JP4641072B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a control device that performs a lottery due to the establishment of a lottery condition and places a gaming state advantageous to the player when the lottery result is a win.

For example, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is provided with a control device that controls various electrical devices assembled to the gaming machine, and the control device performs lottery due to the establishment of a predetermined lottery condition. When the result is successful, the various electrical devices are controlled so that a gaming state advantageous to the player is achieved. As a lottery method performed by this control device, a lottery by random numbers is generally performed.
That is, the control device generates a random number that is updated every predetermined time and circulates within a preset numerical range. Then, a random number generated when the lottery condition is satisfied is acquired, and a gaming state advantageous to the player is determined depending on whether or not the acquired random number is a winning value (a numerical value appropriately determined within a set numerical range). Decide whether or not to do. For specific explanation, it is assumed that the random number is updated every 4 ms and programmed to circulate within a numerical range of 0 to 249. When the control device starts the random number program, it is generated while updating the random number every 4 ms in order from the initial value (usually set to 0). When the random number reaches 249, it returns to 0 again, and the random number is returned as before. Update. When the lottery condition is satisfied, the random number generated at that time is acquired, and when the random number is a winning value (for example, 7), a gaming state advantageous for the player (for example, a specific winning device is released) State).

In such a lottery method using random numbers, the random value hit value is usually a constant value. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9A, a program (for example, 0 to 249 is updated in order from 0 to 249 so that the random number generated by the control device always returns to a constant initial value, and 0 to 249 are circulated after the next period. If the random number becomes the initial value, the time (t1, t2) from when the random number becomes the initial value until the hit value is generated is always a constant time. Therefore, there is a case where a fraudulent act (a so-called hitting action of a hit random number using a sensation machine (metronome)) is used by utilizing this. Based on this situation, an initial value change type random number system has been developed in which the initial value of the random number generated by the control device is changed at predetermined intervals.
Also in the case of the initial value change type random number system, the random number is updated every predetermined time and circulates within a preset numerical range as in the example shown in FIG. However, in the case of the initial value change type random number method, when the random number circulates within a set numerical value range for a predetermined period (for example, one period), it is programmed to change the initial value to start the next update. . For the sake of specific explanation, as in the above-described example, the random number is updated and circulated within the numerical range of 0 to 249 every 4 ms, and the initial value is changed every cycle (one cycle). . As shown in FIG. 9B, in the case of the initial value change type random number system, random numbers 0 to 249 are circulated in the first cycle, and initial values are changed in the next cycle (for example, 0 to 150). Will circulate through 150-249, 0-149. Therefore, according to the initial value change type random number system, the time from when the random number becomes the initial value until the hit value is generated changes with the change of the initial value (in the example of FIG. t2) It is possible to prevent fraud as described above.

  However, there are cases in which fraud cannot be prevented even with the initial value changing random number method. That is, even in the initial value change type random number method, the initial value is a fixed value (usually 0) in the process of the first cycle when the control device starts the random number program. For this reason, if the random number program is forcibly initialized and the program is restarted, the initial value at the time of restart is always a fixed value. That is, the time for which the random number becomes the winning value after the signal for initializing the random number program is input to the control device is always a fixed time. Therefore, even if it is the initial value change type random number system, by forcibly restarting the random number program executed in the control device, it is possible to know the timing when the random number becomes the winning value, and thus acts illegally Is possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent damage caused by fraud by facilitating discovery of fraud.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the gaming machine according to claim 1 acquires a random number due to establishment of a lottery condition, and sets a gaming state advantageous to a player when the acquired random number is a winning value. A random number obtained by the main control unit is updated every predetermined time in order from the initial value and circulates within a preset numerical range, and the initial value is updated and changed every predetermined period. A gaming machine that is programmed to be played. This gaming machine further includes a sound control unit. The main control unit updates the random number in the main RAM according to the random number program, acquires the random number at the timing when the lottery condition is satisfied, and outputs a command for instructing the output of the sound effect based on the acquired random number to the sound control unit To do. The main control unit is a switch for initializing the main RAM when initializing the main CPU, and when an output signal from an initialization switch operated by a hall clerk is input and the main RAM is initialized. Outputs a notification command to the sound control unit. The sound control unit outputs a sound effect based on the command instructing the output of the sound effect when the command instructing the output of the sound effect output from the main control unit is input. The sound control unit outputs a predetermined notification sound for a predetermined time when the notification command output from the main control unit is input. The sound control unit outputs the notification sound for a predetermined time without outputting the sound effect even when a command instructing the output of the sound effect is input while the notification sound is being output. Keep doing. This gaming machine further includes a display control unit. When the main RAM is initialized, the display control unit displays a predetermined screen for confirming that the content stored in the main RAM has been cleared on the display device . When the power to the gaming machine is turned on again, the output of the notification sound is canceled. This gaming machine further includes a prize ball control unit. When a command for instructing payout output from the main control unit is input, the prize ball control unit pays out a predetermined number of prize balls from the prize ball device based on the command instructing the payout. The output signal from the initialization switch is input to the prize ball control unit in addition to the main control unit, and when the prize ball control unit initializes the prize ball CPU based on the output signal from the initialization switch. The prize ball RAM is also initialized. This gaming machine further includes a lamp control unit. When a command output when an output signal from the initialization switch is input from the main control unit, the lamp control unit emits a decorative lamp as notification light and also as the notification light. Even when a command for emitting a decorative lamp as an effect light as a normal decoration is input from the main control unit in the meantime, the decorative lamp continues to emit light for the predetermined time as the notification light.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the gaming machine according to claim 2, the lamp control unit preferentially uses a specific decorative lamp among the plurality of decorative lamps used as a normal decoration as the notification light, and a specific decoration The process of emitting the notification light with the lamp and the process of emitting the effect light with a decoration lamp other than the specific decoration lamp are executed in parallel.

The front view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Example of this invention. Rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. Block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical system of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. Drawing for explaining structure of initialization switch Circuit diagram for explaining the connection between the initialization switch and the control unit Flow chart of initialization process in control unit Flow chart showing processing at the time of command reception in sound control unit The flowchart which shows the process in a sub control part (lamp control part) when alerting | reporting process is cancelled | released by a cancellation | release switch. Diagram for explaining the random number generation method in which the initial value is not changed and the random number generation method in which the initial value is changed

  An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the pachinko machine, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical system of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the initialization switch, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of the initialization switch, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the process when the initialization signal is input in the main control unit. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing in the sound control unit 400.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the game board surface 12 of the pachinko machine 10, a symbol display device 14, a first type starting port 30, a special winning opening 34, and the like are appropriately arranged.
The first type start port 30 has a start port sensor (not shown), and detects a pachinko ball that has won the first type start port 30 by the start port sensor. The special winning opening 34 has an open / close lid 36, and the open / close lid 36 is opened and closed by a solenoid (not shown) under specific conditions. The period during which the open / close lid 36 is opened ends, for example, when a predetermined number (generally 10) of pachinko balls enter the big prize opening 34 or until 30 seconds have passed since opening. To do.
The symbol display device 14 includes a symbol display 22 that variably displays special symbols. The symbol display 22 displays the variation of the special symbol due to the establishment of a specific condition (for example, the winning of a pachinko ball to the first type starting port 30). The special symbol variably displayed on the symbol display 22 indicates to the player that the special game state (a state where the big prize opening 34 is opened; a state advantageous to the player) is changed according to the display mode at the time of the suspension of the variation. Has a function to recognize.
A pachinko ball that has won a prize opening such as the first type starting opening 30 and the grand prize opening 34 is detected by a winning ball sensor (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board surface 12, and the back side of the game board surface 12 is also the same. Pachinko balls are paid out from a prize ball device (not shown) assembled in the. The operation of the prize ball device is controlled by a prize ball control unit described later.

  In addition to the game board surface 12 described above, the pachinko machine 10 is provided with lamps (light emitting devices) that emit light according to the gaming state, an upper plate 46 that stores pachinko balls including prize balls and rental balls, and the like. . On the back side of the upper plate 46, a speaker (sound output device) that generates sound effects when a pachinko ball is won at each of the above-described winning holes, sound effects when a special symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display 22, and the like. 48) is equipped. Further, below the upper plate 46, there are provided a lower plate 40 for temporarily storing the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 46, an ashtray 42 for storing cigarette butts, and the like. . Since the structure of these devices is the same as that of a known pachinko machine, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the structure of the electrical system of the pachinko machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a power supply device 100 and a control device that controls the entire pachinko machine using electric power supplied from the power supply device 100, as in a conventional pachinko machine. (Hereinafter referred to as a main control unit) 200, a prize ball control unit 300 that controls the prize ball device 40 based on control information (command data) transmitted from the main control unit 200, and a control transmitted from the main control unit 200 A sound control unit 400 that performs control to generate sound effects from the speaker 48 based on information (command data), and a display control unit that controls the symbol display 22 based on control information (command data) transmitted from the main control unit 200 500, a winning ball sensor 50, a start port sensor 32, and a solenoid 35 (open lid 3 of the large winning port 34) electrically connected to the main control unit 200. And a driving device) or the like for opening and closing the. The main control unit 200 is connected to the hall computer 600 when installed in the game hall, and outputs business information such as the number of jackpots.
The configuration of the sound control unit 400 and the display control unit 500 may be the same as that provided in the conventional pachinko machine, and does not particularly characterize the present invention. To do.

Hereinafter, configurations of the main control unit 200, the prize ball control unit 300, and the power supply device 100 will be described. Note that the main control unit 200, the prize ball control unit 300, and the power supply device 100 are all provided on the back surface of the pachinko machine as shown in FIG.
The main control unit 200 includes a CPU (processor) 202, a storage device such as a ROM 202a and a RAM 202b connected to the CPU 202, an input processing circuit 204, an output processing circuit 208, a communication control circuit 206, and the like. The CPU 202 controls the pachinko machine 10 according to a control program stored in the ROM 202a. For example, when a winning detection signal is received from the start port sensor 32, a random number is acquired, and a command is output to the display control unit 500 so as to variably display a special symbol based on the acquired random number. Specifically, if the acquired random number is a winning value, a command is output to the display control unit 500 so as to stop the special symbol from being displayed as a big hit, and the opening operation of the special winning opening 34 (ie, the solenoid 35). (Opening / closing control of the opening / closing lid 36). On the other hand, if the acquired random number is not a winning value, a command is output to the display control unit 500 so that the special symbol stops at the display of losing. Note that the random number acquired in the above-described processing is generated by the CPU 202 executing the random number program of the initial value changing random number system already described. The control program stored in the ROM 202a also includes a program for realizing an initialization process (a process when an initialization signal is input), which will be described later.
The RAM 202b indicates that there is a high probability that the winning ball information transmitted from the winning ball sensor 50, the starting port information transmitted from the starting port sensor 32, and the special symbol displayed on the symbol display 22 will be a “hit”. Various data such as probability variation information is stored. In the RAM 202b, the electric charge stored during energization in the capacitor provided in the power supply line connecting the power supply apparatus 100 and the main control unit 200 flows when the energization is interrupted (at the time of power failure). . As a result, the stored contents stored in the RAM 202b are held even while the power is turned off. In addition to the above-described method, the stored content stored in the RAM 202b can also be stored by using a nonvolatile flash memory for the RAM 202b as a method for storing the stored content in the RAM 202b when the power is shut off. .
The input processing circuit 204 is a circuit that processes signals transmitted from the winning ball sensor 50, the start port sensor 32, the initialization switch 102, the power failure detection unit 106, and the like so that the CPU 202 can handle them. The output processing circuit 208 is a circuit that outputs a drive signal to the solenoid 35, and the communication control circuit 206 transmits command data to the prize ball control unit 300, the sound control unit 400, and the display control unit 500, and a game hall After the installation, a circuit for outputting sales information such as the number of jackpots to the hall computer 600 and a notification signal for notifying that the initialization signal has been input to the main control unit 200.

In response to the command data (ball payout information) transmitted from the main control unit 200, the prize ball control unit 300 performs a prize ball payout process for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls from the prize ball device 40. As with the main control unit 100, the prize ball control unit 300 includes a CPU 302, a ROM 302a, a RAM 302b, a communication control circuit 303, an input processing circuit 304, an output processing circuit 306, and the like.
The CPU 302 performs prize ball payout control and the like of the prize ball device 40 according to a control program stored in the ROM 302a. The control program stored in the ROM 302a includes a program for initializing the storage contents of the RAM 302b.
The RAM 302b stores various data such as ball payout information and input / output signals. Similar to the RAM 202b of the main control unit 100, the RAM 302b also uses the charge stored in the capacitor during energization so that the contents stored in the RAM 302b are retained even while the power is shut off. . Note that the storage contents of the RAM 302b may be retained using a non-volatile flash memory, as in the case of the main control unit 100.
The communication control circuit 303 is a circuit for receiving data transmitted from the main control unit 200, and the input processing circuit 304 is a circuit for receiving signals output from the initialization switch 102 and the power failure detection unit 104. Further, the output processing circuit 306 receives the data sent from the CPU 302 and performs a prize ball payout control [a prize ball motor (typically, a stepping motor) drive control] for the prize ball device 40. This is a circuit for outputting a drive signal for the

The power supply device 100 includes a voltage transformer 106 that supplies electric power of a predetermined potential to each electrical device assembled in the pachinko machine 10, a power failure detection unit 104 that detects power interruption, a power switch 108, an initialization switch 102, and the like. Various switches are provided.
As shown in FIG. 3, the voltage transformer 106 supplies power of a predetermined potential to the main controller 200, prize ball controller 300, sound controller 400, and display controller 500, while various electrical devices (winning balls) The sensor 50, the start port sensor 32, the symbol display 22, the solenoid 35, the prize ball device 40, the speaker 48, etc.) are supplied with electric power of a predetermined potential. That is, the voltage transformer 106 rectifies and smoothes the AC input from the AC power supply of the hall by a rectifier circuit, converts the rectified and smoothed DC power supply to a voltage suitable for each electrical device by a regulator, and supplies the converted voltage. . In FIG. 3, the illustration of power supply lines to devices other than the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 is omitted.
The power failure detection unit 106 continuously monitors the AC input from the AC power source of the hall, and determines that the power source has been shut off when the waveform continues to be missing for a predetermined period. A power failure signal is output to the control unit 300. Moreover, the power switch 108 is a switch for operating ON / OFF of AC input from the AC power supply of the hall, and is provided on the back surface of the pachinko machine as shown in FIG.
The configuration of the voltage transformer 106, the power failure detection unit 104, and the power switch 108 may be the same as that of a conventionally known pachinko machine and does not particularly characterize the present invention. .

The initialization switch 102 is a switch operated by a hall clerk at the start of business after a power failure recovery, and is operated to initialize the processing of the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the initialization switch 102 is provided on the back surface of the pachinko machine (specifically, on the substrate 120 of the power supply device 100). The initialization switch 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The initialization switch 102 is a so-called reed switch that closes the contact when pressed. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the push-type switch is disposed on the substrate 120 of the power supply device 100. The initialization switch 102 is accommodated in a casing 110 formed of a plastic material having elasticity. As shown in FIG. 4A, the casing 110 is provided with a pressing portion 114 at a position facing the initialization switch 102, and a cutout 112 is provided in three directions around the pressing portion 114. A contact portion 116 that protrudes toward the initialization switch 102 is formed on the inner surface of the pressing portion 114 (a portion facing the initialization switch 102).
In order to turn on the initialization switch 102 having such a configuration, a hall clerk or the like presses the pressing portion 114 toward the substrate 120 side. When the pressing portion 114 is pressed toward the substrate 120 and deformed as shown in FIG. 4C, the contact portion 116 presses the initialization switch 102, and the initialization switch 102 is turned on. In order to set the initialization switch 102 to the OFF state, the pressing of the pressing portion 114 is released. As a result, the contact portion 116 is separated from the initialization switch 102 due to its elasticity, and the contact of the initialization switch 102 is opened to enter an OFF state (the state shown in FIG. 4B).
In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the press part 114 is made into a pitch without protruding from the surface of the casing 110, and it prevents that the press part 114 is accidentally pressed.

The relationship between the initialization switch 102 configured as described above and each control unit (in this embodiment, the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300) connected to the initialization switch 102 is shown in FIG. Will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the output signal of the initialization switch 102 is input to each control unit via two buffer ICs (indicated by A and B in the figure). As is clear from the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 5, when the initialization switch 102 is in the OFF state, the output signal of the initialization switch 102 becomes a high level signal, and a high level signal is sent to the control unit via the two buffer ICs. input. On the other hand, when the initialization switch 102 is in the ON state, the output signal of the initialization switch 102 becomes a low level signal, and the low level signal is input to the control unit via the two buffer ICs.
Therefore, a person who wants to initialize the random number program of the main control unit 200 inserts an unauthorized board between the initialization switch 102 and the main control part 200, and an initialization signal is sent from the unauthorized board to the main control unit 200. Will be output.

Next, the operation when the power is shut off and the operation when the initialization switch is operated (when the initialization signal is input) of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described. First, the operation when the power is shut off will be described.
In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is interrupted, the power failure detection unit 104 first determines whether or not a power interruption has actually occurred (whether it is an instantaneous power failure). To do. When it is determined that the power is shut off (when there is no AC input for a predetermined time), a power failure signal is output to the main controller 200 (at the same time, the prize ball controller 300). When the main control unit 200 receives this power failure signal, the CPU 202 starts power failure processing. That is, by prohibiting access to the RAM 202b, the storage contents (eg, probability variation information) stored in the RAM 202b at that time are held. Similarly, in the prize ball control unit 300, the CPU 302 prohibits access to the RAM 302b, and the storage contents (for example, ball payout information) stored in the RAM 302b are held.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 when the initialization switch is operated will be described. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as is apparent from the above description, the RAM 202b and 302b provided in the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 retain the stored contents when the power is shut off. . The stored contents stored in these RAMs 202b and 302b need to be retained when the player who is playing the game at the time of power-off plays the same pachinko machine after the power is restored. If the player who is playing returns while the power is shut off, it is not preferable to retain the stored contents. For example, if the business is started while the probability variation information stored in the RAM 202b of the main control unit 100 is retained, the pachinko machine will restart the game in the probability variation state from the beginning, and is placed in the hall. Unfairness occurs with players who play with other pachinko machines, and it is also a disadvantage on the hall side. Further, if the business is started with the ball payout information stored in the RAM 302b of the prize ball control unit 300 being stored, the prize ball will be paid out even though no person is sitting at the start of the business. , Troubles such as collecting the pachinko balls paid out by the hall clerk occur. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b can be cleared by operating the initialization switch 102.

Hereinafter, processing of the main control unit 200 when the initialization signal is input will be described with reference to FIG. Since the procedure of the initialization process in the prize ball control unit 300 is substantially the same except that no notification sound is generated, only the process of the main control unit 200 will be described here.
First, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, a process when the main control unit 200 inputs an initialization signal will be described. When the initialization signal is input, the main control unit 200 first initializes the CPU 202 (S10).
Next, a command for notifying that the initialization signal has been input is output to the sound control unit 400 (S12). As will be described later, the sound control unit 400 outputs a notification sound from the speaker 48 based on this command. Therefore, the hall clerk can discover that the pachinko machine 10 is fraudulent by the notification sound.
In step S14, the stored contents stored in the RAM 202b are then cleared. When the stored content of the RAM 202b is cleared by the process of step S14, the main control unit 200 outputs a command for displaying a predetermined screen (default screen) on the symbol display 22 to the display control unit 500 (S18). . Since a predetermined screen is displayed on the symbol display 22, the hall clerk and the like can confirm that the contents of the RAM 202b have been cleared. When the notification process [output of a command for notification (notification command)] in steps S12 to S18 is completed, the process shifts to a main process which is a normal game process in a state where the storage content of the RAM 202b is cleared (S22). ). That is, the main control unit 200 executes normal game control after the notification command is output. Therefore, for example, if a pachinko ball wins the first type starting port 30 after the notification command is output, a command based on this (for example, a command for instructing the display control unit 500 to change the symbol, a sound effect to the sound control unit 400, Command for instructing the output of output). Further, when the symbol variation becomes a big hit, the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 34 is executed. As is clear from the above description, the sound control unit 400 receives a command that instructs to output a sound effect even during the output of the notification sound based on the command output in step S12. The processing of the sound control unit 400 when receiving a command will be described later. Note that in the game processing to be shifted in step S22, the random number program described above is restarted from the initial state.
In the above-described example, the notification sound is generated (the notification sound command is output) immediately after the initialization process in step S10. However, the notification sound may be generated after the RAM clear process in step S14. The point is that it is only necessary to be able to promptly notify that the random number program has been initialized and restarted from the initial state.

Next, the processing of the sound control unit 400 that has received the command output from the main control unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The process of FIG. 7 is performed every time a command is received. Therefore, for example, when the sound effect command is received while the processing of FIG. 7 is being performed by receiving the notification sound command (during the output processing of the notification sound), the sound effect command of FIG. Processing is performed. That is, two processes (a process based on a notification sound command and a process based on a sound effect command) are performed in parallel.
As shown in FIG. 7, when receiving a command, the sound control unit 400 first determines whether or not the received command is a notification sound command (a command for instructing to output a notification sound) (S22). If the received command is a notification sound command [YES at S22], the process proceeds to step S24. If the received command is not a notification sound command (NO at S22), the process proceeds to step S34.
In step S34, sound effect data is first created based on the received command (sound effect command) (S34), and then whether or not a notification sound is being output from the speaker 48 (ie, from the sound control unit 400). It is determined whether the notification sound data is being output (S36). If the notification sound is being output from the speaker 48 (YES in S36), the process proceeds to step S26 described later, and if the notification sound is not output (NO in S36), the process proceeds to step S32 described later. .
When the process proceeds to step S24, first, a notification sound timer is started (S24), and then notification sound data is created based on the received notification sound command (S25). This notification sound timer is a timer that measures the time during which the notification sound is output, and starts counting when the notification sound starts to be output. That is, in this embodiment, the notification sound is output for 30 seconds, and automatically stops when 30 seconds have elapsed from the start of the output of the notification sound. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to determine the stop timing of the notification sound, the notification sound timer is started simultaneously with the start of the output of the notification sound. In addition, in this example, it is sufficient that 30 seconds is enough for the hall clerk who circulates the hall to notice the notification sound to automatically stop the output of the notification sound after 30 seconds, This is because it is possible to save the trouble of releasing by automatically stopping the notification sound.
In step S26, the sound control unit 400 gives priority to the notification sound data among the sound data (notification sound data and sound effect data) created by the processes in steps S24 and S34, and outputs the notification sound data to the speaker 48. The notification sound is output from the speaker 48 (S26). Therefore, even if the sound effect command is received while the notification sound is output, the player or the like can only hear the notification sound. That is, in the present embodiment, even when the notification sound is output from the speaker 48 based on the notification sound command, when the sound effect command is received, the processing of FIG. 7 is performed in parallel based on the received sound effect command. To create sound effect data. However, when both notification sound data and sound effect data are created, the notification sound data is preferentially output so that only the notification sound can be heard from the speaker 48. In addition, as a method of outputting the notification sound with priority, for example, a method in which the notification sound output channel and the sound effect output channel are separated and the sound effect channel is turned off when the notification sound is output can be employed. Also, a method of reducing the volume of the sound effect channel at the time of outputting the notification sound can be employed.
Next, the sound control unit 400 determines whether or not the notification period has ended (S28). Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the timer started in step S24 has counted for a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment). If the notification period has expired (YES in S28), the process proceeds to step S30. If the notification period has not expired (NO in S28), the process returns to step S25 to perform the processing from step S25. Repeat. Therefore, a notification sound [periodic sound (beep sound)] is repeatedly output from the speaker 48 during the notification period (30 seconds in this embodiment).
When the output of the notification sound from the speaker 48 is completed, a display process for leaving a trace from which the notification sound is output is performed (S30). Specifically, by turning on and blinking a dedicated lamp provided on the game board surface 12, it is displayed that the notification sound has been output (the abnormality has occurred) even after the output of the notification sound. Become. Thus, even if the hall clerk or the like is not aware of the notification sound output, it is possible to find a gaming machine having an abnormality by looking at the lamp that is turned on. When the notification is automatically canceled, the notification sound output processing (steps S25 and S26) described above is repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle instead of the trace display in step S30. good. In this case, a separate switch for canceling the notification process may be provided, and the hall clerk or the like may operate this switch to prevent the notification sound from being continuously output.
In step S32, when the sound effect data is created, the sound control unit 400 outputs the sound effect data from the speaker 48 by outputting the sound effect data to the speaker 48 (S32). Accordingly, when the sound effect data is created in parallel, the sound effect is immediately output from the speaker 48 when the output of the notification sound from the speaker 48 is completed. That is, the sound control unit 400 according to the present embodiment creates sound effect data based on the command when receiving the command even when the notification sound is being output. Can start to output. As a result, smooth game processing is resumed.

As is clear from the above description, in the pachinko machine of this embodiment, when an initialization signal is input to the main control unit 200, a notification sound is output from the speaker 48. Therefore, if a notification sound is output from the speaker 48 even though the initialization switch 102 is not operated, it is known that an initialization signal has been input to the main control unit 200 by unauthorized means (unauthorized board). Can do. For this reason, it is possible to discover fraud and prevent damage caused by fraud.
In this embodiment, a notification sound is output by turning on the initialization switch even when the power is turned on (power-on reset) before starting business. However, in this case, the notification sound is output by the operation of the hall clerk, etc., and the case where the notification sound is output by repeatedly inputting the initialization signal during the game after the start of business is clearly Can be distinguished. For this reason, even if the notification sound is output by the operation of the initialization switch, this is not particularly problematic.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is variously illustrated and modified in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Can be implemented.

(1) In the embodiment described above, the hall clerk is notified by outputting a notification sound from the speaker that the initialization signal has been input to the main control unit, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. Instead, a lamp (light emitting device) or the like separately provided in the pachinko machine may be notified by turning on, blinking, or turning off the lamp control unit. If the notification is made by the lamp, it is possible to notice an illegal act even in a place (hall) where the noise is high.
Further, notification by a speaker and a lamp may be performed simultaneously. By notifying both the speaker and the lamp, it is possible to notify the hall clerk or the like of the illegal act more reliably. In this case, for example, the lamp may blink in synchronization with a beep sound from a speaker.
In the case where notification is performed using a lamp, the notification may be automatically stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of notification by the lamp control unit, as in the above-described embodiment. According to such a structure, the trouble at the time of canceling | reporting can be saved similarly to the above-mentioned Example.
Further, when the lamp control unit receives a command during notification, the command may be processed in parallel as in the above-described embodiment. As one method, for example, in the lamp control unit, among the decorative lamps, a lamp that is used only for normal decoration (effect light) and a lamp that preferentially displays the notification light during notification are set. Then, when a command is received from the main control unit during notification, lamp drive data is created based on the received command. For the lamps that display with priority on notification, the notifications continue to be prioritized, and for lamps that are used only for normal decoration, light emission is controlled by drive data created by parallel processing. Accordingly, the effect light based on the command output from the main control unit can be emitted at the same time while the notification light is preferentially emitted in a specific emission pattern.

(2) As a method for notifying that the initialization signal is input to the main control unit, a predetermined screen (a screen different from the screen displayed after the RAM 202b clear process) is displayed on the symbol display. good. For example, the symbol display may display “A gaming machine has been reset.” For notification. In this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the commands received during the notification may be processed in parallel, the notification display may be prioritized during the notification, and the game effect may be displayed on the screen immediately after the notification ends. . For example, the above-mentioned display “A gaming machine has been reset” is prepared as background data, and is used as background data for notification. When a game effect command (symbol variation command) is received, image data for creating symbol variation and the appearance of a character is created by processing the command. During notification, the notification background data has priority. (That is, no symbol variation or character is displayed). Then, at the same time when the notification is finished, the priority display of the background data is stopped to display the symbol variation (or character). According to such a configuration, since the received command (symbol variation command or the like) is processed in parallel during the notification process, the symbol variation based on the command received after the notification is completed can be continuously displayed. Since it is displayed from the continuation, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in operation with other devices (for example, a big prize opening).
In addition, since the notification on the symbol display is hard to notice for the hall clerk who goes around, when the command from the main control unit (symbol variation command) is received, the command from the main control unit rather than the notification The symbol variation may be displayed with priority.

  (3) Unlike the embodiment described above, during the notification period, the sound control unit and / or the lamp control unit may invalidate (ignore) the command output from the main control unit. In this case, parallel processing of commands in the sound control unit and / or the lamp control unit is not necessary, and the processing amount of both control units can be reduced. In addition, since the sound stops and all the lamps stop until the next command is received after the notification is completed, the hall clerk can also detect an abnormality.

(4) The notification may be canceled by receiving a cancellation command output from the main control unit in addition to the individual automatic cancellation by the above-described sub-control units such as the sound control unit and the lamp control unit. According to such a configuration, it is possible to cancel the notification of all the control units at the same timing.
In this case, the main control unit temporarily stops the game process during the notification period, counts a predetermined time with a timer, and outputs a release command to each sub-control unit when the predetermined time elapses (when the game process is resumed). You may do it. According to such a configuration, fraud can be prevented from being continuously performed at least during the notification period.
In addition, when the release is issued by the release command from the main control unit and the trace that has been notified is displayed, the device that displays the trace that has been notified by the release command (dedicated lamp, symbol display) Etc.) may be turned on. For example, when displaying a trace using a symbol display device, a cancellation command is output to the symbol control unit, and the symbol control unit indicates that there is an abnormality at a specific location on the screen based on the received cancellation command. You may make it perform the display to show, the display of a specific character, or the display which changes a background color.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the release of notification is automatically released after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of notification (for example, release using a timer by the control unit), but is not limited to such a method. For example, the entire gaming machine may be reset by turning on the power to the gaming machine again (ON / OFF operation of the power switch), or may be released by a release switch exclusively for release.
When the notification is canceled by the release switch, the release switch may be provided in the main control unit, or may be provided in each sub-control unit (sound control unit, lamp control unit, etc.) that performs the notification process. When a release switch is provided in the main control unit, for example, the main control unit that detects that the release switch is turned on outputs a release command to each sub-control unit (sound control unit, lamp control unit, etc.). Can be configured. In such a configuration, the notification process of each sub-control unit is reset at the same time, so that each sub-control unit can be synchronized.
When a release switch is provided in each sub control unit, a release operation can be performed for each sub control unit. Even in the case where a release switch is provided in each sub-control unit, similarly to the embodiment in which the timer is automatically released by the above-described timer, a game effect (sound effect, Effect light and the like). The processing of the sub control unit in this case is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example of processing of the lamp control unit. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the processing can be performed in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG. 7 (automatic release by the timer) also by the release switch. That is, the step of determining whether or not the output of the notification light is stopped (step S28 in FIG. 7) is “whether or not the release switch is turned on” and the trace display after the notification is canceled is omitted. It differs only in respect. The trace display is omitted because the hall clerk directly operates the release switch, so there is no need to leave the trace display.
The release switch described above may be provided on the front side of the gaming machine, or may be provided at a predetermined position on the back side of the gaming machine or in each sub-control unit (voice control board). If a release switch is provided on the back side of the gaming machine, the hall clerk will unlock the inner frame and operate the release switch. Providing on the back side of the gaming machine is preferable because the player cannot directly perform the release operation.
Further, this release switch may be used also as an inner frame sensor that detects opening and closing of the inner frame and a glass door sensor that detects opening and closing of the glass door. Thus, by using one of the existing sensors as a release switch, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the addition of a detection member, a hardware change of the gaming machine, or the like.

(6) As a method of canceling the notification, both an automatic release method automatically performed by the control unit by a timer and the like and a manual release method manually performed by a hall clerk etc. by a release switch are selectively performed. It is possible to make it possible. In this case, it is preferable to provide a switch for selecting automatic release or manual release in the gaming machine. When such a switch is provided, for example, the main control unit may detect the state of the switch when the power is turned on and select automatic release or manual release based on the detected switch state. . In such a configuration, it is possible to select either automatic release or manual release according to the circumstances of the hall. For example, in a hall where the number of hall clerk is relatively small and cannot be dealt with even if you notice it for about 30 seconds, you want to keep informed until the hall clerk rushes by selecting manual release Can meet your needs.
Further, when notification can be performed by a plurality of devices (speakers, lamps, etc.), the hall side may be able to select the device that performs the notification. As a result, notification can be performed with an optimum device according to the needs of the hall.
Furthermore, even in a gaming machine that performs only automatic release, a switch that can set a period for outputting a notification sound for each hall may be provided. This makes it possible to lengthen the notification time in a hall with few hall clerk and shorten the notification time in a hall with many hall clerk.

(7) When the notification is performed using the sound output from the speaker, the notification volume may be gradually increased. By gradually increasing the notification volume, the notification sound may be suddenly output at a loud volume at the time of business start or maintenance (when the main control unit process is not reset for fraudulent purposes). Rather, it can be released before the volume becomes loud by performing the release operation immediately. In addition, when a game machine needs to be reset due to a malfunction of the game machine, it can be released immediately before the volume is increased by performing a release operation so that the player does not feel uncomfortable. Can be.
In addition, a notification may not be provided when the main control unit is reset, but a switch for selecting whether to notify (whether the notification is valid or invalid) may be further provided. When power is turned on by a hall clerk or the like (when the processing of the main control unit is not reset for illegal purposes), the notification process is invalidated by operating this switch, and there is no need to output a notification sound. In some cases, the notification sound can be prevented from being output. When such a switch is provided, in order to prevent forgetting to switch between valid and invalid, it is preferable to switch between valid and invalid only by operating this switch at the same time when the power is turned on (at the time of reset).

(8) The main control unit may output a notification signal that notifies the hall computer (external information terminal) that the initialization signal has been input. According to such a configuration, since the hall computer manages the state of the pachinko machine in the hall (whether or not the initialization signal is input), it is possible to detect an illegal act more reliably.
In this case, it may be configured to focus on the pachinko machine that has immediately notified the in-store monitor based on the machine number information of the pachinko machine that has output the notification signal. Furthermore, the crime prevention effect can be improved by configuring the video taken by the in-store monitor to be recorded in the video. In this case, the notification can be canceled from the hall computer.

  (9) Unlike the method described above, it is also possible to notify by a mechanical method. For example, when an initialization signal is input, the movable piece may be moved by driving a solenoid or the like, and the movement may be notified.

10. Pachinko machine 48. Speaker 100. Power supply device 102. Initialization switch 108. Power switch 200. Main control unit 300. Prize ball control unit 400. Sound control unit 500. Display control unit.

Claims (2)

A random number is acquired due to the establishment of the lottery condition, and when the acquired random number is a winning value, the main control unit is set in a gaming state advantageous to the player, and the random number acquired by the main control unit is an initial value A gaming machine that is programmed so that the initial value is updated and changed every predetermined period while being updated within a predetermined numerical range in order from the value and updated every predetermined time.
A sound control unit,
The main control unit updates the random number in the main RAM according to the random number program, acquires the random number at the timing when the lottery condition is satisfied, and outputs a command for instructing the output of the sound effect based on the acquired random number to the sound control unit And
The main control unit is a switch for initializing the main RAM when initializing the main CPU, and when an output signal from an initialization switch operated by a hall clerk is input and the main RAM is initialized. Outputs a notification command to the sound controller,
The sound control unit outputs a sound effect based on the command instructing the output of the sound effect when a command instructing the output of the sound effect output from the main control unit is input,
The sound control unit outputs a predetermined notification sound for a predetermined time when the notification command output from the main control unit is input,
The sound control unit outputs the notification sound for a predetermined time without outputting the sound effect even when a command instructing the output of the sound effect is input while the notification sound is being output. Continue
A display control unit;
When the main RAM is initialized, the display control unit displays a predetermined screen on the display device for confirming that the content stored in the main RAM is cleared ,
When the power to the gaming machine is turned on again, the notification sound output is canceled,
It further includes a prize ball control unit,
When the command for instructing payout output from the main control unit is input, the prize ball control unit pays out a predetermined number of prize balls from the prize ball device based on the command instructing the payout,
The output signal from the initialization switch is input to the prize ball control unit in addition to the main control unit, and when the prize ball control unit initializes the prize ball CPU based on the output signal from the initialization switch. The prize ball RAM is also initialized ,
A lamp control unit;
When a command output when an output signal from the initialization switch is input from the main control unit, the lamp control unit emits a decorative lamp as notification light and also as the notification light. even if the command for emitting a decorative lamp as an effect light as an ordinary decoration between is inputted from the main control unit, and wherein the Rukoto continue emitting the predetermined time decoration lamp as the notification light Gaming machine. The lamp control unit preferentially uses a specific decorative lamp among the plurality of decorative lamps used as a normal decoration as the notification light, emits the notification light with the specific decorative lamp, and other than the specific decorative lamp The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the process of emitting the effect light with another decoration lamp is executed in parallel.

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