JP5903007B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine with improved confidentiality of communication between control boards.

  In a slot machine as a gaming machine, a winning combination is drawn in accordance with the insertion of a medal (game medium) by a player and the operation of a start switch, and a plurality of rotating reels with various symbols are rotated. Then, according to the lottery result and the player's operation of the stop switch, the rotating reels are sequentially stopped, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the active line that is the payout target line, a predetermined number The player is given a gaming profit (hereinafter simply referred to as gaming profit) according to the winning combination.

  In such a slot machine, a plurality of control boards for controlling the above various game operations are provided, and each of them has a role in gaming. For example, the main control board corresponding to the master performs overall processing for proceeding with the game, and the processing result is transmitted to the peripheral control board corresponding to the slave as a command related to the game. Then, peripheral control boards perform shared processing based on the transmitted command. A game progresses by cooperation of such a plurality of control boards.

  By the way, an unauthorized third party (hereinafter simply referred to as “illegal person”) illegally replaces one of the control boards or illegally alters the program used on the control board (the ROM is illegally used). In some cases, the player may try to receive gaming profits illegally, such as acquiring a lot of medals by inserting a spoofed board and illegally changing the I / O between the control boards. In particular, in a slot machine, a series of games that can be paid out from the insertion of medals is repeated. Therefore, if the commands are regularly transmitted and the transmission order is grasped, the commands can be falsified relatively easily.

  In order to suppress such an illegal act, a plurality of encryption algorithms and decryption algorithms corresponding to each other between the main control board and the sub control board are provided and applied according to the counter value (for example, Patent Document 1) A technique (for example, Patent Document 2) that switches a pair of a secret key and a public key as time passes or reaches the number of times is known. In addition, a technique for changing the sequence of commands in units of bits and transmitting the sequence of the commands together with the changed command is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-95843 A JP 2002-335237 A JP 2008-140104 A

  In recent years, the amount and frequency of communication between control boards has been increasing due to diversification of the gaming nature of slot machines. In the techniques shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the encryption can be improved by applying an encryption algorithm. However, as a trade-off, the processing load spent on communication increases, and the amount of communication between control boards There was a problem that the communication frequency was limited. In addition, although the technique of Patent Document 3 has a relatively small processing load, the arrangement order itself changed to prevent the falsification of the command is transmitted together with the command, and an unauthorized person acquires the arrangement order. There is also a problem that the command is restored and the fraud cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of enhancing the confidentiality of communication between control boards with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the gaming machine of the present invention determines a transmission unit command in which partial data having a predetermined data length is arranged in a predetermined order for executing an arbitrary process related to a game. A gaming machine comprising: a first control board that transmits a determined transmission unit command; and a second control board that receives the transmission unit command from the first control board and executes the received transmission unit command. One control board includes a random number determining means for determining an array order lottery random number used for rearranging partial data units of a transmission unit command by lottery, a command determining means for determining a transmission unit command, a numeric value, and a transmission unit command. An array order determination unit that determines an array order based on an array order lottery random number with reference to an array rearrangement table that associates an array order when rearranging partial data units. Command transmission means for rearranging the partial data of the determined transmission unit command according to the determined arrangement order, an arrangement order lottery random number, and the rearranged transmission unit command to the second control board The second control board refers to a sequence receiving table that receives an array order lottery random number and a rearranged transmission unit command, and an array decoding table corresponding to the array rearrangement table. An arrangement order specifying means for specifying an arrangement order of 1 based on a lottery random number; and a command decoding means for decoding partial data of the rearranged transmission unit commands into an array before being rearranged according to the specified arrangement order; And a command execution means for executing a process corresponding to the decoded transmission unit command.

  The data length of the transmission unit command can be changed, and a plurality of array rearrangement tables and array decoding tables are prepared according to the data length of the transmission unit command, and the arrangement order determining means is arranged according to the data length of the transmission unit command. The sequence order is determined with reference to the rearrangement table, the command transmission unit also transmits information indicating the data length of the transmission unit command, and the sequence order identification unit determines the sequence decoding table according to the data length of the transmission unit command. The arrangement order may be specified by referring to it.

  The command determining means also determines whether or not to rearrange the partial data units of the transmission unit command, and the command rearranging means reorders according to the determination not to execute the partial data unit rearrangement of the transmission unit commands. The command transmission means also transmits information indicating whether or not to rearrange the partial data units of the transmission unit command, and the command transmission means executes the rearrangement of the partial data units of the transmission unit command. The transmission unit command may not be decoded according to the information indicating that the transmission is not performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the confidentiality of communication between control boards with a simple configuration in which commands are rearranged using a concealed arrangement order.

It is an external view for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is an external view in the state which opened the front door for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an effective line and each table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an arrangement | sequence rearrangement table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an arrangement | sequence decoding table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process of rearrangement of an arrangement | sequence order, and a decoding process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating rearrangement of the arrangement | sequence of a transmission unit command. It is the flowchart which showed the main process of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the subroutine which performs command transmission processing. It is the flowchart which showed the sub process of the sub control board. It is the flowchart which showed the command decoding process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, first, a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration of a slot machine (game machine) that can be played by a player will be briefly described. A typical process will be described.

(Mechanical configuration of the slot machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a casing 102 that is a substantially rectangular box, and a connecting member that is rotatable with respect to the front opening of the casing 102. A front upper door 104 attached to the front door 104, a front lower door 106 positioned below the front upper door 104 and attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable like the front upper door 104. It is located at the lower part of the door 106 and has a tray part 108 for storing medals paid out from the medal outlet 108a.

  An operation unit installation base 122 is formed in the upper part of the front lower door 106. The operation unit installation base 122 is provided with a medal insertion unit 124, a bet button 126, a start switch 128, a stop switch 130, a settlement button 132, and the like. ing.

  A medal insertion unit (game medium receiving means) 124 located on the right side of the operation unit installation base 122 receives insertion of a medal as a game medium through a medal insertion slot (insertion slot) 124a, and is provided on the back surface of the front lower door 106. Send a medal to a medal selector (not shown). The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted or a non-standard medal to the medal discharge port 108a, and a standard medal inserted within the insertion period. And a inserted medal detection unit 124b for detecting the passage of. Here, the medal guided to the medal discharge port 108 a is discharged to the tray portion 108. When a player inserts more medals than the prescribed number, which is the number of inserted medals necessary to start one game, the prescribed number of medals exceeds the prescribed number (for example, 50). The upper limit is electronically stored in the slot machine 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “credit”).

  Here, one game refers to a series of games that can receive a single payout on condition that a medal is inserted. Here, the specified number is fixed to “3”. However, depending on the model of the slot machine 100, the specified number may be different, or even if the model is the same model, the specified number may be fixed. There is. In addition, when the number of medals required to start one game can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of specified numbers, the maximum number among the plurality of specified numbers is called the maximum specified number, and the minimum number is the minimum specified It is called a number. If the specified number is selectable between 1 and 3, the maximum specified number is “3” and the minimum specified number is “1”. Here, since the specified number is fixed to “3”, the maximum specified number and the minimum specified number are “3”.

  The bet button 126 is a push-type button switch that inputs (bets) a prescribed number of medals out of credited medals. The settlement button 132 is a push-type button switch that accepts a credited medal return (settlement) request operation. By operating the settlement button 132, the player can make a settlement request to settle the bet medals or electronically credited medals, and in response to the settlement request, the bet medals or electronic Medals that have been credited are discharged from the medal outlet 108a.

  The start switch 128 located on the left side of the operation unit installation base 122 is formed by a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a start operation of one game by the player. The start switch 128 can also be formed by a button switch that can detect a pressing operation.

  A colorless and transparent symbol display window 136 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at a substantially lower center of the front upper door 104, and a reel corresponding to the symbol display window 136 in the housing 102 A unit 134 is provided. As shown in the reel symbol arrangement of FIG. 3, the reel unit 134 includes three rotating reels (left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, right reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each of the regions equally divided into 21. The reels 134c) are rotatably provided independently, and the player can visually recognize the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c through the symbol display window 136. The reel unit 134 starts to rotate the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c when the start switch 128 is operated.

  The stop switch 130 located in the center of the operation unit installation base 122 is a button switch provided corresponding to each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c and capable of detecting a player's pressing operation. A player's stop operation to stop each of the reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is detected. The three button switches related to the stop switch 130 are particularly called stop button switches, and are referred to as stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c in order from the left.

  A liquid crystal display unit (display unit) 138 for displaying various images associated with effects is provided at the approximate center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104. In addition, an effect lamp 142 made up of, for example, a high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) is provided on the upper or left and right sides of the front upper door 104.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, speakers that produce auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 138 on the back surface of the front upper door 104 and the inner surface left and right positions on the back surface of the front lower door 106. 140 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 134 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 264 for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 108a is provided. The medal payout device 264 includes a medal storage unit 264a for storing medals, a payout control unit 264b for discharging medals stored in the medal storage unit 264a from the medal discharge port 108a, and medals discharged from the medal discharge port 108a. And a payout medal detection unit 264c. Specifically, the payout control unit 264b is rotatably supported by the main body exterior of the payout control unit 264b, and a plurality of medal insertion holes are arranged in the circumferential direction in which medals dropped from the medal storage unit 264a are inserted one by one from above. And a disc motor (not shown) for rotating the disc. The medals inserted in the medal insertion holes are rotated one by one through the pushing mechanism. The medals are successively ejected one by one by sequentially inserting the next medals into the medal insertion holes vacated by the ejection.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, among the symbols provided on the left reel 134 a, the middle reel 134 b, and the right reel 134 c, a symbol display window is provided inside each of the rotating reels 134 a, 134 b, 134 c. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 4) is provided that individually irradiates the upper, middle, and lower stages of each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to 136 (which can be the target of an effective line) independently from the back surface. ing. Further, a reel upper light 146 that directly irradiates the front of all of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is also provided on the upper surface of the rear surface of the symbol display window 136.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the operation unit installation base 122, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit are provided on a substantially horizontal plane of the step unit 122 a provided between the symbol display window 136 and the stop switch 130. 154 is provided. Further, a sub credit display unit 156 and a sub payout display unit 158 are provided between the symbol display window 136 and the operation unit installation base 122. The main credit display unit 152 and the sub credit display unit 156 display the number of credits, and the main payout display unit 154 and the sub payout display unit 158 display the number of paid out medals. Note that the sub-credit display unit 156 and the sub-payout display unit 158 can also display various numerical values associated with the effects.

(Electrical configuration of the slot machine 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 100 is controlled mainly by a main control board (first control board) 200 and a sub control board (second control board) 202. Here, among the programs related to the progress of the game, a particularly important process such as a lottery of a winning combination to be used for a game and winning the prize is executed on the main control board 200, and other processes related to effects, for example, are performed on the sub-control board. 202 is executed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 is limited to only one direction from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. However, if there is no such limitation, two-way communication can be electrically performed.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs, a main RAM 200c that functions as a work area, and the like, and comprehensively controls the entire slot machine 100. To do. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 200c, and even when the power is cut off, the data is retained without being erased unless the initialization process of the main RAM 200c is intentionally executed. .

  The main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on the program stored in the main ROM 200b. The initialization means 300, the betting means 302, the winning combination lottery means 304, the reel control means. 306, determination unit 308, payout control unit 310, random number determination unit 312, command determination unit 314, array order determination unit 316, command rearrangement unit 318, and command transmission unit 320. The initialization unit 300 executes an initialization process in the main control board 200. The betting means 302 bets medals for use in games. The winning combination lottery means 304 determines either a winning combination or a loss by a lottery based on the betting of medals and the operation of the start switch 128 (winning combination lottery). The reel control means 306 controls rotation and stop of each rotary reel 134a, 134b, 134c. The determination means 308 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. The payout control means 310 pays out a medal corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. The random number determination means 312 determines an array order lottery random number, which is a random number for determining the array order when rearranging the partial data units of the transmission unit command, by lottery. The transmission unit command is a data string in which one or a plurality of partial data having a predetermined data length are arranged in a predetermined order. The command determination unit 314 determines a transmission unit command to be transmitted to the sub control board 202. The array order determining unit 316 refers to an array rearrangement table, which will be described later, in which the numbers and the array order are associated with each other, and determines one array order based on the array order lottery random number. The command rearrangement unit 318 rearranges the partial data of the transmission unit commands determined by the command determination unit 314 according to the arrangement order determined by the arrangement order determination unit 316. The command transmission unit 320 transmits the arrangement order lottery random number and the transmission unit command obtained by rearranging the partial data units to the sub-control board 202. Each functional unit will be described in detail later.

  In the main control board 200, various detection signals are received from the inserted medal detection unit 124b, the bet button 126, the start switch 128, the stop switch 130, and the checkout button 132. Based on the received detection signals, the main CPU 200a has various types. Execute the process. Further, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit 154 are connected to the main control board 200, and the main CPU 200a controls the display of the number of credits and the number of payouts of medals on both the display units 152 and 154. .

  In addition, a reel drive control unit 258 is connected to the main control board 200. The reel drive control unit 258 drives the stepping motor 262 based on the rotation start signal of each of the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c transmitted from the main control board 200 based on the operation signal of the start switch 128, and also uses the stop switch. The driving of the stepping motor 262 is stopped based on the stop signal of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c and the detection signal of the rotational position detection circuit 260, which are transmitted from the main control board 200 based on the operation signal 130. To do.

  The medal payout device 264 is connected to the main control board 200. A detection signal from the payout medal detection unit 264c is input to the main control board 200, and the payout control unit 310 counts the number of medals to be paid out according to the detection signal, and outputs from the payout control unit 264b. Control the discharge of medals.

  The main control board 200 is provided with random number generating means 200d. The random number generating means 200d sequentially increments the count value, loops within a predetermined numerical range, and extracts the count value at a predetermined time point to obtain a random number. The random number (winning winning lottery random number) generated by the random number generating means 200d is used for determining a gaming profit to be given to the player, for example, a winning winning combination.

(Table used in main control board 200)
In the slot machine 100, a plurality of game states are provided when the game progresses, and a plurality of winning combination lottery tables corresponding to these game states and set values are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning combination lottery means 304 extracts the corresponding winning combination lottery table from the main ROM 200b in accordance with the current gaming state and set value stored in the main RAM 200c, and based on the extracted winning combination lottery table, the start switch 128. It is determined which winning combination lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal corresponds to which winning combination or lose in the winning combination lottery table.

  Here, the winning combination extracted from each winning combination lottery table includes a replay combination, a small combination, and a bonus combination. The state in which the symbol combinations corresponding to such winning combinations are aligned on the active line is called display (winning), and the state until winning the winning combination and displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed internally. Winning status. Among the winning combinations, the replay combination is a combination in which one game can be executed again without placing a new bet of medals when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the active line. The combination of symbols corresponding to the small combination is displayed on the active line, whereby a predetermined number of medals can be paid out. The bonus combination is a winning combination that can shift the gaming state from the normal gaming state to the bonus gaming state by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination on the active line. Here, the bonus gaming state is a winning combination lottery table (a winning combination lottery table for bonus gaming state, which will be described later) in which the winning probability of a small combination is set so that medals substantially increase when determining the winning combination. This is a gaming state to be used, which means a gaming state that is more advantageous than the normal gaming state. In the following, the gaming benefits given to the winning combination and the player will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effective line and each table. FIG. 5A shows an effective line in the present embodiment. Here, there are five effective lines. Specifically, among the nine symbols facing the symbol display window 136, the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop at the middle stage of the left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c are connected. Line B, the upper stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the line B1 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols stopped at the lower stage of the right reel 134c, the lower stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the right reel 134c The line B2 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop on the upper stage, the line C1 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop on the upper stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the upper reel, and the left reel 134a. The line C2 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols to be stopped at the lower stage, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, and the lower stage of the right reel 134c. Each is set as a valid line.

  Further, as shown in the symbol combination of FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, as a winning combination, “Replay”, “Bell”, “Watermelon”, “Big Bonus (hereinafter referred to as“ BB ”)”, A total of five winning combinations of “regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as“ RB ”)” are provided. Among these, the winning role “Replay” corresponds to the above-mentioned replay role, the winning role “Bell”, the winning role “Watermelon” corresponds to the above-mentioned small role, and the winning role “BB” and the winning role “RB” correspond to the above-mentioned bonus role. It corresponds to.

  If any winning combination is won, an internal winning flag corresponding to each winning combination is established (ON), and the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, the right reel according to the establishment status of the internal winning flag. Each stop control of 134c will be performed. At this time, if the winning combination “Bell” and the winning combination “Watermelon” have been won, but the symbol combination corresponding to these winning combinations could not be displayed on the active line in that one game, The internal winning flag is turned off at (in this embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “bell” can always be displayed on the active line). That is, the right to win a small role is limited to the game only, and the right cannot be carried over to the next one game (hereinafter simply referred to as “next game”).

  On the other hand, when the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB” is won, the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is established (ON), and the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is set. The game state changes to the internal / middle game state according to the establishment status, and the stop control of each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is performed. At this time, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB” cannot be displayed on the active line, the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game as it is. Thus, in the game after the next time, it becomes possible to display the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “BB” and the winning combination “RB” on the effective line.

  In addition, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” that is the replaying role is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role “Replaying” is displayed on the active line, and the next game can be played without requiring a medal. The internal winning flag is turned off after the processing necessary for performing the processing is performed.

  The normal gaming state winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. 5C is used when determining the winning combination lottery random number in the normal gaming state. Here, an area corresponding to the total number of winning lottery random numbers (65536) is divided into a plurality of winning areas (1 to 6), and for each winning area, the winning combination and the ratio of winning each of the plurality of winning areas The winning range value (numerical value) indicating the relative number is associated. For example, the winning area “1” is associated with the winning combination “Replay” and the winning range value “8978”. Since the winning combination lottery random numbers are provided from 0 to 65535, the probability that the winning combination “Replay” is won is 8978/65536. The same association is made for the other winning areas 2 to 6. The winning combination lottery means 304 sequentially acquires a winning range value from a plurality of winning areas in the winning combination lottery table for the normal gaming state, sequentially subtracts the winning range value from the winning combination lottery random number, and the subtraction value When is less than 0, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is used as the lottery result. The lottery procedure can be applied to other lotteries.

  The bonus game state winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. 5D determines the winning combination random number in the bonus gaming state set by winning the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB”. It is used when doing. According to the bonus game state winning combination lottery table, the bonus combination and the replay combination are not repeatedly won, and the winning probability of the winning combination “Bell” is determined as the normal gaming state winning combination lottery table (FIG. 5C). It is set higher than (see). Here, the winning combination lottery table has been described by giving the winning combination lottery table for the normal gaming state and the winning combination lottery table for the bonus gaming state. However, the winning combination lottery table is not limited to this, and is used in the gaming state during internal winning. Various winning combination lottery tables are used in accordance with the gaming state, such as an internal winning state winning combination lottery table.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the array rearrangement table. Such an array rearrangement table is referred to by the array order determination means 316 and is used to determine an array order for rearranging the transmission unit commands determined by the command determination means 314 in units of partial data. Here, the transmission unit command is composed of a sequence of one or a plurality of execution unit commands transmitted in an arbitrary processing unit. The execution unit command is a command of the minimum unit for executing processing, and is composed of, for example, a fixed data length of 2 bytes. Therefore, the data length of the transmission unit command is a multiple of 2 bytes. One or a plurality of execution unit commands included in such transmission unit commands are arranged in a predetermined order assuming that they are sequentially processed by the sub-control board 202. Therefore, if the order of execution unit commands is changed, the processing for each execution unit command is performed, but the processing order may become inconsistent and accurate processing may not be performed. Further, the arrangement order of the 2 bytes in the execution unit command does not allow forward / backward inversion, and if the order is changed, the processing of the execution unit command is not performed. Therefore, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 must grasp the transmission unit commands in the same arrangement order.

In this embodiment, the data length of the target (partial data) to be rearranged in the arrangement order is set to 1 byte. Therefore, one transmission unit command composed of two execution unit commands has a data length of 4 bytes, and four partial data of 1 byte are rearranged. When the four partial data constituting such a transmission unit command are simply rearranged, there are permutation ₄ P ₄ = 24 arrangement orders. In the array rearrangement table shown in FIG. 6, an area corresponding to the total number (256) of the arrangement order lottery random numbers is divided into a plurality of winning areas (1 to 16), and the above 24 arrangement orders are arranged for each winning area. Any one of the arrangement order and the winning range value (numerical value) are associated with each other. For example, the winning area 1 is associated with the arrangement order “1 → 2 → 3 → 4” and the winning range value “16”. In this arrangement order “1 → 2 → 3 → 4”, the 4-byte partial data constituting the transmission unit command is arranged (reordered) in the order of the first byte → the second byte → the third byte → the fourth byte. Represents that. Since the arrangement order lottery random numbers are provided from 0 to 255, the probability of winning the arrangement order “1 → 2 → 3 → 4” is 16/256. The same association is made for the other winning areas 2 to 16. The array order determining means 316 refers to the array rearrangement table and determines an array order of 1 based on the array order lottery random number.

In this example, the transmission unit command is composed of two execution unit commands. However, the number of execution unit commands is not limited, and the transmission unit command may be composed of an arbitrary number of execution unit commands. At this time, if the number of execution unit commands is different, the number of partial data (number of bytes) for rearranging the arrangement order itself is different. Therefore, the array rearrangement table indicates the number of execution unit commands, that is, the data length of the transmission unit command. A plurality are prepared in response. For example, when the transmission unit command is composed of three execution unit commands (6 bytes), there are ₆ P ₆ = 720 permutations, and this is the case in the array rearrangement table for 6-byte transmission unit commands. One of the 720 arrangement orders is associated with the winning range value. Further, when the transmission unit command is composed of four execution unit commands (8 bytes), there are ₈ P ₈ = 40320 permutations, and this is the case in the array rearrangement table for 8-byte transmission unit commands. One of the 40320 arrangement orders is associated with the winning range value.

(Sub-control board 202)
Returning to FIG. 4, the sub-control board 202, similar to the main control board 200, includes various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202 a that is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202 b that stores programs, a sub-RAM 202 c that functions as a work area, and the like. In particular, the presentation is controlled based on a command from the main control board 200. Similarly to the main RAM 200c, a backup power source (not shown) is connected to the sub RAM 202c, and even when the power is turned off, data is retained without being erased.

  Further, the sub control board 202 functions by the sub CPU 202a cooperating with the sub RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 202b. The initialization determining unit 330, the command receiving unit 332, the arrangement order specifying unit 334, Command decoding means 336 and command execution means 338 are provided. The initialization determining unit 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202. The command receiving unit 332 receives an arrangement order lottery random number, a transmission unit command rearranged by the command rearranging unit 318 of the main control board 200, and the like from the main control board 200. The array order specifying unit 334 refers to the array decoding table corresponding to the array rearrangement table in the main control board 200, and specifies one array order based on the received array order lottery random number. The command decoding means 336 decodes the received partial data of the transmission unit command into the array before rearrangement according to the specified arrangement order. The command execution means 338 executes processing corresponding to the decoded transmission unit command, for example, an effect provided to the player.

  Here, the production is provided through the liquid crystal display unit 138, the speaker 140, the production lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub credit display unit 156, the sub payout display unit 158 and the like as the game progresses. It is a visual and auditory expression means that can give a story to the game and can suggest a lottery result of the winning combination with a more dynamic image. Here, a visual effect expressed by transmitting a liquid crystal command to the liquid crystal control board 204 that controls the liquid crystal display unit 138 is used as a liquid crystal display effect, and an audio command is transmitted to a control element that controls the speaker 140. The auditory effect is a speaker output effect, which is expressed by transmitting a light emission command to a control element that controls the effect lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub credit display unit 156, the sub payout display unit 158, and the like. The visual effect is a lamp emission effect. In executing such an effect, in particular, with respect to the bonus combination described above, the BB internal winning flag and the RB internal winning flag can be carried over over a plurality of games. It can be performed throughout the game, and the player's sense of expectation can be enhanced. In addition, even if none of the winning roles has been won, it is possible to make the player have a high dividend expectation through the production as if the player has been won, so that the player will not get bored. It becomes.

  The sub-control board 202 is also provided with random number generation means 202d, like the main control board 200, and the random number (production lottery random number) generated by the random number generation means 202d mainly determines the mode of production. Used for.

(Table used in sub-control board 202)
As with the main control board 200, a plurality of tables are also stored in the sub ROM 202b in the sub control board 202. For example, the sub control board 202 is provided with an array decoding table configured corresponding to the array rearrangement table used in the main control board 200.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the array decoding table, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the processing of rearranging the arrangement order and the decoding processing. The array decoding table in the sub control board 202 is used by the command decoding means 336 to decode the transmission unit commands rearranged in partial data units in the main control board 200 into the array before rearrangement. Therefore, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 must grasp the same arrangement order based on the same arrangement order lottery random number for the same transmission unit command. In the present embodiment, the order of arrangement in each winning area (1-16) of the array decoding table shown in FIG. 7 is determined for each winning area (1-16) of the array rearrangement table (see FIG. 6). By setting the arrangement order so as to correspond to the arrangement order and restore the original arrangement, the transmission unit commands rearranged in partial data units can be completely decoded.

  For example, when the arrangement order determining means 316 of the main control board 200 determines the arrangement order as “1 → 3 → 4 → 2” in the winning area 4 of the arrangement rearrangement table of FIG. The replacement means 318 is, for example, four partial data of 1 byte for a transmission unit command of a data string such as “ABCD” (where “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” are each 1 byte). Dividing into “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”, and according to the arrangement order “1 → 3 → 4 → 2”, as shown in FIG. 8A, the first byte “A”, the third byte “ Partial data is extracted and rearranged in the order of “C”, the fourth byte “D”, and the second byte “B”.

  In the sub control board 202 that has received such a transmission unit command, the array order specifying means 334 refers to the array decoding table of FIG. 7 corresponding to the array rearrangement table of FIG. → 2 → 3 ”is specified. The array order “1 → 4 → 2 → 3” of the array decoding table corresponds to the array order “1 → 3 → 4 → 2” of the array rearrangement table, and the array order is such that the array is restored. is there. Then, the command decoding unit 336 of the sub control board 202 divides the received transmission unit command “ACDB” into four partial data “A”, “C”, “D”, and “B” byte by byte, for example, and an array decoding table In accordance with the arrangement sequence “1 → 4 → 2 → 3”, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first byte “A”, the fourth byte “B”, the second byte “C”, and the third byte “D”. Extract and rearrange partial data in the following order. Then, it can be understood that the command rearranging means 318 can restore the data sequence of “ABCD” that is the transmission unit command before rearrangement.

  Here, in order to reduce the processing load, the array order required for each process is directly defined as “1 → 3 → 4 → 2”, so that the array rearrangement table and the array decoding table result in Although different forms are used, the same table can be used for the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 if the arrangement order for decoding can be easily calculated from the arrangement order for rearranging. In this case, the array order specifying unit 334 calculates an array order corresponding to the array order extracted from the array decoding table so as to restore the array, and transmits it to the command decoding unit 336.

(Transmission of command from main control board 200 to sub control board 202)
Hereinafter, a process for increasing the confidentiality of a command transmitted from the main control board 200 by linking the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 will be described.

  An unauthorized person can change the I / O between the control boards by, for example, replacing the main control board 200 from a regular product to an unauthorized product, or improperly changing the I / O between the control boards. When a winning combination whose operation timing is set as a winning condition is won, a so-called assist time (AT) that makes it easy to win the winning combination by notifying the operation order and operation timing of the stop switch 130 is sub-control board. It is possible to illegally obtain game profits by illegally executing 202. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the arrangement of transmission unit commands is rearranged in units of partial data in the main control board 200, and the arrangement of transmission unit commands is decoded in the sub control board 202 (original). Back to). At this time, it is assumed that a plurality of arrangement orders required for rearrangement and an arrangement order required for decoding are prepared, and the original transmission unit command can be restored only when the combination is correct. In order to realize such processing, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 have the arrangement rearrangement table and the arrangement decoding table respectively configured correspondingly, and designate the same winning area. The correct combination of the arrangement order required for the rearrangement and the arrangement order required for the decoding is selected. The winning area is designated in synchronism with the arrangement order lottery random number.

  Unless the unauthorized person grasps the contents of the array rearrangement table stored in the main ROM 200b and the array decoding table stored in the sub ROM 202b, the unauthorized person can send a transmission unit command arbitrarily transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202. Even if it is acquired, it is impossible to know what sequence the command originally made, and thus the transmission unit command cannot be restored. Even if an unauthorized person illegally generates a transmission unit command and transmits it to the sub-control board 202, an error occurs because the sub-control board 202 decodes it in a predetermined arrangement order. Never executed. In the following, detailed processing for rearranging the arrangement of partial data units in such a transmission unit command will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG.

  The random number determination means 312 of the main control board 200 determines the arrangement order lottery random number by lottery in accordance with the operation of the start switch 128, for example. The arrangement order lottery random number may be determined independently of the winning combination lottery random number via the random number generation means 200d, or may be determined using the lower 1 byte of the winning combination lottery random number. The determined arrangement order lottery random number is used to randomly synchronize the arrangement order of the arrangement rearrangement table and the arrangement order of the arrangement decoding table. The arrangement order lottery random number is used effectively until the start switch 128 is operated next and a new arrangement order lottery random number is determined. Therefore, the determined arrangement order lottery random number is held in the main RAM 200 c of the main control board 200 and is also transmitted to the sub-control board 202 by the command transmission means 320. Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, the sequence order lottery random number to be transmitted includes a header (1 byte) indicating that the command is the sequence order lottery random number, and the sequence order lottery random number itself “Z” ( 1 byte) and a 2-byte execution unit command (= transmission unit command). The command receiving means 332 of the sub control board 202 holds the received arrangement order lottery random number “Z” in the sub RAM 202 c of the sub control board 202.

  Subsequently, when the command determining unit 314 of the main control board 200 determines the transmission unit commands “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” as shown in FIG. 9B, the arrangement order determining unit 316 transmits Based on the data length (4 bytes) of the unit command, one array rearrangement table (for example, the array rearrangement table in FIG. 6) is selected from a plurality of array rearrangement tables prepared for each data length, and FIG. As in c), the arrangement order, for example, “1 → 3 → 4 → 2” is determined based on the arrangement rearrangement table and the arrangement order lottery random number. Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, the command rearranging means 318 arranges a plurality of (four in this case) partial data of the transmission unit commands in the determined arrangement order “1 → 3 → 4 → 2”. Change. However, here, for convenience of explanation, the first byte is positioned at the right end in the figure of the transmission unit command, and the first byte is “A” at the right end.

  Next, the command transmission unit 320 transmits the transmission unit command, but prior to that, transmits the data length of the transmission unit command. Here, as shown in FIG. 9E, the data length to be transmitted is a 2-byte execution in which the command has a header (1 byte) indicating the data length and the data length itself “Y” (1 byte). It consists of unit commands (= transmission unit commands). Here, the reason why the data length is transmitted is that the arrangement order of the array according to the present embodiment differs depending on the data length of the transmission unit command. By acquiring such a data length, the sub control board 202 can appropriately decode the transmission unit command regardless of the data length. Here, a numerical value “4” is described as the data length.

  In addition to the data length, the command transmission unit 320 may transmit information indicating whether or not to rearrange the partial data units of the transmission unit command (hereinafter simply referred to as rearrangement execution information). . By adopting such rearrangement execution information, it is possible to distinguish between transmission unit commands that increase confidentiality by rearrangement and transmission unit commands that do not need to increase confidentiality, and there is no need to increase confidentiality. By not rearranging the transmission unit commands, the processing load is reduced. Whether to rearrange the partial data units of the transmission unit command is determined by the command determination unit 314 according to the importance of the transmission unit command (or the execution unit command constituting the transmission unit command). Here, when the command determining unit 314 determines not to execute the rearrangement of the partial data units of the transmission unit command, the command rearranging unit 318 does not execute the rearrangement of the partial data units of the transmission unit command, and transmits the command. When the means 320 transmits rearrangement execution information indicating that the rearrangement is not executed, and the command determination means 314 determines to rearrange the partial data units of the transmission unit command, the command rearrangement means 318 The rearrangement of the partial data unit of the command is executed, and the command transmission means 320 transmits the rearrangement execution information for executing the rearrangement. In FIG. 9, assuming that rearrangement is executed, the command transmission unit 320 transmits rearrangement execution information for executing rearrangement in addition to the command length. The command receiving means 332 of the sub control board 202 holds the received data length and rearrangement execution information “Y” in the sub RAM 202 c of the sub control board 202.

  After transmitting the data length and the rearrangement execution information, the command transmission unit 320 transmits the transmission unit command rearranged by the command rearrangement unit 318 as shown in FIG. The command receiving means 332 of the sub control board 202 temporarily holds the received transmission unit command in the sub RAM 202c of the sub control board 202. Then, the array order specifying unit 334 selects one array decoding table from the plurality of array decoding tables prepared for each data length based on the data length (4 bytes) held in the sub RAM 202c. ), The array order “1 → 4 → 2 → 3” is specified based on the array decoding table and the array order lottery random number. The command decoding means 336 determines whether or not the rearrangement execution information held in the sub RAM 202c indicates that the rearrangement is to be executed. If the command decoding means 336 indicates that the rearrangement is to be executed, FIG. 9 (h) As described above, the transmission unit commands temporarily stored in the sub-RAM 202c are extracted by the data length, and decoded into the array before rearrangement according to the specified arrangement order “1 → 4 → 2 → 3”. Then, the command execution unit 338 executes processing corresponding to the decoded transmission unit command.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board 200. Here, first, an outline of one game after initialization will be described along the main process of the main control board 200, and then the details of each process will be described.

(Step S100)
When the slot machine 100 is powered on and energized, the initialization means 300 executes an initialization process in preparation for the start of the game. The initialization unit 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power interruption occurs, it is possible to restore the state before the power interruption using the stored backup data in this initialization process. For example, even if an unexpected power interruption occurs during the rotation of the rotating reel, the operation is started from the state where the rotating reel is rotated again after the return operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, the main RAM 200c is basically not initialized (RAM clear). However, information that does not affect the game profit of the player, for example, information related to performance, is initialized as necessary. The initialization unit 300 confirms the connection status and operation status of various devices including the reel unit 134.

(Step S200)
Subsequently, the betting means 302 accepts the insertion of a prescribed number of medals from the medal insertion unit 124, or accepts the operation of the betting button 126 in a situation where the prescribed number or more of credits is stored, and completes the betting of medals. To start waiting for the operation of the start switch 128. In addition, the command determination unit 314 generates an input command (transmission unit command) indicating that the operation has been performed. The generated input command is transmitted to the sub control board 202. The command transmission process S800 for the input command will be described in detail later.

(Step S300)
Next, the winning combination lottery means 304 selects one winning combination at the time when the start switch 128 is operated from the winning combination lottery random number updated by the random number generation means 200d of the main control board 200 according to the operation of the start switch 128. Get a role lottery random number. Then, the winning combination lottery means 304 selects one winning combination corresponding to the currently set gaming state from a plurality of winning combination lottery tables including the winning combination lottery tables shown in FIGS. 5 (c) and 5 (d). Determine the winning lottery table, determine which winning area in the winning winning lottery table the acquired winning lottery random number corresponds to, and determine the winning combination or loser of the determined winning area as the lottery result . In addition, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 128, the command determining unit 314 generates a winning combination command including a lottery result (winning combination or lose) of the winning combination lottery, information on the gaming state, and the like. . The generated winning combination command is transmitted to the sub-control board 202. The command transmission process S800 for the winning combination command will be described in detail later.

(Step S400)
When the lottery process is completed as described above, the reel control unit 306 next drives the stepping motor 262 to rotate the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of rotation of the left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c in the previous game (wait), the left reel in the game 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c start to rotate, and when the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c all rotate at a constant speed, the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is enabled. To do.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, when the reel control means 306 receives an operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c by the player in a state where the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c are activated, the reel control unit 306 rotates the reel corresponding to the operation. (One of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c) is stopped according to a predetermined stop control. In addition, when any of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is operated, the command determining unit 314 displays a stop command (first stop command, information indicating the information of the operated stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c). A second stop command and a third stop command) are generated for each operation. The generated stop command is transmitted to the sub control board 202. The command transmission process S800 for the stop command will be described in detail later.

(Step S600)
Next, the determination unit 308 determines which combination the symbol combination displayed on the active line shown in FIG. 5A corresponds to, and changes the gaming state according to the symbol combination. And various processes required for replay. Here, the determination means 308 is one of a plurality of gaming states having different degrees of advantage of the player based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line. The game state, for example, the bonus game state is determined. In addition, the command determination unit 314 generates a winning command including a symbol combination displayed on the active line and a medal payout number when a symbol combination corresponding to the small role is displayed on the active line. The generated winning command is transmitted to the sub control board 202. The command transmission process S800 for the winning command will be described in detail later.

(Step S700)
Subsequently, on the basis of the determination result in step S600, for example, when the symbol combination corresponding to the small combination is displayed on the active line, the payout control unit 310 executes a medal payout process corresponding to the small combination, When the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the active line, a process for automatically betting the next game is executed. In this way, the payout control means 310 performs various processes corresponding to the symbol combinations displayed on the active line, and ends the one game. When the medal payout process is performed, the command determination unit 314 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed. The generated payout command is transmitted to the sub-control board 202. The command transmission process S800 for such a payout command will be described in detail later.

  As shown in steps S200 to S700, a game can be started through insertion of medals, and one game is executed through a series of processing from operation of the start switch 128 to payout by winning. Thereafter, steps S200 to S700 are repeated.

(Detailed processing of command transmission processing S800)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for executing command transmission processing. In step S200 to step S700, when a transmission unit command (a throw command, a winning combination command, a stop command, a winning command, a payout command, etc.) is generated, the transmission unit command is transmitted by the command transmission process.

(Step S801)
When the transmission of the transmission unit command is instructed, the random number determination means 312 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not the transmission unit command is a winning combination command. As a result, if the transmission unit command is a winning combination command, the process proceeds to step S802. If the transmission unit command is not a winning combination command, the process proceeds to step S803.

(Step S802)
If it is determined in step S801 that the transmission unit command is a winning combination command, the random number determination unit 312 determines an array order lottery random number by lottery and stores it in the main RAM 200c. Further, the command transmission means 320 transmits the arrangement order lottery random number to the sub-control board 202. The arrangement order lottery random number determined in this way is used in common until the next winning combination command is received and updated.

(Step S803)
Next, the command rearranging unit 318 refers to the information in which the transmission unit command is associated with whether or not the rearrangement can be performed in advance, and determines whether or not the transmission unit command is a transmission unit command for performing rearrangement. judge. As a result, if it is a transmission unit command that executes rearrangement, the process proceeds to step S804. If it is a transmission unit command that does not perform rearrangement, the process proceeds to step S806.

(Step S804)
If it is determined in step S804 that the transmission unit command is a transmission unit command for performing rearrangement, the arrangement order determining unit 316, based on the data length of the transmission unit command, sets a plurality of data prepared for each data length. One array rearrangement table (see FIG. 6) is selected from the array rearrangement table, and the array order is determined based on the array rearrangement table and the array order lottery random number.

(Step S805)
Subsequently, the command rearranging unit 318 rearranges the partial data of the transmission unit command in the determined arrangement order.

(Step S806)
Subsequently, the command transmission unit 320 transmits rearrangement execution information indicating whether or not to rearrange the data length of the transmission unit command and the partial data unit of the transmission unit command to the sub-control board 202, and continues. Then, the rearranged transmission unit commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 202.

(Sub-processing of sub-control board 202)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a sub process of the sub control board 202.

(Step S1100)
When the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on and energized, the initialization determining unit 330 of the sub control board 202 executes the initialization process and permits an interrupt, like the initialization unit 300 of the main control board 200. The initialization determination unit 330 generates backup data at any time while the power is turned on, and holds the backup data in the sub RAM 202c. Therefore, in the initialization process, as with the main control board 200, the sub-RAM 202c is not initialized (RAM clear), and information that does not affect the player's gaming profit, for example, information related to performance, is initialized as necessary. Is done.

(Step S1200)
The command receiving means 332 stands by until a transmission unit command from the main control board 200 is received.

(Step S1300)
If it is determined in step S1200 that a transmission unit command has been received, the transmission unit command is decoded. The command decoding process S1300 for the transmission unit command will be described in detail later.

(Step S1400)
When the transmission unit command is decoded to be executable as a normal command, the command execution means 338 executes various processes based on the decoded transmission unit command. For example, if the transmission unit command is an input command, the effect is initialized, and a new effect is started according to the gaming state and stage at that time. Further, if the transmission unit command is a winning combination command, for example, an effect of notifying the winning winning combination is executed according to the lottery result of the winning combination lottery included in the winning combination command. If the transmission unit command is a stop command, the effect mode is changed for each of the first stop command, the second stop command, and the third stop command. If the transmission unit command is a winning command, the winning combination and the number of medals to be paid out are notified. If the transmission unit command is a payout command, the numerical values of the sub credit display unit 156 and the sub payout display unit 158 are changed according to the payout of medals.

(Detailed processing of command decoding processing S1300)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing command decoding processing. Here, the received transmission unit command is decoded. Further, here, the processing for the received command related to the feature of the present embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the feature of the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S1301)
When the transmission unit command is received, the command receiving unit 332 determines whether or not the head data of the transmission unit command is a header indicating that the transmission unit command is an array order lottery random number. As a result, if the head data of the transmission unit command is a header indicating that the transmission unit command is an array order lottery random number, the process proceeds to step S1302, where the head data of the transmission unit command is the order of transmission unit command. If it is not a header indicating that it is a lottery random number, the process proceeds to step S1303.

(Step S1302)
If it is determined in step S1301 that the head data of the transmission unit command is a header indicating that the transmission unit command is an array order lottery random number, the command receiving means 332 is indicated in the second byte of the transmission unit command. The array order lottery random number is held in the sub RAM 202c of the sub control board 202, and the command decoding process S1300 is terminated.

(Step S1303)
If it is determined in step S1301 that the head data of the transmission unit command is not a header indicating that the transmission unit command is an array order lottery random number, the command receiving unit 332 determines that the head data of the transmission unit command is the transmission unit command. It is determined whether or not the unit command is a header indicating the data length and the rearrangement execution information. As a result, if the head data of the transmission unit command is a header indicating that the transmission unit command is the data length and the rearrangement execution information, the process proceeds to step S1304, and the head data of the transmission unit command is the transmission unit command. If the header is not a data length and rearrangement execution information, the process proceeds to step S1305.

(Step S1304)
If it is determined in step S1303 that the head data of the transmission unit command is a header indicating that the transmission unit command is the data length and the rearrangement execution information, the command receiving unit 332 determines that the second byte of the transmission unit command is the same. Are stored in the sub RAM 202c of the sub control board 202, and the command decoding process S1300 is terminated.

(Step S1305)
If it is determined in step S1303 that the head data of the transmission unit command is not the header indicating that the data length and the rearrangement execution information are received, the command reception unit 332 determines that the data length of the received transmission unit command is the sub data. It is determined whether or not the data length held in the RAM 202c has been reached. As a result, if the data length of the received transmission unit command has reached the data length held in the sub RAM 202c, the process proceeds to step S1306, and the data length of the received transmission unit command is held in the sub RAM 202c. If the data length has not been reached, the command decoding process S1300 ends.

(Step S1306)
If it is determined in step S1305 that the data length of the received transmission unit command has reached the data length held in the sub RAM 202c, the command decoding unit 336 arranges the rearrangement execution information held in the sub RAM 202c. It is determined whether or not a change is indicated. As a result, if the reordering execution information indicates that reordering is to be executed, the process proceeds to step S1307. If the reordering execution information does not indicate that reordering is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S1309. .

(Step S1307)
If it is determined in step S1306 that the rearrangement execution information indicates that the rearrangement is to be executed, the arrangement order specifying unit 334 is prepared for each data length based on the data length held in the sub RAM 202c. One array decoding table (see FIG. 7) is selected from the plurality of array decoding tables, and the array order is specified based on the array decoding table and the array order lottery random number.

(Step S1308)
Subsequently, the command decoding unit 336 extracts the transmission unit command by the data length, and the plurality of partial data constituting the transmission unit command are arranged before being rearranged according to the arrangement order specified by the arrangement order specifying unit 334. To decrypt.

(Step S1309)
Next, the command receiving unit 332 determines whether or not the decoded transmission unit command is a regular array as a transmission unit command, and the execution unit commands constituting the transmission unit command are a regular array. . As a result, if the decoded transmission unit command is a regular array, the process proceeds to step S1310. If the decoded transmission unit command is not a regular array, the process proceeds to step S1311.

(Step S1310)
If it is determined in step S1309 that the decoded transmission unit command is a regular array, the command receiving unit 332 sets the transmission unit command for the data length as the decoded transmission unit command regardless of whether or not decoding is performed. Then, the transmission unit command is set so that the command execution means 338 can be executed, and the command decoding process S1300 is ended.

(Step S1311)
If it is determined in step S1309 that the decoded transmission unit command is not a regular array, the command receiving unit 332 notifies that the transmission unit command has not been received normally, notifies the error, and executes the command decoding process S1300. Exit.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the secrecy of communication between control boards is improved with a simple configuration in which commands are rearranged in units of partial data using an arrangement order concealed in each control board. It becomes possible. The method of rearranging such commands in units of partial data does not require special calculation, and has a great confidentiality effect that can be executed with a very low processing load.

  For example, in an encryption method such as a secret key method or a public key method, an unauthorized person can easily execute fraud by grasping one encryption key. Even if one arrangement order in the replacement table or the array decoding table is grasped, since the arrangement order is selected at random, it is not possible to act illegally unless another arrangement order is grasped.

  Also, basically, since existing transmission unit commands communicating between boards are used as they are, it is possible to suppress program changes and to minimize problems.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 is given as the first control board, the sub control board 202 is given as the second control board, and the transmission unit command transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 is sent. Although an example of rearrangement in units of partial data has been described, the present embodiment is not limited to such a case, and the present embodiment is not limited to such a case, such as a transmission unit command transmitted from the sub-control board 202 to the liquid crystal control board 204. Can be applied. In the present embodiment, the slot machine 100 has been described as a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine. In this case, not only the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 and the sub control board 202 to the liquid crystal control board 204 but also a configuration unique to the pachinko machine, such as the main control board 200 to the payout board (not shown), is applied. It is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the data length of the partial data is 1 byte. However, the data length of the partial data is not limited, and may be, for example, a plurality of bytes, or one or a plurality of bits. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the timing for transmitting the arrangement order lottery random number from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 is set after the operation of the start switch 128. However, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 are arranged simultaneously. As long as the order lottery random number is reflected, the timing can be arbitrarily set. For example, various timings such as an arbitrary timing during one game, a transmission of a transmission unit command, and a plurality of games can be selected. it can.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the arrangement order lottery random number, the data length, the rearrangement execution information, and the like are transmitted independently of the transmission unit command has been described, but any position in the transmission unit command, For example, it may be arranged in a header or a footer. However, since information such as an array order lottery random number, data length, and rearrangement execution information is required at the stage before decoding, the layout must be predetermined (placement fixed), and the layout order Lottery random numbers, data lengths, rearrangement execution information, etc. should not be subject to rearrangement.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example of performing rearrangement over the entire length of the transmission unit command has been described, but only a part of the rearrangement command is rearranged, or the transmission unit command is divided into a plurality of parts. Rearrangement may be performed for each of the divided parts.

  Further, the processes performed by the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 described above do not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowchart, and may include processes in parallel or by a subroutine.

100 ... slot machine (game machine)
200 ... main control board (first control board)
202 ... Sub-control board (second control board)
312 ... random number determining means 314 ... command determining means 316 ... array order determining means 318 ... command rearranging means 320 ... command transmitting means 332 ... command receiving means 334 ... array order specifying means 336 ... command decoding means 338 ... command executing means

Claims (3)

A first control board for determining a transmission unit command in which partial data having a predetermined data length is arranged in a predetermined order and executing the determined transmission unit command for executing an arbitrary process relating to a game;
A second control board that receives the transmission unit command from the first control board and executes the received transmission unit command;
A gaming machine equipped with
The first control board is:
Random number determining means for determining, by lottery, an array order lottery random number used for rearranging the partial data units of the transmission unit command;
Command determining means for determining the transmission unit command;
Array order determination for determining an array order based on the array order lottery random number with reference to an array rearrangement table that associates an array number with an array order for rearranging partial data units of the transmission unit command Means,
Command rearranging means for rearranging the determined partial data of the transmission unit commands according to the determined arrangement order;
Command transmitting means for transmitting the arrangement order lottery random number and the rearranged transmission unit commands to the second control board;
With
The second control board is:
Command receiving means for receiving the array order lottery random number and the rearranged transmission unit commands;
Referring to an array decoding table corresponding to the array rearrangement table, array order specifying means for specifying an array order of 1 based on the array order lottery random number;
Command decoding means for decoding partial data of the rearranged transmission unit commands into an array before being rearranged in accordance with the specified arrangement order;
Command execution means for executing processing corresponding to the decoded transmission unit command;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising: The data length of the transmission unit command can be changed, and a plurality of the array rearrangement table and the array decoding table are prepared according to the data length of the transmission unit command,
The arrangement order determining means determines an arrangement order with reference to an array rearrangement table according to a data length of the transmission unit command;
The command transmission means also transmits information indicating the data length of the transmission unit command,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement order specifying unit specifies the arrangement order with reference to an arrangement decoding table corresponding to a data length of the transmission unit command. The command determining means also determines whether to execute the rearrangement of the partial data units of the transmission unit command;
The command reordering means does not perform reordering according to the decision not to reorder the partial data units of the transmission unit command,
The command transmission means also transmits information indicating whether or not to perform rearrangement of the partial data units of the transmission unit command,
The game according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the command decoding means does not decode the transmission unit command according to information indicating that the rearrangement of the partial data units of the transmission unit command is not executed. Machine.

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