JP4737299B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine typified by a pachinko machine, and the like.

Conventionally, as a type of game machine, a plurality of types of symbols such as a pachinko machine is known which includes a Viewing device for variably displaying in a predetermined arrangement.

In this type of pachinko machines, according to the display pattern at the time of variable display stopped on the display device (stop symbols), an advantageous state for the player after being subjected to a reach state "special game state (person or state)", An “outgoing reach state” that does not become a special gaming state after passing through the reach state, or an “outgoing state” that does not go through the reach state and does not become a special gaming state is generated. The stop symbols include a special game symbol for generating a special game state, a release reach symbol for generating a release reach, and a release symbol for generating a release state.

  In the pachinko machine as described above, the game situation that changes according to the player's operation satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a game ball wins a start opening or passes a start gate). Based on the above, on the display device, the symbol variation display is started. Further, a stop symbol corresponding to the game situation is selected from the special game symbol, the missed reach symbol, and the missed symbol. Then, the variable display is stopped at the selected stop symbol. In this case, the special gaming state described above is generated when the stop symbol is a predetermined specific symbol. More specifically, the big prize opening is opened for a predetermined time, and when the game is opened, a lot of prize balls are paid out to the player by winning the game balls at the big prize opening.

Whether or not such a special game state occurs is determined at the timing when the game ball wins a prize at the start opening (or passes through the start gate) .

  However, in recent years, fraudulent activity using an unauthorized substrate called “hanging substrate” has been reported. This fraudulent act is caused by hanging an unauthorized board between the starting detection means (proximity switch) provided at the starting port and the control board or between the control board and the display board of the display device (unauthorized). A special “hanging board” is attached, and a special gaming state is unreasonably generated.

  By the way, in the above-mentioned “hanging board”, the timing of occurrence of the special game state is acquired as a winning signal to the start of the game ball, a strobe signal used for transferring predetermined data to the display device, or the like. Based on the situation, For example, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, when the power is turned on, the random value is initialized to “0”, and a control data signal is output to the display device in synchronization with the update of the random value (for example, 1 ms). every). In parallel with this, a strobe signal is also output to the display device. The control data is composed of a plurality of bytes, and the display device to which the control data signal is input performs display corresponding to the contents of the latest command designated by the control board. Note that the strobe signal is a signal for informing the display device of data confirmation regarding the output control data signal.

  Thus, conventionally, the “hanging board” is attached between the control board and the display board of the display device, so that the occurrence timing of the special gaming state is based on the strobe signal that is always output periodically. There was a case where it was easily grasped and a special gaming state was unjustly generated. As a result, there has been a problem that amusement halls and the like have suffered a great deal of damage due to fraudulent acts using such “hanging boards”.

The present invention was made in view of the above SL illustrated problems such as its purpose is to provide a drawing Rukoto possible gaming machine suppression of fraud.

In order to achieve the above object , in the present invention,
Game control means for controlling the game while being sealed in the board box;
Display means capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of types of symbols on the display screen;
Display control means for controlling the display means by control data output by the game control means,
The game control means outputs the control data to the display control means, and outputs a strobe signal for receiving the control data separately from the control data, and the display control means controls the control by the strobe signal. In a gaming machine that receives data and controls variable display on the display means,
The game control means includes
Update means for periodically updating the value of the random number counter within a certain range;
A reading means for reading the value of the random number counter when a gaming situation that changes according to the player's operation satisfies a predetermined condition;
Special game generating means for generating a special game state when the value read by the reading means matches a predetermined value;
A process execution means configured to perform a periodic process configured by a plurality of processes and periodically started;
For the periodic processing,
Control data output means for outputting the control data to the display control means;
Strobe signal output means for outputting the strobe signal to the display control means;
A predetermined background is displayed on the display screen during the variation of the symbol in which the variation of the symbol is performed in a constant pattern without transmitting the control data to the display control means, and after the variation of the symbol is stopped. Or strobe signal output avoiding means for allowing the periodic processing to proceed without performing the processing as the strobe signal output means until a demonstration screen such as operating a predetermined character is displayed. Features.

The gaming machine may be a pachinko gaming machine.

According to the present invention, it is FIG Rukoto suppression of fraud.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows electric structures, such as a control apparatus of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control data transmitted to a display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the "main routine" performed by CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the "timer interruption routine" performed by CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the "display data creation routine" performed by CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the "random number update process routine" performed by CPU. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship of the reset signal and strobe signal with progress of time. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship of the strobe signal with respect to progress of time in the prior art, and a control data signal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is embodied as a first type pachinko gaming machine with a start opening (hereinafter simply referred to as a “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a first type starting port 3 and a special winning port 4. The first type starting port 3 is provided with a passage for the game ball 5, and a blade 6 is supported at the passage entrance so as to be opened and closed.

  A shutter 7 is provided in front of the special winning opening 4. The shutter 7 is actuated by a solenoid for a big prize opening provided on the side of the big prize opening 4 to open and close the big prize opening 4. Specifically, when the solenoid is in an excited state, the shutter 7 is tilted substantially horizontally, thereby opening the special winning opening 4. Further, when the solenoid is de-energized, the shutter 7 is in a substantially vertical state, whereby the special winning opening 4 is closed.

  A special symbol display device (hereinafter simply referred to as “display device”) 8 is incorporated in the center portion of the game board 2 (above the special winning opening 4). The display device 8 includes a liquid crystal (LCD) display 8a, on which a plurality of (for example, three) symbol rows are displayed. The symbol sequence is basically composed of a plurality of types of symbols. These symbols can be any one of a jackpot symbol, a miss reach symbol and a miss symbol as special game symbols.

  In the LCD display 8 a of the display device 8, the symbol variation (rotational variation) of each symbol row is started based on the winning of the game ball 5 to the first type starting port 3. Also, one of the jackpot symbol, the missed reach symbol, and the missed symbol is selected and set as a stop symbol. The stop symbol is a symbol displayed when each symbol row stops symbol variation.

  The jackpot symbol is a symbol for generating a jackpot state (special game state) advantageous to the player after going through a so-called reach state. Specifically, when all of the symbol row variations are stopped, the displayed symbol combination is a predetermined jackpot combination, that is, when the same type of symbols are lined up along the jackpot line. In some cases, the symbols are combined (for example, symbols “7”, “7”, and “7”). The symbol constituting this combination is the “big hit symbol”. When the jackpot combination is established, the special electric accessory is actuated (predetermined time (or until a predetermined number of prizes are won) and the jackpot 4 is opened a predetermined number of times), and a jackpot state advantageous to the player comes. That is, the player can acquire more prize balls by winning a large number of game balls 5 in the open big winning opening 4.

  In the display device 8, holding lamps 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d made of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are incorporated above the LCD display 8a. The hold lamps 9a to 9d are basically turned on every time the variable display is held based on the winning at the first type start port 3, and are turned off when the variable display corresponding to the hold is executed. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a speaker (not shown) that generates sound effects as the game progresses.

  In addition to this, various lamps for enhancing the gaming effect are attached to a plurality of locations of the pachinko machine 1. These lamps are composed of, for example, a windmill lamp, an upper corner decoration, a lower corner decoration, and the like, and the lighting state (extinguishment, lighting, blinking, etc.) can be appropriately changed according to the progress of the game.

  In the present embodiment, in order to detect the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 that changes according to the player's operation, various detection switches such as a proximity switch 19 for the start port are attached to the game board 2. ing. The start switch proximity switch 19 is for detecting a winning of the game ball 5 to the first type start port 3.

  In the present embodiment, the control device is used to drive and control the solenoid, the display device 8, the holding lamps 9a to 9d, the various lamps, the speaker, and the like based on the detection results of the various detection switches such as the proximity switch 19. C is provided. The control device C is sealed in a substrate box (not shown) on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, and external operation (for example, removal of a ROM 22 and the like described later) cannot be performed unless the seal is opened. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device C stores a central processing control device (CPU) 21 that is an arithmetic means, a read-only memory (ROM) 22 that stores various control programs, and various data. And a random access memory (RAM) 23. The RAM 23 is provided with a command buffer 23a and a command counter 23b. The command buffer 23a is a buffer for temporarily storing the control data shown in FIG. The control data of the command buffer 23a is updated by the display data creation process of FIG. 6, and is output (transmitted) to the display device 8 by the timer interrupt process of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, one group of control data is composed of 18 bytes. Therefore, the size of the command buffer 23a is also 18 bytes in accordance with the size of the control data. However, the number of these bytes is arbitrary and is not limited to the above numerical values.

  The command counter 23b is a counter indicating the number of control data transmitted to the display device 8 by the timer interrupt process of FIG. The control data written in the command buffer 23a is transmitted to the display device 8 byte by byte by one timer interrupt process. The command counter 23b indicates the number of the control data to be transmitted.

  The RAM 23 also includes a random number counter for determining the occurrence of a jackpot. This random number counter is updated by one count every 2 ms, for example, within a predetermined range (for example, “0” to “199”) by the random number update processing of FIG. In the present embodiment, when the value of the random number counter is “7”, for example, the big hit state is generated based on the fact that the game ball 5 wins the first type starting port 3.

  These CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a bus line 24. The bus line 24 is also connected to the input / output port 25. The input / output port 25 is connected to the display device 8 and other input / output devices 39 via connectors 26, 27, 30 and 38 and cables 28 and 29. The input / output port 25 is connected to the proximity switch 19 and the like via the connector 20. That is, the control device C transmits control data to the display device 8 and other input / output devices 39 via the input / output port 25 based on a winning signal or the like input from the proximity switch 19 or the like via the input / output port 25. Various operation commands such as these are sent to control each device.

  In addition to the LCD display 8a described above, the display device 8 includes a CPU 31, a program ROM 32, a work RAM 33, a video RAM 34, a character ROM 35, and an image controller 36 having a built-in input / output port 37. ing. The CPU 31 of the display device 8 controls display on the LCD display 8a in accordance with control data transmitted from the control device C, and the program executed by the CPU 31 is stored in the program ROM 32. The work RAM 33 stores work data used when the CPU 31 executes a program.

  The video RAM 34 is a memory for storing data to be displayed on the LCD display 8a. By rewriting the content of the video RAM 34, the display content of the LCD display 8a is changed. The character ROM 35 is a memory for storing data such as symbols, backgrounds and characters displayed on the LCD display 8a. The image controller 36 adjusts the timings of the CPU 31, the video RAM 34, and the input / output port 37, intervenes in reading and writing data, and displays display data stored in the video RAM 34 with a predetermined timing with reference to the character ROM 35. Is displayed on the LCD display 8a.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of control data for controlling display contents of the LCD display 8a. As described above, one group is composed of 18 bytes of control data. At the beginning of the control data, a start mark 1 for informing the start of control is provided at the first byte, followed by a start mark 2 at the second byte and a start mark 3 at the third byte. . Further, a serial number indicating the program type and version information of the ROM 22 is provided in the fourth byte, a scene number is provided in the fifth byte, and a character is provided in the sixth byte. For brevity, a left symbol offset is provided at the 16th byte, a middle symbol offset is provided at the 17th byte, and a right symbol offset is provided at the 18th byte. The display device 8 controls the display on the LCD display 8a based on these 15-byte control data received after the serial number.

  Next, processing contents and the like transmitted from the control device C to the display device 8 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a “main routine” executed by the CPU 21 of the control device C. This routine is executed in synchronization with a reset signal that is forcibly generated at intervals of, for example, 2 ms. When the process shifts to this routine, the CPU 21 first determines in step S1 whether or not this time is the first process after the power is turned on. If the determination is affirmative (when the power is turned on), an initialization process is executed in step S2. That is, the value of the random number counter is cleared to “0”, or the value of the command counter 23b is cleared to “0”. Thereafter, in step S9, the CPU 21 executes the remaining time process until the next reset signal is generated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1 (not when the power is turned on), timer interrupt 1 is set in step S3. Here, the timer interrupt 1 means that a strobe signal is transmitted 0.5 ms (= 500 μs) after the reset when the interrupt is permitted. The strobe signal relates to the control data signal output to the display device 8 and is a signal for informing the display device 8 of data confirmation. That is, display control of the LCD display 8a is executed by the display device 8 by transmitting a strobe signal in parallel with the control data signal.

  In step S4, the CPU 21 sets a timer interrupt 2. Here, the timer interrupt 2 means that a strobe signal is transmitted 1.5 ms (= 1500 μs) after resetting when the interrupt is permitted. Further, in step S5, an interrupt for each timer interrupt 1 and timer interrupt 2 is permitted. Accordingly, when the permission of step S5 is permitted, a strobe signal is transmitted to the display device 8 0.5 ms and 1.5 ms after the reset.

  Here, the “timer interrupt routine” shown in FIG. 5 will be described. That is, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a “timer interrupt routine” executed by the CPU 21. This routine is executed with respect to each of the timer interrupt 1 and the timer interrupt 2 after 0.5 ms and 1.5 ms after the reset when the interrupt is permitted in step S5. That is, this routine is executed with an interrupt of about once every 1 ms. When the process proceeds to this routine, the CPU 21 first turns off the strobe signal in step S51.

  In subsequent step S52, it is determined whether or not the demo screen is currently being displayed. Here, displaying the demo screen is one type of situation where there is no problem even if the control data signal and the strobe signal are not always transmitted. That is, no display is performed on the LCD display 8a (or display is performed) while waiting for a winning of the game ball 5 to the first type starting port 3 that is not changing the design and is not performing a big hit operation. Stopping) gives viewers too much boredom. Therefore, in general (as in the present embodiment, of course), while waiting for a prize, a demonstration screen for displaying a predetermined background or operating a predetermined character is displayed on the LCD display 8a. Is displayed. If a negative determination is made in step S52 (not displaying the demo screen), the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the CPU 21 outputs (transmits) data in the command buffer 23a corresponding to the value of the command counter 23b to the display device 8. In the next step S54, the value of the command counter 23b is incremented by "1".

  Further, in the next step S55, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the current value of the command counter 23b is larger than 18. If the value of the command counter 23b is larger than 18, it is assumed that all control data written in the previous command buffer 23a has been transmitted, and the value of the command counter 23b is cleared to “0” in step S56. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S57. If the value of the command counter 23b is 18 or less, the process jumps to step S57.

  Shifting from step S55 or step S56, in step S57, the strobe signal is turned on (the strobe signal is transmitted). Then, the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S52 (during demonstration screen display), the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated without performing the processing after step S53. Therefore, in this case, the output of data to the display device 8 and the transmission of the strobe signal are stopped.

  Now, after enabling the interruption of the “main routine” of FIG. 4 (step S5), the CPU 21 creates display data in the subsequent step S6. More specifically, as shown in the “display data creation routine” of FIG. 6, in step S61, the CPU 21 stores the command data corresponding to the current gaming state in the command buffer 23a, so that the contents of the control data are displayed. Update. That is, the control data contents of FIG. 3 are set. Then, the subsequent processing is temporarily terminated.

  After the “display data creation” process (step S6), the CPU 21 executes a random number update process in the subsequent step S7. More specifically, as shown in “Random number update processing routine” in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 71, the CPU 21 determines that the current random number counter value (random number value) is a predetermined value (in this embodiment, “199”). ]) It is determined whether or not the above is true. If the value of the random number counter is less than the predetermined value, in step S72, the value of the random number counter is incremented by “1”, and this routine is ended once. If the value of the random number counter is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S73, the value of the random number counter is cleared to “0”, and this routine is once ended.

  Furthermore, after executing the random number update process in step S7 of FIG. 4, the CPU 21 executes various processes in step S8. That is, various processes such as symbol variation processing, jackpot processing (including not only the LCD display 8a but also the solenoid excitation operation for opening the big prize opening 4), ramp processing, and sound effect processing are performed.

  Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S9 and executes the remaining time process until the next reset signal is generated.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, at least a period during which the transmission of the strobe signal is stopped is provided, and as a result, the transmission of the strobe signal is performed irregularly. That is, as long as the process of step S53 is performed (when the demonstration screen is not displayed), the strobe signal continues to be transmitted periodically as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the demonstration screen is being displayed, the transmission of the strobe signal is stopped. For this reason, even if the “hanging board” is illegally interposed between the control device C and the display device 8, the counter in the “hanging board” is periodically (periodically) based on the strobe signal, for example. As long as it is updated, it becomes extremely difficult to grasp the reset timing in the “hanging board”, and thus the timing that is advantageous to the player, such as the occurrence of a big hit state. As a result, it is possible to suppress fraud using a “hanging board” or the like.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the output of the control data and the transmission of the strobe signal are performed regularly in the normal time, the variable display on the display device 8 can be reliably performed in the normal time. Also, the transmission of both signals is stopped only when a predetermined condition that the demonstration screen is being displayed is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily set a period during which the variable display on the display device 8 can be reliably performed by appropriately setting other conditions as well as the condition that the demonstration screen is being displayed. In particular, in the present embodiment, transmission is stopped under the condition that the game content is not affected even if there is no change in the variable display content on the display device 8 that the demonstration screen is being displayed. Therefore, when transmission of the strobe signal or the like is stopped, new display control is not performed and the probability that the variable display content on the display device 8 will not change increases. However, even in such a case, the game content is hindered. Can be avoided.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and therefore may be implemented as follows, for example, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the output of control data and the transmission of the strobe signal are stopped during the demonstration screen display. However, it goes without saying that the output may be stopped in other cases. For example, a predetermined time lag occurs between the waiting time for winning the game ball 5 and the display of the demo screen, but transmission may be stopped during this time. Further, even when the symbol is changing, if the change is performed in a certain pattern, transmission may be stopped during the change. In addition, transmission may be stopped when the content of control data to be transmitted does not change compared to the previous time.

  In this way, it becomes more difficult to grasp the jackpot occurrence timing by performing more detailed control to stop transmission not only during the demonstration screen display but also at the timing when game is not hindered even if transmission is stopped And the effect of suppressing fraud can be further ensured.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the transmission of the control data and the transmission of the strobe signal are stopped while the demonstration screen is displayed, and as a result, the irregular transmission is ensured. Even if the strobe signal is simply transmitted at random, the above-described effects can be obtained.

  (C) In step S3 and step S4 in the “main routine” of the above embodiment, timer interrupt 1 and timer interrupt 2 are set. However, even if the interrupt is not interrupted, a periodic external signal is used. It may be configured so as to be activated.

  (D) The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine of a type different from the above embodiment (other than the first type pachinko machine with a starting port). Therefore, it can be applied to, for example, a third type pachinko machine. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a pachinko machine, but also to other gaming machines such as an allapachi and an arrangement ball that can transmit a strobe signal.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 1 provided with the LCD display 8a in the display device 8. However, in addition to the LCD display 8a, CRT, dot matrix, LED electroluminescence (EL), fluorescence A display device including a display tube, a rotating drum, and the like may be used.

  The technical idea which is not described in the claims and can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.

  (1) In the gaming machine control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the gaming machine includes an updating unit that updates a value of a random number counter, a reading unit that reads the value of the random number counter at a predetermined opportunity, Occurrence of a special gaming state that causes the player to generate a special gaming state advantageous to the player under a predetermined condition when the value of the random number counter read by the reading means coincides with one of predetermined values Means.

  (2) In the gaming machine control device according to the appendix (1), the strobe signal is normally transmitted in synchronization with the update of the value of the random number counter by the updating means. And

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 2 ... Game board, 3 ... 1st type start opening, 4 ... Grand prize opening, 5 ... Game ball, 8 ... Display device, 8a ... Liquid crystal display, 19 ... Proximity switch, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 36 ... image controller, C ... control device.

Claims (2)

And game control means for controlling sealed Rutotomoni game in the substrate box,
Display means capable of variably displaying at least a plurality of types of symbols on the display screen;
Display control means for controlling the display means by control data output by the game control means,
The game control means outputs the control data to the display control means, and outputs a strobe signal for receiving the control data separately from the control data, and the display control means controls the control by the strobe signal. In a gaming machine that receives data and controls variable display on the display means,
The game control means includes
Update means for periodically updating the value of the random number counter within a certain range;
A reading means for reading the value of the random number counter when a gaming situation that changes according to the player's operation satisfies a predetermined condition;
Special game generating means for generating a special game state when the value read by the reading means matches a predetermined value;
A process execution means configured to perform a periodic process configured by a plurality of processes and periodically started;
For the periodic processing,
Control data output means for outputting the control data to the display control means;
Strobe signal output means for outputting the strobe signal to the display control means;
A predetermined background is displayed on the display screen during the variation of the symbol in which the variation of the symbol is performed in a constant pattern without transmitting the control data to the display control means, and after the variation of the symbol is stopped. Or strobe signal output avoiding means for allowing the periodic processing to proceed without performing the processing as the strobe signal output means until a demonstration screen such as operating a predetermined character is displayed. A featured gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine.

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