JPWO2007129593A1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Security can be improved by monitoring the presence or absence of fraudulent behavior when the power is not supplied to the gaming machine. A door opening / closing detection sensor 60 which is a gaming machine in which a player can perform a predetermined game and detects an abnormal state including an illegal act on the machine body of the gaming machine in a state where power is not supplied to the gaming machine from the outside. And an active mode that operates in a sleep mode that saves power consumption without receiving a signal from the door open / close detection sensor 60 and that receives a signal for detecting an abnormal state, thereby consuming more power than the sleep mode. And a backup power source for supplying at least the power necessary for the operation of the control unit 54 in the sleep mode to store the abnormality information detected by the door opening / closing detection sensor 60 in the memory 58. 55.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine with improved security.

  Diagnosis of abnormalities in diagnostic parts of various electrical components when powering on the gaming machine, such as pachinko machines and slot machines, where a player can play a predetermined game There is one in which the result is stored in a storage unit and the stored diagnosis result is displayed on a display device (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, there is an apparatus in which an open / close detection sensor that detects opening / closing of the front door is provided between a housing that houses various electrical components and a front door that can be opened and closed in the housing (for example, Patent Document 2). reference).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-253311 JP 2003-24505 A

  However, in the gaming machine as described above, for example, during the transportation from the production factory that produces the gaming machine to the gaming machine or outside the business hours of the gaming machine, the power is not supplied to the gaming machine. Sometimes there is no way to confirm this even if the front door is opened illegally. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to confirm whether or not the front door is opened when the power of the gaming machine is turned off and the electric parts in the casing are fraudulent, and there is a problem in terms of security.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a gaming machine with improved security by enabling monitoring of the presence or absence of fraud at the time of power interruption when power is not supplied to the gaming machine. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine in which a player can perform a predetermined game, and the gaming machine body is in a state where no electric power is supplied to the gaming machine from the outside. An abnormal state detection sensor for detecting an abnormal state including an illegal act against the sensor, and a first state that saves power consumption in a state in which no signal is received from the abnormal state detection sensor and receiving a signal for detecting the abnormal state Required to operate the storage control means that operates in the second state, which consumes more power than the first state, and stores the abnormality information detected by the abnormal state detection sensor in the storage means. And a backup power supply for supplying at least the first power in the first state. With this configuration, when power is not supplied to the gaming machine, the presence or absence of fraud can be monitored when the power is turned off, so that security can be improved.
The storage control means operates in a first state that saves power consumption of the backup power supply in a state where no signal is received from the abnormal state detection sensor, and receives a signal for detecting an abnormal state. Monitor the state of the gaming machine while saving power consumption of the backup power source as much as possible in order to store in the storage means the abnormality information detected by the abnormal state detection sensor that operates in the second state that consumes more power than the state. Can do.

  In the present invention, the abnormality information stored in the storage unit by the storage control unit includes date and time information when the abnormal state detection sensor detects an abnormal state. With this configuration, it is possible to monitor the gaming machine for fraud based on the date and time information stored in the storage means by the storage control means.

  According to the present invention, the abnormal state detection sensor further includes a door opening / closing detection that detects opening / closing of a front door provided to be openable / closable in a housing housing electrical components of the gaming machine in a state where power is not supplied to the gaming machine. Includes sensors. With this configuration, it is possible to monitor the gaming machine for fraud when the gaming machine is powered off based on opening and closing of the front door.

  In the present invention, the storage control means further stores the date and time information when the door opening / closing detection sensor detects opening / closing of the front door in the storage means. With this configuration, it is possible to monitor the gaming machine for fraud based on the date and time when the front door was opened and closed.

  In the present invention, the storage control means operates by receiving power supply from the backup power source even in the second state. With this configuration, a single backup power source can be used.

  In the present invention, further, the storage control means receives a signal for detecting an abnormal state from the abnormal state detection sensor, operates in the second state and stores the abnormal information in the storage means, and then a predetermined time has elapsed. Return to the first state. With this configuration, the power consumption of the backup power supply can be further saved.

  According to the present invention, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to monitor the presence or absence of fraud at the time of power failure when the power of the gaming machine is not supplied, and security can be further improved.

1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the gaming machine with the front door opened. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a control circuit. It is a block diagram of the principal part in a control circuit. It is a time chart figure which shows operation timing. It is a display example displayed on a display screen.

Explanation of symbols

(1) Pachislot machines
(2) Housing
(2a) Rear plate
(3) Front door
(3a) saucer
(4) Main control board
(5) Sub control board
(6) Rotary reel unit
(7) Hopper unit
(8) Power supply
(9) Display device
(10) Relay board
(11) Speaker
(12) Medal selector
(13) Hook
(14) Fraud confirmation operation switch
(15) Game information display window
(16) Game information display operation switch
(17) Identification information display window
(18) Medal insertion part
(19) MAX bet button
(20) 1 bet button
(21) Start lever
(22) Stop button
(23) Checkout button
(24) Key cylinder
(25) Reset switch
(26) Medal detection sensor
(27) Lamp
(51) ROM
(52) CPU
(53) RAM
(54) Control unit (memory control means)
(55) Backup power supply
(56) Switching circuit
(56a) Multivibrator element
(56b) CR circuit
(57) Clock module
(58) Memory (memory means)
(60) Door open / close detection sensor (abnormal state detection sensor)
(61) Rotating reel
(62) Motor drive circuit
(91) Display screen

  1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine (slot machine) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine with a front door opened, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are examples of a control circuit. FIG. 5 is a time chart, and FIG. 6 is a display example of unauthorized information displayed on the display device. In the following description, the lower left diagonal in FIGS. 1 and 2 is referred to as “front”, and the upper right diagonal in FIGS.

  A slot machine as a gaming machine (1) has a front-facing rectangular housing (2) and a pair of upper and lower hinge shafts (not shown) facing the top and bottom on the left side of the housing (2). And a front door (3) pivotally supported to be opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the housing (2), there are a main control board (4) for overall control of the game, a sub control board (5) capable of outputting information related to the game and production information, etc. Rotating reel unit (6) capable of variably displaying and stopping display of identification information composed of types of symbols, numbers, etc., hopper unit (7) capable of storing and paying out medal as game media, and gaming machine (1) The electric parts related to the game such as a power supply device (8) for supplying electric power to various electric parts are accommodated.

  A door opening / closing detection sensor (60) serving as an abnormal state detection sensor capable of detecting opening / closing of the front door (3) is disposed at a position facing the front door (3) in the housing (2). The opening and closing signals of the front door (3) detected by the door opening / closing detection sensor (60) are transmitted to the sub-control board (5). The door opening / closing detection sensor (60) for detecting opening / closing of the front door (3) is preferably a mechanical limit switch having a function of opening / closing an electric circuit by a mechanical operation.

  The main control board (4) is fixed to the rear plate (2a) in the housing (2) while being housed in a transparent board box to prevent unauthorized modification or replacement. The sealed portion cannot be taken out from the substrate box unless it is destroyed.

  The rotary reel unit (6) includes three left, middle, and right rotary reels (61) having identification information printed or pasted on the outer peripheral surface, and a motor drive circuit (62). The motor drive circuit (62) controls the rotation and stop of each rotary reel (61) based on the control command transmitted by the main control board (4).

  On the back side of the front door (3), a display device (9) having a liquid crystal display screen (91) capable of displaying information related to the game, production information, etc., and a control signal output by the sub-control board (5) are displayed. The relay board (10) for relaying, the left and right speakers (11) for generating sound effects, and the authenticity of medals inserted into the medal insertion part (18) described later are discriminated, and only the true medals are found in the hopper unit (7). A medal selector (12) for guiding to is provided.

  On the open side (right side) around the back side of the front door (3), a lower hook (13) is pivotally supported so that it can be engaged and disengaged at an appropriate position on the housing (2) side. The hook (13) restrains the front door (3) in a closed state by engaging with a proper position of the housing (2).

  The relay board (10) is provided with a fraud confirmation operation switch (14) that is operated when the opening / closing information of the front door (3) detected by the door opening / closing detection sensor (60) is displayed on the display screen (91). It has been. The fraud confirmation operation switch (14) can be operated only when the front door (3) is opened using a key possessed by an attendant of the game store, and the player cannot operate it.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface of the front door (3), information related to the game displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9), production information, opening / closing information of the front door (3), etc. A game information display window (15) that can be seen through, a game information display operation switch (16) that is operated when game history data related to the gaming machine (1) is displayed on the display screen (91), and each rotary reel (61 An identification information display window (17) through which three pieces of identification information can be seen through, and a lamp (27) for effecting a game light are provided.

  Below the identification information display window (17), a medal insertion part (18) into which medals are inserted when the game is started, and a MAX bet button (19) for setting the number of medals to the maximum (three). , 1 bet button (20) to set the bet number of medals to one, start lever (21) operated when rotating all the rotating reels (61) simultaneously, rotation of each rotating reel (61) Three stop buttons (22) that are operated when stopping individually, a checkout button (23) that is operated when paying out a game, and a key cylinder that can be operated with keys held by a game store staff ( 24) etc. are provided.

  When the key cylinder (24) is operated clockwise by the key, the front door (3) can be opened by releasing the hook (13). When the key cylinder (24) is operated counterclockwise with the key, the reset switch (25) provided on the back side of the front door (3) detects the key operation and The error can be canceled.

  The MAX bet button (19), 1 bet button (20), start lever (21), each stop button (22) and checkout button (23) have built-in sensors for detecting their respective operations. Yes.

  Next, the gaming method of the gaming machine (1) will be briefly described. After the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion part (18) and sets the bet number of the game by operating the MAX bet button (19) (or 1 bet button (20)), the start lever (21) is pushed. Operate and rotate the rotating reels (61) all at once. Then, after a predetermined time elapses, each stop button (22) corresponding to each rotary reel (61) is sequentially operated to stop each rotary reel (61).

  The combination of left, middle, and right identification information displayed on the active line in the identification information display window (17) when each rotating reel (61) is stopped determines whether or not there is a prize and the size of the prize Then, the number of medals according to the winning mode is paid out from the hopper unit (7) to the tray (3a) provided at the lower part of the front door (3). And when it becomes a specific game state among winnings, a predetermined sound effect is generated from the speaker (11), or game information and effects related to the specific game state are displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9). Etc. are displayed to enhance the production effect.

Next, control according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The main control board (4) has a control unit configured as an integrated one-chip CPU together with a ROM that stores a control program and data and a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, and is controlled by the control program stored in the ROM. A series of control processing is executed.

  In the ROM on the main control board (4), a basic program related to the game of the gaming machine (1) is stored, and a data table such as the winning probability of each winning and the number of medals to be paid out are written. Yes. The CPU performs game control, for example, control of rotation and stop of the rotating reel (61) in the rotating unit (6) in accordance with the ROM program.

  The input interface of the main control board (4) includes MAX bet button (19), 1 bet button (20), start lever (21), stop button (22), checkout button (23), reset switch (25), A hopper unit (7), a medal detection sensor (26) for detecting a medal that has passed the medal selector (12), and the like are connected.

  To the output interface of the main control board (4), the motor drive circuit (not shown in FIG. 3) of the rotary reel unit (6) and the sub control board (5) are connected.

  When the start signal of the start lever (21) is input, the control unit of the main control board (4) draws a lottery based on the numerical data update data, and gives a control command based on the lottery result to the rotary reel unit. It transmits to the motor drive circuit (62) of (6), controls the motor of each rotary reel (61) individually, and transmits an effect command to the sub-control board (5).

  The input interface of the sub control board (5) includes the output interface of the main control board (4), the fraud confirmation operation switch (14), the game information display operation switch (16), and the door open / close detection sensor (60). Similarly, the display device (9), the speaker (11), and the lamp (27) are connected to the output interface via the relay board (10).

  The sub-control board (5) is based on a control command transmitted by the main control board (4) when the power of the power supply device (8) is supplied to the gaming machine (1) (for example, during operation of the game shop). Depending on the gaming situation of the gaming machine (1), characters, images, etc. are displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9), the lamp (27) is lit on, and the speaker (11) is sounded. , Output music, etc. to produce effects.

  The sub-control board (5) has a storage control means configured as an integrated one-chip CPU together with a ROM (51) storing a control program and data and a RAM (53) functioning as a work area for the CPU (52). A control unit (54), a backup power source (55), a switching circuit (56), a clock module (57), and a memory (a memory means for storing opening / closing information (abnormal information) of the front door (3)) 58) etc. are provided (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the memory (58) can be a DRAM (dynamic random access memory (memory that can be written and read at any time)) that can be stored by the backup power supply (55) even when the power is turned off. However, in order to reduce the power consumption of the backup power supply (55), it is preferable to use a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as SRAM (static random access memory) or flash memory that requires power only during operation. . The memory (58) may be provided in the RAM (53) in the CPU (52).

  When the power of the gaming machine (1) is cut off, for example, during the period when the gaming machine (1) is transported from the factory to the gaming shop or outside the business hours of the gaming shop, the control unit (54 ), The switching circuit (56), the timepiece module (57), the memory (58), and the door open / close detection sensor (60) are supplied with power from the backup power supply (55). Of course, the same applies when an unexpected power failure occurs.

  The switching circuit (56) includes a multivibrator element (56a) and a CR circuit (56b). When the gaming machine (1) is powered off, the switching circuit (56) is in an off state in a steady state, and a door open / close detection sensor (60) When the output signal is switched from the open signal to the closed signal or vice versa, the activation signal (output pulse) is output for a predetermined time (T1) (for example, several μsec), and then returns to the steady state.

  In the steady state, the control unit (54) is in the sleep mode that forms the first state. In this sleep mode, the CPU (52) of the control unit (54) generates an abnormal state of the device such as opening / closing of the front door (3) to save power consumption of the backup power supply (55). It is driven in a state where it is lowered to a value (for example, about 30 KHz) that can obtain the minimum power consumption required to restart at times. The CPU (52) considers that an abnormal state of the device has occurred and restarts when the door open / close detection sensor (60) outputs an open signal or a close signal, that is, when the switching circuit (56) outputs a start signal. It starts and switches from the sleep mode to the active mode in the second state. In the active mode, the CPU (52) is driven in a state where the clock frequency is raised to a value (for example, about 20 MHz) that can obtain the power consumption necessary for recording information relating to the abnormal state. The control unit (54) drives the CPU (52) in the active mode, and stores the date / time information when the door open / close detection sensor (60) detects the opening or closing of the front door (3) in the memory (58 ) To be stored. The CPU (52) is driven in the active mode for a time (T2) (for example, several milliseconds) required for this recording operation, and then returns to the sleep mode again. The power consumed by the CPU (52) during the time (T2) driven in the active mode is supplied from the same back power supply (55) as in the sleep mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the opening of the front door (3), and an open signal (for example, a HIGH signal) is input to the switching circuit (56). When the CR circuit (56b) is discharged, the multivibrator (56a) outputs a start signal for a predetermined time (T1). When the activation signal is output from the switching circuit (54), the control unit (54) switches from the sleep mode to the active mode, operates for a predetermined time (T2), and the abnormal state detection sensor (60) The date and time when the opening of the door (3) is detected is read from the clock module (59), written and stored in the memory (58), and then the mode returns to the sleep mode.

  After detecting the opening of the front door (3), the time until the closing of the front door (3) is detected is at least several seconds, usually several minutes to several tens, in the case of occurrence of an abnormality based on a normally assumed fraud. It takes about a minute, and is much longer than the operation time described above when the control unit (54) switches to the active mode. Therefore, after a lapse of several seconds to several tens of minutes after the detection of the opening of the front door (3), the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the closing of the front door (3), and the closing signal (for example, When the LOW signal is input to the switching circuit 56, the control unit 54 switches to the active mode again from the sleep mode again in the same manner as when the open signal is input. (T2) Operates, reads the date and time when the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the closing of the front door (3) from the clock module (59), writes it in the memory (58), and stores it in the memory. Return to mode.

  As a result, the time for consuming a large amount of power of the backup power supply (55) is only a short predetermined time (T2) necessary for the control unit (54) to store the open / close information in the memory (58). Power consumption of the backup power source (55) can be saved, and unauthorized opening / closing of the front door (3) when the power of the gaming machine (1) is cut off can be monitored over a long period of time. Even when the front door (3) is open for a long time when the power is cut off, the control unit (54) operates only for a predetermined time (T2), so the power consumption of the backup power supply (55) is minimized. be able to. As a result, the capacity of the backup power supply (55) can be reduced, and security can be improved with an inexpensive and small backup power supply (55).

  The information stored in the memory (58) is displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9) by operating the fraud confirmation operation switch (14) when power is supplied to the gaming machine (1). Furthermore, the opening / closing information of the front door (3) detected by the abnormal state detection sensor (60), for example, the date, time, open or closed can be displayed in time series as shown in FIG.

  Is the gaming machine (1) whose opening / closing information of the front door (3) is displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9) judged to be fraudulent and is checked carefully? Or replaced with a new gaming machine.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the following various modifications and changes can be made to the present embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.
(I) The gaming machine (1) is a pachinko machine in which the gaming medium is a pachinko ball, a slot machine, and other gaming machines, instead of a slot machine in which the gaming medium is a medal (including coins).
(Ii) The door open / close detection sensor (60) is a photoelectric non-contact type sensor instead of a mechanical limit switch.
(Iii) The abnormal state detection sensor detects another abnormal state instead of or in addition to the door opening / closing detection sensor (60) that detects opening / closing of the front door (3). Other abnormal states include abnormal tilt and vibration of the gaming machine (1) caused by the removal / removal of the board box containing the main control board (4), the movement of the gaming machine (1), and the inside of the housing (2). Detection of abnormal pressure load due to insertion of unauthorized tools, etc.

[0009]
Outside of the shop's business hours, etc., the sub-control board (5) includes a control unit (54), a switching circuit (56), a clock module (57), a memory (58), and a door open / close detection sensor (60). The power of the backup power supply (55) is supplied. Of course, the same applies when an unexpected power failure occurs.
[0039]
The switching circuit (56) includes a multivibrator element (56a) and a CR circuit (56b). When the gaming machine (1) is powered off, the switching circuit (56) is in an off state in a steady state, and the door opening / closing detection sensor (60). When the output signal is switched from the open signal to the closed signal or vice versa, the activation signal (output pulse) is output for a predetermined time (T1) (for example, several μsec), and then returns to the steady state.
[0040]
In the steady state, the control unit (54) is in the sleep mode that forms the first state. In this sleep mode, the CPU (52) of the control unit (54) generates an abnormal state of the device such as opening / closing of the front door (3) in order to save power consumption of the backup power supply (55). It is driven in a state where it is lowered to a value (for example, about 30 KHz) that can obtain the minimum power consumption required to restart at times. The CPU (52) considers that an abnormal state of the device has occurred and restarts when the door open / close detection sensor (60) outputs an open signal or a close signal, that is, when the switching circuit (56) outputs a start signal. It starts and switches from the sleep mode to the active mode in the second state. In the active mode, the CPU (52) is driven in a state where the clock frequency is increased to a value (for example, about 20 MHz) at which power consumption necessary for recording information related to the abnormal state can be obtained. Then, the control unit (54) drives the CPU (52) in the active mode, and stores the date / time information when the door open / close detection sensor (60) detects the opening or closing of the front door (3) in the memory (58). ) To be stored. The CPU (52) is driven in the active mode for a time (T2) (for example, several msec) required for this recording operation, and then returns to the sleep mode again. The power CPU (52) is consumed during the active mode driven time (T2) is supplied from the same back-up power source as in the sleep mode (55).
[0041]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the opening of the front door (3), and an open signal (for example, a HIGH signal) is input to the switching circuit (56). When the CR circuit (56b) is discharged, the multivibrator (56a) outputs a start signal for a predetermined time (T1). The control unit (54) is triggered by the output of the start signal from the switching circuit (56).

[0010]
It switches from the loop mode to the active mode, operates for a predetermined time (T2), reads the date and time when the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the opening of the front door (3 ) from the clock module (57), and stores the memory (58 ) And then stored, and then returns to sleep mode again.
[0042]
After detecting the opening of the front door (3), the time until the closing of the front door (3) is detected is at least several seconds, usually several minutes to several tens in the case of occurrence of an abnormality based on a normally assumed fraud. It takes about a minute, and is much longer than the operation time described above when the control unit (54) switches to the active mode. Therefore, after detection of the opening of the front door (3), after a lapse of several seconds to several tens of minutes, the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the closing of the front door (3), and the closing signal (for example, When the LOW signal is input to the switching circuit 56, the control unit 54 switches to the active mode again from the sleep mode in the same manner as when the open signal is input. (T2) Operates, reads the date and time when the abnormal state detection sensor (60) detects the closing of the front door (3) from the timepiece module (59), writes it in the memory (58), and stores it in the memory. Return to mode.
[0043]
As a result, the time for consuming a large amount of power of the backup power supply (55) is only a short predetermined time (T2) necessary for the control unit (54) to store the open / close information in the memory (58). Power consumption of the backup power supply (55) can be saved, and unauthorized opening / closing of the front door (3) when the power of the gaming machine (1) is cut off can be monitored over a long period of time. In addition, even when the front door (3) is opened for a long time when the power is cut off, the operation of the control unit (54) is only for a predetermined time (T2), so the power consumption of the backup power supply (55) is minimized. be able to. As a result, the capacity of the backup power source (55) can be reduced, and security can be improved with an inexpensive and small backup power source (55).
[0044]
The information stored in the memory (58) is displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9) by operating the fraud confirmation operation switch (14) when power is supplied to the gaming machine (1). In addition, the opening / closing information of the front door (3) detected by the abnormal state detection sensor (60), for example, the date, time, open or closed can be displayed in time series as shown in FIG.
[0045]
Is the gaming machine (1) in which the opening / closing information of the front door (3) is displayed on the display screen (91) of the display device (9) determined that there is a possibility of fraud and is carefully checked? Or replaced with a new gaming machine.

Claims (6)

A gaming machine in which a player can play a predetermined game,
An abnormal state detection sensor for detecting an abnormal state including an illegal act on the machine body of the gaming machine in a state where power is not supplied to the gaming machine from the outside;
It operates in a first state that saves power consumption in a state where it does not receive a signal from the abnormal state detection sensor, and receives a signal for detecting an abnormal state, so that the second power consumption is higher than that in the first state. A storage control unit that operates in a state and stores the abnormality information detected by the abnormal state detection sensor in a storage unit;
A gaming machine comprising: a backup power supply for supplying at least the power necessary for the storage control means to operate in the first state.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality information stored in the storage unit by the storage control unit includes date and time information when the abnormal state detection sensor detects an abnormal state.   The abnormal state detection sensor includes a door opening / closing detection sensor that detects opening / closing of a front door that can be opened / closed in a housing that houses electrical components of the gaming machine in a state where electric power is not supplied to the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the storage control means causes the storage means to store date and time information when the door opening / closing detection sensor detects opening / closing of the front door.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage control unit operates by receiving power supply from the backup power source even in the second state.   The storage control unit receives a signal for detecting an abnormal state from the abnormal state detection sensor, operates in the second state, stores abnormal information in the storage unit, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gaming machine returns to the first state.

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