JP6102169B2 - Parts replacement detection device and game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a component replacement detection device and a gaming machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses that a main control board of a gaming machine and a gaming machine component are electrically connected to each other through a connector in which a signal line serving as a backup power supply voltage supply path and a gaming machine component signal line are integrated into one. A swivel type gaming machine connected to is described. According to the spinning cylinder gaming machine described in Patent Literature 1, when an abnormal state of the backup power supply voltage is detected, it is detected that the gaming machine component has been removed from the main control board.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-62541

  However, according to the swivel type gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a voltage from another power source is supplied to a signal line that is a supply path of a backup power source voltage, the gaming machine component is changed to the main control board. Unable to detect that it was removed from Therefore, an apparatus that can more accurately detect that a gaming machine part has been removed is desired.

  A component replacement detection apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention continuously applies a characteristic value indicating an electrical characteristic of a passive element by applying a voltage to the passive element included in the component that is detachably connected to the device. A characteristic value detection unit to detect, and a replacement determination unit that determines whether or not a part has been replaced based on a change in the characteristic value detected by the characteristic value detection unit.

  When the replacement determination unit determines that a component has been replaced, the component replacement detection apparatus registers replacement information indicating that the component has been replaced in the replacement information holding unit when the device is not operating. When the device is operating when it is determined by the replacement determination unit that the part has been replaced, the registration unit may further include a notification control unit that notifies the outside from the notification device that the component has been replaced. Good.

  In the component replacement detection apparatus, the notification control unit notifies the outside from the notification device that the component has been replaced when the device starts operation after the replacement information registration unit registers the replacement information in the replacement information holding unit. You may let them.

  In the component replacement detection apparatus, the notification control unit externally notifies that the component has been replaced after a predetermined period has elapsed since the replacement information registration unit registered the replacement information in the replacement information holding unit. May be informed.

  In the component replacement detection apparatus, the passive element may be a power storage element, and the characteristic value detection unit may detect a characteristic value indicating a capacity of the power storage element.

  In the above-described component replacement detection apparatus, the characteristic value detection unit determines the time until the voltage value at one end changes from the first voltage value to the second voltage value when a constant voltage is applied to one end of the power storage element. You may detect as.

  The component replacement detection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has a replacement determination unit that determines whether or not a component that is detachably connected to the device has been replaced, and a replacement determination unit that determines that the component has been replaced In addition, when the device is not operating, the replacement information registration unit that registers the replacement information indicating that the component has been replaced in the replacement information holding unit, and the replacement determination unit determines that the component has been replaced. When is operating, a notification control unit for notifying the outside from the notification device that the parts have been replaced is provided.

  In the component replacement detection apparatus, the device may be a gaming machine body, and the component may be a gaming machine component that outputs a control signal for controlling the gaming machine body.

  A gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the gaming machine main body, the gaming machine component, and the component replacement detection device.

  A gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a gaming machine main body as a device, a gaming machine component that outputs a control signal for controlling the gaming machine main body as a component, and the component replacement detection device. The machine body has a main body side connector, the gaming machine component has a component side connector connected to the main body side connector, and the main body side connector and the component side connector are terminals electrically connected to passive elements. And a terminal for transmitting the control signal.

  It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

It is a functional block which shows the structure of the gaming machine which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of a components replacement | exchange detection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a microcomputer. It is a figure which shows the timing chart of a voltage detection circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which determines the presence or absence of replacement | exchange of the components for game machines. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the capacity | capacitance measurement of a capacitor | condenser. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an error process. The flowchart which shows the procedure in case a power supply is turned on to a game machine main body is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the time change of the measurement result of the capacity | capacitance of a capacitor | condenser.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block showing the configuration of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine includes a gaming machine body 10 and a gaming machine component 20. The gaming machine is, for example, a rotary gaming machine. The gaming machine main body 10 includes a main control board 12, a power source 14, and a display unit 15. The gaming machine main body 10 is an example of a device. The gaming machine component 20 is an example of a component that is detachably connected to a device.

  The main control board 12 includes a main control circuit 18 and a component replacement detection device 100. The main control circuit 18 controls the overall operation of the game related to the gaming machine. The component replacement detection apparatus 100 detects that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced. The power supply 14 supplies power to the main control circuit 18 and the component replacement detection device 100. The power supply 14 may supply power to the gaming machine component 20 via the main control circuit 18.

  The display unit 15 displays information related to the game. Further, when the component replacement detection device 100 detects that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced, the display unit 15 may display that effect. That is, the display unit 15 is an example of a notification device that notifies the outside that it has been detected that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced.

  The gaming machine component 20 includes, for example, a relay board to which various switches or sensors are connected. The switch is, for example, a switch that is turned on or off in response to a user operation, such as a rotating cylinder rotation start switch or a rotating cylinder rotation stop switch. The sensor is a sensor that detects a state generated according to a game operation, such as a medal passage sensor that detects that a medal has passed through a medal passage such as a medal insertion passage and a medal payout passage.

  The gaming machine component 20 includes a control signal output unit 24. The control signal output unit 24 outputs a control signal for controlling the gaming machine main body 10. The control signal output unit 24 is, for example, a start instruction signal for instructing start of rotation of the rotating cylinder or a stop instruction signal for instructing stop of rotation of the rotation of the rotating cylinder when the rotation rotation start switch or the rotation rotation stop switch is pressed. Is output as a control signal. Alternatively, for example, when the sensor detects that a medal has passed through the medal passage, the control signal output unit 24 outputs a medal passage signal indicating that the medal has passed through the medal passage as a control signal.

  The gaming machine component 20 further includes a capacitor 26 for the component replacement detection apparatus 100 to uniquely identify the gaming machine component 20. The capacitor 26 is an example of a passive element that exhibits specific electrical characteristics when a voltage is applied or when a current is input. Furthermore, the capacitor 26 is an example of a power storage element. Even though the passive element such as the capacitor 26 has the same nominal value of the characteristic value indicating the electric characteristic such as the capacitance, there is an individual difference in the actual characteristic value. Therefore, for example, when the gaming machine component 20 is illegally replaced with another gaming machine component, the other gaming machine component is the same as the nominal value of the capacity of the capacitor 26 included in the gaming machine component 20. Even if the capacitor having the nominal value is provided, the actual capacity of the capacitor provided in the other gaming machine parts is different from the actual capacity of the capacitor 26 provided in the gaming machine part 20. When the component replacement detection apparatus 100 detects the difference, it detects that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced.

  For example, whether or not the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced by incorporating an IC chip that stores identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming machine component 20 and the component replacement detection device 100 reads the identification information of the IC chip. It is possible to determine whether or not. However, according to such a method, the cost increases compared to the case where a passive element such as the capacitor 26 is added. In addition, when it is desired that the gaming machine component 20 connected to the gaming machine body 10 is the same as the component that has passed the application or the type test, each gaming machine component 20 has unique identification information. If so, it may be judged that the part is different from the part that passed the application or type test. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the gaming machine component 20 includes the capacitor 26 having the same nominal capacity as the component that has passed the application or the type test. Therefore, it is not determined that the gaming machine component 20 is different from the component that has passed the application or the model test.

  The gaming machine main body 10 has a main body side connector 16, and the gaming machine component 20 has a component side connector 22 connected to the main body side connector. The main body side connector 16 is provided on the main control board 12. The main body side connector 16 has a plurality of terminals 17, and the component side connector 22 has a plurality of terminals 21. The main body side connector 16 and the component side connector 22 electrically connect the control signal output unit 24 and the main control circuit 18, and electrically connect a terminal that transmits a control signal, the capacitor 26, and the component replacement detection device 100. And a terminal to be connected. The plurality of terminals 17 and the plurality of terminals 21 may be electrically connected by connecting the main body side connector 16 and the component side connector 22 via the connector cable 30.

  The plurality of terminals 17 and 21 are connected to signal lines L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. A plurality of terminals 17 and 21 connected to the signal lines L 1, L 2 and L 3 electrically connect the control signal output unit 24 and the main control circuit 18. For example, the signal line L1 is a power supply line, the signal line L2 is a ground line, and the signal line L3 is a signal line that transmits a control signal. A pair of terminals 17 and 21 connected to the signal lines L4 and L5 electrically connect the capacitor 26 and the component replacement detection apparatus 100. The main body side connector 16 and the component side connector 22 electrically connect the control signal output unit 24 and the main control circuit 18, transmit a control signal, a capacitor 26 that is a passive element, the component replacement detection device 100, and the like. Are electrically connected to each other.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the component replacement detection apparatus 100. The component replacement detection apparatus 100 includes a microcomputer 110, a charging circuit 120, a secondary battery 122, a voltage detection circuit 130, and an error display LED lamp 140.

  The charging circuit 120 supplies power supplied from the main control circuit 18 to the secondary battery 122 while the gaming machine body 10 is operating, and charges the secondary battery 122. The microcomputer 110 has at least PORT1, PORT2, PORT3, PORT4, PORT5 and PORT6. The secondary battery 122 supplies power to the microcomputer 110 via the PORT 4. The error display LED lamp 140 is turned on when it is detected by the component replacement detection device 100 that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced. That is, the error display LED lamp 140 is an example of a notification device that notifies the outside that it has been detected that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced.

  The microcomputer 110 continuously applies a voltage to one end of the capacitor 26 via the PORT 1. The microcomputer 110 continuously applies a constant voltage having a voltage value Vcc to one end of the capacitor 26 via the PORT 1 and the resistor 138. The voltage detection circuit 130 detects the time until the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 becomes a second voltage value 3/4 Vcc higher than the first voltage value 1/4 Vcc from the first voltage value 1/4 Vcc, A signal indicating the time is input to the microcomputer 110 via the PORT2. The resistor 138 is a current limiting resistor for limiting the amount of current input to the capacitor 26.

  The voltage detection circuit 130 includes comparison circuits 132 and 134 and an exclusive OR circuit (EXOR circuit) 136. The comparison circuit 132 outputs LOW until the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26, that is, the voltage value at the point B becomes 0 to the first voltage value ¼ Vcc, and the voltage value at the point B is the first voltage value 1. When / 4 Vcc or higher, HI is output. The comparison circuit 134 outputs LOW until the voltage value at the point B becomes 0 to the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc, and outputs HI when the voltage value becomes equal to or higher than the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc. The outputs from the comparison circuits 132 and 134 are input to the EXOR circuit 136. Therefore, the EXOR circuit 136 outputs HI until the voltage value (point B) at one end of the capacitor 26 changes from the first voltage value ¼ Vcc to the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc, and the voltage at one end of the capacitor 26. LOW is output from 0 to the first voltage value ¼ Vcc and when the value is greater than the second voltage value ¾ Vcc.

  The output of the EXOR circuit 136 is input to the microcomputer 110 via the PORT2. The microcomputer 110 measures the time during which HI is input from the PORT 2 so that the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 is changed from the first voltage value 1/4 Vcc to the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc. Can be detected. The microcomputer 110 counts with the timer counter while HI is input from the PORT 2, and the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 is changed from the first voltage value ¼ Vcc to the second voltage based on the timer count value. The time until the value 3/4 Vcc is reached can be detected.

  Further, the microcomputer 110 receives a power supply signal indicating whether or not the gaming machine main body is operating from the main control circuit 18 via the PORT 4, that is, whether the gaming machine main body is turned on or off. The microcomputer 110 outputs a lighting signal to the error display LED lamp 140 via the PORT 5. The microcomputer 110 outputs a notification instruction signal for notifying that an external notification device such as the display unit 15 has detected that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced via the PORT 6.

  In the present embodiment, the other end of the capacitor 26 is directly connected to the ground. However, the other end of the capacitor 26 may be connected to the ground via a bias power source capable of applying a DC bias. When a DC bias is applied to the capacitor 26, the electrical characteristics of the capacitor 26 change. Therefore, the capacitance of each capacitor 26 in a state where a DC bias is applied to the capacitor 26 and a state where a DC bias is not applied may be measured, and a change in the capacitance in each state may be measured. Thereby, the component replacement detection apparatus 100 can more accurately determine whether or not the change in the capacitance of the capacitor 26 is a change due to the replacement of the capacitor 26.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the gaming machine component 20 has one capacitor 26 will be described. However, the gaming machine component 20 may include a plurality of capacitors connected in series or in parallel as passive elements for uniquely identifying the gaming machine component 20. Furthermore, the gaming machine component 20 may have a resistor, a coil, or the like as a passive element instead of the capacitor 26.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the microcomputer 110. The microcomputer 110 includes a characteristic value detection unit 111, a characteristic value holding unit 112, an exchange determination unit 113, an exchange information registration unit 114, an exchange information holding unit 115, and a notification control unit 116. In other words, the microcomputer 110 includes various memories such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM (registered trademark), a communication bus, and an interface. Then, the CPU reads out the processing program stored in the ROM as firmware in advance and sequentially executes the processing program, so that the characteristic value detection unit 111, the characteristic value holding unit 112, the exchange determination unit 113, the exchange information registration unit 114, the exchange information holding unit 115, and the microcomputer 110 functions as the notification control unit 116.

  The characteristic value detection unit 111 applies the constant voltage Vcc to the capacitor 26 included in the gaming machine component 20 that is detachably connected to the gaming machine main body 10 through the PORT 1, thereby changing the electrical characteristics of the capacitor 26. A characteristic value indicating the capacitance of the capacitor 26 is continuously detected as the characteristic value to be indicated. The characteristic value detection unit 111 detects the time until the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 changes from the first voltage value ¼ Vcc to the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc as the characteristic value of the capacitor 26. The characteristic value holding unit 112 holds the characteristic value of the capacitor 26 detected by the characteristic value detecting unit 111, that is, the timer count value counted by the timer count when the constant voltage Vcc is applied to the capacitor 26.

  The replacement determination unit 113 determines whether or not the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced based on the change in the characteristic value detected by the characteristic value detection unit 111. When it is determined that the gaming machine part 20 has been replaced, the exchange information registration unit 114 displays the exchange information indicating that the gaming machine part 20 has been replaced if the gaming machine body 10 is not operating. Register in the holding unit 115.

  When it is determined that the gaming machine part 20 has been replaced when the gaming machine body 10 is operating, the notification control unit 116 indicates that the gaming machine part 20 has been replaced by the display unit 15 and the error display LED. A notification device such as the lamp 140 is notified to the outside. When the gaming machine body 10 starts operating after the exchange information registration unit 114 registers the exchange information in the exchange information holding unit 115, that is, when the gaming machine body 10 is turned on, The notification device may notify the outside that the machine part 20 has been replaced. In addition, the notification control unit 116 replaces the gaming machine part 20 after a predetermined period, for example, 30 minutes has elapsed since the exchange information registration unit 114 registered the exchange information in the exchange information holding unit 115. This may be notified externally from the notification device.

  For example, if the gaming machine part 20 is exchanged illegally during the game store business hours, that is, while the gaming machine main body 10 is operating, the store clerk via the notification device when the gaming machine part 20 is exchanged. It is preferable to notify to. Thereby, the store clerk can identify an unauthorized person and collect the unauthorized gaming machine articles.

  On the other hand, if the gaming machine part 20 is illegally replaced, such as at midnight outside the business hours of the gaming store, that is, while the gaming machine main body 10 is not operating, the unauthorized person may illegally replace the gaming machine part 20. It is preferable not to recognize that an exchange has been detected. When the unauthorized person recognizes that the unauthorized replacement of the gaming machine part 20 has been detected, the unauthorized person is likely to collect the unauthorized gaming machine article and escape. In this case, an unauthorized person may, for example, misuse the collected illegal gaming machine article at another store.

  However, as described above, when the gaming machine main body 10 is not operating, the notification control unit 116 does not immediately notify the outside from the notification device, but only registers the exchange information in the exchange information holding unit 115. To do. Thereby, an unauthorized person is likely to escape without recognizing that an unauthorized replacement of the gaming machine component 20 has been detected. The store clerk can recognize that the unauthorized replacement of the gaming machine component 20 has been performed by notifying the gaming machine or notifying the gaming machine on the next day after the unauthorized person escapes. Then, the store clerk can collect illegal gaming items. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized person from misusing an illegal gaming machine article in another store.

  FIG. 4 shows a timing chart of the voltage detection circuit 130. Point A is a point between the microcomputer 110 and the resistor 138. Point B is a point between one end of the capacitor 26 and the inverting input terminal of the comparison circuit 132 and the inverting input terminal of the comparison circuit 134. Point C is a point between the output terminal of the comparison circuit 132 and one input terminal of the EXOR circuit 136. Point D is a point between the output terminal of the comparison circuit 134 and the other input terminal of the EXOR circuit 136. A point E is a point between the output terminal of the EXOR circuit 136 and the microcomputer 110.

  When a voltage having a voltage value Vcc is applied to the point A, the voltage at the point B gradually increases from zero. The voltage at the point C indicates a voltage of the voltage value Vcc until the voltage at the point B becomes ¼ Vcc from zero, and indicates zero when the voltage becomes higher than ¼ Vcc. The voltage at the point D indicates a voltage of the voltage value Vcc until the voltage at the point B becomes 3/4 Vcc from zero, and indicates zero when the voltage becomes higher than 3/4 Vcc. The voltage at the point E indicates the voltage Vcc until the voltage at the point B changes from 1/4 Vcc to 3/4 Vcc. The microcomputer 110 counts with the timer counter while the voltage at the point E indicates the voltage value Vcc.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the component replacement detection apparatus 100 determines whether or not the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced. The component replacement detection apparatus 100 periodically determines whether or not the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced, for example, every 100 ms.

  The characteristic value detector 111 measures the capacitance of the capacitor 26 (S100). The characteristic value detector 111 measures the capacitance of the capacitor 26 by acquiring the timer count value of the timer counter. The characteristic value detection unit 111 registers the timer count value in the characteristic value holding unit 112 as the capacity of the capacitor 26.

  Next, the exchange determination unit 113 calculates an average value of the measurement results for eight times excluding the maximum and first measurement values among the measurement results for the past ten times (S102). For example, the replacement determination unit 113 calculates an average value of eight timer count values excluding the maximum and minimum timer count values from the past ten timer count values.

  The exchange determination unit 113 determines whether or not the average value has changed by 10 counts or more from the previous average value (S104). If it has changed by 10 counts or more, it is determined that the capacitor to be measured has been changed due to the replacement of the gaming machine component 20, and the component replacement detection apparatus 100 executes error processing (S106). If it has not changed by 10 counts or more, it is determined that the gaming machine component 20 has not been replaced, and the component replacement detection apparatus 100 ends the process.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for measuring the capacitance of the capacitor 26 by the microcomputer 110. The characteristic value detection unit 111 sets PORT1 to HI (S200). The microcomputer 110 outputs a voltage indicating the voltage value Vcc from the PORT1. Next, the characteristic value detection unit 111 determines whether PORT2 is HI (S202). When PORT2 becomes HI, the characteristic value detector 111 starts counting by the timer counter (S204).

  After starting the count, the characteristic value detection unit 111 determines whether PORT2 is switched to LOW (S206). When PORT2 switches to LOW, the characteristic value detection unit 111 stops counting by the timer counter (S208). The characteristic value detection unit 111 acquires the timer count value of the timer count after stopping and registers it in the characteristic value holding unit 112 (S210). The characteristic value detector 111 returns PORT1 to LOW and discharges the capacitor 26 (S212). Through the above processing, the characteristic value detection unit 111 can measure the capacitance of the capacitor 26.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of error processing performed by the component replacement detection apparatus 100. When it is determined by the replacement determination unit 113 that the gaming machine part 20 has been replaced, the replacement information registration unit 114 determines whether or not the gaming machine main body 10 is operating by determining whether or not the PORT 3 is HI. It is determined whether the gaming machine body 10 is powered on (S300). When PORT3 is HI, the notification control unit 116 transmits a notification instruction signal to the gaming machine main body 10 via the PORT6 (S304). Further, the notification control unit 116 lights the error display LED lamp 140.

  In response to receiving the notification instruction signal, the gaming machine main body 10 displays a message indicating that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced, for example, on the display unit 15 of the gaming machine main body 10. In response to receiving the notification instruction signal, the gaming machine main body 10 may notify a message indicating that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced to an external management device. The gaming machine body 10 may turn on a calling lamp provided for each gaming machine in response to receiving the notification instruction signal.

  When PORT3 is LOW, it is determined that the gaming machine body 10 is powered off, and the exchange information registration unit 114 registers exchange information indicating that the gaming machine part 20 has been exchanged in the exchange information holding unit 115. (S308). The replacement information may include time information indicating the time when the gaming machine component 20 is determined to be replaced by the replacement determination unit 113 and type information indicating the type of the gaming machine component 20. Next, the notification control unit 116 determines whether or not a predetermined period, for example, 30 minutes has elapsed since the error detection, in other words, the replacement determination unit 113 determines that the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced. (S310). If it has elapsed, the notification control unit 116 turns on the error display LED lamp 140 (S306). If not, the notification control unit 116 ends the process without turning on the error display LED lamp 140.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure when the gaming machine body 10 is turned on. The notification control unit 116 determines that the gaming machine main body 10 has been powered on based on whether a power signal is input from the PORT 3. When the gaming machine body 10 is turned on, the notification control unit 116 determines whether or not exchange information that has not yet transmitted a notification signal instruction to the gaming machine body 10 is registered in the exchange information registration unit 114. Determine (S400). If registered, the notification control unit 116 outputs a notification instruction signal to the gaming machine main body 10 via the PORT 6 (S402). After outputting the notification instruction signal, the notification control unit 116 may set a flag indicating that the notification instruction signal has been output for the target exchange information registered in the exchange information registration unit 114. Alternatively, the notification control unit 116 outputs a notification instruction signal, and then outputs the notification instruction signal again based on the exchange information, such as deleting the target exchange information registered in the exchange information registration unit 114. May be invalidated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the gaming machine part 20 is illegally replaced while the gaming machine main body 10 is operating, the sales clerk is notified via the notification device when the gaming machine part 20 is replaced. By doing so, the store clerk can identify the unauthorized person and collect the illegal gaming machine articles. On the other hand, if the gaming machine part 20 is illegally replaced while the gaming machine main body 10 is not operating, the store clerk confirms that the gaming machine part 20 has been illegally replaced without being noticed by the unauthorized person. Recognize and collect illegal gaming machine items.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a temporal change in the measurement result of the capacitance of the capacitor 26 included in the gaming machine component 20.

  Until time T1, a regular part is connected to the gaming machine body 10 as a gaming machine part 20. Until time T1, the capacity of the capacitor 26 is gradually changing due to environmental changes such as temperature. Thereafter, it is assumed that the gaming machine component 20 is removed from the main control board 12 at time T1. In this case, since the capacitor 26 whose capacitance is to be measured is not connected to the component replacement detection apparatus 100, the characteristic value detection unit 111 detects the capacitance of the capacitor 26 as zero. At time T2, when the main control board 12 is connected to the gaming machine component 20 which is a regular component, the capacitance of the capacitor 26 detected by the characteristic value detection unit 111 is detected immediately before the time T1. There is no significant difference from the capacity of the capacitor 26. Therefore, the replacement determination unit 113 determines that a regular part is connected as the gaming machine part 20 from time T2 to time T3.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the gaming machine part 20 that is a regular part is removed at time T3, and another gaming machine part that is an unauthorized part is connected at time T4. In this case, the capacitance of the capacitor 26 detected by the characteristic value detection unit 111 has a large difference between the capacitance detected immediately before time T3 and the capacitance detected immediately after time T4. Therefore, the replacement determination unit 113 determines that the gaming machine part 20 that is a regular part is removed at time T3, and that the gaming machine part 20 is replaced with another unauthorized gaming machine part at time T4.

  In addition, at time T11, when another gaming machine part that is an unauthorized part is electrically connected in parallel to the gaming machine part 20 that is a regular part, the characteristic value detection unit 111 detects that at time T11. The capacity of the capacitor 26 increases by the capacity of the capacitor provided in another gaming machine part that is an illegal part. After that, at time T12, when the gaming machine component 20, which is a regular component, is removed while another unauthorized gaming machine component is connected to the main control board 12, the characteristic value detection unit 111 detects the gaming machine component 20. The capacity of the capacitor 26 decreases by the capacity of the capacitor 26 of the gaming machine component 20 which is a regular component. In this case, the capacitance of the capacitor 26 detected by the characteristic value detection unit 111 has a large difference between the capacitance detected immediately before time T11 and the capacitance detected immediately after time T12. Therefore, at time T11, the replacement determination unit 113 is electrically connected to another gaming machine part that is an unauthorized part in parallel with the gaming machine part 20 that is an authorized part, and at time T12, another unauthorized gaming machine is connected. With the machine component connected to the main control board 12, it is determined that the gaming machine component 20, which is a regular component, has been removed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the capacitor 26 is provided as a passive element for identifying the gaming machine component 20 in the gaming machine component 20, and the capacitance of the capacitor 26 is continuously measured. Then, based on the change in capacity, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine component 20 has been replaced with another gaming machine component.

  In the above description, the time until the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 changes from the first voltage value 1/4 Vcc to the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc in the step of the characteristic value detection unit 111 charging the capacitor 26. In the above description, the characteristic value of the capacitor 26 is detected. However, in the step of discharging the capacitor 26, the characteristic value detecting unit 111 determines the time until the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 changes from the second voltage value 3/4 Vcc to the first voltage value 1/4 Vcc. It may be detected as a characteristic value.

  Further, immediately after the start of charging or discharging of the capacitor 26 or immediately before the end of charging or discharging, the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 varies greatly. Therefore, in the above, the characteristic value detection unit 111 starts from the first voltage value at which the voltage value at one end of the capacitor 26 is greater than zero, the first voltage value is higher than the first voltage value, and is smaller than the voltage value Vcc corresponding to the maximum capacity. The time until the voltage value becomes 2 is detected as the capacitance of the capacitor 26. Thus, by detecting the change in the voltage value during the charging or discharging process as the capacity of the capacitor 26, it is possible to detect the replacement of the capacitor 26 with higher accuracy.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game machine main body 12 Main control board 14 Power supply 15 Display part 16 Main body side connector 17, 21 Terminal 18 Main control circuit 20 Game machine part 22 Component side connector 24 Control signal output part 26 Capacitor 30 Connector cable 100 Parts exchange detection apparatus 110 Microcomputer 111 Characteristic value detection unit 112 Characteristic value holding unit 113 Exchange determination unit 114 Replacement information registration unit 115 Exchange information holding unit 116 Notification control unit 120 Charging circuit 122 Secondary battery 130 Voltage detection circuit 140 Error display LED lamp

Claims (10)

A passive gaming machine component that is detachably connected to a gaming machine main body having a main body side connector, has a component side connector connected to the main body side connector, and outputs a control signal for controlling the gaming machine main body. A characteristic value detector that continuously detects a characteristic value indicating an electric characteristic of the passive element by applying a voltage to the element;
A replacement determination unit that determines whether or not the gaming machine part has been replaced based on a change in the characteristic value detected by the characteristic value detection unit ;
The main body side connector and the component side connector include a terminal electrically connected to the passive element and a terminal for transmitting the control signal . When component a game machine is judged by said replacement determination unit to have been exchanged, the case where the gaming machine main body is not in operation, said switching exchange information indicating that the gaming machine component is exchanged information holding unit An exchange information registration unit to register with
When component the game machine is determined by the exchange determination unit to have been replaced, when the game machine main body is operated, the notification for notifying that the component the gaming machine is replaced to the outside from the notification device The component replacement detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. When the gaming machine main body starts operating after the exchange information registration unit registers the exchange information in the exchange information holding unit, the notification control unit notifies that the gaming machine component has been replaced. The component replacement detection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the component replacement detection apparatus is configured to notify the outside from a device. The notification device is configured to notify that the gaming machine component has been replaced after a predetermined period has elapsed since the exchange information registration unit registered the exchange information in the exchange information holding unit. The component replacement detection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the component replacement detection apparatus is configured to notify the outside from the outside. The passive element is a power storage element,
5. The component replacement detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic value detection unit detects the characteristic value indicating a capacity of the power storage element. 6.   The characteristic value detection unit detects, as the characteristic value, a time until the voltage value at the one end changes from a first voltage value to a second voltage value when a constant voltage is applied to one end of the power storage element. The component replacement detection apparatus according to claim 5. The gaming machine body;
  The gaming machine parts and
  The component replacement detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A gaming machine comprising Replacement determination that determines whether or not a gaming machine component that is detachably connected to a main control board that controls the operation of the gaming machine body and outputs a control signal that controls the gaming machine body to the main control board has been replaced And
When component the game machine is determined by the exchange determination unit to have been exchanged, the case where the gaming machine main body is not in operation, said switching exchange information indicating that the gaming machine component is exchanged information holding unit An exchange information registration unit to register with
When component the game machine is determined by the exchange determination unit to have been replaced, when the game machine main body is operated, the notification for notifying that the component the gaming machine is replaced to the outside from the notification device A component replacement detection apparatus comprising a control unit. The component according to claim 8, wherein the gaming machine component includes a relay board to which a switch that is turned on or off according to a user operation or a sensor that detects a state generated according to a gaming operation of the gaming machine main body is connected. Exchange detection device. The gaming machine body;
The gaming machine parts;
Gaming machine and a component replacement detecting device according to claim 8 or 9.

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