JP4811831B2 - Gaming machine having inspection function, and inspection device for gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a data error in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine.

  A gaming machine such as a ball game machine executes various effects including a jackpot effect by image display on a liquid crystal display and sound output from a speaker. In recent gaming machines, the degree of importance of production has become very high, and a lot of ROMs for storing data for production have been installed along with it. In a gaming machine manufacturing factory, after a ROM is mounted on the gaming machine, a ROM check is performed in order to inspect a contact failure in the ROM connection wiring and a failure of the ROM itself. This ROM check needs to be performed for each gaming machine.

JP 2004-173798 A

  In the current ROM check, an operator starts an inspection program for each gaming machine, and each gaming machine executes a calculation process using data stored in the ROM according to the inspection program. The calculation result is displayed on the display device of the gaming machine, and the worker visually compares the calculation result with a correct value to determine whether or not an error has occurred in the ROM. Due to the large number of gaming machines to be inspected, this comparison and verification is a considerable burden on the workers.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of efficiently executing data error detection by ROM check in a gaming machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine having an inspection function according to an aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine having an inspection function, and controls a main control device that controls the operation of the entire game and an effect operation in the game. The sub control device includes a first control unit that receives an instruction from the main control device, and a second control unit that controls image output or audio output. The communication between the main control device and the sub control device is one-way communication from the main control device to the sub control device, and the main control device detects that a predetermined switch is turned on. The inspection instruction is transmitted to the first control unit, and when the first control unit receives the inspection instruction from the main control device, the first control unit supplies an inspection request and a correct checksum value to the second control unit, and the second control unit Based on the inspection request, the unit calculates the checksum of the effect data to be used, compares it with the correct checksum value, and outputs the verification result as an image or sound.

  Another aspect of the present invention is an inspection device for a gaming machine. This device is a gaming machine inspection device that includes a main control device that controls the operation of the entire game and a sub-control device that controls the effect operation in the game. The sub-control device receives instructions from the main control device. A first control unit that receives the second control unit; and a second control unit that controls image output or audio output. The communication between the main control device and the sub control device is one-way communication from the main control device to the sub control device, and the main control device detects that a predetermined switch is turned on. The inspection instruction is transmitted to the first control unit, and when the first control unit receives the inspection instruction from the main control device, the first control unit supplies an inspection request and a correct checksum value to the second control unit, and the second control unit Based on the inspection request, the unit calculates the checksum of the effect data to be used, compares it with the correct checksum value, and outputs the verification result as an image or sound.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, ROM check or the like can be executed efficiently, and the burden on the worker can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure which controls the test | inspection function in a pachinko game machine. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the inspection method of the production ROM by the gaming machine inspection device. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the inspection method of the production ROM by the gaming machine inspection device.

  In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine having a data error detection function will be described as an example. Note that the gaming machine targeted by the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines but may be various types of gaming machines such as a revolving gaming machine such as a so-called slot machine.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has mechanisms such as storage of game balls, delivery of game balls to the launch rail, and extraction of game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, a decorative symbol display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as "start port") on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. 62, a center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66 and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the start port. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 202 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area.

  The special symbol display device 61 and the decorative symbol display device 60 provided substantially in the center of the game board 50 display the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 linked to the special symbol 202 on the respective screens while fluctuating (hereinafter, referred to as the special symbol 202). Such a display is called “symbol change” or “change display”). Here, the special symbol 202 is a symbol corresponding to the result of a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol lottery”) that is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and whether or not a big hit is generated. Have a role to show. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually rendering a lottery result display. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, LEDs. The decorative symbol display device 60 displays the decorative symbol 200 while fluctuating in a manner linked with the variable symbol display of the special symbol 202. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually producing the result display of the special symbol lottery indicated by the special symbol 202. The decorative symbol display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 200, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol variation that simulate a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The decorative symbol display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by other display means such as a mechanical drum or LED. Since the special symbol 202 does not need to have an effect role, in this embodiment, the special symbol 202 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the decorative symbol display device 60.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which game balls pass.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the decorative symbol display device 60. In principle, the variable display of the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 is stopped after the display time determined prior to the display has elapsed. When the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening 66 is started, and the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game. At this time, the decorative symbol 200 simulating a game of a slot machine takes a display mode in which three symbols are matched.

  The big winning opening 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball falls into a specific area while the big prize opening 66 is open, the big prize opening 66 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, on condition that at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the big prize opening 66 is opened once.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the decorative symbol display device 60. The center ornament 64 has functions such as protection of the game ball flow path, the special symbol display device 61 and the decorative symbol display device 60, and decoration. A holding lamp 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the center decoration 64. The holding lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of holding balls according to the number of lights. The number of reserved balls is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like.

  When the game ball passes through the operating port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol 204 is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time. The normal symbol 204 is variably displayed at the lower right corner of the decorative symbol display device 60. When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 204 is stopped after the lapse of a predetermined time, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub-board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the decorative symbol display device 60 and sound output from the speaker 18, and in particular, effects processing according to the lottery result by the main board 41. In the present embodiment, the main board 41 and the sub board 49 constitute an inspection device for checking the contents of the mounted ROM. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram centering on the configuration for controlling the inspection function in the pachinko gaming machine. The main board 41 functions as a main control device in the pachinko gaming machine 10 and includes a main control unit 300 that controls the operation of the entire game. The sub-board 49 functions as a sub-control device, and mainly controls presentation operations such as variation display of the decorative symbol 200 and electrical decoration around the pachinko gaming machine 10. The sub board 49 includes a first sub control unit 310 that receives an instruction from the main control unit 300 and controls the operation of the second sub control unit 320, and a second sub control unit 320 that controls image output or audio output. Have. In the present embodiment, the first sub-control unit 310 and the second sub-control unit 320 function as a gaming machine inspection device 400 that checks presentation data stored in the ROM. Note that the gaming machine inspection device 400 may include the main control unit 300.

  The main board 41 and the sub board 49 are formed as separate boards in terms of hardware, and the two are connected by a bus. As for communication between the main board 41 and the sub board 49, only unidirectional communication from the main board 41 to the sub board 49 is allowed. By limiting the communication direction, independence of the ball exit control by the main board is ensured. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the reverse communication from the sub board 49 to the main board 41 is not allowed, and the sub board 49 cannot control the operation of the main board 41.

  In the sub-board 49, bi-directional communication is allowed for communication between the first sub-control unit 310 and the second sub-control unit 320. The main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 310, and the second sub control unit 320 include elements such as a ROM for storing data and programs and a CPU used for arithmetic processing in terms of hardware. In particular, the second sub-control unit 320 includes a ROM that stores characters for effect display, and a ROM that stores sound for effect sounds, and another ROM has a test program for inspecting these various ROMs. And so on. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to the main board 41 and the sub board 49. The inspection switch 330 is a switch for executing checks of various ROMs managed by the second sub-control unit 320 in the manufacturing factory of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Note that the inspection switch 330 may be turned on for the ROM check in a state where it is installed in the hall.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a sequence of a production ROM inspection method by the gaming machine inspection device. When the inspection switch 330 is turned on by the worker, the main control unit 300 detects switch-on (S10). The main control unit 300 generates an instruction to inspect the effect ROM on the sub-board 49, triggered by the switch-on detection, and transmits the instruction to the first sub-control unit 310 via the bus (S12). In the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, since the signal cannot be transmitted from the sub board 49 to the main board 41 as described above, the first sub control unit 310 controls the main control unit that controls the pachinko gaming machine 10. Instead of 300, it plays the role of realizing the inspection function.

  When receiving the inspection instruction from the main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 310 supplies an inspection request to the second sub control unit 320 (S14). When the second sub-control unit 320 has a plurality of effect ROMs, the first sub-control unit 310 supplies an inspection request specifying the ROM to be inspected.

  The second sub control unit 320 calculates and obtains the checksum of the effect data to be used based on the inspection request (S16). The checksum calculation may be performed using a known method. The second sub control unit 320 supplies the calculated checksum to the first sub control unit 310 (S18). The reason why the calculated checksum can be returned to the first sub-control unit 310 is based on the fact that bidirectional communication is set between the first sub-control unit 310 and the second sub-control unit 320. Yes. The first sub-control unit 310 reads the correct checksum value for the effect ROM whose checksum has been calculated from the ROM it controls. Thus, it is preferable that the first sub-control unit 310 stores the correct checksum value of the ROM to be inspected in its own ROM in advance. The correct checksum value may be supplied from the main control unit 300.

  The first sub-control unit 310 collates the checksum calculated in the second sub-control unit 320 with the correct checksum value (S20), and sends the collation result to the second sub-control unit 320 (S22). If it is determined by the verification that the ROM check is normal, a signal of logical value “1” is output as the verification result, and if it is determined that the ROM check is not normal, a signal of logical value “0” is output. You may send to 2 sub-control parts 320. The second sub-control unit 320 outputs the collation result through the display device 106 or the speaker 18 as an image or a sound (S24). For example, when the ROM check is normal, the character “OK” may be displayed on the display device 106, and when the ROM check is not normal, the character “NG” may be displayed. Moreover, you may make it alert | report an alarm from the speaker 18 only when it is not correct. This eliminates the need for the operator to visually check the checksum value, thereby greatly reducing the work load.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, data transmission from the sub board 49 to the main board 41 is prohibited. However, by providing the first sub control unit 310 on the sub board 49, the second The checksum calculated in the sub-control unit 320 can be returned to the first sub-control unit 310, and the ROM data in the sub-board 49 can be checked. Furthermore, by causing the first sub-control unit 310 to execute control processing for the entire sub-board, it is possible to clarify the function separation between the first sub-control unit 310 and the second sub-control unit 320, and to create each control program Can be easily done.

  FIG. 5 shows another example of the sequence of the production ROM inspection method by the gaming machine inspection device. When the inspection switch 330 is turned on, the main control unit 300 detects switch-on (S10). The main control unit 300 generates an instruction to inspect the effect ROM on the sub-board 49, triggered by the switch-on detection, and transmits the instruction to the first sub-control unit 310 via the bus (S12). When the first sub-control unit 310 receives an inspection instruction from the main control unit 300, the first sub-control unit 310 supplies an inspection request to the second sub-control unit 320. The correct checksum value is read and the correct checksum value is also supplied to the second sub-control unit 320. When the second sub-control unit 320 has a plurality of effect ROMs, the first sub-control unit 310 supplies an inspection request specifying the ROM to be inspected (S30).

  The second sub control unit 320 calculates and obtains the checksum of the effect data to be used based on the inspection request (S32). The checksum calculation may be performed using a known method. The second sub-control unit 320 collates the calculated checksum with the supplied correct checksum value (S34). The second sub-control unit 320 outputs the collation result through the display device 106 or the speaker 18 as an image or a sound (S36).

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, data transmission from the sub board 49 to the main board 41 is prohibited, but by providing the first sub control unit 310 on the sub board 49, the sub board 49 The ROM data at 49 can be checked. Furthermore, by causing the first sub-control unit 310 to execute control processing for the entire sub-board, it is possible to clarify the function separation between the first sub-control unit 310 and the second sub-control unit 320, and to create each control program Can be easily done.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the embodiment, the case where the inspection target is the production ROM has been described, but another type of ROM managed by the second sub-control unit 320 may be included in the inspection target. Even in this case, the main control unit 300 does not directly control the inspection function, but the first sub-control unit 310 substantially manages the inspection process in the sub-board 49, thereby performing an efficient inspection. can do. For example, since the main control unit 300 does not control the inspection function of the sub board, the main board 41 and the sub board 49 can perform the ROM check independently. In this case, since the ROM check can be processed in parallel in the pachinko gaming machine 10, the entire inspection time can be shortened.

10 ... Pachinko machines, 41 ... main board, 49 ... sub board, 300 ... main control unit, 310 ... first sub control unit, 320 ... second sub control unit, 330... Inspection switch, 400.

Claims (2)

A gaming machine having an inspection function, comprising a main control device that controls the operation of the entire game, and a sub-control device that controls an effect operation in the game, wherein the sub-control device accepts an instruction from the main control device A first control unit and a second control unit for controlling image output or audio output, and communication between the main control device and the sub control device is performed simply from the main control device to the sub control device. Direction communication is allowed,
The main control device transmits an inspection instruction to the first control unit when detecting that a predetermined switch is turned on,
When the first control unit receives an inspection instruction from the main control device, the first control unit supplies an inspection request and a correct checksum value to the second control unit,
The second control unit calculates a checksum of the presentation data to be used based on the inspection request, collates it with a correct checksum value, and outputs the collation result as an image or sound. A gaming machine with functionality. A gaming machine inspection device comprising a main control device that controls the overall operation of the game and a sub-control device that controls the effect operation in the game, wherein the sub-control device receives instructions from the main control device. 1 control unit and a second control unit for controlling image output or audio output, and communication between the main control device and the sub control device is unidirectional from the main control device to the sub control device. Communication is allowed,
The main control device transmits an inspection instruction to the first control unit when detecting that a predetermined switch is turned on,
When the first control unit receives an inspection instruction from the main control device, the first control unit supplies an inspection request and a correct checksum value to the second control unit,
The second control unit calculates a checksum of the effect data to be used based on the inspection request, collates it with a correct checksum value, and outputs the collation result as an image or sound. Machine inspection equipment.

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