JP4943665B2 - GAME MACHINE, GAME INFORMATION AUTHENTICATION CAPTURE DEVICE, AND GAME INFORMATION CAPTURE DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of authenticating gaming information stored in a portable storage medium, a gaming information authentication fetching apparatus, and a gaming information fetching apparatus.

  Conventionally, various game machines such as a game machine (so-called video game machine) capable of playing an image game using an image displayed on an image display means, a slot machine, a pachislot machine, and a pachinko game machine are known. In recent years, in this type of gaming machine, a program (hereinafter referred to as “game”) used for controlling the operation necessary for the game, such as game progress control, image display control, and determination of whether or not to win a prize (decision of winning). And a variety of game data used for games (hereinafter collectively referred to as “game information”) may be supplied by the storage medium. For example, while gaming information is stored in a small portable storage medium such as a compact flash (also referred to as a registered trademark or CF card), the gaming machine is configured to be detachable from the storage medium and uses the storage medium. Thus, the gaming information is supplied to the gaming machine.

  However, since the storage medium for storing game information is detachable from the game machine, it is removed from the game machine, and the stored game information is duplicated or tampered with. There is a fear. Therefore, when supplying game information using a storage medium, it is necessary to eliminate fraudulent acts regarding the storage medium storing the game information.

  In this regard, for example, in Patent Document 1, when a storage medium is attached to the game apparatus, identification information unique to the game apparatus is stored in the storage medium from the game apparatus, and identification information unique to the game information is stored in the storage medium. It is disclosed that the software stored in the storage medium is executed when the two pieces of identification information match between the game apparatus and the storage medium.

  Patent Document 2 also compares the contents of the user code stored in the removable unit with the contents of the unit code stored in the computer main body when the removable unit is mounted on the computer main body. Alternatively, a technique related to the activation of a computer that determines whether to activate the system due to a mismatch is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 3, a security check for comparing a storage code (storage medium) storing a game program and a security code with a security code set in the information processing apparatus is performed while the game is in progress. A video game system that is repeatedly performed is disclosed.
JP 2001-344096 A JP 2002-341957 A JP-A-8-241194

  However, in the prior art described in each of the above-mentioned patent documents, the storage medium itself is only authenticated, and it is confirmed and proved that the game information stored in the storage medium has not been altered. That is, there is a problem that the gaming information is not authenticated.

  In other words, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 can only eliminate unauthorized use due to duplication of game information stored in a storage medium, and cannot eliminate falsification of game information itself. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, although the removable unit itself is authenticated, the data stored therein is not authenticated, so that the stored data can be prevented from being falsified. Absent. Further, in the video game system described in Patent Document 3, although replacement and execution of unauthorized software after the security check is excluded, it is not possible to exclude falsification of data stored in the storage medium.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and incorporates a gaming machine capable of authenticating gaming information stored in a storage medium, an authentication information fetching device for gaming information, and gaming information. An object is to provide a capture device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a gaming machine including a gaming operation execution device that executes a gaming operation for gaming, and a first storage memory storing gaming information used for gaming. A capture device comprising a connection means for connecting a storage medium having means and a second storage means for storing an authentication program for authenticating game information, and an authentication program stored in an executable manner A processing device having an execution storage means, and the processing device reads out the game information from the first storage device and reads out the authentication program from the second storage device. The reading means and the authentication program read from the second storage means by the reading means are stored in an executable storage means so that the game information in the state stored in the first storage means is stored. Data to compose Is read out from the first storage unit by the reading unit after the authentication of the game information by the authenticating unit is normally completed, and the execution storage. according gaming information stored in the unit, gaming operation execution devices possess an operation control means for controlling to perform a game operation, before the authentication program is stored in the execution memory means, to the authentication program An authentication process is performed, and the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means .
In addition, the present invention is a gaming machine having a gaming operation executing device for executing gaming operations for gaming, and a storage medium having first storage means for storing gaming information used for gaming A fetching device comprising a second storage means for storing authentication means for authenticating game information and a connection means for connecting the storage means and an execution storage means for storing the authentication program in an executable manner A processing unit comprising: a reading unit that reads out the game information from the first storage unit for storage and reads out the authentication program from the second storage unit; The authentication program read out from the second storage means by the means is stored in the execution storage means so as to be executable, and the data constituting the game information stored in the first storage means is stored. Read quantitatively Then, after the authentication of the gaming information by the authenticating means is normally completed, the reading means reads out from the first storage means and stores it in the execution storing means. According to the game information, the game operation execution device controls the game operation to be executed, and the game operation execution device interrupts the processing of the processing means, and the authentication program stores the execution storage means. Before being stored, the authentication program is authenticated, the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means, and the processing of the processing means is resumed.

Further, the present invention provides a capture device comprising a connection means for connecting a storage medium having a first storage means for storing game information used for a game, and connected to the capture apparatus; A gaming information authentication fetching apparatus comprising a processing device having an execution storage means for executably storing an authentication program for authenticating gaming information, wherein the fetching device stores the authentication program. And a processor for reading out the game information from the first storage for storage and reading out the authentication program from the second storage for storage. And the authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable, and game information in a state stored in the first storage unit is configured. Read data in predetermined amounts Authentication means for performing authentication processing by the authentication program, and the game information read from the first storage means by the reading means after the authentication of the game information by the authentication means is normally completed, possess a writing writing means to the means, and before the authentication program is stored in the execution memory means, performs an authentication process to the authentication program, that is stored in the execution memory means authenticated authentication program Features.

In this game machine and game information authentication fetching device, since the fetching device is connected to the processing device, it is stored by connecting the storage medium storing the gaming information to the connecting means of the fetching device. The game information being stored can be stored in the execution storage means of the processing device and taken in. In addition, since the second storage means of the capture device stores an authentication program for authenticating the game information, an authentication process according to the authentication program is performed when the game information is captured. In addition, it can be imported.

In addition, the present invention is a gaming machine having a gaming operation executing device for executing gaming operations for gaming, and a storage medium having first storage means for storing gaming information used for gaming And a processing device including an execution storage means for storing an authentication program for authenticating game information in an executable manner. Second storage means for storing the program; reading means for reading out the game information from the first storage means; and reading out the authentication program from the second storage means; The authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable, and the data constituting the game information stored in the first storage unit is stored. Read predetermined amount Then, after the authentication of the gaming information by the authenticating means is normally completed, the reading means reads out from the first storage means and stores it in the execution storing means. according gaming information, a gaming operation execution device have a an operation control means for controlling to perform a game operation, before the authentication program is stored in the execution memory means, performs an authentication process to the authentication program The authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a capture device having a connection means for connecting a storage medium having a first storage means for storing game information used in a game, and connected to the capture apparatus; A gaming information authentication fetching apparatus having a processing device having an execution storage means for executably storing an authentication program for authenticating gaming information, wherein the processing device stores the authentication program A second storage unit, a reading unit for reading game information from the first storage unit, and an authentication program from the second storage unit; The authentication program read from the storage unit for storage is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable, and data constituting the game information stored in the first storage unit is read by a predetermined amount. Authentication process An authentication means for performing authentication processing by the gram, and after the authentication of the game information by the authentication means has been completed normally, the game information read from the first storage means by the reading means is written in the execution storage means. possess a writing means for writing, a before authentication program is stored in the execution memory means, performs an authentication process to the authentication program, and characterized in that stored in the execution storage means authenticated authentication program .

Since this game machine and the game information authentication fetch device are also connected to the processing device, the game machine and the game information authentication fetch device are stored by connecting the storage medium storing the game information to the connection means of the fetch device. The game information can be stored and stored in the execution storage means of the processing device, and when the game information is acquired, it can be acquired after performing authentication processing according to the authentication program. . Further, in this game machine and game information authentication fetching apparatus, since the authentication program is stored in the second storage means for storage of the processing apparatus, it is not necessary to fetch the authentication program and No check is required.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a storage medium having a first storage memory means gaming information used in a game is stored, taken in the first substrate being connected to Yu technique for information that has been stored a capture device gaming information for writing, and connecting means for connecting the serial憶媒body an authentication program for authenticating the gaming information, in the execution storage means in the first substrate when it is executable stored, have a second storage memory means authentication program to Yu technique for status information stored in the first storage storing unit performs the authentication process is stored The authentication program is authenticated before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage means, and the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means.

  This game information fetching apparatus can be connected to a motherboard, and by connecting to the motherboard, the game information can be read from the storage medium connected to the connection means from the motherboard, authenticated, and fetched. .

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a gaming machine capable of authenticating gaming information stored in a storage medium, an authentication information fetching device for gaming information, and a gaming information fetching device can be obtained. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

1st Embodiment (Whole structure of the authentication taking-in apparatus of game information)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an authentication information fetching apparatus 1 for game information. The gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1 includes a gaming board 10 as a fetching apparatus in the present invention and a mother board 20 as a processing apparatus in the present invention. The gaming board 10 and the mother board 20 are signal transmission units. Are connected by a PCI bus 31 and an IDE bus 32. This game information authentication fetching apparatus 1 authenticates and fetches the game program 30a and game system program 30b as game information of the present invention stored in the memory card 30 by performing authentication. Is supposed to do.

  The gaming board 10 has a boot ROM 11 and a card slot 12 corresponding to the memory card 30, and a game program 30a and a game system program 30b described later are connected from the memory card 30 as a storage medium in the present invention. This is a device for taking in the mother board 20.

  The boot ROM 11 is connected to the motherboard 20 via the PCI bus 31. The boot ROM 11 stores an authentication program 11a to be described later and a program (boot code) (not shown) for booting (starting up) the authentication program 11a by a main CPU 21 to be described later of the motherboard 20 via the PCI bus 31. It has a function as a program storage means in the invention. The authentication program 11a is described in accordance with a procedure (authentication procedure) for verifying and certifying that the game information to be authenticated is not falsified, that is, authenticating the game information. This is a program for authenticating the game program 30 a and the game system program 30 b supplied to the slot machine 41 using the card 30. The authentication program 11a is also called a tampering check program because it checks that the game program 30a and the game system program 30b have not been tampered with.

  The card slot 12 is connected to the mother board 20 by the IDE bus 32. The card slot 12 can be connected to the memory card 30 in a state in which the stored game program 30a and game system program 30b can be read out. Slot (physical connection).

  The motherboard 20 is configured using a commercially available general-purpose motherboard (printed circuit board on which basic components of a personal computer are mounted). At least a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 shown in FIG. 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, A RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 and an I / O port 24 are provided, and a PCI bus (peripheral component interconnect bus) 31 and an IDE (integrated device electronics) bus 32 are connected to the I / O port 24. The motherboard 20 includes the gaming board 10 by executing a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) 22a (to be described later) stored in the ROM 22 by the CPU 21 when the connected power supply unit (not shown) is turned on. The peripheral device is initialized, and the game program 30a and the game system program 30b stored in the memory card 30 are read out via the gaming board 10 and an authentication acquisition process is performed. Note that when power is supplied to the motherboard 20 from the power supply unit connected to the motherboard 20, the main CPU 21 of the motherboard 20 is activated and power is supplied to the gaming board 10 via the PCI bus 31.

  The ROM 22 stores programs such as a BIOS 22a (standard BIOS on the motherboard 20) executed by the main CPU 21, and permanent data. The ROM 22 employs a memory device such as a flash memory, but any of those that can be rewritten and those that cannot be used can be used. The RAM 23 stores data and programs used when the main CPU 21 operates, and stores at least an authentication program 11a read out via the gaming board 10, a game program 30a, and a game system program 30b. It constitutes a readable storage means.

  The memory card 30 is a storage medium according to the present invention that stores game information used for games. In the present embodiment, a CF card is used. The memory card 30 stores a game program 30a and a game system program 30b as game information in the present invention (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the game program 30a and the game system program 30b are programs for slot games, respectively. The PCI bus 31 supplies power from the motherboard 20 to the gaming board 10 as well as transmitting signals between the motherboard 20 and the gaming board 10.

(Overall configuration of slot machine)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine 41. The slot machine 41 is a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the gaming information authentication capture device 1 having the above-described configuration is incorporated, and the game program captured by the authentication capture device 1 Based on the game system program 30b and the game system program 30b, a game operation for a game is executed.

  The slot machine 41 has a display means for displaying a game image used for a game. The display means shows a state in which a plurality (five) of reels having a plurality of symbols are arranged, and a variable display image (reel image) is displayed as if each reel is scrolled. This slot machine 41 is a video slot in which a slot game in which a payout is determined according to a combination of symbols at the time when each reel displayed on the display means (the reel displayed in the image is also called a “pseudo reel”) is stopped. It has become a machine.

  The slot machine 41 has a housing 42, and has an upper image display panel 43 and a lower image display panel 44 in order from the upper side on the front side of the housing 42. The upper image display panel 43 is configured by a liquid crystal display device and displays an image (for example, description of the game) that is not directly involved in the game, and the image displayed there changes according to the operation content. It is supposed to be. The lower image display panel 44 is disposed substantially at the center of the upper and lower sides of the housing 42, is configured by a liquid crystal display device (not shown), and displays a game image including a reel image.

  The slot machine 41 has a control panel 45 in which a plurality of operation buttons for a player to perform a predetermined operation is arranged below the lower image display panel 44, and medals, coins, and the like are on the right side thereof. A coin insertion unit 47 for inserting a game medium (hereinafter referred to as “coin”) used in the game, and a banknote insertion sensor 48a (FIG. 2) that is provided for a player to insert a banknote and outputs a signal indicating the insertion of the banknote. 3) is provided. Further, the slot machine 41 has a coin payout opening 50 and a coin receiving portion 51 for receiving the payout coin at the bottom of the housing 42, and speakers 49 </ b> L and 49 </ b> R are provided on the left and right sides of the payout opening 50. It has been.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the slot machine 41 mainly showing the internal configuration. The slot machine 41 incorporates the mother board 20 and the gaming board 10 that constitute the above-described game information authentication / acquisition apparatus 1, and in addition, a plurality of components as a game operation execution apparatus in the present invention that executes a game operation. Have. The mother board 20 includes the main CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the I / O port 24 described above, a random number generator 35, a sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation circuit 37, and a frequency divider 38, and a power supply unit 39. Are connected by a power cable 39a. The random number generator 35 operates in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 21 to generate a certain range of random numbers. The sampling circuit 36 extracts an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 21 and inputs the extracted random number to the main CPU 21. The clock pulse generation circuit 37 generates a reference clock for operating the main CPU 21, and the frequency divider 38 inputs a signal obtained by dividing the reference clock at a constant period to the main CPU 21.

  Further, the slot machine 41 is a game operation execution device according to the present invention, and includes a lamp driving circuit 59, a lamp 60, an LED driving circuit 61, an LED 62, a hopper driving circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout completion signal circuit 65, and a coin detection. And an image control circuit 71 and a sound control circuit 72. The lamp driving circuit 59 to the sound control circuit 72 constitute a game operation execution device group.

  The lamp driving circuit 59 outputs a signal for lighting the lamp 60 to the lamp 60, and causes the lamp 60 to blink while the game is being executed. This flashing produces a game effect. The LED drive circuit 61 controls blinking display of the LED 62. The LED 62 displays the number of credits and the number of acquired credits. The hopper driving circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 in accordance with the control of the main CPU 21, and the hopper 64 performs an operation for paying out a winning coin, and pays out coins from the payout outlet 50 to the coin receiving portion 51. The coin detection unit 66 measures the number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and notifies the payout completion signal circuit 65 of data of the measured number value. The payout completion signal circuit 65 receives data on the number of coins from the coin detection unit 66, and notifies the main CPU 21 of a signal notifying completion of coin payout when the number reaches the set number of data. input.

  The image control circuit 71 controls image display on each of the upper image display panel 43 and the lower image display panel 44 and displays various images such as variable display images of a plurality of symbols.

  The sound control circuit 72 receives a sound signal from the sound source IC, amplifies the input sound signal, and outputs sound from the speakers 49L and 49R. Thus, for example, a sound for exciting the game is output from the speakers 49L and 49R at an appropriate time after the game is started.

  The image control circuit 71 and the sound control circuit 72 can be incorporated into the motherboard 20 by storing the image control program and the sound control program in the ROM 22 and executing the processing according to the respective programs by the CPU 21. . The power supply unit 39 is also connected to other components of the mother board 20, but in FIG. 3, the connection between the power supply unit 39 and components other than the mother board 20 is omitted for the sake of illustration. .

(Operation details of game information authentication and slot machine)
Next, the operation contents of the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5 together with FIG.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the procedure of the authentication information fetching process for the gaming information with respect to the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating the procedure of the process for authenticating game information by the gaming board 10 and the motherboard 20. In FIG. 5, step is abbreviated as S.

  In the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41, when performing gaming information certification fetching processing, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the power switch of the power supply unit 39 connected to the motherboard 20 is switched. Turn on (turn on power) S1. The memory card 30 is inserted into the card slot 12 of the gaming board 10 before or after the power switch is turned on S1.

  Then, the process proceeds to step 2 where the main CPU 21 executes the BIOS 22 a and expands the compressed data incorporated in the BIOS 22 a into the RAM 23. In step 3, the BIOS 22a developed in the RAM 23 is executed, and various peripheral devices are diagnosed and initialized. At this time, the main CPU 21 checks what is connected to the PCI bus 31. Then, since the boot ROM 11 of the gaming board 10 is connected to the PCI bus 31, the process proceeds to step 4 where the main CPU 21 operates as a reading means in the present invention, and the authentication program 11a stored in the boot ROM 11 is stored. Read.

  Further, when the main CPU 21 reads the authentication program 11 a, the main CPU 21 performs a fetch process r 1 for storing the read authentication program 11 a in the RAM 23. In this fetch process r1, the main CPU 21 takes a checksum by the ADDSUM method (standard check function) according to the function of the standard BIOS of the BIOS 22a, and confirms whether or not the storage is performed without error f1 (see FIG. 4). While performing, the authentication program 11a is stored in the RAM 23.

  Next, the main CPU 21 proceeds to step 5, confirms what is connected to the IDE bus 32, and then accesses the memory card 30 inserted into the card slot 12 via the IDE bus 32. . The main CPU 21 operates as a reading unit in the present invention, and reads the game program 30a and the game system program 30b from the memory card 30. In this case, the main CPU 21 reads out the data constituting the game program 30a and the game system program 30b 4 bytes at a time. Subsequently, the main CPU 21 operates as an authentication unit according to the present invention in accordance with the authentication program 11a stored in the RAM 23, and performs the authentication process f2 for the read game system program 30b and the authentication process f3 for the game program 30a, and the game program 30a and the game system program 30b are confirmed and verified that they have not been tampered with. When the authentication processes f2 and f3 are normally completed, the main CPU 21 proceeds to step 6 and operates as a writing means in the present invention, and takes the game system program 30b to be authenticated (authenticated). The loading process r2 and the loading process r3 of the game program 30a are performed, and the game program 30a and the game system program 30b are written and stored in the RAM 23.

  Although not shown, when the main CPU 21 fails during the authentication process for some reason, such as when the game system program 30b has been tampered with, and the authentication process does not end normally, the main CPU 21 After notifying the occurrence of an abnormality by causing the display panel 43 to display an error or the like, the authentication process is stopped. In this case, the capture process is not performed. That is, the game program 30a and the game system program 30b are taken into the motherboard 20 only when they are authenticated.

  In this way, the authentication capture process is completed by the processes from Step 1 to Step 6, and the process by the game information authentication capture apparatus 1 is also terminated.

  On the other hand, in the slot machine 41, the process further proceeds to step 7, where the main CPU 21 operates as an operation control means, and each game operation executing device performs a game according to the game program 30a and the game system program 30b stored in the RAM 23. Control to perform the action. As a result, a plurality of constituent elements as game operation execution devices constituting the game operation execution device group execute respective operations as game operations. For example, the image control circuit 71 causes the lower image display panel 44 to display a game image used for a game such as a pseudo reel, and the lamp driving circuit 59 is mainly used for performance according to the progress of the game. For example, the lamp 60 is turned on. Further, the hopper driving circuit 63 operates the hopper 64 in accordance with the game winning result, and pays out coins. Then, the player can play the slot game while referring to the pseudo reel.

  In this way, in the slot machine 41, the game operation executing device performs a game operation in accordance with the game program 30a and the game system program 30b supplied using the memory card 30 and stored in the RAM 23 after authentication. You can play slot games.

  As described above, in the game information authentication / acquisition apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41, since the gaming board 10 is connected to the general-purpose motherboard 20, the memory card 30 storing the gaming information is used as the card slot of the gaming board 10. 12, the stored game information can be read out and stored in the RAM 23 of the mother board 20.

  In addition, since the boot ROM 11 of the gaming board 10 stores the authentication program 11a described in accordance with the game information authentication procedure, when the game information is taken in, the authentication process according to the authentication program 11a is performed. It has been confirmed that it has not been tampered with and confirmed that it has not been tampered with. Therefore, in the authentication capture device 1 and the slot machine 41, even if game information is supplied from the outside of the slot machine 41, it is certain that the captured game information is legitimate game information that has not been tampered with. Therefore, fraudulent acts on the gaming information itself are surely eliminated.

  Further, in the gaming information authentication and fetching apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41, since the motherboard 20 is composed of a commercially available general-purpose motherboard, the versatility of the motherboard 20 is high. Can be reduced.

  In the above description, the game program 30a and the game system program 30b for the slot game are taken in, but another game program 30a and the game system program 30b can be taken instead. If it carries out like this, the slot machine 41 will become a game machine (card game machine) which can perform another game (for example, the card image which displays the card image which shows the card | curd card).

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the gaming information authentication / acquisition apparatus 2 and the slot machine 91 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the game information authentication fetching apparatus 2, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine 91.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the gaming information authentication capturing device 2 has a gaming board 15 and a mother board 25 as compared to the gaming information authentication capturing device 1 according to the first embodiment. The gaming board 15 and the motherboard 25 are different in that they are connected by an IDE bus 32 as a signal transmission unit (the connection of the PCI bus 31 is not shown).

  The gaming board 15 is different from the gaming board 10 in that it does not have the boot ROM 11, and other than that, it has the same configuration. The mother board 25 is different from the mother board 20 in that it has a ROM 26 instead of the ROM 22, and the other components are the same. The ROM 26 stores an authentication program 11a in addition to the programs and data stored in the ROM 22. The illustrated ROM 26 is separate from the main CPU 21, but a ROM (not shown) built in the main CPU 21 may be used as the ROM 26.

  The motherboard 25 is configured by using a commercially available general-purpose motherboard like the motherboard 20, but the ROM 26 stores an authentication program 11a for performing authentication processing for the game program 30a and the game system program 30b. Therefore, the mother board 25 is a dedicated mother board corresponding to the game program 30a and the game system program 30b to be imported.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the slot machine 91 incorporates the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 2 having the above-described configuration in place of the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1 as compared with the slot machine 41. Are different, and the others are the same.

  Then, in the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 2 and the slot machine 91, the gaming information authentication fetching process is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. The authentication capture device 2 for gaming information and the slot machine 91 differ from the authentication capture device 1 for gaming information and the slot machine 41 in that step 8 is executed instead of steps 4 and 5. Other steps are common.

  In the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41 in the first embodiment, the authentication program 11 a is stored in the boot ROM 11 of the gaming board 10. Therefore, the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41 execute step 4 and fetch the authentication program 11a into the mother board 20 while taking a checksum.

  On the other hand, in the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 2 and the slot machine 91 according to the present embodiment, the means for storing the authentication program 11a is the ROM 26 provided on the mother board 25. In the ROM 26, unlike the memory card 30, it is considered that there is no possibility that the authentication program 11a once stored is falsified. Therefore, in the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 2 and the slot machine 91, step 8 is executed instead of steps 4 and 5.

  In step 8, the main CPU 21 accesses the memory card 30 inserted into the card slot 12 via the IDE bus 32, operates as a reading means in the present invention, and operates in the same manner as in step 5 in the memory card. The game program 30a and the game system program 30b are read from 30. Subsequently, the main CPU 21 operates as an authentication unit according to the present invention in accordance with the authentication program 11a stored in the ROM 26, and performs an authentication process f3 for the read game program 30a and an authentication process f2 for the game system program 30b. Confirmation and proof that the program 30a and the game system program 30b have not been tampered with are performed. When the authentication processes f2 and f3 are normally completed, the process proceeds to step 6 where the main CPU 21 operates as the writing means in the present invention, and the acquisition processes r3 and r3 of the authenticated game program 30a and game system program 30b are performed. Both programs are stored in the RAM 23. Further, in the case of the slot machine 91, the process proceeds to step 7 in the same manner as the slot machine 41, and the main CPU 21 operates as the operation control means, and each game operation is performed according to the game program 30a and the game system program 30b stored in the RAM 23. The execution device is controlled to execute the game operation.

  Also in the present embodiment, by inserting the memory card 30 storing the game information into the card slot 12 of the gaming board 15, the stored game information can be stored in the RAM 23 of the motherboard 25 and taken in. Further, compared to the case of the first embodiment, an authentication program 11a for performing an authentication process for the game program 30a and the game system program 30b is stored in the ROM 26 of the motherboard 25 instead of the gaming board 15. Although different, they are common in that the game program 30 a and the game system program 30 b are stored in the RAM 23 after the authentication process is normally performed. Therefore, even if game information is supplied from the outside of the slot machine 91, it is certain that the captured game information is legitimate game information that has not been tampered with, and illegal acts against the game information itself. Is surely eliminated.

  In the case of the present embodiment, since the authentication program 11a is stored in the ROM 26 of the mother board 25, it is not necessary to load the authentication program 11a, and it is not necessary to check when the authentication program 11a is loaded. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, the authentication and take-in process for game information is simplified.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a game information authentication fetching apparatus 3 and a slot machine 101 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the game information authentication fetching apparatus 3, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the slot machine 101 centering on the internal configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming information authentication capturing device 3 includes a gaming board 16 instead of the gaming board 10 as compared to the gaming information authentication capturing device 1 according to the first embodiment. It has a difference in that it has, and the rest has the same configuration.

  The gaming board 16 is different from the gaming board 10 in that it has a CPU 17 and an internal bus 18, and the other configuration is the same. The CPU 17 is connected to the boot ROM 11 by an internal bus 18.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the slot machine 101 is different from the slot machine 41 in place of the gaming information authentication capturing device 1, and the gaming board 16 constituting the gaming information authentication capturing device 3 described above. And the mother board 20 is incorporated, and the others are the same.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the game system program 30b stored in the memory card 30 includes a program (hereinafter referred to as “mutual authentication program”) 30c for mutual authentication f5 described later for the authentication program 11a. (See FIG. 11), this point is also different from the first embodiment (the mutual authentication program 30c is not included in the game system program 30b, and may be configured separately). Another difference is that a program (hereinafter referred to as “preliminary authentication program”) 11b for performing preliminary authentication f4 to be described later for the authentication program 11a is stored in a ROM (not shown) built in the CPU 17. Although not shown, the preliminary authentication program 11b may be stored in the boot ROM 11.

  Then, in the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 3 and the slot machine 101, gaming information authentication fetching processing is performed in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. The authentication information fetching process in the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 3 and the slot machine 101 differs from the gaming information certification fetching apparatus 1 and the slot machine 41 in the following points. Yes. That is, the mother board 20 is different in that steps 9 and 10 are executed between step 1 and step 2, and steps 11 to 17 are executed instead of steps 5, 6 and 7, and other steps are different. It is common. Another difference is that the CPU 17 of the gaming board 16 executes steps 21, 22, and 23.

  Then, when the power switch 39 is turned on (power is turned on) in the power unit 39, first, processing on the gaming board 16 side is started. Then, the process proceeds to step 21, and the CPU 17 performs a reset control (reset signal) output process P <b> 1 to the main CPU 21 via the PCI bus 31. By performing the reset control output process P1, the main CPU 21 maintains the reset state until the release instruction output process P2 in the subsequent step 23 is performed, so that the process is not executed. Next, the CPU 17 proceeds to step 22 to read the preliminary authentication program 11b stored in the ROM such as the boot ROM 11 and operates as the preliminary authentication means according to the read preliminary authentication program 11b. Pre-authentication f4 (see FIG. 11) is performed to confirm and prove that the authentication program 11a has not been tampered in advance. When the preliminary authentication f4 ends normally, the process proceeds to step 23, where the CPU 17 performs a reset state release instruction output process P2 to release the reset state of the main CPU 21.

On the other hand, in step 9, the motherboard 20 receives a reset control output process P1 and enters a reset state in which the main CPU 21 stops the process, and thereafter enters a process stop state until there is a release instruction output process P2. In subsequent step 10, upon receiving a release instruction by the release instruction output process P 2, the reset state of the main CPU 21 is released. Subsequent to step 10, as in the case of the first embodiment, steps 2, 3, and 4 are sequentially executed to read the authentication program 11 a authenticated by the preliminary authentication f 4 from the boot ROM 11 and store it in the RAM 23. In this case, the main CPU 21 operates as reading means.
In steps 9 and 10 in the mother board 20 and steps 21 to 23 in the gaming board 16, the following may be performed. A predetermined storage area (for example, a register or a memory) for confirming the completion of the preliminary authentication f4 is provided in advance in either the gaming board 16 or the motherboard 20 in advance. When the preliminary authentication f4 is completed, the CPU 17 rewrites the contents of the predetermined storage area by setting an end flag or the like. Then, the main CPU 21 can detect the completion of the preliminary authentication f4 by the CPU 17 by monitoring the rewriting. Then, the main CPU 21 reads the authentication program 11a after detecting the completion of the preliminary authentication f4, thereby avoiding a situation where the main CPU 21 reads the authentication program 11a before the preliminary authentication f4 of the CPU 17 ends. At the same time, the situation where the CPU 17 and the main CPU 21 access the PCI bus 31 at the same timing and the signals collide can be avoided without using a separate means such as a bus dividing means.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 11 where the main CPU 21 operates as a reading unit, reads the game program 30a and the game system program 30b from the memory card 30 in the same procedure as in step 5, and then stores it in the RAM 23. According to the authentication program 11a, the authentication process f2 for the game system program 30b is performed. Further, in the subsequent step 12, when the authentication process f2 is normally performed, the main CPU 21 performs the authentication process f3 for the game program 30a in accordance with the authentication program 11a. In these steps 11 and 12, the main CPU 21 operates as authentication means.

  When the authentication processes f2 and f3 in steps 11 and 12 are normally performed, the process proceeds to step 13 where the main CPU 21 operates as the authentication record information generating means, and the authentication process f2 and the game program 30a for the game system program 30b. An authentication record process is performed for generating authentication record information indicating that the authentication process f3 is normally performed (authenticating the game system program 30b and the game program 30a) and storing the generated authentication record information in the RAM 23. Do. Further, in step 14, the main CPU 21 operates as the writing means in the present invention, and the acquisition process r3 of the game program 30a authenticated in the authentication processes f3 and f2, respectively, and the acquisition process r2 of the game system program 30b, The game program 30a and the game system program 30b are written and stored in the RAM 23.

  In the following step 15, the main CPU 21 accesses the address where the authentication record information is stored in the RAM 23, refers to the authentication record information, and the authentication process f2 for the game system program 30b and the authentication process f3 for the game program 30a are normally performed. Confirm that it was done. When it can be confirmed that both the authentication processes f2 and f3 have been normally performed, the process proceeds to the subsequent step 16 where the main CPU 21 operates as a mutual authentication unit and uses the game system program 30b written in the RAM 23, In accordance with the mutual authentication program 30c included in the game system program 30b, an authentication process f5 is performed on the authentication program 11a read from the boot ROM 11 and stored in the RAM 23 to confirm that the authentication program 11a is a legitimate program. This will be checked later (this authentication process is authentication performed on the authentication program 11a using the game system program 30b to be authenticated by the authentication program 11a. The authentication program 11a and the game system program 30b And That since it is the authentication process of mutual called "mutual authentication process").

  Next, the main CPU 21 proceeds to step 7 and operates as an operation control means to determine whether or not the mutual authentication process f5 has been performed, that is, whether or not the mutual authentication process f5 has ended normally, and the mutual authentication process f5. When the game ends normally, the game operation execution device controls the game operation to be executed according to the game program 30a and the game system program 30b stored in the RAM 23, as in the first embodiment.

  Also in this embodiment, by inserting the memory card 30 storing the game information into the card slot 12 of the gaming board 10, the stored game information can be stored in the RAM 23 of the motherboard 20 and taken in. In addition, in the present embodiment, the game program 30a and the game system program 30b are stored in the RAM 23 after the authentication process is normally performed, but this is the same as in the first embodiment. Pre-authentication f4 is performed on the authentication program 11a for performing the authentication process on the game program 30a and the game system program 30b before being taken into the mother board 20. In the first embodiment, the checksum by the standard BIOS for the authentication program 11a is taken at the time of fetching. In this embodiment, in addition to taking the checksum, the preliminary authentication f4 is performed and before the fetching. Since preliminary authentication of the authentication program 11a is performed in advance, it is confirmed that the authentication program 11a itself is a legitimate program that has not been tampered with, and the reliability of the authentication program 11a itself is high. The preliminary authentication program 11b for performing the preliminary authentication f4 is stored in a ROM such as the boot ROM 11 and cannot be rewritten.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, mutual authentication f5 is performed on the authentication program 11a using the game system program 30b that is the subject of the authentication process, and the authentication program 11a, the game program 30a, and the game system program 30b are mutually connected. The two-way check is working. Therefore, the consistency between the authentication program 11a and the game program 30a and the game system program 30b to be authenticated by each other is maintained, and the credibility that both are legitimate programs is ensured.

  In particular, since the authentication program 11a, the game program 30a, and the game system program 30b are stored in the RAM 23 after authentication, it may be altered by some means after being stored in the RAM 23. However, in the present embodiment, after being stored in the RAM 23, by referring to the authentication record information to confirm later that the authentication by the authentication means has been performed, a two-way check is performed using the mutual authentication f5. In addition, a gaming operation is performed. Therefore, even if game information is supplied from the outside and stored in the RAM 23, there is no possibility that the game information is falsified after being stored, and it is even more certain that the game information is legitimate game information itself. Fraudulent acts against are more reliably eliminated.

(Modification)
The gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 3 and the slot machine 101 may perform the authentication fetching process as shown in FIG. In the above description, the authentication program 11a stored in the RAM 23 by the main CPU 21 in the motherboard 20 performs the authentication processes f3 and f2 for the game program 30a and the game system program 30b, and the mutual authentication process for the authentication program 11a by the game system program 30b. f5 is also performed. In the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 3 and the slot machine 101 according to this modification, the CPU 17 in the gaming board 10 uses the authentication program 11a stored in the boot ROM 11 to authenticate the game program 30a and the game system program 30b. , F6, and mutual authentication processing f8 for the authentication program 11a by the game system program 30b is performed. In this case, the CPU 17 in the gaming board 10 operates as a reading unit, an authentication unit, and a mutual authentication unit. Further, the CPU 17 performs a release instruction output process P2 when the mutual authentication process is completed, and then the main CPU 21 performs a fetch process for the authentication program 11a, the game program 30a, and the game system program 30b. In this fetching process, according to the function of the standard BIOS, a checksum by the ADDSUM method (standard check function) is taken and stored in the RAM 23 while confirming whether or not the storage is performed correctly. Also in this case, since the two-way check is performed by the game program 30a and the game system program 30b, consistency between the authentication program 11a and the game program 30a and the game system program 30b to be authenticated is maintained. ing.

  Further, the mutual authentication processing as in the present embodiment may be performed by the gaming information authentication fetching apparatus 2 and the slot machine 91 in the second embodiment. In this case, following Step 8 shown in FIG. 8, Steps 13 to 17 may be performed in the same manner as in the third embodiment instead of Step 6 and Step 7.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the slot machine 41 capable of playing a slot game is described as an example of a gaming machine. However, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine capable of playing other games. For example, the present invention can be applied to a card game machine that can play a card game using a card image showing a card of a playing card, a mahjong game machine that can play a mahjong game, and a pachinko game machine that uses a game ball. In the case of a slot machine, the slot machine is not limited to a video slot machine such as the slot machine 41, and may be a rotary slot machine having a mechanical reel. In this case, the mechanical reel constitutes the game operation executing device according to the present invention.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the game information is configured by two types of programs, that is, a game program and a game system program, but the game information is configured by one type of program and three or more types of programs. The game information can be appropriately changed.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the authentication taking-in apparatus of the game information concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a slot machine that is a gaming machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the slot machine according to the first embodiment, focusing on the internal configuration. It is the block diagram which illustrated the procedure of the authentication taking-in process of game information about the authentication taking-in apparatus of game information concerning 1st Embodiment. 4 is a chart illustrating a procedure of a process for authenticating game information by the gaming board and the motherboard according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the authentication taking-in apparatus of the game information concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a slot machine according to a second embodiment showing mainly an internal configuration. 7 is a chart illustrating a procedure of a process for authenticating game information by a gaming board and a motherboard according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the authentication taking-in apparatus of the game information concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the slot machine concerning a 3rd embodiment mainly showing an internal configuration. It is the block diagram which illustrated the procedure of the authentication taking-in process of game information about the authentication taking-in apparatus of game information concerning 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a chart illustrating a procedure of an authentication information take-in process for gaming information by a gaming board and a motherboard according to a third embodiment. It is the block diagram which illustrated the procedure of the authentication taking-in process of game information about the authentication taking-in apparatus of game information concerning the modification of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 ... Authentication information fetching device for gaming information 10, 15, 16 ... Gaming board 11 ... Program storage means, 12 ... Card slot 17 ... CPU, 21 ... Main CPU
22, 26 ... ROM, 20, 25 ... Motherboard 23 ... RAM, 30 ... Memory card 59 ... Lamp drive circuit, 60 ... Lamp 61 ... LED drive circuit, 62 ... LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 63 ... Hopper drive circuit, 64 ... Hopper 65 ... Dispensing completion signal circuit, 66 ... Coin detection part 71 ... Image control circuit, 72 ... Sound control circuit 41, 91, 101 ... Slot machine 11a ... Authentication program, 30a ... Game program 30b ... Game system program 11b ... Preliminary authentication program 30c ... Mutual authentication program

Claims (6)

A gaming machine equipped with a game operation executing device for executing a game operation for a game,
Connection means for connecting a storage medium having first storage means for storing game information used for gaming and a second storage for storing an authentication program for authenticating the game information A capture device with storage means;
A processing device comprising an execution storage means for storing the authentication program in an executable manner;
The processor is
Reading means for reading the gaming information from the first storage means and reading the authentication program from the second storage means;
The game program in a state in which the authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable and stored in the first storage unit. Authentication means for reading out data constituting the information by a predetermined amount and performing authentication processing by the authentication program;
After the authentication of the gaming information by the authenticating means is normally completed, according to the gaming information read from the first storing storage means by the reading means and stored in the execution storing means, the gaming operation execution device have a an operation control means for controlling to execute the game operation,
A gaming machine , wherein an authentication process for the authentication program is performed before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage means, and the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means . A gaming machine equipped with a game operation executing device for executing a game operation for a game,
Connection means for connecting a storage medium having first storage means for storing game information used for gaming and a second storage for storing an authentication program for authenticating the game information A capture device with storage means;
A processing device comprising an execution storage means for storing the authentication program in an executable manner;
The processor is
Reading means for reading the gaming information from the first storage means and reading the authentication program from the second storage means;
The game program in a state in which the authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable and stored in the first storage unit. Authentication means for reading out data constituting the information by a predetermined amount and performing authentication processing by the authentication program;
After the authentication of the gaming information by the authenticating means is normally completed, according to the gaming information read from the first storing storage means by the reading means and stored in the execution storing means, An operation control means for controlling the gaming operation executing device to execute the gaming operation;
The gaming operation execution device includes:
Interrupting the processing of the processing means;
Before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage unit, an authentication process is performed on the authentication program, and the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage unit.
Yu TECHNICAL machine you characterized by resuming processing of said processing means. A gaming machine equipped with a game operation executing device for executing a game operation for a game,
A capture device comprising a connection means for connecting a storage medium having a first storage means for storing game information used in a game;
A processing device comprising an execution storage means for storing the authentication program for authenticating the game information in an executable manner;
The processor is
Second storage means for storing the authentication program;
Reading means for reading the gaming information from the first storage means and reading the authentication program from the second storage means;
The game program in a state in which the authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable and stored in the first storage unit. Authentication means for reading out data constituting the information by a predetermined amount and performing authentication processing by the authentication program;
After the authentication of the gaming information by the authenticating means is normally completed, according to the gaming information read from the first storing storage means by the reading means and stored in the execution storing means, the gaming operation execution device have a an operation control means for controlling to execute the game operation,
A gaming machine , wherein an authentication process for the authentication program is performed before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage means, and the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means . A take-in device comprising a connection means for connecting a storage medium having a first storage means for storing game information used in a game; and the game information connected to the take-in apparatus and An authentication information capture device for gaming information, comprising: a processing device including an execution storage means for storing an authentication program for authentication in an executable manner;
The capture device has a second storage means for storing the authentication program,
The processor is
Reading means for reading the gaming information from the first storage means and reading the authentication program from the second storage means;
The game program in a state in which the authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable and stored in the first storage unit. Authentication means for reading out data constituting the information by a predetermined amount and performing authentication processing by the authentication program;
Write means for writing the game information read from the first storage means by the reading means to the execution storage means after the authentication of the game information by the authentication means is normally completed. and, the possess,
An authentication fetching apparatus , comprising: performing authentication processing on the authentication program before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage unit, and storing the authenticated authentication program in the execution storage unit . A take-in device comprising a connection means for connecting a storage medium having a first storage means for storing game information used in a game; and the game information connected to the take-in apparatus and An authentication information capture device for gaming information, comprising: a processing device including an execution storage means for storing an authentication program for authentication in an executable manner;
The processor is
Second storage means for storing the authentication program;
Reading means for reading the gaming information from the first storage means and reading the authentication program from the second storage means;
The game program in a state in which the authentication program read from the second storage unit by the reading unit is stored in the execution storage unit so as to be executable and stored in the first storage unit. Authentication means for reading out data constituting the information by a predetermined amount and performing authentication processing by the authentication program;
Write means for writing the game information read from the first storage means by the reading means to the execution storage means after the authentication of the game information by the authentication means is normally completed. and, the possess,
An authentication fetching apparatus , comprising: performing authentication processing on the authentication program before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage unit, and storing the authenticated authentication program in the execution storage unit . Game information for taking the stored game information into a first board connected from a storage medium having first storage means for storing game information used for a game A capture device,
Connection means for connecting the storage medium;
An authentication program for authenticating the gaming information, wherein when stored in the storage means for execution of the first board so as to be executable, stored in the storage means for storage of the first have a second storage memory means authentication program for performing authentication processing with respect to the gaming information is stored,
An acquisition apparatus , wherein the authentication program is authenticated before the authentication program is stored in the execution storage means, and the authenticated authentication program is stored in the execution storage means .

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