reported from the payout control board to the game control board. This avoids a situation in which the next game progresses even though the actual payout operation has not been completed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-204891 JP 2002-239082 A JP 2003-102919 A

  However, the above-described prior art is only for the purpose of reducing the processing load on the game control board. To put it simply, some functions previously performed on the game control board have been transferred to other places. It's just the content of the replacement.

  For example, the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 simply pushes the control burden of the payout operation that has been performed on the game control board up to that time to the payout control board, and stands out from there for more usefulness than before. Is not being demonstrated.

  Further, in the technique using the payout sensor referred to in Patent Document 2 above, the game control board originally managed the payout number alone, but the control of the payout operation was transferred to another control board. Therefore, it was a measure that was born from the need to match the two.

  Alternatively, the technique using the bidirectional communication between the game control board and the payout control board described in Patent Document 3 described above is the entire process flow (after the completion of payout of the game medium is confirmed, the next game progress is permitted. ), There is no significant difference from the processing flow that has been performed by the CPU of the game control board until then, and the control of the payout operation has been transferred to another control board. It is only a measure born out of necessity.

  Therefore, the present invention intends to provide a technology that is not limited to simply sharing the control function.

(Basic solution)
In view of the above problems, the present invention focuses on management of “setting” that greatly influences the internal lottery probability. This “setting” is intended to ultimately adjust the play rate of the gaming machine, and is therefore strictly managed based on the management judgment of the amusement hall operator (for example, only authorized personnel It can be changed and adjusted using a dedicated key).

  On the other hand, from the viewpoint of a player who intends to cheat, the “setting” of the gaming machine is a good target, and by changing this illegally, a lot of games appear illegally against the will of the game hall operator. There is no end to the damage caused by the fraudulent act of earning (so-called setting change goto). Such a fraudulent act is performed, for example, by inserting a metal piece into the inside of the housing constituting the gaming machine body and bringing the metal piece into contact with a wiring connector or the like inside the housing.

  In other words, a person who commits an illegal act shorts the power wiring coming out of the power supply device inside the chassis to bring the entire gaming machine into a state immediately after power-on (or power-off state), and then others When the setting change signal (mostly contact signal) is generated by shorting the signal wiring for setting change, the hardware inside the housing recognizes that the normal change operation has been performed and accepts the setting change signal, As a result, the goto action of changing the “setting” illegally is performed.

  Such cheating cannot be prevented even if a communication system (for example, one-way communication) that does not allow unauthorized information to be input to the hardware, such as game control boards, cannot be prevented. It can be said that the vulnerability itself.

(Solution 1)
The gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine that can change the winning probability of a lottery to determine whether to give a profit to a player in response to a setting change signal based on an operation of a setting switch,
A main control board for performing the lottery;
Another control board that performs control based on a command received from the main control board;
A power supply device for supplying power to the main control board and the other control board;
With
The main control board is
A winning probability changing means for changing the winning probability;
The corresponding selection probability changing means accepts the setting change signal only during a winning probability change allowable period, which is a predetermined period from when power supply to the main control board is cut off, and when power supply is newly started. Is set to change,
For the purpose of changing the winning probability illegally, the winning probability can be changed by short-circuiting the power wiring extending to the main control board to turn off the power supply to the main control board and then starting the power supply. There is a possibility that the winning probability may be changed after a period has been created,
The other control board is:
A determination means for determining whether the change of the winning probability is performed normally or illegally;
The determination means recognizes a predetermined period from when power supply is newly started from a state where power supply to another control board is cut off as a winning probability change regular period,
The power supply device
A first connector;
A second connector different from the first connector;
First power supply means for supplying power to the main control board using a first power wiring extending from the first connector;
Second power supply means for supplying power to the other control board using a second power wiring different from the first power wiring extending from the second connector;
With a single power switch,
With
The power supply device starts / stops power supply to the main control board and power supply to the other control board almost simultaneously in response to the power switch being normally turned ON / OFF.
When the main control board and the other control board are normally switched from OFF to ON, power supply is started almost simultaneously, and the winning probability changing means of the main control board and the other control board are started. Recognizing that the determination means of the substrate is the winning probability change allowable period and the winning probability change normal period almost simultaneously,
When only the first power wiring extending illegally to the main control board is short-circuited, the time for the winning probability changing means of the main control board to recognize the winning probability changeable period is also the second power. The wiring is not short-circuited, and the other control board is kept powered, so that the determination means of the other control board does not recognize the winning probability change regular period,
The main control board is
When the winning probability changing means changes the winning probability during the winning probability change allowable period, an output means for outputting a winning probability change notice for notifying that the winning probability has been changed to the other control board.
With
When the determination means of the other control board receives the winning probability change notification during the period recognized as the winning probability change regular period, the corresponding selection probability is changed normally. Determining that if the winning probability change notification is received during a period that is not recognized as the winning probability change regular period, it is determined that the change of the corresponding winning probability has been performed normally and fraud has been performed. It is good also as what is characterized by alerting | reporting .
It has a configuration with a strong defense system against such fraud. That is, the gaming machine of the present invention determines the multiplication value of the game value for each game, and in this state, after starting the symbol display device having a plurality of symbol display bodies by the player's starting operation, In response to a stop operation by the player, the symbol display device is stopped to display the symbols, and when it is determined whether or not a prize can be awarded according to the symbol display mode, the game medium is paid out as needed to play one game. The gaming machine to be terminated operates by receiving power from the first power supply, and has a game control function for performing a lottery for determining whether or not the winning can be made with a preset lottery probability during normal power feeding. On the other hand, the change in the lottery probability setting can be accepted only at the time immediately after the power supply from the first power supply is cut off, and when the power supply is newly started. Setting that represents A first hardware that outputs the change notification, the second of said first separate system from the power supply
The power supply is operated from the power source of the first hardware, and during normal power feeding, while sharing the game control function different from the first hardware based on the command received from the first hardware, A function for notifying the occurrence of an abnormal situation when the setting change notification output from the first hardware is received at a time other than the time immediately after power supply is newly started from the state where power supply by the power source of 2 is cut off. And second hardware having.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, each of the built-in first hardware and second hardware has a separate game control function, and the power supply system for supplying power to each has a separate configuration. ing. However, even with separate power supply systems, power can be supplied to the first hardware and the second hardware in the same manner when operating and operating the gaming machine. Therefore, for example, when a game operation is normally started in a game hall (hall), power supply to the first hardware and the second hardware is started simultaneously from different power supply systems by one power-on operation. Is done. Conversely, when the operation of the gaming machine is stopped (or temporarily stopped), separate power supply systems similarly stop supplying power by a single power-off operation.

  Thus, during normal power feeding, at least the first hardware performs lottery with a preset lottery probability, and thereby game control for determining whether or not a prize can be won is routinely performed. In addition, the second hardware performs another game control (for example, control of the game medium payout operation, control of the effect operation, etc.) based on the command received from the first hardware.

  On the other hand, with regard to the regular setting change (or the change in the appearance rate) by the game hall operator, the power-on operation (for example, the ON operation of the power switch inside the gaming machine) is performed almost simultaneously for different power supply systems as described above. ) Is performed. This makes it possible to accept changes in settings only at the time immediately after the start of power supply to the first hardware (for example, when the power is turned on or when in the setting change mode after turning on the power). When the setting is changed by the operation, the first hardware outputs the setting change notification (outputs to other hardware). In this case, the second hardware in another power supply system is also in the period immediately after the start of power supply (also when the first hardware is in the setting change mode after the power is turned on). In this state, the second hardware receives the setting change notification output from the first hardware as a normal one, and corrects information related to the subsequent setting (for example, rewriting the stored contents of the RAM).

  As described above, when the setting is properly changed, the power-on operation is simultaneously performed on the first hardware and the second hardware. Therefore, the setting change notification output from the first hardware. Is received by the second hardware, it will be effectively processed as legitimate.

  On the other hand, when a person who intends fraud tries to change the setting illegally, the setting change operation can be accepted as in the conventional case by intervening in the power supply system of the first hardware and shorting it. Can reach. However, since the second hardware belongs to another power supply system, even if a person who intends to cheat simply short-circuits the power supply system to which the first hardware belongs, the second hardware is still in the energized state. It remains.

  In such a state, when a person who intends fraud reaches the first hardware until the first hardware accepts the setting change operation, the setting change notification is output from the first hardware. The second hardware receives a setting change notification at a time other than immediately after the start of power supply (that is, during normal energization), thereby notifying that an abnormal situation has occurred. it can.

  If a person who intends to cheat tries to circumvent such countermeasures, it is necessary to simultaneously short-circuit both power systems separately for the first hardware and the second hardware. In this case, it is extremely difficult to complete a setting change operation without detecting fraud because it is extremely difficult to use a metal piece to simultaneously short the two systems of wiring and connector terminals. Become.

  For example, the second hardware may notify the abnormal situation by, for example, output of a notification sound, lighting / flashing of a light emitting device, operation of a movable body, output of a signal to a hall computer, etc. The various things are considered. In any case, since an abnormal situation can be notified, fraudulent acts can be detected in the surroundings, so that the game is not continued with the setting changed illegally.

(Solution 2)
In the solution 1, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided inside the gaming machine main body, provided with the first power source and the second power source, and attached to the power source device. And an operation unit for inputting an operation for changing the setting to the first hardware.

  In this case, the power supply device for the entire gaming machine (which includes the first power supply and the second power supply) has one configuration, and an operation unit for performing a setting change operation is attached thereto. Even in such a configuration, it is not enough to simply short one power supply system in order to act illegally, and it is necessary to work together with two power supply systems. It is very difficult to avoid anomaly notifications.

(Solution 3)
Alternatively, in the solution 1, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided inside the gaming machine main body and provided with the first power supply device including the first power supply, and attached to the first power supply device, An operation unit for inputting an operation for changing the setting to the first hardware, and a second power supply provided in a position different from the first power supply device inside the gaming machine main body. Is further included.

  In such an embodiment, since two systems of power supply devices are arranged at positions distant from the inside of the gaming machine main body (for example, the housing), it is not possible to act illegally by inserting metal pieces or the like. Increasingly difficult.

(Solution 4)
The setting switch may be provided on the main control board.
In the solution 1, the first hardware may be provided with an operation unit for inputting an operation for changing the setting of the lottery probability.

  In this case, since the operation unit for changing the settings is not arranged at the same place as the power supply unit, in order to act illegally, the two power supplies are shorted together at the position where the power supply unit is located on one side. This is extremely difficult to realize because the other hardware must illegally intervene in the operation section at a position where the first hardware is located apart from the other hardware.

(Summary of solving means 1 to 4)
As described above, the gaming machine according to the present invention not only shares the game control function with a plurality of hardware, but also exchanges information regarding settings between the plurality of hardware, thereby The hardware configuration that was so vulnerable was successfully strengthened.

(The idea that is the basis of solutions 1 to 4)
The solving means 1 to 4 are based on the following concept.

  In a gaming machine, at least a part of a control function for handling game media is separated from game control such as reel control. In addition to the above-mentioned means, other illegal acts can be countered by separating the power supply system for each separated control function.

  For example, there is what is called “setting” in order to adjust the play of a gaming machine. This “setting” usually has six stages from 1 to 6, with the setting 1 having a small number of balls and the setting 6 having a large number of balls. The game hall operator adjusts the appearance by adjusting this “setting”.

  In many gaming machines, the operation unit for changing the “setting” is attached to the power supply unit, and those that try to cheat are made with holes in the gaming machine body or metal pieces in the gaps. Or the like, by skillfully shorting the output part (mostly connectors) of the power supply device to temporarily stop the power supply and changing the setting by switching to the setting change mode. Obtained illegally.

  As a means to deal with such fraudulent acts, the gaming control function in the spinning-reel game machine is made up of a plurality of separated hardware, and at least the hardware for performing the lottery and the power supply for supplying power to the other hardware are separated. The power source of the system and the hardware that performs at least the lottery whose “setting” has been changed may be configured to notify the hardware that shares the other game control functions that the setting has been changed. At this time, at least the hardware that performs the lottery accepts the “setting” change only immediately after the power is turned on, and the hardware that shares other game control functions has been changed except immediately after the power is turned on. When notified of this, the configuration may be such that an abnormal situation is notified.

  If the above-described configuration is adopted, the power supply apparatus with the operation unit for changing the “setting” must be illegal together with respect to the two power supply apparatuses. It is very difficult to change “setting”. Furthermore, if a plurality of power supply devices are installed at different positions inside the rotating game machine, it becomes difficult to further cheat.

  The same applies to the case where the operation unit for changing the “setting” is provided on at least hardware for lottery.

(Solution 5)
In the solving means 1 to 4, the gaming machine according to the present invention provides a control signal related to the progress of the game for each time in addition to the setting change notification between the first hardware and the second hardware. Is further provided with serial signal transmission means for transmitting the signal in the form of serial communication.

  Here, first, a setting change notification output from the first hardware is transmitted to the second hardware in the form of a serial signal, and a control signal (for example, a game medium input signal or A signal indicating the multiplication of the game medium, a signal indicating the start / stop of the symbol display device, a signal (flag) indicating the winning result, a signal indicating the presence / absence of a winning / type of winning symbol, an effect data signal used for the effect operation, A signal indicating a gaming state such as a bonus game) is transmitted by a serial signal.

  In this case, since a serial signal cannot be illegally generated with a simple short-circuit technique, there is a possibility that the illegal operation is performed by illegally intervening in the communication between the first hardware and the second hardware. Disappear.

(Solution 6)
The gaming machine of the present invention can take countermeasures against fraud by communication performed between a plurality of hardware.

  That is, the gaming machine of the present invention accepts a game medium, determines a multiplication value of the game value for each game, and in this state, a symbol display device having a plurality of symbol display bodies by a player's starting operation. After starting, the symbol display device is stopped according to the stop operation by the player and the symbol is displayed, and when the winning / decreasing is determined according to the symbol display mode, the game medium is paid out according to the winning result. In a gaming machine that finishes one game at a time, a payout device that is installed in a casing that is a main body of the gaming machine and has a function of paying out game media from the inside of the casing to the player, and whether or not the winning is possible A lottery for determining the game is performed at a preset lottery probability, the symbol display device is stopped based on the lottery result, and a game medium payout signal is output according to the winning result And a payout signal from the main board to control the operation of the payout device and store the setting of the lottery probability during normal operation while supplying power necessary for the operation. A payout control board having a function of notifying the main board of the setting of the lottery probability in response to an inquiry from the main board when the power is started; and an operation unit connected to the payout control board; When a change operation to the operation unit is accepted, setting change means for changing the setting of the lottery probability stored by the payout control board, and at least notification from the payout control board to the main board is transmitted in the form of a serial signal. Serial communication means.

  In the solving means 6, the hardware configurations of which the functions are specifically specified, ie, the main board and the payout control board, are the core. Again, as in the solutions 1 to 5, it is effective to separate the power supply systems to which the two hardwares belong, but this is not particularly essential. However, it is assumed that the payout control board is responsible for the functions related to storing and changing settings, and the main board makes an inquiry to the payout control board at the timing when the power is turned on, and the current or changed setting information is sent via serial communication. Can receive.

  In this case, the setting change operation cannot be directly received by the main board, and even when the setting is changed, it is necessary to notify the main board of the change from the payout control board. For this reason, it is not possible to make the main board recognize the setting change using a simple technique such as a short circuit.

  Also, in order to communicate the change of setting to the main board, it is necessary to send it on a serial signal, so it is not possible to cheat with a simple technique using the above-mentioned metal pieces etc. Almost impossible. Furthermore, the timing at which the main board inquires about the setting information is limited to when the power is turned on (for example, immediately after the power switch is turned on). If this timing is missed, the setting can no longer be changed illegally. Disappear.

(Solution 7)
In the solution 6, the gaming machine of the present invention further includes a case body that accommodates the payout control board inside and obstructs contact from the outside.

  In this case, a metal piece or the like cannot be brought into contact with the payout control board and short-circuited, and the payout control board that manages the setting information is illegally remodeled (incorrect program rewriting, remodeling chip attachment, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to eliminate large-scale fraudulent acts such as remodeling and backside things.

(Concept that is the basis of Solution 5-7)
The above-described solutions 5 to 7 are based on the following concept.

(1. Background of adopting a payout control board in addition to the main board)
In a conventional spinning-type game machine, various effects are performed on a liquid crystal display or the like by providing a sub-board called an effect board in addition to the main board.

  However, in a rotating type gaming machine, it is only allowed to use a relatively primitive one-chip CPU in order to facilitate a test at a testing institution. For this reason, this restriction is hindered when the reel control (stopping feeling when stopping operation is performed and the appearance) is to be enhanced, which is the real thrill of the spinning-reel game machine. In order to alleviate this limitation, this means proposes that the parts relating to the acceptance and withdrawal of medals and the display necessary for the game are provided on different boards.

  The following functions can be considered as the function of transferring to this separate substrate. That is, hopper control (hopper-related error processing), medal selector control (medal selector error processing), credit function, credit display function, payout display function, door open / close signal processing, and the like. This separate board is called a payout control board.

  Further, when transferring the above functions to the payout control board, there is a function that should be further transferred from the main board to the effect board. For example, it is a function for controlling RB (regular bonus), BB (big bonus), replay, weight lamp display, and the like. In addition, there is a function for controlling the game count display during the RB and BB games.

  Here, among the above functions, error information and medal insertion in the payout control board affect the state of sound and lamps. Although it is necessary to transmit from the payout control board substrate to the effect board, if information is transmitted to the effect board via the main board, a load is applied to the main board after all. This is because if the command path is simply created as necessary, it is necessary to send commands from the main board to the payout control board and the effect board, and the effect board is both the main board and the payout control board. This is because the command must be received from.

  In order to solve this problem and further reduce the burden on the main board, all commands output from the main board are collectively received by the payout control board. Then, only the command to be transmitted to the effect board may be selectively transmitted from the payout control board to the effect board. As another method, it is conceivable that all commands output from the main board are collectively received by the payout control board, output to the effect board as it is, and commands are selected on the effect board.

  By configuring in this way, the main board only needs to transmit a command to one place, so that the circuit can be simplified. In addition, the circuit can be simplified because it is only necessary to receive a command from one place on the effect board. In addition, when receiving commands from two places, there is no problem such as priority processing when the commands are received simultaneously.

  For reference, all commands output from the main board are collectively received by the above-mentioned payout control board, and only commands that should be sent from the payout control board to the effect board are selectively sent to the effect board. Enumerate.

(1) Command from main board to payout control board Game state (usually during AT, CT, RT, BB, RB, replay), payout number instruction, winning flag, effect number, spinning start signal Rotation stop signal (for each rotation), game count display command, bet enable / disable command.

(2) Commands from the payout control board to the main board: Hopper related error, medal selector related error, door open / close state, bet number.

(3) Command from payout control board to effect board Game state (usually during AT, CT, RT, BB, RB, replay), winning flag, effect number, spinning start signal, spinning stop A signal (for each rotation), a hopper related error, a medal selector related error, a medal insertion sound command, a medal payout sound command, a (privilege) game count display command, and the like.

(2. Background of adopting serial communication)
In the case of the above configuration, it is desirable that the signal transmitted and received between the main board and the payout control board is a serial signal, because in the same parallel signal as in the prior art, a part of the signal line is a common line, This is because the meaning of the command can be easily changed by short-circuiting with the power supply line, so that it is relatively easy to perform an illegal act.

  Further, the above-described serial signal is composed only of signal lines for transmitting / receiving each other's signal, and the method of performing communication without having a separate signal line for control such as CTS or RTS is further provided. It ’s hard to do fraud. In this case, in order to prevent a communication buffer overflow, a device control code for controlling each other device may be used. When using the device control code, if the master-slave relationship is created for each device (in this case, the main board and the payout control board), the master station is the master board and the slave station is the payout control board, the master station is necessary. As long as there is no information from the slave station, security is further enhanced.

(3. Application to serial communication setting change)
In the conventional spinning-type game machine, there is a so-called “setting” that can determine a lottery probability such as a bonus game that is a big hit game, and a setting changing means for changing this setting is provided in the power supply device. . Then, the power supply line and the signal line related to the setting change are connected from the power supply device to the main board through a relatively long path (about 50 cm). Thus, since the setting change means is provided in the power supply device, the metal piece is brought into contact with the connector of the power line and the signal line by making a hole in the gap of the gaming machine or the like, and the wiring path, There was an illegal act that changed the setting.

  The above hardware configuration is also effective against such injustices. For example, the setting change means is not provided in the power supply device but is provided in the payout control board so that the main board inquires of the payout control board about the setting when the power is turned on. As mentioned above, since the signal sent and received between the main board and the payout control board is a serial signal, the setting cannot be changed by an easy method such as simply inserting a metal piece and shorting the wire, and the power supply If the main board inquires the setting to the payout control board at the time of input, the timing for performing the fraud is further reduced, and it is possible to effectively prevent the setting from being illegally changed.

  Further, it is more effective if the payout control board is put in a case and cannot be easily touched.

(Mode of serial communication)
The configuration in the case where the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with the serial signal transmission means or serial communication means described above is, for example, as follows.

  The gaming machine of the present invention includes a main control board (or first hardware) that controls the progress of a game, and a lower control board that controls a predetermined structure related to the game based on a command from the main control board. (Or second hardware). In this case, one control board of the main control board and the lower control board repeatedly executes interrupt processing at a predetermined interval in order to realize predetermined control processing in the control board, and the interrupt processing to be repeatedly executed As a part of the transmission side central processing unit for generating a command of 2 bytes or more for the other control board, and first serial communication for executing serial transfer of the generated command to the other control board in units of 1 byte. A first buffer register having a storage capacity of 1 byte, receiving the generated command from the transmission side central processing unit, and storing the command; A storage capacity of 1 byte and stored in the first buffer register. A first shift register that receives the command and stores the command for conversion into serial data, and the transmission-side central processing unit is configured to perform predetermined one interrupt processing among the repeatedly executed interrupt processing. In the first serial communication unit, two bytes of the command of 2 bytes or more are handed over one after another, and the first serial communication unit receives the predetermined one-time operation. In the interrupt processing, the first command delivered first among the delivered two-byte commands is stored in the first shift register via the first buffer register, and next to the first command. The transferred succeeding command is stored in the first buffer register.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, while the CPU of the main control board performs one interrupt process, a command capable of serial transfer can be stored in the register of the serial communication unit for 2 bytes. It is possible to shorten the period related to the serial transfer of commands by the CPU of the board. As a result, it is possible to suppress the progress of other control processes on the main control board and the complexity of the control program executed on the main control board. Therefore, smooth game control can be realized when commands are divided and serially transferred. The lower control board may be a payout control board for controlling payout of game balls or game coins.

  The gaming machine of the present invention having the above configuration can also take the following aspects. The first serial communication unit may complete serial transfer of the two delivered commands while the transmission-side central processing unit repeatedly executes the interrupt processing a plurality of times. As a result, serial transfer can be realized without hindering the arithmetic processing by the transmission side central processing unit. For example, the transmission-side central processing unit executes the interrupt processing at intervals of several milliseconds, and the first serial communication unit executes the serial transfer at a transfer rate of several kilobits per second. May be.

  The transmission-side central processing unit includes a group of commands including an operation instruction command defining an operation instruction for the other control board and a check command for determining whether the operation instruction command is normal. It is good also as producing | generating. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of the command when the command is divided and serially transferred.

  The other control board includes a second serial communication unit that receives a command serially transferred from the one control board side, and a receiving side central that executes a predetermined control process based on the received command. The second serial communication unit has a storage capacity of 1 byte, converts a command serially transferred from the one control board side into parallel data, and stores the command. A second buffer register having a storage capacity of 1 byte, receiving a command stored in the second shift register, and storing the command for delivery to the receiving central processing unit; When a command is stored in the second buffer register, the second shift register A command for erasing a command stored in the second buffer register based on an instruction from the receiving central processing unit and a delivery prohibiting means for prohibiting a command from being sent to the second buffer register And means. As a result, the command stored in the second buffer register can be erased according to the convenience of the CPU of the other control board. Thus, the handling of the other control board by the CPU in units of 2 bytes can be facilitated.

  Further, the reception-side central processing unit reads the command stored in the second buffer register a plurality of times, and determines that the command has been normally received when the commands read a plurality of times match. Verification means may be provided. This prevents the processing from being performed based on an abnormal command that has been rewritten due to the influence of noise or the like when the command is transferred from the second buffer register to the receiving central processing unit. Can do. In this case, the reception-side central processing unit instructs the second serial communication unit to erase the command from the second buffer register after the command is read a plurality of times by the matching verification unit. An erasure instruction means must be provided. This can prevent the command from being erased before the command is read a plurality of times.

  The transmission-side central processing unit includes command correlating means for generating one of the two-byte commands handed over in the predetermined one-time interrupt processing with correlation with the other of the commands. The receiving-side central processing unit may include correlation verification means for determining whether or not the two commands are normal by comparing the two commands generated with the correlation. Good. As a result, it is possible to prevent processing from being performed based on an abnormal command that has been rewritten due to the influence of noise or the like when a command is transferred from one control board to the other control board. For example, the correlation between the two commands may be a relationship in which bits corresponding to each other are inverted.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can increase the reliability of the control function and can maintain stable operation over a long period of time.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a swivel game machine will be described with reference to the corresponding drawings along the following items.

(1. First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a slot machine 1 which is a basic embodiment of a swing type gaming machine. The slot machine 1 in FIG. 1 is of a type that uses, for example, medals, coins or the like as game media. In addition, there is a type using a game ball (so-called “parrot machine”) as a spinning-type game machine, and this type is also suitable as an embodiment.

  The slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2, and a plurality of machines are installed in the island facility of the game arcade based on the housing 2. Usually, a lending machine for medals and the like is installed as a stand-by sand, and a player can receive a medal and the like by inserting cash or a prepaid card into the stand-by sand.

  The housing 2 has a front door 4 on the front surface facing the player, and the front door 4 can be opened toward the front centering on one side end (left side end in this example). The front door 4 has a flat transparent plate 6 at the middle position thereof, and a rectangular display window 8 is formed at the center thereof. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is equipped with three reels (left reel, middle reel, right reel) 10a, 10b, 10c as an example of a mechanical symbol display device, and these reels 10a, 10b, 10c. Is arranged in the back of the front door 4, that is, inside the housing 2.

  Each reel 10a, 10b, 10c has a reel band around the outer periphery thereof, and various patterns are attached to the surface thereof. Although not shown in FIG. 1, for example, symbols such as the numbers “7” and “BAR”, bells, watermelons, plums, apples, cherries, etc., or the slot machine 1 Characters, figures, symbols and the like that characterize the model are included.

  The slot machine 1 can change or stop the display mode of the symbols by rotating or stopping the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. From the front surface of the slot machine 1, only a part of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c is visible through the display window 8, and three symbols in the vertical direction for each reel 10a, 10b, and 10c when stopped. Is effectively displayed.

  Display areas 12 and 14 are respectively formed on both sides of the display window 8 in the transparent plate 6, and various character information and symbol information are attached to the display areas 12 and 14 in a predetermined arrangement. . A lamp unit (not shown) is disposed behind the transparent plate 6, and information in the display areas 12 and 14 is lit and displayed by transmitting light from the lamp. For example, when a player inserts a medal through the medal insertion slot 15 for the first time, the multiplication number of medals, that is, the number of bets is added according to the number of inserted medals, and the left display area 12 corresponds to the number of bets. The active line lamp is lit up. At this time, if the medal acceptance operation in the slot machine 1 is in the credit mode, medals inserted exceeding the maximum bet number (for example, 3 bets) are stored as credits, and the credit number is numerically displayed on the display unit 16. .

  For example, up to 50 credits can be stored. If there is enough credit remaining after one game, the amount can be used for the next bet. The number of bets is selected by operating the bet buttons 18, 20, and 22. The bet buttons 18, 20, and 22 are respectively a single bet (1), 2 bets (2), and a MAX bet (3). Multiply).

  In any case, when the player determines the number of bets for each game and operates the start lever 24 in a state where the effective line lamp is lit and displayed, the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c start to rotate and the symbols change. When the player operates the stop buttons 26, 28, and 30 while the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are rotating, the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c corresponding to the right, middle, and left respectively stop rotating and the symbols are displayed. The fluctuation stops. At this time, the presence / absence of winning is determined from the combination of symbols on the activated winning line, and if there is a winning, the winning is determined according to the type of winning symbol (for example, bonus symbol, small role symbol, replay symbol, etc.). A privilege is given and one game is completed.

  Note that if there is a prize accompanying paying out medals (for example, small prize winning, bonus winning), the number of payouts is displayed on the display unit 32. In the credit mode, the paid out medals are displayed on the display unit 16. Added to credit and stored. Of the medals paid out at this time, medals exceeding the maximum number of credits are paid out to the tray 38 through the payout opening 36. Alternatively, if there is a winning with a replay symbol, the immediately preceding winning line is re-enabled and replay (replay) is possible as it is. The player can also cancel the credit mode by operating the settlement button 40 and settle the medal storage (credit).

  The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has a liquid crystal display 42 above the display window 8, and the liquid crystal display 42 has images for effects and various bonus games for the progress of the game. The number of acquired medals is displayed. In addition, two speakers 44 are provided on the left and right of the payout opening 36, and sound effects, BGM, sounds, and the like accompanying the progress of the game are output from these speakers 44. In addition, lamps 45, 46, and 48 are arranged at various locations on the front door 4, and these lamps 45, 46, and 48 can perform effects by light-emitting decoration according to the gaming state.

(2. Internal structure of slot machine)
FIG. 2 schematically shows configurations of various mechanism elements, electronic devices, operation members, and the like that are installed in the slot machine 1.

(2-1. Main control board)
The slot machine 1 has a main control board 50 for comprehensively controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 50 includes a CPU (hereinafter, may be referred to as “main CPU”). First, a ROM, a RAM, an interface, etc. (all not shown) are mounted. The main control board 50 has an internal lottery mainly related to the player's profit and has a function of controlling the stop position of each reel 10a, 10b, 10c based on the lottery result.

  The start lever 24 and the stop buttons 26, 28, 30 and the like described above are all connected to the main control board 50, and these operation buttons detect an operation by the player using a sensor (not shown) and send the operation signal to the operation signal. It can be output to the main control board 50.

  The casing 2 incorporates a reel device 10 that holds the three reels 10 a to 10 c, and the reel device 10 is located in the back of the display window 8. The reel device 10 has a stepping motor (not shown) for individually rotating the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and a drive pulse signal for controlling the driving of these stepping motors is supplied to the main control board 50. Is output from.

  The reel device 10 has a reel index sensor (not shown) for detecting a reference position related to the rotation of each of the reels 10a, 10b, 10c, and a detection signal (reference position) from these reel index sensors. Signal) is input to the main control board 50. Based on this detection signal, the main control board 50 grasps the position (which symbol is located on the winning line) regarding the rotation of each reel 10a, 10b10c, and executes control of the stop position, that is, reel control. Can do.

(2-2. Dispensing control board)
The slot machine 1 has a payout control board 52 as hardware different from the main control board 50, and the payout control board 52 plays a role of controlling operations relating to medal acceptance / payout. Similarly, the payout control board 52 is mounted with a CPU (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “payout CPU”), a ROM, a RAM, an interface, and the like (all not shown). The payout control board 52 can receive a command signal from the main control board 50 and can control the medal payout operation or add the number of credits.

  A hopper device 54 is provided inside the housing 2, and this hopper device 54 is connected to the dispensing control board 52 instead of the main control board 50. The payout control board 52 outputs a drive signal (ON signal) for the hopper device 54 based on the payout number command received from the main control board 50, and controls to drive a payout motor (not shown). On the other hand, a payout sensor (not shown) is built in the hopper device 54, and this payout sensor detects a medal actually paid out and outputs a detection signal to the payout control board 52. When the actual payout number reaches the required payout number (for example, credit overflow), the payout control board 52 stops driving the payout motor.

  In addition, the payout control board 52 shares a control function of receiving a medal insertion or betting operation, notifying the main control board 50 of the information, and adding / subtracting the number of credits. In the conventional spinning-type game machine, there are many examples in which such a control function is handled by the main control board 50. In the first embodiment, information relating to the entry and exit of medals is managed by the payout control board 52. It has become. Therefore, in the first embodiment, in addition to communication (payout command) from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52, communication from the payout control board 52 to the main control board 50 (notification indicating medal insertion / bet completion). Is also performed (configuration capable of bidirectional communication).

  The bet buttons 18, 20, 22 and the settlement button 40 are connected not to the main control board 50 but to the payout control board 52. These operation buttons are operated by the player (betting operation, (Credit settlement operation) can be detected, and the operation signal can be output to the payout control board 52.

  In addition, a slot sensor 56 and a lockout solenoid 57 are installed in the back of the medal slot 15 inside the casing of the slot machine 1, and these devices are also connected to the payout control board 52. Among them, the insertion sensor 54 can detect a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 15 and output the detection signal to the payout control board 52. One lockout solenoid 57 plays a role of locking out a passage of a medal selector (not shown) disposed behind the medal slot 15 inside the front door 4. The lockout solenoid 57 locks out the passage of the medal selector in a normal (non-actuated) state, but when activated, this passage is opened (lockout release) so that the insertion of medals can be accepted. The inserted medal is detected by the insertion sensor 54.

  On the contrary, when the lockout solenoid 57 is deactivated, the medal selector is locked out and the insertion of the medal is not accepted, and even if the player inserts the medal, it is discharged and returned to the tray 38. In addition, since the function of the insertion sensor 54 is invalidated at this time, neither bet / credit addition by medal insertion is performed.

  The display units 16, 32, and 34 are also connected to the payout control board 52. For this reason, the payout control board 52 controls the display operation of the display parts 16 and 32 (for example, display by 7 segment LED). Information such as the number of credits handled and the number of payouts can be displayed numerically.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an external terminal board 58 is connected to the payout control board 52, and the slot machine 1 is connected to the hall computer 60 via the external terminal board 58. The external terminal board 58 receives various signals (in BB and RB) transmitted from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52 in addition to the medal in / out signals (injection medal signal and payout medal signal) managed by the payout control board 52. , A game status indicating that the CT is in progress) is relayed to the hall computer 60.

  The external terminal board 58 (external concentration terminal board) connected to the external device is installed on the inner surface of the side wall located on the right side of the reel device 10 when the inside of the housing 2 is viewed from the front, for example. A support mechanism (not shown) for supporting the external terminal board 58 so as to be slidable along the wall surface is attached to the side wall. In this state, the external terminal board 58 can slide in the front-rear direction, for example. ing. On the other hand, an elongated slit-like insertion hole (not shown) is formed in the rear wall of the housing 2 so as to penetrate the external terminal board 58. Yes. Then, when the external terminal board 58 is slid toward the rear wall by the support mechanism, a part of the external terminal board 58 (the part with the connection terminal) passes through the insertion hole to the outside of the housing 2 (in this case, the rear side). ) Protruding. In this case, since it is possible to connect the harness to the external terminal board 58 at a position outside the housing 2, even if the external terminal board 58 is disposed in a narrow space on the right side of the reel, The attachment / detachment work of the harness for connection can be facilitated. After the harness is connected, the external terminal board 58 is slid to the inside (front) of the housing 2 and returned to the original position, so that the external terminal board 58 is accommodated in the housing 2 with the harness connected. be able to.

  Contrary to the above, the external terminal board 58 protrudes to the outside (front side) of the casing 2 by sliding the external terminal board 58 forward (forward) with the front door 4 of the casing 2 opened. It can also be made. In this case, since the harness can be connected without interfering with the reel device 10, the operation can be facilitated in the same manner as described above.

(2-3. Sub (production) control board)
Further, the slot machine 1 includes a sub-control board 62. The sub-control board 62 includes a CPU (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “sub-CPU”), a ROM, a RAM, an interface, and a VDP (Video Display Processor). ), Sound source IC, audio amplifier, etc. (all not shown) are mounted. The sub control board 62 controls the operation of the liquid crystal display 42 and the speaker 44 based on various command signals output from the main control board 50, and controls the lighting or blinking of the lamps (LEDs) 45, 46, and 48. ing.

(2-4. Power supply device)
A power supply device 64 is accommodated in the housing 2, and the power supply device 64 takes in power from an external power source (for example, AC 100 V) and supplies power (for example, DC 24 V, 12 V, 5 V) necessary for the operation of the slot machine 1. Generate. In the first embodiment, two conversion units (AC / DC converters) 64a and 64b are built in one power supply device 64, and the two conversion units 64a and 64b are connected to each other via separate connectors. System power wirings 66a and 66b extend. Among these, one power wiring 66 a is connected to the main control board 50, and the other power wiring 66 b is connected to the payout control board 52.

(2-5. Separation of power supply system)
Thereby, in the first embodiment, it is understood that the power supply system to which the main control board 50 belongs and the power supply system to which the payout control board 52 belongs are configured separately. However, these two power supply systems are configured to be turned on or off (ON / OFF) at one place for convenience of operation.

  The sub-control board 62 is supplied with the same system power via the payout control board 52, for example. For the hopper device 54, necessary power (for driving the motor, for photo detection, etc.) is supplied from the power supply device 64 through power wiring (not shown), or the same system power is supplied via the dispensing control board 52. It is supposed to be.

  In addition, a wiring relay board (not shown) is disposed inside the housing 2, and power necessary for the operation of various electronic devices is distributed through the wiring relay board.

(2-6. Operation unit)
Further, the power supply device 64 is attached with the power switch 64c, the setting key switch 64d, the reset switch 64e, and the like. None of these switches are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 and can be operated only by unlocking the front door 4 and opening it.

  Among them, the power switch 64c is for turning on and off (powering on or off) the power supply to the entire slot machine 1, and the setting key switch 64d is a setting (for example, setting) of the slot machine 1. 1-6) for changing. The reset switch 64e is for canceling an error that has occurred in the slot machine 1, and is also operated when changing the setting together with the setting key switch 64d.

(2-7. Setting change operation)
Since the operation for changing the setting of the rotating type gaming machine is already known, only the outline will be described here.

  First, the power switch 64c is operated to turn off the power of the slot machine 1, and in that state, a setting key is inserted into the setting key switch 64d and is turned to the right by about 90 degrees. Next, the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on with the key inserted into the setting key switch 64d. In this manner, immediately after the power is turned on, the internal processing performed on the main control board 50 is switched to the setting change mode, whereby the setting change operation can be accepted. At this time, the current set value is displayed on the display unit 32 (the display unit may be at another position in the housing 2).

  Thereafter, when the reset switch 64e is operated once, the setting is increased by one step, and accordingly, the display unit 34 displays a numerical value obtained by adding 1 to the previous setting value. However, if the setting has already been 6, the setting returns to 1 when the reset switch 64e is operated next time.

  In this way, after confirming the display on the display unit 34, the reset switch 64e is operated several times until the desired set value is reached, and then the start lever 24 is operated, for example, once or twice to determine the changed set value. . Then, the setting key switch 64e is turned 90 degrees to the left to return to the original position, and the inserted key is removed to complete the setting change. When the setting key switch 64e is returned to the original position, the setting change mode is ended, and the main control board 50 is in a state where the spinning game control can be executed.

  When the setting is changed, the table data (lottery probability table) used during the normal game is changed on the main control board 50, and the setting information is stored in the RAM. Further, fact information that the setting has been changed is also stored in the RAM.

(3. Game processing)
The above is the schematic internal configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Next, the flow of game processing in the slot machine 1 will be described. The following game processing proceeds in accordance with a processing procedure on a control program executed by the CPU of the main control board 50.

(3-1. Revolute game processing)
FIG. 3 shows one processing procedure for one basic game (rotating game) in the slot machine 1. One game starts from start processing (step S10). This starting process is a process for starting the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. Here, it is confirmed that the insertion of medals or the operation of the bet buttons 18, 20, and 22 is accepted, or the start lever 24 is operated. A process of performing random lottery with the operation as an opportunity is performed. The details of the starting process (step S10) will be described later in detail using another flowchart.

  In one game, a stop process (step S20) is executed following the start process (step S10). This stop process stops the rotation of each of the reels 10a to 10c and controls the stop position, and this usually corresponds to a process called “reel control”. There are two types of stop processing using reel control, for example, a table method and a control method, and either of them may be used here. As an example, stop processing using reel control by the table method will be described later using another flowchart.

  When the stop process is finished by the reel control, the determination process (step S30) is executed next. This determination process is for determining whether or not there is a winning from the combination of symbols displayed when all the reels 10a, 10b and 10c are stopped, and for providing a game result corresponding to the winning if there is a winning. is there. Of the game results, the main prize bonus is a medal payout, and in addition, depending on the type of winning symbol (big bonus symbol, regular bonus symbol, etc.), a bonus game is granted or an internal state ( It may be an opportunity to change (various modes). The specific contents of the determination process will be described after the stop process.

(3-2. Start processing)
FIG. 4 specifically shows the contents of the start process. Here, first, it is determined whether or not the player has completed the medal insertion operation or the betting operation (step S101). The medal insertion operation or bet operation is for determining a multiplier required for one game. In the first embodiment, the medal insertion operation and the bet operation reception are performed on the payout control board. 52 is to be controlled. Therefore, in the process of step S101, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating “medal insertion OK” is received from the payout control board 52. Note that transmission from the payout control board 52 to the main control board 50 will be described later using another flowchart.

  In any case, since the signal indicating “medal insertion OK” is not transmitted from the payout control board 52 until the player performs a bet operation or a medal insertion (step S101 = No), the process of step S103 is bypassed. During this time, since the start lever 24 is not activated, the determination in step S104 is denied (No) and the state of waiting for the notification of “medal insertion OK” (step S101) continues to be looped. Note that serial communication is performed between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 52, and this serial communication is performed on another task by interrupt processing. Therefore, the main control board 50 receives a “medal insertion OK” notification (by a serial signal) by a task different from the starting process.

  On the other hand, when a bet operation or medal insertion actually occurs, a signal indicating “medal insertion OK” is transmitted from the payout control board 52. In response to this, the main control board 50 performs the start lever valid process (step S103), and the operation of the start lever 24 is substantially validated for the first time. When the player operates the start lever 24 in this state, the determination in step S104 is affirmed (Yes), and then the start lever invalidation process (step S105) is performed.

  When the start lever 24 is operated, random number extraction (random lottery) is performed using this as an opportunity (step S106). The random number used here may be either a software random number or a hardware random number. Further, the timing for extracting the random number after receiving the operation of the start lever 24 is not particularly defined, and an appropriate extraction timing can be set in the programming process.

  In the next flag processing (step S107), winning / losing is determined from the extracted random number value. In the case of winning, a flag corresponding to the type of winning combination (for example, BB, RB, small combination, special small combination, etc.) is set. While being turned ON, a winning flag command is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52. When the winning flag command is transmitted to the payout control board 52, the payout control board 52 performs a process of passing it to the sub control board 62 as it is. Alternatively, the payout control board 52 may once interpret the winning flag command and transmit it to the sub control board 62 again.

  When the above flag processing (step S107) is performed, it is determined whether or not the wait timer started in the previous start processing has timed up (for example, 4.1 seconds have elapsed) (step S108). When time-up (Yes) is confirmed, each reel 10a, 10b, 10c is started (step S109), and a wait timer from this point to the next start is started (step S110).

(3-3. Reel stop processing)
FIG. 5 shows the contents of reel stop processing by the table method as an example. Since a well-known technique can be applied to the reel control, the flow of processing will be schematically described here.

  In the reel stop process, first, a reel control table is selected according to a flag representing the winning result at that time (step S201). A reel control table having a plurality of patterns for all the winning results is prepared in advance, and these are stored in the ROM of the main control board 50 as read-only table data.

  When a reel control table having an appropriate pattern is selected according to the flag, the main control board 50 is in a standby state in this state until the stop buttons 26, 28, 30 are pressed (steps S202, S210, S217, S219). In these standby states, it is determined whether each of the left and middle reels 10a, 10b has already stopped, or whether the first reel stop flag is not set (= 0). At the same time, it is determined whether any one of the left, middle and right stop buttons 26, 28 and 30 is pressed. If none of the stop buttons 26, 28, and 30 are pressed, the determinations in steps S219 and S209 are both denied (No), and steps S202 and after are repeated.

  For example, if the left stop button 26 is first pressed in accordance with a so-called “forward push” or “forward scissor push” procedure (step S202 = Yes), the first reel stop flag is not set at this time ( Therefore, the first reel stop process (step S204) is executed for the left reel 10a. Here, the “first reel stop process” means a process for stopping the reel first.

  Alternatively, when the center stop button 28 is first pressed in accordance with the so-called “middle push” procedure (step S210 = Yes, step S211 = Yes), the first reel stop process (step S212) is executed for the middle reel 10b. The In addition to this, when the right stop button 30 is first pressed in accordance with the so-called “reverse push” or “reverse scissor push” procedure (step S217 = Yes), the first reel stop process ( Step S218) is executed.

  When the first reel stop process (steps S204, S212, and S218) is performed for any one of the left, middle, and right reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, the reel control table of a plurality of patterns corresponding to the flag at that time is used. A table pattern is selected based on the random value. For example, for one winning combination “Bell”, a plurality of reel control tables are prepared in advance to stop the symbol “Bell” on the reels 10a to 10c on the active line. It means that one pattern is selected. When one pattern is selected, the stop positions of the reels 10a to 10c are controlled based on the reel control table. Thereby, for example, the symbol “bell” is stopped somewhere on the active line.

  For example, taking a pattern in which the left reel 10a is stopped first along the forward pressing procedure, the first reel stop process is performed on the left reel 10a in step S204. At this time, the main control board 50 transmits a stop information command (first stop information command) indicating the stop eye of the left reel 10 a to the sub control board 62.

  In the next step S206, reel control tables (stop tables) for the remaining middle and right reels 10b and 10c are determined by random lottery. Specifically, if the symbol “bell” is stopped at the lower position when the left reel 10a is stopped, the winning line can be selected from the lower line or the upward line (in the case of MAX betting) at that time. However, either one (for example, a line rising to the right) is selected by random number lottery here. The random number lottery distribution rate may be about half.

  When the above processing (step S206) is performed, the first reel stop flag is turned ON (= 1) (step S207), and the left reel stop flag is turned ON (= 1) (step S208). ). Since all the reels 10a to 10c are not stopped at this stage, the determination in step S209 is negative (No), and step S202 and subsequent steps are executed.

  Then, since the left reel 10a has already stopped at this time (step S202 = No), when the stop button 28 at the center position is pressed secondly (step S210 = Yes) along the forward pressing procedure, the first reel After the stop flag is determined (step S211 = No), the middle reel stop process (step S213) is executed. In the middle reel stop process, the stop position is controlled based on the reel control table (stop table) previously selected for the middle reel 10b. As a result, in the example of the above-mentioned right-up winning line, the symbol “bell” on the middle reel 10b is stopped at the middle position. In addition, the top of the stop is a state in which two symbols “bells” are aligned on the left and middle reels 10a and 10b on the right-up line (so-called “right-up template”). At this time, the main control board 50 transmits a stop information command (second stop information command) indicating the stop eye of the middle reel 10 b to the sub control board 62. In this case, since the middle reel 10b is in the second stop, steps S212, S214, and S215 are all bypassed, and the middle reel stop flag is only turned ON (= 1) in step S216.

  Similarly, when the right stop button 30 is finally pressed (step S219 = Yes), the stop position is controlled based on the reel control table (stop table) previously selected for the right reel 10c (step S219). S220). As a result, the symbol “bell” on the third right reel 10c stops at the upper position, and the outcome when all reels are stopped is the state in which three symbols “bell” are lined up on the line going up to the right. Become. At this time, the main control board 50 transmits a stop information command (third stop information command) indicating the stop eye of the right reel 10 c to the sub control board 62. In this case, since the right reel 10c is in the third stop, steps S218, S221, and S222 are all bypassed, and the right reel stop flag is turned ON (= 1) in step S223.

  If the all-reel stop flag is turned on through the processing so far, the determination in step S209 is affirmed (Yes), and the processing by the main control board 50 exits this routine.

  The above is an example of the reel stop process by the table method. In addition to this, there is a reel stop process by a control method, but since a known process can be applied to this, a specific description is omitted here. In the first embodiment, the reel stop process of either the control method or the table method may be executed, and which method is to be adopted may be appropriately determined when the control program is constructed.

(3-4. Determination process)
FIG. 6 specifically shows the contents of the determination process. When all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped by the reel stop process described above, the main control board 50 transmits information regarding the appearance (symbol display mode) displayed at that time (step S301). In the hardware configuration of the first embodiment, the destination of the output information is the payout control board 52, but the main body that uses this for control is the sub control board 62. Therefore, the main control board 50 transmits the outcome information as a signal for the sub control board 62.

  Next, whether the winning symbol is a big bonus symbol (step S302), a regular bonus symbol (step S303), a small role symbol (step S304), or a replay symbol from the outcome when all reels are stopped. Whether or not there is (step S305) is determined. If it is determined that the winning symbol at that time is one of a big bonus, a regular bonus, or a small role (Yes), a command indicating the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to each winning symbol is transmitted to the payout control board 52. (Steps S306, S307, S308). At the same time, the main control board 50 transmits a payout sound command corresponding to the payout number to the payout control board 52 as effect data. Similarly to the above, the payout control board 52 passes the received effect data as it is to the sub control board 62.

  When the above process is completed, the winning combination for the small role or replay is turned OFF (step S312), and this process is terminated. Further, when no winning symbol has been issued due to lost selection or missing (step S305 = No), the winning combination of the small role or replay is simply turned OFF, and the determination process is also ended. If the process proceeds to the big bonus game process (step S309) or the regular bonus / JAC game game process (step S310), the winning flag is turned OFF during each of these processes.

(5. Special gaming state)
In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, if there is a winning with a big bonus symbol (for example, “7-7-7”) or a regular bonus symbol (for example, “BAR-BAR-BAR”), A transition is made to a special game state called “Big Bonus Game (BB)” or “Regular Bonus Game (RB)”. These big bonus games and regular bonus games include a plurality of game opportunities, and there is a possibility of winning in a concentrated manner during this time. Therefore, it can be said that the player is more advantageous than usual.

  In the big bonus game and the regular bonus game, the former includes more game opportunities. In the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, a maximum of a predetermined number of times during one big bonus game. The specification includes an opportunity to play a small role game (for example, 30 times) and an opportunity to play a JAC game (regular bonus game) for a specified number of times (for example, 2 or 3 times) at the maximum. Some models have specifications that do not provide opportunities for big bonus games. Since the contents of the processing of the big bonus game and the regular bonus game are both publicly known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

(6. Disbursement process)
Next, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 specifically show the contents of the payout process performed by the payout control board 52. As already described, in the first embodiment, the payout control board 52 is configured to share functions such as medal insertion, bet operation acceptance control, and credit number addition / subtraction control in addition to the drive control of the hopper device 54. These control functions are realized through the payout process of FIG.

  This payout process is started in parallel with, for example, a start process (FIG. 4) performed by the main control board 50. Here, first, it is determined whether or not the number of credits is 0 prior to the determination of the number of bets (step). S401). Information on the number of credits is managed by being stored in the RAM of the payout control board 52, and the value can be confirmed by the player by being displayed numerically on the display unit 16. At this time, if the number of credits is not 0 (step S401 = No), for example, the above-described MAX bet button 24 is turned on (may be blinked) (step S402), and then the medal insertion lamp is turned on (even if blinking). (Step S403).

  Although not particularly touched so far, in the first embodiment, the MAX bet button 24 is of a type having a built-in LED, and the light can be emitted so that the button itself is conspicuous by the light emission of the built-in LED. Although not shown, the medal insertion lamp is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 15, and displays that the medal can be received by lighting thereof.

  On the contrary, if the number of credits is 0 when determining the number of bets (step S401 = Yes), only the medal insertion lamp is lit and displayed as it is. Following the lighting of the medal insertion lamp, the above-described lockout solenoid 57 is actuated so that a medal can be received (step S404).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a prescribed number of medals have been inserted or whether or not the bet button has been operated (step S405). In FIG. 7, in order to simplify the description, the processing contents are based on a so-called “three-sheet dedicated machine”. For this reason, until the number of medals reaching three (three in total with the number of bets) is inserted, or until the MAX bet button 24 is pressed in a state where credits of three times or more remain. During this period, the determination in step S405 is repeated. If any of the conditions is satisfied (Yes), processing for transmitting the “medal insertion OK” signal to the main control board 50 (“main board” in the drawing) is performed (step). S406). As a result, the operation of the start lever 24 is validated on the main control board 50. In practice, since the signal “OK for medal insertion” is transmitted in a task (interrupt processing) different from the payout processing, in this step S406, the flag indicating “OK for medal insertion” is simply turned ON. . When this flag is turned ON, a task separately executed in the interrupt process automatically transmits a “medal insertion OK” signal to the main control board 50.

  Subsequently, the MAX bet button 24 that has been lit up until then is turned off, and the medal insertion lamp is also turned off (step S407). If the player inserts more medals than the prescribed number (= 3), the amount is added to the number of credits (step S408). In addition, it is determined whether or not the number of credits is less than 50 (step S409). As a result, if the number of credits has reached 50 (No), the lockout solenoid 57 is set in the normal (non-operating) state and the medal is set. The selector is locked out (step S410). In this case, it is determined whether or not a start signal has been transmitted from the main control board 50 without accepting the insertion of an additional medal (step S411), and a standby state is maintained until the start signal is transmitted.

  On the other hand, if the number of credits is less than 50 when the three cards are multiplied (step S409 = Yes), it is determined whether or not the start signal is transmitted from the main control board 50 (step S412). ). While the start signal is not transmitted (No), the number of credits is continuously added (step S408) and the start signal is waited for. In this case, when the start signal is transmitted (step S412 = Yes), the medal selector is locked out for the first time (step S413).

  In any case, when a start signal (reel start) is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52, the payout process in FIG. 7 is taken over by the procedure shown in FIG. 8 (from connection symbol 1 to 1). Here, it is determined whether or not a game end command or a payout command is transmitted from the main control board 50 (step S414).

  The game end command represents that one game has been completed in the slot machine 1, and for example, when there is no winning when all the reels 10a, 10b, 10c are stopped, the game end command is sent from the main control board 50. A game end command is transmitted to the payout control board 52. One payout command is used to instruct a payout for a specified number corresponding to a winning symbol when a small role winning or the like occurs when the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c are stopped.

  When any command is transmitted from the main control board 50, in this payout process, it is determined whether or not payout is required next (step S415). If the above game end command is transmitted at this time, it is determined that there is no need for payout (No), and the payout process is returned as it is.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that payout is necessary (step S415 = Yes), a process of adding the payout number instructed by the payout command to the credit number is performed (step S416). However, since the maximum number of credits is 50, it is next determined whether or not the number of credits exceeds 50 due to addition (step S417). If it is determined that the credit overflows (Yes), the hopper motor switch is turned on (step S418). As a result, the hopper device 54 is driven to actually pay out medals.

  Thereafter, when the payout count signal input from the payout sensor reaches the required number (overflow), the hopper motor switch is turned off (step S420), and the payout process is returned. Thereby, the payout operation by the hopper device 54 is completed, and one game is completed. Alternatively, if there is no overflow of the number of credits even if there is a winning (step S417 = No), the payout process is returned there.

(7. Monitoring of fraud)
The above is the content of the payout process that is routinely performed on the payout control board 52 during normal operation of the slot machine 1. In addition, in the first embodiment, the payout control board 52 has a function of monitoring fraud in relation to the setting change operation of the slot machine 1, and the specific contents thereof will be described below.

(7-1. Overview)
As already described, the setting change operation of the slot machine 1 is limited to the timing at which it can be executed immediately after the power is turned on (in the setting change mode). Therefore, normally, the setting change operation is not performed unless the power switch 64c is turned on by a legitimate administrator.

  However, those who try to change the settings by fraudulently exploit this mechanism, for example, by inserting a metal piece into the housing 2 to short the wiring of the power system, and the same situation as immediately after the power is turned on To try to cheat.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, a hardware configuration in which the power supply systems of the main control board 50 and the payout control board 52 are provided separately has succeeded in detecting fraud through the following processing. Yes.

(7-2. Settings change notification)
Although not particularly shown as a flowchart, when the setting information of the main control board 50 is changed in the program for accepting the setting change operation, a setting change notification indicating that is output from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52. It becomes the composition which is done. The setting change notification includes the fact information that the setting has been changed and information indicating the setting value after the change. Therefore, when the setting change notification is transmitted from the payout control board 52 to the sub control board 62, the sub control board 62 can display the changed set value on the liquid crystal display 42. When the payout control board 52 receives the setting change notification, the payout control board 52 transmits the notice to the sub control board 62 and uses it for illegal monitoring in the processing performed by itself.

(7-3. Fraud monitoring method)
FIG. 9 shows the contents of processing executed in the payout control board 52 when the slot machine 1 is turned on (power supply is started). When the power switch 64c is turned on (powered on) by a legitimate manager of the hall, the payout control board 52 performs an initialization process (step S501). If the main control board 50 has been switched to the setting change mode by a regular setting change operation, the initialization process (step S501) is continued until the setting change mode ends (the setting change operation ends).

  When the initialization process is completed, the payout control board 52 next checks whether or not the setting change notification is output from the main control board 50 (step S502). When the regular setting change operation is performed as described above, the power supply system to which the main control board 50 belongs and the power supply system to which the payout control board 52 belong are energized together by turning on the power switch 64c. Therefore, the payout control board 52 receives a setting change notification following the initialization process (step S501) (step S502 = Yes). In this case, the changed setting information is also stored in the payout control board 52. (Step S503).

  On the other hand, when the setting machine is simply turned on without performing the setting change operation, the processing is continued without particularly saving the setting information. In any case, after the initialization process (step S501) and the confirmation of the setting change notification (step S502), the process performed on the payout control board 52 is in a steady state (during normal power feeding). The above-described payout process (step S504) is regularly executed in each game.

(7-4. Judgment of abnormal situation)
In the steady state, the payout process (step S504) is repeated until the power to the slot machine 1 is cut off. In addition, in the first embodiment, a setting change notification is output even during normal power feeding. It is assumed that it has been confirmed (step S505).

  Here, when a person who intends to perform an illegal action shorts the power supply system to which the main control board 50 belongs, switches the processing of the main CPU to the setting change mode, and accepts an illegal setting change operation. Let's assume. In this case, the power supply system to which the payout control board 52 belongs is different from the power supply system that has been short-circuited due to fraud, so that the normal supply of power to the payout control board 52 is still continued. .

  On the other hand, if an unauthorized setting change is made, a setting change notification is output from the main control board 50, so that even though the payout control board 52 is already in normal power supply, the main control board 50 An event that a setting change notification is received from the server occurs. However, since such an event should never occur if it was originally, in the first embodiment, such an event (receiving a setting change notification during normal power supply of the payout control board 52) occurred. In some cases this is treated as an abnormal situation.

(7-5. Fraud detection processing)
Specifically, when the above-described event occurs, it is confirmed that the setting change notification is received in the operation during normal power supply of the payout control board 52 (in FIG. 9, the loop after step S504) (step S505 = Yes). ). In this case, the payout control board 52 executes the fraud detection process (step S506), thereby confirming that the fraudulent act has been performed (in addition to other players, hall employees, guards, and other personnel as well as halls). (Including machine equipment such as computers).

  In the fraud detection process (step S506), a fraud detection command is transmitted from the payout control board 52 to the sub control board 62, for example. Upon receiving this command, the sub control board 62 outputs a fraudulent sound from the speaker 44 at a high volume, or outputs a sound such as “It is fraudulent!” "Is done!" Is displayed, or the lamps 45, 46, and 48 are flashed violently. Thereby, since it is possible to clearly disclose (notify) that fraudulent activity has been made in the surrounding area, it is possible to easily identify the fraudulent in the field.

  Alternatively, the disclosure control board 52 outputs a fraud detection signal to the hall computer 60 through the external terminal board 58, and informs the hall manager of the fraudulent act without revealing the above disclosure. You can also. In this case, the manager of the hall can hold the scene while the cheating person continues playing with an unsophisticated face, so that the cheating person can be dealt with strictly.

(7-6. Difficulties in cheating)
As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, unless the fraudster short-circuits the two power supply systems together, the fraudulent act can be detected. For this reason, it is impossible to conceal an illegal act with only a simple trick by inserting a metal piece or the like, and it is possible to prevent the illegal act from the difficulty.

(8. Second embodiment)
Next, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, points different from the first embodiment described above will be specifically described.

  (1) In the first embodiment, the power supply device 64 is configured as one unit, but in the second embodiment, separate power supply devices are provided for each of the two power supply systems. In this case, in the internal configuration of FIG. 2, the main control board 50 and the payout control board 52 are supplied with power from separate power supply devices.

  If it is such an aspect, unless the two power supply devices are short-circuited together, detection of fraud is inevitable. In addition, if the two power supply devices are arranged at different positions inside the housing 2, it is extremely difficult to perform an illegal setting change operation with a simple technique such as a short circuit.

  (2) In the first embodiment, the payout control board 52 performs the fraud detection process, but the sub control board 62 can also perform the fraud detection process. However, in this case, since the sub control board 62 needs to belong to a power supply system different from the main control board 50, the sub control board 62 is supplied with power from the payout control board 52 in the configuration of FIG. It becomes an aspect.

(9. Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 schematically shows the configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same components as those in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the configuration of different parts will be described here, and the same components will be duplicated. The description that has been made will be omitted.

(9-1. Setting change means)
In the third embodiment, an operation unit related to a setting change operation is connected to the payout control board 52. That is, a setting switch 70 is provided in addition to the setting key switch 68 inside the housing 2 (or on the inner surface side of the front door 4), and operation signals of these setting key switch 68 and setting switch 70 are paid out. It is configured to be input directly to the substrate 52.

  In the third embodiment, a function for managing the setting information of the slot machine 1 is assigned to the payout control board 52, and setting values are stored and setting change operations are all received in the payout control board 52.

(9-2. Inquiry about setting information)
However, changing the lottery probability (changing table data) reflecting the setting information (settings 1 to 6) is performed in the main control board 50. For this reason, in the third embodiment, the setting information is managed by the payout control board 52, but the main control board 50 performs processing for inquiring the payout control board 52 for the setting information.

  An inquiry from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52 is made, for example, at a timing when the power is turned on to the main control board 50 (for example, after initialization processing). That is, when the slot machine 1 is turned on, a command for inquiring setting information from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52 is transmitted at this timing, and a setting signal is returned from the payout control board 52 in response to this command. At this time, when a setting change operation is performed on the payout control board 52, the changed setting information (the fact that the changed setting value or setting change has been made) is transmitted from the payout control board 52. Furthermore, the exchange of signals performed between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 52 is performed in the form of a serial signal.

(9-3. Fraud countermeasures)
(1) According to the third embodiment, the setting is reflected in the actual lottery probability by the main control board 50 inquiring the setting information to the payout control board 52, and therefore the setting is made without going through such an inquiry procedure. No changes can be made. Therefore, it is almost impossible for the main control board 50 to accept the setting change operation by a simple technique such as a short circuit, and the structure is provided with a strong defense against fraud.

  (2) Since the setting information is transmitted by serial communication, the main control board 50 does not respond to any rewriting of the setting information unless it is in a serial signal format. For this reason, it is not possible to intervene in the communication of setting information by a simple technique such as a short circuit, and unauthorized setting change operations become increasingly difficult.

  (3) Furthermore, the timing at which the main control board 50 inquires about the setting information is limited when the power is turned on, and there is no other timing at which the main control board 50 accepts the setting information. Becomes difficult.

(9-4. Board box)
The main control board 50, the payout control board 52, the sub control board 62, and the like are all installed in the housing 2 in a manner housed in a board box. The substrate box is closed by, for example, mechanical sealing (fixing with a one-way screw or the like), and becomes a protective case that obstructs contact with each substrate from the outside. For this reason, even if it tries to make a metal piece etc. contact the delivery control board | substrate 52 from the outer side of a board | substrate box, a tooth | gear does not stand at all. Further, even if an illegal chip or the like is to be incorporated into the payout control board 52, the alteration cannot be made unless the board box is destroyed. Therefore, when an illegal alteration or the like is attempted, the trace can be clearly left.

  Note that the board (main board) that affects or may affect the game result, that is, the main control board 50 that controls the main game operation of the gaming machine, and the operation of paying out game media by winning etc. are controlled. The payout control board 52 is housed together in a sealable board case, and is preferably connected to each other by an information communication cable in the housing case.

  According to such a structure, since it will be accommodated in the board case which can be sealed including the connection cable for information communication between both boards, the security against unauthorized modification is further improved. be able to.

  Further, the substrate case that can be sealed has an integral structure as a whole, and a storage part of the main control board 50 and a storage part of the payout control board 52 are formed in a part of the case, and these two storage parts It is desirable for the structure to be able to release the seal individually. If it is housed in such a case, each board can be individually inspected, and if only one board is to be inspected, the other remains sealed, which can greatly improve security. it can.

(9-5. Other configurations)
FIG. 10 shows an automatic medal supply machine 72 as a configuration related to the hopper device 54 (payout device). The medal automatic replenishing machine 72 is attached to the island facility, and the insertion nozzle is inserted through the rear opening (not shown) of the housing 2.

(9-6. Basic composition)
FIG. 11 schematically shows a basic configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the third embodiment. This basic configuration shows that both the main control board (main CPU) and the payout control board (payout CPU) have a backup power supply, so that the payout control board can retain setting information even after the power is cut off. It has become.

  In addition, in the basic configuration of FIG. 11, the slot machine includes a medal insertion device (take-in device). This throwing device has a function of taking medals from a tray part (a tray) formed in the housing and storing them as credits. The taken medals are counted by the insertion sensor and then collected by the island facility through the housing outlet or automatically returned to the hopper device inside the housing. The operation of the charging device is controlled by a payout control board (payout CPU).

  Further, the payout from the hopper device is performed not on the tray at the lower part of the housing but on the tray portion (the tray) connected to the above-described feeding device. For this reason, there is an advantage that the player does not have to insert the paid-out medals into the medal slot one by one, and can concentrate on the game as much.

(10. Serial communication)
Next, an example of serial communication used in the first to third embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of the main control board 50 and the payout control board 52. The main control board 50 includes a main CPU 200 having a serial communication function and a parallel communication function with the outside as a CPU for performing various arithmetic processes in the main control board 50. The main CPU 200 has a circuit configuration of an arithmetic processing unit 210 that performs arithmetic processing, a serial IF unit 220 as a serial communication unit that performs serial communication with the outside, and a parallel IF unit 230 that performs parallel communication with the outside. Yes. The exchange of commands with the payout control board 52 is performed through the serial IF unit 220, and the exchange of ACK signals with the payout control board 52 is performed through the parallel IF unit 230.

  The serial IF unit 220 receives the parallel data TDa from the arithmetic processing unit 210, receives the transmission buffer register 240 that stores the data, and the data stored in the transmission buffer register 240, and converts the data into serial data Dab. A transmission shift register 250 for serial transfer to the payout control board 52; a serial data Dba from the payout control board 52; a reception shift register 260 for storing the data; and data stored in the reception shift register 260; Are received and stored as parallel data RDa by the arithmetic processing unit 210, and a serial management unit 280 for managing the operation state of each unit in the serial IF unit 220, and these are integrated on one chip. Has been . The transmission buffer register 240, the transmission shift register 250, the reception shift register 260, and the reception buffer register 270 are registers each having a storage capacity of 1 byte.

  The serial management unit 280 allows the data transfer from the transmission buffer register 240 to the transmission shift register 250 when the transmission shift register 250 is not performing serial transfer with respect to the transmission shift register 250 and the transmission buffer register 240. The data is erased from the transmission buffer register 240.

  The serial management unit 280 permits the data transfer from the reception shift register 260 to the reception buffer register 270 when the data is not stored in the reception buffer register 270 with respect to the reception shift register 260 and the reception buffer register 270. The processing unit 210 is configured to erase data from the reception buffer register 270 after reading the parallel data RDa from the reception buffer register 270.

  Note that the transfer rate of serial transfer by the serial IF unit 220 is determined based on a signal obtained by dividing the clock signal for operating the main CPU 200. The frequency division ratio of the clock signal that determines the transfer rate can be set by the value of a register (not shown) included in the serial IF unit 220.

  The arithmetic processing unit 210 writes the parallel data TDa to the transmission buffer register 240 by lowering the write signal #WRa to the transmission buffer register 240, and sets the read signal #REa to the reception buffer register 270. By lowering, the parallel data RDa is read from the reception buffer register 270.

  The arithmetic processing unit 210 receives signals indicating various states in the serial IF unit 220 from the serial management unit 280. Signals that the arithmetic processing unit 210 receives from the serial management unit 280 include a transmission buffer empty signal TEa that is set to a high level when the transmission buffer register 240 is cleared and a transmission shift register 250 that is performing serial transfer. There are a serial transfer signal TCa which is set to a high level and a reception data presence signal DFa which is set to a high level when data is stored in the reception buffer register 270.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the payout control board 52 includes a payout CPU 710 for performing various arithmetic processes in the payout control board 52, a serial IF chip 720 in which a circuit for serial communication with the outside is formed, and a parallel with the outside. And a parallel IF chip 730 on which a circuit for communication is formed. The exchange of commands with the main control board 50 is performed via the serial IF chip 720, and the exchange of ACK signals with the main control board 50 is carried out via the parallel IF chip 730.

  The serial IF chip 720 receives the parallel data TDb from the payout CPU 710, receives the data stored in the transmission buffer register 740 and the data stored in the transmission buffer register 740, converts the data into serial data Dba, and performs main control. The transmission shift register 750 for serial transfer to the board 50, the serial data Dab from the main control board 50, the reception shift register 760 for storing the data, the data stored in the reception shift register 760, and the data issued The CPU 710 includes a reception buffer register 770 that is readable and stored as parallel data RDb, and a serial management unit 780 that manages the operation state of each unit in the serial IF chip 720. These are integrated on one chip. It has been made. Transmission buffer register 740, transmission shift register 750, reception shift register 760, and reception buffer register 770 are registers each having a storage capacity of 1 byte.

  The serial management unit 780 allows the transmission shift register 750 and the transmission buffer register 740 to transfer data from the transmission buffer register 740 to the transmission shift register 750 when the transmission shift register 750 is not performing serial transfer. The data is erased from the transmission buffer register 740.

  The serial management unit 780 permits the transfer of data from the reception shift register 760 to the reception buffer register 770 when the data is not stored in the reception buffer register 770 with respect to the reception shift register 760 and the reception buffer register 770, and the payout The circuit is configured to erase the data from the reception buffer register 770 after the CPU 710 reads the parallel data RDb from the reception buffer register 770.

  Note that the timing at which the serial IF chip 720 samples the serially transferred command is determined based on a sampling clock obtained by dividing the clock signal for operating the main CPU 200 of the main control board 50. The frequency division ratio of the clock signal that determines the sampling clock can be set by the value of a register (not shown) included in the serial IF chip 720.

  The payout CPU 710 writes the parallel data TDb to the transmission buffer register 740 by lowering the write signal #WRb to the transmission buffer register 740, and lowers the read signal #REb to the reception buffer register 770. Thus, the parallel data RDb is read from the reception buffer register 770.

  The payout CPU 710 receives signals indicating various states in the serial IF chip 720 from the serial management unit 780. The payout CPU 710 receives a signal from the serial management unit 780 as a transmission buffer empty signal TEb that is set to a high level when the transmission buffer register 740 is cleared, and a high level when the transmission shift register 750 is performing serial transfer. There are a serial transfer in-progress signal TCb and a reception data presence signal DFb which is set to a high level when data is stored in the reception buffer register 770.

(10-1. Operation of Slot Machine 1)
As one of the operations of the slot machine 1, the operation at the time of command transfer between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 52 will be described. The slot machine 1 can perform command transfer from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52 and command transfer from the payout control board 52 to the main control board 50. In the following description, the operation at the time of command transfer from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52 will be described in detail.

(10-3. Command transmission of main control board 50)
The operation of the main control board 50 that transmits a command to the payout control board 52 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing command transmission processing executed by the arithmetic processing unit 210 of the main control board 50. The arithmetic processing unit 210 of the main control board 50 repeatedly executes a scheduled interrupt process at a predetermined interval (in this example, 4 milliseconds (hereinafter referred to as ms)) in order to realize a process for controlling the progress of the game. As a part of the regularly executed interrupt process, the command transmission process shown in FIG. 13 is executed when a command is transmitted to the payout control board 52.

  When the command transmission process shown in FIG. 13 is started, the arithmetic processing unit 210 generates a command for the payout control board 52 (step S110 '). In this example, the command for the payout control board 52 is a 2-byte command larger than 1 byte which is the storage capacity of each register of the serial IF unit 220.

  After the command is generated (step S110 ′), it is determined whether or not “transmission buffer empty signal TEa is high level” and “serial transfer signal TCa is low level”, that is, “data is stored in transmission buffer register 240”. It is determined whether or not “if not” and “if the transmission shift register 250 is not performing serial transfer” (step S120 ′).

  When “the transmission buffer empty signal TEa is high level” and “the serial transfer in-progress signal TCa is low level” (step S120 ′), the first byte, which is the upper 1 byte among the 2 bytes of the generated command, Write to the transmission buffer register 240 (step S130 '). Thereafter, after waiting for a preset write standby period Lwa (step S140 ′), the second lower byte, which is the remaining lower byte of the generated command, is written to the transmission buffer register 240 (step S150 ′). Then, the command transmission process is terminated.

  Here, the write standby period Lwa is from the transmission register delivery period Lbs, which is a period from the writing of the first byte of the command to the transmission buffer register 240 to the delivery of the first byte to the transmission shift register 250. Is a period in which the second byte write process (step S150 ′ in FIG. 13) is allowed to be executed before the end of the scheduled interrupt process, and is prolonged until the start of the next scheduled interrupt process. It is not a period. The write standby period Lwa is shorter than the serial transfer period Lsc which is a period until the serial transfer of the first byte of the command is completed, and is shorter than 4 ms which is the interval of the regular interrupt processing. . In this example, the write standby period Lwa is set to 2.5 microseconds (hereinafter referred to as μs). The transmission register delivery period Lbs according to the hardware specification of the serial IF unit 220 in this example is about 1.25 μs. In addition, when the calculation processing time of the calculation processing unit 210 required for the second byte write processing (step S150 ′ in FIG. 13) is equal to or longer than the transmission register delivery period Lbs of the serial IF unit 220, it is shown in FIG. The standby process (step S140 ′) by the command standby process software is unnecessary.

  FIG. 14 is a time chart showing the state of each signal on the main control board 50 when the command transmission process is executed. In the command transmission process described above, if it is determined that “the transmission buffer empty signal TEa is at a high level” and “the serial transfer signal TCa is at a low level” (step S120 ′ in FIG. 13), the parallel data TDa is converted into Output of the first byte of the command is started (timing ta1). Thereafter, the first byte of the command is written to the transmission buffer register 240 at the falling edge of the write signal #WRa (timing ta2, step S120 'in FIG. 13).

  The transmission buffer register 240 delivers the first byte of the written command to the transmission shift register 250, and is cleared by the serial management unit 280 when the delivery is completed. The transmission shift register 250 outputs the first byte of the command received from the transmission buffer register 240 to the serial data Dab. In serial data Dab during serial transfer, each bit from the first bit D0 to the eighth bit D7 of the command follows the start bit ST, and finally a stop bit SP is output. Thus, when the serial transfer of the first byte of the command is started, the serial transfer in-progress signal TCa becomes high level (timing ta3).

  After writing the first byte of the command (timing ta2, step S120 ′ in FIG. 13) and waiting for the write standby period Lwa (step S140 ′ in FIG. 13), as in the first byte of the command, The second byte of the command is written in the transmission buffer register 240 (timing ta4, step S150 ′ in FIG. 13).

  At this time, the transmission shift register 250 is serially transferring the first byte of the command and cannot receive the second byte of the command from the transmission buffer register 240. Therefore, the transmission buffer register 240 stores 2 of the written command. The byte is stored and held, and the transmission buffer empty signal TEa becomes low level (timing ta4).

  Thereafter, when the serial transfer of the first byte of the command by the transmission shift register 250 is completed, the transmission buffer register 240 delivers the second byte of the command to be stored to the transmission shift register 250. When this delivery is completed, the serial management unit 280 Cleared and the transmission buffer empty signal TEa becomes high level (timing ta5).

  Thereafter, the transmission shift register 250 outputs the second byte of the command received from the transmission buffer register 240 to the serial data Dab in the same manner as the first byte of the command (timing ta6 to ta7).

  By the operation of the main control board 50 described above, a 2-byte command is transmitted to the payout control board 52. In this example, the main control board 50 retransmits the command when there is no response of the ACK signal from the payout control board 52 within a predetermined period after transmitting the command to the payout control board 52.

  On the contrary, the operation of the payout control board 52 that transmits a command to the main control board 50 is the payout CPU 710 in place of the arithmetic processing unit 210, the send buffer register 740 in place of the send buffer register 240, and the send shift register 250. Instead, the transmission shift register 750 is realized by performing the same operation as that of the main control board 50 described above.

  In this example, the main CPU 200 repeatedly executes the scheduled interrupt processing at intervals of 4 milliseconds, whereas the serial IF unit 220 executes serial transfer at a transfer rate of 1200 bps (Bit Per Second). Accordingly, in this example, the time for serial transfer of the 2-byte command by the serial IF unit 220 is about 16.7 ms, and the main CPU 200 repeatedly executes the scheduled interrupt process about four times during that time. As described above, the main CPU 200 can leave the serial transfer of the command to the payout control board 52 to the serial IF unit 220 if the command is written in the transmission buffer register 240. The transfer rate of 1200 bps in serial transfer is a transfer rate that can ensure the reliability of command transfer with respect to electrical noise, and can be transferred serially by isolation using a relatively inexpensive photocoupler. The transfer rate.

  Note that the main control board 50 executes other control processing such as storing winning information if there is a win without interrupting the control processing during serial transfer (a state in which there is a command in the transmission buffer register 240). In the case of a pachinko machine, the number of game balls launched into the game board 13 is restricted to a maximum of 100 per minute, so the launch interval of game balls is about 600 ms. Therefore, even if game balls continuously win the winning opening 61, the main control board 50 can process the detection information of the game balls without delay and serially transfer the prize ball commands to the payout control board 52.

(10-4. Command reception of payout control board 52)
The operation of the payout control board 52 that receives a command from the main control board 50 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing command reception processing executed by the payout CPU 710 of the payout control board 52. The payout CPU 710 of the payout control board 52 executes the command receiving process shown in FIG. 15 when receiving a command from the main control board 50 as part of controlling the payout of game balls.

  When the command receiving process is started, the payout CPU 710 determines whether or not “the received data present signal DFb is at a high level”, that is, “when data is stored in the receiving buffer register 770”. (Step S610).

  Here, when it is determined in the command reception process that “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S610), the 2-byte command transmitted from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 52. Of these, the first byte of the command is stored in the reception buffer register 770.

  When “the reception data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S610), after reading the first byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 770 (step S620), the data is stored in the reception buffer register 770 again. The first byte of the command being read is read (step S625). Thereafter, the first byte of the command read for the first time is compared with the first byte of the command read for the second time (step S630), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S635).

  If the first byte of the read command matches the first time and the second time (step S635), the first byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 770 is cleared by falling the buffer clear signal #CBb. (Step S640). As a result, the second byte of the command stored in the reception shift register 760 is transferred to the reception buffer register 770.

  After clearing the reception buffer register 770 (step S640), the second byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 770 is collated after being read twice, similarly to the first byte of the command (step S650). , S652, S654) If the first time and the second time match (step S656), the second byte of the command stored in the reception buffer register 770 is cleared (step S658), and the command transmission process is terminated. To do.

  On the other hand, if the first byte of the read command does not match between the first time and the second time (step S635), the reception shift register 760 and the reception buffer register 770 are cleared to prepare for the next command reception (step S690). ), The command transmission process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a time chart showing the state of each signal on the payout control board 52 when the command receiving process is executed. When the first byte of the command is output to the serial data Dab by the command transmission process in the main control board 50 described above (timing tb1 to tb2), the first byte of the command is stored in the reception shift register 760 and then received. The first byte of the command is transferred to the buffer register 770, and the received data presence signal DFb becomes high level.

  When the second byte of the command is output to the serial data Dab following the first byte of the command (timing tb1 to tb2), the second byte of the command is stored in the reception shift register 760. At this time, since the first byte of the command has not been read from the reception buffer register 770 and the reception buffer register 770 has not been cleared by the serial management unit 780, the reception shift register 760 has received the second byte of the command. Retain memory.

  Thereafter, in the command reception process shown in FIG. 15, when it is determined that “the received data present signal DFb is at the high level” (step S610 in FIG. 15), the reception buffer # The first byte of the command is output from the register 770 to the parallel data RDb, and the first byte of the command is read from the reception buffer register 770 by the payout CPU 710 (timing tb5 to tb6, step S620 in FIG. 15).

When the reading of the first byte of the command is completed, the reception buffer register 770 is cleared by the serial management unit 780, and the reception data presence signal DFb becomes low level (timing tb6). Thereafter, when the second byte of the command is transferred from the reception shift register 760 to the reception buffer register, the reception data present signal DFb becomes high level (
Timing tb7). Thereafter, similarly to the first byte of the command, the second byte of the command is read from the reception buffer register 770 (timing tb8 to tb9, step S650 in FIG. 15). For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 16, the scale of the serial transfer time for the first byte and the second byte of the command is reduced as compared with the scale of the calculation processing time of the payout CPU 710. The serial transfer time for the first byte and the second byte requires a considerable time compared to the calculation processing time of the payout CPU 710. Therefore, the command reception process shown in FIG. 15 is a process executed by dividing into a plurality of scheduled interrupt processes as part of the scheduled interrupt process repeatedly executed by the payout CPU 710 at a predetermined interval.

  Through the operation of the payout control board 52 described above, a 2-byte command transmitted from the main control board 50 is received. The payout control board 52 in this example transmits an ACK signal to the main control board 50 during a predetermined period after receiving the command from the main control board 50.

  In this example, the sampling timing of the serial IF chip 720 is set to 19.2 kilohertz (kHz), which is 16 times the transfer rate (1200 bps). In this example, the serial IF chip 720 performs sampling three times for each of the start bit, each data bit of the command, and each bit of the stop bit, and makes a majority decision on the values detected by these three samplings. In order to improve the reliability of command reception.

  Conversely, the operation of the main control board 50 that receives a command from the payout control board 52 is changed to the arithmetic processing unit 210 instead of the payout CPU 710, the reception shift register 260 and the reception buffer register 770 instead of the reception shift register 760. Instead, the reception buffer register 270 is realized by performing the same operation as that of the above-described payout control board 52.

  According to the slot machine 1 described above, while the main CPU 200 of the main control board 50 performs a single scheduled interrupt process, the serial IF unit 220 transmits two bytes of commands that can be serially transferred to the serial IF unit 220. The data can be stored in the transmission buffer register 240 and the transmission shift register 250, and the period related to the serial transfer of commands by the main CPU 200 of the main control board 50 can be shortened. As a result, the progress of other control processes on the main control board 50 and the complexity of the control program executed on the main control board 50 can be suppressed. Therefore, smooth game control can be realized when commands are divided and serially transferred.

It is a front view of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a slot machine. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of 1 game (rotational game) in a slot machine. It is a flowchart of a starting process. It is a flowchart of a reel stop process. It is a flowchart of a determination process. It is a flowchart (the 1) of payout processing. It is a flowchart (the 2) of a payout process. It is the flowchart which showed the process which the payout control board performs after power activation. It is the figure which showed the structure of the slot machine schematically. It is the figure which showed the basic composition of the slot machine schematically. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the electrical structure of a main control board and a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the command transmission process which the arithmetic processing part of a main control board performs. It is a time chart which shows the mode of each signal in the main control board at the time of command transmission processing being performed. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process which the payout CPU of a payout control board performs. It is a time chart which shows the mode of each signal in the payout control board at the time of command reception processing being performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 10 Reel device 24 Start lever 26,28,30 Stop button 34 Display part 42 Liquid crystal display 50 Main control board 52 Discharge control board 64 Power supply device

Claims (2)

A gaming machine capable of changing the winning probability of a lottery to determine whether to give a profit to a player in response to a setting change signal based on an operation of a setting switch,
A main control board for performing the lottery;
Another control board that performs control based on a command received from the main control board;
A power supply device for supplying power to the main control board and the other control board;
With
The main control board is
A winning probability changing means for changing the winning probability;
The corresponding selection probability changing means accepts the setting change signal only during a winning probability change allowable period, which is a predetermined period from when power supply to the main control board is cut off, and when power supply is newly started. Is set to change,
For the purpose of changing the winning probability illegally, the winning probability can be changed by short-circuiting the power wiring extending to the main control board to turn off the power supply to the main control board and then starting the power supply. There is a possibility that the winning probability may be changed after a period has been created,
The other control board is:
A determination means for determining whether the change of the winning probability is performed normally or illegally;
The determination means recognizes a predetermined period from when power supply is newly started from a state where power supply to another control board is cut off as a winning probability change regular period,
The power supply device
A first power supply system for supplying power to the main control board using a first power wiring extending from the first connector;
A second power supply system that supplies power to the other control board using a second power wiring different from the first power wiring, extending from a second connector different from the first connector;
With a single power switch,
With
The power supply device supplies power to the main control board by the first power supply system and the second power supply system to the other control board in response to the power switch being normally turned ON / OFF. Starts and ends power supply by
When the main control board and the other control board are normally switched from OFF to ON, power supply is started almost simultaneously, and the winning probability changing means of the main control board and the other control board are started. Recognizing that the determination means of the substrate is the winning probability change allowable period and the winning probability change normal period almost simultaneously,
When only the first power supply system that is illegally connected to the main control board is short-circuited, the time for the winning probability changing means of the main control board to recognize the winning probability changeable period is also the second power supply. The system is not short-circuited, and the other control board is maintained in power supply, so the determination means of the other control board does not recognize the winning probability change regular period,
The main control board is
When the winning probability changing means changes the winning probability during the winning probability change allowable period, an output means for outputting a winning probability change notice for notifying that the winning probability has been changed to the other control board.
With
When the determination means of the other control board receives the winning probability change notification during the period recognized as the winning probability change regular period, the corresponding selection probability is changed normally. If the winning probability change notification is received during a period that is not recognized as the winning probability change regular period, it is determined that the relevant selection probability has been changed illegally It is characterized by notifying,
Gaming machine.
The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A gaming machine, wherein the setting switch is provided on the main control board.

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