JP3634738B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a swivel type gaming machine, an arrangement ball machine, or a sparrow ball gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine having no periodicity in the occurrence timing of a big hit state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine is provided with a symbol starting means provided on the game board, a symbol display means for stopping a plurality of symbols after being changed for a predetermined time, a big winning means for driving the opening and closing plate, etc. Configured. Then, on condition that the symbol starting means detects the game ball, the symbol display means fluctuates the display symbol for a predetermined time, and then, when the special symbol that becomes the big hit state is aligned and stopped, the big winning means functions. Profits that are advantageous to the player are generated.
[0003]
In this type of gaming machine, when the jackpot probability is 1 / N (for example, N = 300), the lottery random numbers from 0 to 299 are updated at a constant cycle by the jackpot counter, and 300 pieces One of the random numbers for lottery is set as the big hit winning value Hit. When the symbol starting means detects the game ball, the count value of the jackpot counter RND is extracted as a random number for lottery, and when the lottery random value matches the jackpot winning value Hit, the symbol display means stops after the change It is controlled so that special symbols are aligned in the state.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a normal gaming machine, the main program processing is repeated every certain execution cycle T (for example, 2 msec), and the value of the random number counter is normally updated by increment (+1) processing every execution cycle T of the main program. Has been. In such a gaming machine, a big hit timing will be introduced every T × N (= 0.6 seconds), and since this state continues for a certain time T (= 2 msec), the symbol starts at this timing. If the game ball is detected by the means, the big hit state can always be realized.
[0005]
Here, since the execution cycle T of the main program can be grasped by obtaining and analyzing the gaming machine, if the jackpot timing of the machine is detected only once during the actual game, then the time of T × N There is a possibility that a jackpot due to a malfunction of the symbol starting means may occur due to a fraudulent action such as radiating a strong electromagnetic wave at intervals, and there is a problem that it is easily targeted by a fraudulent player.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can eliminate illegal gaming activities even when the update cycle of a random number counter is known. To do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: Switch signal input processing for reading switch signals from various switches including a winning detection sensor, special symbol processing for determining whether or not a big hit state is made according to the value of the big hit counter RND, and a control command to the transmission destination control board Including output processing to output, It is executed by a main processing unit that is repeatedly executed in an infinite loop, and a periodic interruption every predetermined time (τ) during the execution of the main processing. Regardless of the operating state of the gaming machine, the big hit counter RND is updated at regular intervals. A gaming machine that determines whether or not to generate a state advantageous to the player based on a value of a main counter (RND) updated by the interrupt processing unit, Prior to the endless loop processing, the main processing unit determines the ON / OFF state of the initialization switch, and if it is OFF, restores the data backed up by NMI processing during a power failure, etc. If so, erase all game information stored in the memory, and in the interrupt processing unit, A rule change process (S34, S35) for changing the update rule of the main counter when a predetermined condition is satisfied is provided, and a reference value update process (S11) for updating a reference value related to the update rule is provided in the main processing unit. Provided.
[0008]
The operation of the main counter in the present invention is not particularly limited, but typically, an operation that regularly increases / decreases within a certain numerical range is applicable. Also, the reference value is not particularly limited, but is typically an initial value when the main counter makes one round operation. In this case, every time the main counter circulates the counter range (MAX1) once or a plurality of times. It is preferable to change the initial value.
[0009]
In any case, in the present invention, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, a reference value update process for changing the reference value of the main counter and updating the reference value is also provided. Even if the counter update cycle leaks to an unauthorized player, the generated random number sequence is not regular, so there is no risk of being damaged by an unauthorized game.
[0010]
The specific content of the reference value update process is not particularly limited, but is simply realized by updating the sub-counter. The gaming machine includes a game control unit having a CPU for controlling a game operation based on a control program, and the game control unit is configured by a circuit board that is different for each function of the game operation to be realized. This is effective in preventing illegal games.
[0011]
The gaming machine according to the present invention refers to the value of the main counter on the condition that the game ball has passed a predetermined area or won a predetermined winning means, and determines whether or not to generate a state advantageous to the player Typical cases include a pachinko machine that performs a game, and a slot machine that determines whether or not a state advantageous to the player is generated by referring to the value of the main counter on the condition of an external operation by the player. It is.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a card-type ball game machine which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the pachinko machine 2.
[0013]
The pachinko machine 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 3 that is detachably mounted on the island structure and a hinge H that is fixed to the outer frame 3 before being pivotably mounted. It consists of a frame 4. A plurality of pachinko machines 2 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the card-type ball lending machine 1.
[0014]
A game board 5 is detachably attached from the back side to the front frame 4 pivotally attached to the outer frame 3 via a hinge H, and a glass door 6 having a window portion and a front side corresponding to the front side of the game board 5. A face plate 7 is pivotally attached to each other so as to be freely opened and closed. The front plate 7 is provided with an upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launching, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing or extracted from the upper plate 8 and launching means 10 at the lower part of the front frame 4. And a firing handle 11 are provided.
[0015]
The launching means 10 includes a launching handle 11 that can be rotated, and a launching motor that launches a game ball with a striking rod 12 (FIG. 4) with a striking force corresponding to the pivoting angle of the launching handle 11. . On the right side of the upper plate 8, there is provided an operation panel 13 for a ball lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine 1, and on this operation panel 13, a card remaining amount display portion 13a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a 3-digit number. And a ball lending switch 13b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount, and a return switch 13c for instructing to return the card at the end of the game.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 15 made of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in a substantially annular shape, and a color liquid crystal is provided in the game area 5 a inside the guide rail 15. Display 16, symbol starting means (symbol starting and winning means) 17, open / close type winning means (large winning means) 18, a plurality of normal winning means 19 (in addition to the upper normal winning means 19, both the left and right sides of the opening / closing type winning means 18 Six normal winning means 19) and two gates 20 (passage openings) are arranged at predetermined positions.
[0017]
The liquid crystal display 16 functions as a first symbol display means 22 that displays a changing symbol and also displays a background image, moving images of various characters, and the like. The first symbol display means 22 displays background images and characters in an animated manner, and has three (left, middle, and right) symbol display portions 22a to 22c arranged in the left-right direction. On the condition that the ball wins, the display symbols of the symbol display units 22a to 22c are variably displayed (scrolled) for a predetermined time, and based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol starting means 17. Stop at the determined stop symbol pattern.
[0018]
A normal winning means 19 and a second symbol display means 23 are provided immediately above the liquid crystal display 16. The second symbol display means 23 has a normal symbol display unit for displaying one normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate 20 is detected, the display symbol of the normal symbol display unit fluctuates for a predetermined time, A stop symbol determined by a random number for lottery drawn at the time the game ball passes through the gate 20 is displayed and stopped. The symbol starting means 17 is an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 17a that can be opened and closed. When the stop symbol after the change of the second symbol display means 23 hits and the symbol is displayed, the opening and closing claws 17a It is easy to win a prize by opening for a predetermined time.
[0019]
The open / close-type winning means 18 includes an opening / closing plate 18a that can be opened forward, and when the stop symbol after the fluctuation of the first symbol display means 22 is a winning symbol such as “777”, a special game called “big hit” is started. The opening / closing plate 18a is opened to the front side. There is a specific area 18b inside the openable winning means 18, and when the winning ball passes through the specific area 18b, the special game is continued. Here, the special game state corresponds to a state advantageous to the player.
[0020]
After the opening / closing plate 18a of the open / close winning means 18 is opened, when a predetermined time elapses, or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of gaming balls wins and the opening / closing plate 18a is closed, the gaming ball is in the specific area 18b. If the game has not passed, the special game ends. However, if the game passes the specific area 18b, the special game is continued up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times), and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, on the back side of the front frame 4, a back mechanism plate 30 that presses the game board 5 from the back side is detachably mounted. The back mechanism plate 30 has an opening 30a formed on the top side thereof. A prize ball tank 33 and a tank rail 34 extending from the prize ball tank 33 are provided. Dispensing means 35 connected to the tank rail 34 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 30. A passage unit 36 connected to 35 is provided. The game balls paid out from the payout means 35 are paid out to the upper plate 8 from the upper plate discharge port 8a (FIG. 1) via the passage unit 36.
[0022]
The opening 30a of the back mechanism plate 30 is fitted with a back cover 37 mounted on the back side of the game board 5 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the winning game balls to the winning means 17-19. Are combined. A main control board 39 is disposed inside a case 38 attached to the back cover 37, and a symbol control board 40 is disposed on the front side thereof (FIG. 2). Below the main control board 39, a lamp control board 42 is provided in a case 41a attached to the back cover 37, and a sound control board 43 is provided in a case 41b adjacent to the case 41a.
[0023]
A power supply board 45 and a payout control board 46 are provided inside the case 44 mounted on the back mechanism plate 30 below the cases 41a and 41b. As shown in FIG. 3, a power switch 80 and an initialization switch 85 are arranged on the power board 45. Cases 44 are notched at portions corresponding to these switches 80 and 85, and each of the switches 80 and 85 can be operated simultaneously with a finger.
[0024]
A launch control board 48 is provided inside the case 47 attached to the rear side of the launch means 10. These control boards 39 to 40, 42 to 43, 45 to 46, and 48 are independent boards, and the control boards 39, 40, 42, 43, and 46 excluding the power supply board 45 and the launch control board 48 are connected to the CPU. A computer circuit including a ROM, a RAM, and the like is mounted, and the main control board 39 and the other control boards 40, 42, 43, 46 are electrically connected via a connector with a plurality of signal lines. .
[0025]
The main control board 39 and the other control boards 40, 42, 43, 46 are electrically connected via a connector with a plurality of signal lines, and each control board 40, 42, 43, 46 is connected from the main control board 39. In addition, various control commands for executing a predetermined game operation can be transmitted by one-way communication. By adopting the one-way communication of the control command, it is possible to reliably prevent fraud related to the symbol stop, to remarkably reduce the control load on the main control board 39, and to simplify the transmission control.
[0026]
5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating the characteristic portions of the game control program stored in the main control board 39. FIG. In this game control program, a game operation is realized by a main process program (FIG. 5) executed in an infinite loop and an interrupt process program (FIG. 6 (a)) executed by a timer interrupt every predetermined time τ. ing. The interrupt processing program updates the big hit counter RND and the hit counter CT at regular intervals regardless of the operating state of the gaming machine. On the other hand, in the main processing program, in addition to the lottery processing for the normal symbol and the special symbol, the interrupt processing program performs counter processing for changing the initial value of the jackpot counter RND.
[0027]
Hereinafter, the main processing program will be generally described with reference to FIG. At the start of business, when the power switch 80 is switched on while pressing the initialization switch 85 with the front frame 4 of the pachinko machine 2 opened forward, the DC voltage is changed to the control boards 39-40, 42- Simultaneously with being supplied to 43 and 46, a system reset signal is supplied to each control board.
[0028]
As a result, the game control by the main control board 39 is started, and the control operation is also started in each of the control boards 40, 42, 43, and 46. When the game control is executed and the initialization switch 85 is in an ON state by a pressing operation (Sl: Yes), an initial setting process for initializing each memory and register of the CPU is first executed (S2). Next, all the game information stored and retained by the backup power source in the RAM work area and information memory of the integrated circuit is erased (S3), and an initial symbol to be displayed on the first symbol display means 22 is set, Various initial value setting processes such as setting an interrupt cycle for periodically executing an interrupt process during the execution of the game control are executed (S4).
[0029]
As a result, even when the main power supply is turned off while the probability variation mode is set, the information on the setting state of the probability variation mode is stored and held in the RAM of the control board when the store is closed on the previous day. Since all the game information is surely erased and initialized, a game executed after the main power is turned on can be started under fair game conditions.
[0030]
On the other hand, when the initialization switch 85 is in the OFF state when the power is turned on (Sl: No), a backup data restoration process is performed (S5). The backup data restoration process is a process for restoring the data backed up by the NMI process in the event of a power failure or the like, and this processing is performed when the power is turned on without pressing the initialization switch 85 after the power failure is restored.
[0031]
After the process of step S4 or S5, an infinite loop process (S6 to S11) is started. First, a switch signal input process for reading switch signals from various switches including the winning detection sensor is executed. (S6). By this switch signal input processing, various information on the game board 5 including whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 20 and whether or not the game ball has passed through the electric tulip of the symbol starting means 17 is grasped.
[0032]
Then, the normal symbol process regarding the normal symbol display part of the 2nd symbol display means 23 is performed (S7). For example, if it is determined that the game ball has passed through the gate 20 by this switch signal input processing (S6), the value of the winning counter CT updated in the interrupt processing program is extracted, and the winning counter In accordance with the value of CT, it is determined whether or not a normal symbol display unit 23 displays a symbol. Then, when the winning state is achieved by this determination process, the time for displaying the normal symbol variably, the subsequent stop symbol, the subsequent open time of the electric tulip, etc. are determined, and numerical values corresponding to the variable display time, the open time, etc. Are stored in the RAM work area tulip.
[0033]
For the sake of convenience, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the time for variably displaying a normal symbol is always 50.902 seconds, and the opening time of the electric tulips is always 0.35 seconds. In the case of this simplified example, the work area tulip has a numerical value 25626 [= (50.902 + 0.35) × 1000/2 in correspondence with the interrupt processing operation interval τ (= 2 msec). ] Is stored as a timer initial value. The numerical value of this work area tulip is decremented every 2 msec by an interrupt process, and by the process of step S10 described later, (1) if the numerical value range is 25626 to 176, the opening / closing claw 17a is closed, (2) the numerical value range is 175 Each operation of opening the opening / closing claw 17a if it is ˜1 and closing the opening / closing claw 17a when the numerical value reaches 0 is realized.
[0034]
Then, the process regarding a special symbol is performed (S8). For example, if it is determined by the current switch signal input process (S6) that the game ball has passed the electric tulip, the value of the jackpot counter RND updated in the interrupt processing program is extracted, and the jackpot counter is extracted. Whether or not a big hit state is determined according to the value of RND. If it is a big hit state, a symbol control command for causing the first symbol display means 22 to variably display the special symbol is output to the symbol control board 40, and after the variation of the special symbol is stopped, the opening / closing plate 18a is opened. The time data indicating how much time is released is written in the work area attack.
[0035]
For example, if the change display time of the special symbol is t1 (seconds) and the opening time of the opening / closing plate 18a is t2 (seconds), the timer initial value Dtime is set in the work area attack corresponding to the operation interval of 2 msec. [= (T1 + t2) × 1000/2] is stored, and the numerical value of the work area attack is decremented every 2 msec by interrupt processing.
[0036]
Next, when there is a control command to be output to the payout control board 46, the sound control board 43, and the lamp control board 42, an output process for outputting the control command to be output to the destination control board is executed. (S9).
[0037]
Subsequently, a drive signal output process of outputting a drive signal to a solenoid that opens and closes the opening / closing claw 17a and the opening / closing plate 18a is executed (S10). In the drive signal output process (S10), the contents of the work areas tulip and attack initialized in the processes of steps S7 and S8 are referred to, and when the values of the work areas tulip and attack are smaller than a specific value, the solenoid is turned on. Then, the opening / closing claw 17a and the opening / closing plate 18a are opened, and when the numerical values of the work areas tulip and attack reach 0, the solenoid is driven OFF to close the opening / closing claw 17a and the opening / closing plate 18a. Note that the numerical values of the work areas tulip and attack are both 0 before the timer initial value is set in steps S7 and S8.
[0038]
Finally, the initial value changing counter CHG is updated (S11), the process returns to step S6, and the processes of steps S6 to S11 are repeated in an infinite loop. The updating process of the initial value changing counter CHG in step S11 is as shown in FIG. First, the value of the initial value changing counter CHG is incremented (S40), and it is compared whether or not the numerical value range MAX2 (for example, 300) of the initial value changing counter CHG is exceeded (S41).
[0039]
When the value of the initial value changing counter CHG matches 300, the value of the initial value changing counter CHG is rewritten to 0 (S42), and the subroutine processing is terminated. If a timer interrupt occurs during this subroutine processing (S40 to S42), for example, an interrupt occurs at the timing of CHG = MAX2, and the initial value Start of the jackpot counter is rewritten to MAX2. 6 (S34 in FIG. 6) also causes program runaway. Therefore, it is desirable to set the CPU to the interrupt disabled state during the processing of steps S40 to S42.
[0040]
By the way, when the game control main program is repeatedly executed, an interrupt signal is input to the interrupt port of the CPU every time the predetermined time τ (= 2 msec) elapses, and an interrupt whose contents are the main part of FIG. A processing program is executed. In the interrupt processing program, first, the value of the big hit counter RND is updated (S20).
[0041]
FIG. 6B illustrates the specific contents of the big hit counter RND update process (S20). In this example, the jackpot probability is 1/300, and the jackpot counter RND is assumed to be cyclically incremented in the numerical range 300 between 0 and 299. As shown in FIG. 6B, first, the value of the big hit counter RND is incremented (S30), and it is compared whether or not the numerical range MAX1 (= 300) of the big hit counter RND is exceeded (S31). When the value of the jackpot counter RND matches MAX1 = 300, the value of the jackpot counter RND is rewritten to 0 (S32).
[0042]
Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the big hit counter RND matches the initial value Start of the current circulation operation (S33). Here, if the value of the big hit counter RND coincides with the initial value Start of the current cyclic operation, it means that the round operation of the counter has been completed. Therefore, the value of the initial value changing counter CHG is substituted, the initial value Start of the subsequent circulation operation is reset (S34), and the value of the big hit counter RND is rewritten to a new initial value Start (S35).
[0043]
For example, if the initial value Start at power-on is 0, the big hit counter RND goes round the numerical range (MAX1) as 0 → 1 → 2... 298 → 299. Through the processing, the initial value Start of the subsequent circulation operation is changed based on the value of the initial value changing counter CHG at that time. The value of the initial value changing counter CHG is sequentially updated in the main program unit (S11). For example, if it is 48, the value of the big hit counter RND is changed to 0 (S32) and rewritten to 48. (S35). From then on, the big hit counter RND makes a round of the numerical value range (MAX1) while being incremented in the order of 48 → 49 →... 299 → 0 → 1 →.
[0044]
When the big hit counter RND update process (S20) is completed as described above, the hit counter CT is updated (S21). The processing contents are the same as those in steps S30 to S32. After the value of the winning counter CT is incremented, the value of the winning counter CT is returned to 0 when the numerical range of the winning counter CT is exceeded.
[0045]
Subsequently, the contents of the work area attack (attack address) are read, and if the value is not 0, the decrement process (-1) is performed and written to the same attack address. Similarly, the contents of the work area tulip (tulip address) are read, and if the value is not 0, the decrement processing is performed and written to the same tulip address. These values attack and tulip are referred to in step S10 of the main program, and the electric tulip and the opening / closing plate are controlled to open and close.
[0046]
In the description of this embodiment, the numerical range of the big hit counter RND and the initial value changing counter CHG is MAX1 = MAX2, but is not particularly limited to this, and it is sufficient if MAX2 ≦ MAX1. In the case of MAX2 <MAX1, the numerical value that can be taken as the initial value Start of the big hit counter RND is limited to a part of 0 to 299, but no particular problem occurs. On the other hand, in the case of MAX2 = MAX1, the numerical value that can be taken as the initial value Start of the big hit counter RND reaches the whole range of 0 to 299, and the irregularity is further increased.
[0047]
As described above, in this embodiment, the jackpot counter RND is incremented every interrupt time (2 msec), and the jackpot probability is 1/300, so that 2 msec for 2 m × 300 = 0.6 sec. There is a period in which the value of the jackpot counter RND matches the jackpot winning value Hit. However, in this embodiment, every time the big hit counter RND makes a round of the numerical value range, the initial value Start of the next cyclic operation is changed, so that the big hit timing occurs every 0.6 seconds. There is no.
[0048]
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, the content demonstrated concretely does not specifically limit this invention. That is, the update rule of the main counter is not necessarily limited to the increment process, and the update rule change process is not limited to the process of changing the initial value in the counter circulation operation.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that can eliminate fraudulent gaming acts even when the update cycle of the random number counter is known.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine that is one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a game board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main processing program showing operation contents of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an interrupt processing program.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of FIG. 5 in detail.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Pachislot machines (pachinko machines)
RND main counter (counter for big hits)
S6-11 Main processing
S20-23 Interrupt processing
S20 Main counter update process
S33-35 Rule change processing

Claims (7)

Switch signal input processing for reading switch signals from various switches including a winning detection sensor, special symbol processing for determining whether or not a big hit state is made according to the value of the big hit counter RND, and a control command to the transmission destination control board includes an output process for outputting a main processing unit which is repeatedly executed in an endless loop, said executed during execution of the main processing by the periodic interruption every predetermined time (tau), the operating state of the gaming machine Irrespectively, an interrupt processing unit that performs processing for updating the jackpot counter RND at regular intervals , and a state advantageous to the player based on the value of the main counter (RND) updated by the interrupt processing unit. A game machine that determines whether or not to generate,
Prior to the endless loop processing, the main processing unit determines the ON / OFF state of the initialization switch, and if it is OFF, restores the data backed up by NMI processing during a power failure, etc. If so, the game information stored in the memory is all erased, and the interrupt processing unit is provided with a rule changing process (S34, S35) for changing the update rule of the main counter when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The main processing unit is provided with a reference value update process (S11) for updating a reference value related to the update rule. The reference value is an initial value when the main counter makes one round operation, and the rule changing process changes the initial value every time the main counter circulates the counter range (MAX1) once or a plurality of times. Item 1. A gaming machine according to Item 1. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference value update process updates the reference value every execution cycle of the main process. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reference value update process is realized by updating a sub-counter different from the main counter. The game machine includes a game control unit having a CPU for controlling a game operation based on a control program, and the game control unit is configured by a circuit board that is different for each function of the game operation to be realized. The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not a state advantageous to the player is generated by referring to the value of the main counter on condition that the game ball has passed a predetermined area or won a predetermined winning means. A gaming machine according to any one of the above. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the value of the main counter is referred to on condition of an external operation by the player to determine whether or not a state advantageous to the player is generated.

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