JP2012011061A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of detecting an illegal act concerned with a setting change operation part and detecting also a non-illegal error.SOLUTION: The game machine includes: a cover body 20 that can cover the setting change operation part; a door detecting part 40; a cover detecting part 30; and an operation history storage means for deleting an operation history of the setting change operation part by blocking a front door 3 and the cover body 20. When the setting change operation part is operated in the closed state of one of the front door 3 and cover body 20, when there is no memory of operating the setting change operation part even though the cover body 20 is opened/closed, and when there is no memory of operating the setting change operation part in a state of the front door 3 being closed and the cover body 20 being opened, an illegal error is determined; and when there is a memory of operating the setting change operation part in the state of the front door 3 being closed and the cover body being opened, a non-illegal error is determined.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a function of monitoring an illegal act performed by opening a front door illegally.

  A gaming machine such as a slot machine is configured so that the setting of a ball can be changed by operating a predetermined operating means (switch) provided inside the gaming machine. Normally, this operation unit cannot be operated without unlocking the locked front door. For example, a foreign object is inserted from outside the gaming machine without opening the front door, and the setting change operation is performed irregularly. Cheating may occur. Various measures have been taken to prevent such illegal acts. For example, the gaming machine shown in Patent Document 1 is configured to request a special input operation at the time of a setting change operation, and to make an error if it is not operated as it is. Furthermore, there are cases where fraud is performed while releasing soft errors. As a countermeasure against such fraud, the gaming machine shown in Patent Document 2 manages the opening / closing information of the front door and the operation information of the reset switch by the main control circuit. It is formed so that it can be determined whether the reset operation is performed with the front door open or whether the reset operation is performed with the front door closed.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for detecting forgetting to remove a car key using a logic circuit. It is also conceivable to use such a logic circuit for detecting fraud against a gaming machine.

JP 2007-105334 A (Claim 1) JP 2008-284007 A (Claim 3, [0153]) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-200990 (FIG. 3)

The gaming machines described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above are intended only for fraud detection, and cannot detect non-fraud errors such as forgetting to remove a setting key used for a setting change operation. On the other hand, when performing fraud prevention using a logic circuit, fraud prevention cannot be achieved if the circuit itself is modified, or an illegal circuit is attached or replaced.
Therefore, the invention described in claim 1 aims to provide a gaming machine capable of detecting a fraud that is not fraudulent as well as a fraud detection related to the setting change operation unit. In addition to the purpose, the purpose is to make illegal setting change operations impossible in principle in terms of hardware, while also monitoring in terms of software to ensure prevention of fraud.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in each claim has the following configuration.
In addition, the code | symbol in parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.
(Claim 1)
The invention according to claim 1 is a housing (2) containing a gaming device and a control device (7) for controlling the operation of the gaming device, and a front door (3) that can open and close the front opening of the housing (2). And a game machine comprising at least a setting change operation unit for changing settings related to the game of the control device (7).
Here, the “game device” is a main device for playing a game, and includes, for example, a reel unit (6) having a plurality of rotating reels (6A). Here, “changing the settings relating to the game” includes, for example, changing the setting of the play of a game medium such as a medal to be paid out by winning, as well as releasing the error state or the stop state. The “setting change operation unit” refers to switches that are required to be operated when changing settings, and may be a setting key switch (11), a reset switch (13), or the like.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a lid (20) that can cover the setting change operation unit in an inoperable manner, and a lid detection unit (lid) that detects an open covering state of the lid (20). A sensor 30), a door detection unit (door sensor 40) for detecting an open / closed state of the front door (3), an operation history storage unit for storing a history of operations performed on the setting change operation unit, A state monitoring control unit that monitors the state of the gaming machine based on the detection of the lid detection unit (30) and the door detection unit (40), the operation on the setting change operation unit, and the storage of the operation history storage unit And are provided. The lid (20), the lid detection unit (lid sensor 30), and the door detection unit (door sensor 40) are provided in the gaming machine body, and the operation history storage unit and the state monitoring control unit are control devices ( It is provided in 7).

Here, the lid (20) may be anything that can be concealed so that the setting change operation unit is not touched unnecessarily except at the time of setting change. The switch case or the front surface of the power supply device can be a door body that can be opened and closed or a cover body that is removable. The lid (20) does not need to cover all the operation switches that need to be operated when the setting is changed, and it is sufficient that at least one setting change operation unit indispensable for the setting change can be covered.
In addition, the operation history storage unit is configured when the setting change operation unit is operated after the door detection unit (40) detects the open state and the lid detection unit (30) detects the open state. After storing the operation history and storing the operation history, if the lid detection unit (30) detects the covering state and the door detection unit (40) detects the closed state, the storage is deleted. It is formed to do. Here, the door detection unit (40) and the lid detection unit (30) `` detected the open state '' means that the door detection unit (40) and the lid detection unit (30) output an open signal, or the door is closed. This means that the output of the (covering) signal has been stopped, and “the blockage (covering) state has been detected” means that the door detection unit (40) or the lid detection unit (30) has output a blocking (covering) signal. Or, it means that the output of the release signal is stopped. Further, “when the setting change operation unit is operated” refers to a case where an operation signal is received from the switches as the setting change operation unit.

  The state monitoring control unit is (A) when the door detection unit (40) detects an open state and the lid detection unit (30) detects a covering state. If it is operated, it is determined as an illegal error. (B) After the door detection unit (40) detects the open state and the lid detection unit (30) detects the open state, the lid detection unit (30 ) Detects the covering state, and if the operation history storage means does not store the operation history, it is determined as an illegal error, and (C) the door detection unit (40) detects the closed state. In addition, when the lid detection unit (30) detects the open state, the operation history storage means determines that the error is invalid if the operation history storage means does not store the operation history, but (D) the operation history When the storage means stores the operation history, it is determined that the error is not illegal, and (E) the door detection unit (40) is closed. And when the setting change operation unit is operated when the lid detection unit (30) detects the covering state, it is formed so as to determine an illegal error. And

It should be noted that when it is determined that the error is illegal, it is preferable that an alarm is generated or the game is disabled. In addition, when it is determined that the error is not illegal, it is preferable to perform notification different from the illegal error.
According to the present invention, it is possible to discover fraud in which the setting change operation unit is operated with the front door (3) closed by using the above (A), (C), and (E) (using a wire or the like), By the above (B), it is possible to find a suspicious behavior in which the lid (20) is opened and closed although the setting change operation unit is not operated. Furthermore, the above (D) makes it possible to discover that the lid (20) has been forgotten to be closed or that the closing method is insufficient.

(Claim 2)
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the feature of the invention described in claim 1, the electrical connection path connecting the setting change operation unit and the control unit related to the setting change of the control device (7), Further provided is an operation restriction control unit (80) that validates an operation signal based on the operation of the setting change operation unit on condition that both the door detection unit (40) and the lid detection unit (30) are opened. It is characterized by that.
The operation restriction control unit (80) changes the setting when the operation signal of the setting change operation unit is input when the door detection unit (40) and the lid detection unit (30) output the detection signal of the open state. A logic circuit that outputs an operation signal of the operation unit can be provided. The operation restriction control unit (80) may be provided on the control board of the control device (7), or may be provided between the setting change operation unit and the control device (7).

Note that the operation restriction control unit (80) does not need to be able to restrict all signal outputs of operation switches that require operation when changing settings, and restricts at least one signal output of the setting change operation unit that is indispensable for setting changes. If possible.
According to the present invention, as a general rule, unless the front door (3) and the lid (20) are opened, the operation signal of the setting change operation unit is not output, so that the setting cannot be changed. If any trouble occurs in the operation restriction control unit (80), the state monitoring control unit can detect fraud.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can detect a fraud that is not fraudulent as well as a fraud that is related to the setting change operation unit. While making it impossible, the software can be monitored to prevent fraud.

FIG. 4 is an external front view of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view which opened the front door of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a perspective view of a switch case. It is a flowchart of state monitoring control. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical configuration of the slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as an example of a medal gaming machine.
(Slot Machine S)
As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine S has a plate-like front door 3 attached to the front side of a box-shaped housing 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. As shown in FIG. A reel device 6 having three reel motors 6B (see FIG. 3) and three rotary reels 6A on which a plurality of symbols (not shown) are displayed, and a hopper motor 8A (FIG. 3) for storing medals. Hopper device 8 for paying out medals by driving), a control device 7 for controlling the operation of the slot machine S, and switches as a setting change operation unit operated when changing the setting of the slot machine S. The switch unit 1 provided and the power supply device 9 are housed and fixed.

  The front door 3 is attached through a hinge (not shown) so that the front opening of the housing 2 can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1, the central portion in the height direction is used for the operation of the slot machine S. The operation unit 5 is provided with related operation switches and the like. A front panel 3A having a symbol display window 90 through which the symbol of the rotary reel 6A can be viewed from the front side is provided above the operation unit 5, and a character corresponding to the model of the slot machine S is provided below the operation unit 5. Each of the lower panels 3C is displayed. An upper panel 3B is provided above the front panel 3A, and a medal payout port 3E for discharging medals paid out from the hopper device 8 is provided below the lower panel 3C and below the front door 3. Thus, a lower plate 3D capable of storing medals discharged from the medal payout opening 3E is formed.

Furthermore, the front door 3 is provided with an effect display device 50 for causing various effects accompanying the game. The effect display device 50 includes a lamp 51 disposed around the upper panel 3B, an image display unit 52 provided on the upper panel 3B, and a speaker 53 provided on the back wall of the lower plate 3C. The image display unit 52 displays a character / graphic moving image or the like using a liquid crystal display device or a dot matrix.
The operation unit 5 includes a medal slot 5A for inserting medals, a bet switch 5B for replacing medals stored as credits with inserted medals, and a lever-shaped start for starting rotation of the rotating reel 6A. A switch 5C, a stop switch 5D composed of three button switches for individually stopping the rotation of the rotary reel 6A, and a settlement switch 5E for paying back the credited medal are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a medal selector 4 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 5A is built in the back side of the front door 3, and a medal canceled by the medal selector 4 is displayed. A medal passage 3F for guiding to the lower plate 3D is provided.
The control device 7 includes a control board on which various electronic components such as an IC are mounted, and a board case for housing the control board. As the control board, as shown in FIG. 3, a main board and a sub board are provided.
The main board includes various electronic components such as a CPU 70, a ROM 71, a RAM 72, a random number generation circuit 73, a clock pulse generation circuit 74, an input port 75, an output port 76, and a signal output circuit 77. It functions as various control units by reading the program stored in the. Specifically, the main board constitutes a main control device 7A for performing the lottery and controlling the operations of the reel device 6 and the hopper device 8, and although not particularly shown, a medal for controlling bets and credits An insertion control unit, a combination lottery control unit for performing a combination lottery for determining whether or not a “combination” consisting of a combination of symbols is won, a reel control unit for controlling the reel device 6, a bonus game, etc. A game state control unit for performing control, a payout control unit for performing control related to the payout of medals, a setting change control unit for changing the setting of the slot machine S based on an operation signal of the setting change operation unit, and a slot It functions as a state monitoring control unit for monitoring fraud on the machine S.

On the input side of the main controller 7A, as shown in FIG. 3, the door sensor 40, the lid sensor 30 of the switch unit 1, the setting change switch 12, the setting key switch 11, the reset switch 13, the stop switch 14, the medal sensor 4A, Each part of the bet switch 5B, start switch 5C, stop switch 5D, checkout switch 5E, and power switch 9A is connected.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the door sensor 40 is a door detection unit provided inside the housing 2, and can be a limit switch or an optical sensor. And the opening / closing state of the front door 3 is detected based on the presence / absence of detection of a detected part (not shown) provided on the back surface of the front door 3, and the open state is detected (or the closed state is detected). In the case where there is not, a detection signal is output to the main control device 7A. The medal sensor 4A is a detection unit built in the medal selector 4 and detects the inserted medal, although not particularly shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the power switch 9 </ b> A is a switch provided on the front surface of the power supply device 9 for switching the main power supply of the slot machine S on and off. An operation restriction control unit 80 is provided between the door sensor 40 and the switch unit 1 and the main board. This will be described later together with the configuration of the switch unit 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reel motor 6B, the hopper motor 8A, the medal canceling device 4B, the numerical display unit 60, and the error display unit 61 are connected to the output side of the main control unit 7A.
Here, the medal cancellation device 4B is built in the medal selector 4, although not particularly shown, and is for canceling the game medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 5A. Specifically, although not particularly illustrated, a projecting claw is protruded from the medal guide path of the medal selector 4 by energization of the solenoid, and the game medal flowing down the medal path is discharged from the medal path upstream of the medal sensor 4A. The discharged game medals fall on a medal passage 3F provided on the back surface of the front door 3 and are paid back to the lower plate 3D from the medal payout opening 3E.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the numerical display unit 60 is a display unit provided below the symbol display window 90 of the upper panel 3A, and uses a 7-segment LED or a liquid crystal display to display the number of games, the number of payouts, It is for displaying numerical values related to games such as the number of credits. The error display unit 61 is for notifying an error by a predetermined character number when the state monitoring control unit detects a predetermined error. In the present embodiment, a part of the numerical display unit 60 functions as the error display unit 61 at the time of an error, but the error display unit 61 may be provided separately. In addition, an alarm sound can be output when an error occurs. In this case, the speaker 53 functions as the error display unit 61.

Although not particularly shown, the sub board is also equipped with electronic components such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and, like the main board, the CPU reads various programs stored in the ROM and functions as various control units. To do. Specifically, the sub board constitutes a sub-control device 7B for inputting a signal from the main board via the signal output circuit 77 and controlling the operation of the effect display device 50. It functions as an effect control unit for controlling effects using the device 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp 51, the image display unit 52, and the speaker 53 are connected to the output side of the sub-control device 7B.
An outline of the operation of the slot machine S having the above configuration will be described.

  The medal insertion control unit of the main controller 7A receives the medal detection signal of the medal sensor 4A or the operation signal of the bet switch 5B, and validates the operation of the start switch 5C. Here, the slot machine S is configured so that a maximum of three medals can be placed (betted) in one game, and up to 50 medals inserted from the medal slot 5A can be stored as credits. ing. When a medal is credited, the numerical value is displayed on a credit display portion provided at a predetermined position of the numerical value display portion 60, and a predetermined number of 1 to 3 is displayed every time the bet switch 5B is operated. Is subtracted from the display, and the number of medals is regarded as bet.

  Then, based on the operation signal of the start switch 5C, the role lottery control unit performs the role lottery, and the reel control unit drives the reel motor 62 to start the rotation of the rotary reel 6A. Note that in the role lottery, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 73 (or the count value of the loop counter as the random number generation circuit 73) is read at the timing of receiving the operation signal of the start switch 5C, and the role lottery table stored in the ROM 71 This is done by matching. While the rotating reel 6A is rotating, the current position of the symbol of each rotating reel 6A is grasped based on a detection signal from a reel sensor (not shown) provided on each rotating reel 6A. Also, the reel control unit stops the rotation of the reel 6A by stopping the driving of the reel motor 6B based on the operation signal of the stop switch 5D. At this time, when the result of the lottery is lost, the symbols constituting the winning combination are predetermined under certain conditions when the predetermined combination is won so that the stopped symbols are not arranged in any winning manner. The stop time of the rotating reel 6A is controlled by adjusting the time from when the operation signal of the stop switch 5D is received until the drive of the reel motor is stopped so that the display mode is stopped. When all the three rotating reels 6A are stopped, if the symbols constituting the winning combination of each rotating reel 6A are displayed in an arrangement corresponding to the winning combination, the hopper control unit operates the hopper device 8. Then, the number of medals according to the combination is paid out, or the game state control unit starts an advantageous game such as a bonus game.

(Switch unit 1)
Next, the switch unit 1 will be described in detail.
The switch unit 1 is a box-shaped member that is a group of operation switches as a setting change operation unit that is operated when changing the setting of the game play of the slot machine S or the setting of the gaming state, as shown in FIG. As described above, the control device 7 is attached to a fixing member for fixing the control device 7 to the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the case body 10 includes an operation switch fixed to the case body 10 and a lid 20 that is detachably attached to the front surface of the case body and covers the operation switches. ing.

As the operation switches, a setting key switch 11, a setting change switch 12, a reset switch 13, and a stop switch 14 are provided. The setting key switch 11 is switched by inserting a predetermined key into the keyhole and turning, and the setting change switch 12, the reset switch 13 and the stop switch 14 are push button switches. Each switch is connected to the control device 7 via a harness (not shown).
Here, the setting key switch 11 and the setting change switch 12 are setting change operation units that are operated when changing the setting of the outgoing ball. Specifically, after the power switch 9A is turned off, the setting key switch 11 is turned on, and the power switch 9A is turned on, so that the current set value is displayed at a predetermined position on the numerical value display unit 60, and the state When the setting change switch 12 is operated, the display fluctuates and the setting value is changed, and the changed setting is confirmed by a predetermined setting confirmation operation (for example, pressing of the start lever). In addition, the setting of the appearance of the slot machine S is divided into six stages from setting 1 to setting 6, and the larger the setting value, the greater the probability of winning in the role lottery (as a result, the number of appearances increases). Is set to In other words, a role lottery table is provided according to the set value, and when the set value is changed and confirmed, the lottery table used for the role lottery is changed.

The reset switch 13 is a setting change operation unit for releasing an error state or a stop state, and the stop switch 14 is a setting change operation unit for setting whether or not to stop after the bonus game ends.
The lid body 20 is a plate member that covers the front surface of the case body 10, and the engagement claw 10A provided on the case body 10 is engaged with the engagement portion 20A provided on the lid body 20, thereby Mounted on the main body 10. When the lid 20 is attached, the operation switches described above are covered with the lid 20.
Further, the case body 10 is provided with a lid sensor 30 for detecting the mounting state of the lid body 20. The lid sensor 30 is a limit switch having an in / out protrusion, and when the lid 20 is correctly attached, the indentation protrusion is depressed by being pressed against the back surface of the lid 20, the attached state of the lid 20, In other words, the covering state of the operation switches is detected. On the other hand, when the lid 20 is removed or when the lid 20 is not properly attached, the protrusions and protrusions are in a protruding state, and the lid 20 is open, in other words, the exposed state of the operation switches is Detected. The lid sensor 30 outputs a detection signal to the main control device 7A when the open state of the lid 20 is detected (or when the mounting state is not detected).

The switch unit 1 may be installed at a place other than the above. For example, it may be arranged above the power supply device 9 or on the side of the reel device 6. Furthermore, the lid 20 may be attached to the case body 10 via a hinge so as to be rotatable.
In the present embodiment, the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12 and the reset switch 13 described above are not effective unless the front door 3 is opened and the lid 20 is not removed. It has a configuration like this. Specifically, the operation signal is output by the operation restriction control unit 80 provided in the electrical connection path between the door sensor 40, the lid sensor 30, the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12, the reset switch 13, and the CPU 70. Are limited.

(Operation restriction control unit 80)
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation restriction control unit 80 operates an AND circuit 81 that outputs a signal a when both the output signals from the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30 are input, and the operation of the setting key switch 11. The AND circuit 82 that outputs the signal b when both the signal and the signal a are input, and the signal c is output when both the operation signal of the setting change switch 12 and the signal a are input. An AND circuit 83 and an AND circuit 84 that outputs a signal d when both the operation signal of the reset switch 13 and the signal a are input. That is, the operation signals of the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12, and the reset switch 13 are output to the CPU 70 only when the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30 detect opening. Accordingly, even if the operation switch is touched using a wire or the like without opening the front door 3 and the lid 20, an operation signal is not output, and as a result, the operation does not work. The CPU 70 inputs the signals b to d as operation signals for the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12 and the reset switch 13, respectively, and performs processing according to the type of the switch.

In the present embodiment, the operation restriction control unit 80 is provided in the control device 7A. However, the operation restriction control unit 80 may be provided in an electrical connection path between the switch unit 1 and the control device 7A.
By the way, only by the operation restriction using the logic circuit as described above, an illegal board (so-called hanging board) is installed between the switch unit 1 and the control device 7 so as to validate the operation signals of the switches. If the circuit itself is modified, the fraud prevention cannot be effectively implemented. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the main control device 7A separately monitors the input signal in a software manner to ensure prevention of fraud with respect to the operation switch of the switch unit 1.

(Status monitoring control based on input signals)
Hereinafter, the function of the main control device 7A as the state monitoring control unit will be described with reference to the flow of FIG.
Here, the state monitoring control unit inputs detection signals from both the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30 when the front door 3 is opened and the lid 20 of the switch unit 1 is opened. If so, that effect is stored in the RAM 72. The RAM 72 stores this by establishing a normal door opening flag. The establishment of the flag is referred to as “turning on the flag”, and erasing (resetting) the established flag is referred to as “turning off the flag”.

  Further, the state monitoring control unit inputs an operation signal for any one of the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12, and the reset switch 13 among the switches of the switch unit 1 when the normal door opening flag is ON. If so, that effect is stored in the RAM 72. The RAM 72 stores that fact by turning on the operation history flag. Thus, the RAM 72 functions as an opening / closing history storage unit and an operation history storage unit. Further, the RAM 72 is configured so that when the normal door opening flag and the operation history flag are ON, when the detection signal is not input from both the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30, in other words, the front door 3 and the lid body 20 are When closed, the normal door opening flag and the operation history flag are turned off.

The state monitoring control unit then detects the detection signals of the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30, the presence / absence of the normal door opening flag and the operation history flag, and the operation signal input (switch input) of the switches of the switch unit 1. The presence / absence is monitored by an interrupt process to determine whether or not fraud has been performed on the operation switch.
First, in step 100 of FIG. 5, when the front door 3 is opened, it is determined whether or not the lid 20 is opened in the next step 101, and if the lid 20 is opened. In step 102, the normal door opening flag is turned ON. If the normal door opening flag is already ON, the flag remains ON. In the next step 103, it is determined whether or not there is a switch input. If a switch input has been made, the operation history flag is turned ON in the next step 104. If the operation history flag is already ON, the flag remains ON. If no switch input is made, the control is terminated as it is.

  In step 101, if the lid 20 is not opened, the process proceeds to step 110. In step 110, it is determined whether or not there is a switch input. If a switch input is made, it is determined in step 115 that the error is invalid. In such a case, it can be inferred that the switch operation has been performed without the lid 20 being removed. When an illegal error is determined, a predetermined error display is performed on the error display unit 61. At this time, the slot machine S may be made in a non-gameable state, for example, by the insertion control unit operating the medal canceling device 4B or the reel control unit invalidating the operation of the start switch 5C and the stop switch 5D. Or you may make it report to a hall computer. Further, an error signal may be output to the sub-control device 7B so that a warning or alarm is given by the image display unit 52 or the speaker 53.

  If no switch input is made in step 110, it is determined in step 111 whether a normal door opening flag is present. If the normal door opening flag is not ON, the control is terminated as it is. In such a case, it can be estimated that only the front door 3 is opened and the lid 1 is not opened. If the normal door opening flag is ON, it is determined in step 112 whether or not there is an operation history flag. If the operation history flag is not OFF, that is, if switch input is being performed, the control is terminated as it is. In such a case, it can be presumed that the switch 20 is operated after the front door 3 and the lid 20 are normally opened, and the lid 20 is attached while the front door 3 is opened.

On the other hand, if the operation history flag is OFF in step 112, it is determined in step 113 that the error is invalid. In such a case, it can be inferred that the switch 20 is not operated after the front door 3 and the lid 20 are normally opened and only the lid 20 is attached. In this case, although an illegal input operation is not performed, it may be in the middle of an illegal act, and since it is a suspicious behavior, it is determined as an illegal error. Accordingly, although there is an inconvenience that an error occurs even when the lid 20 is opened and closed for an unfair purpose, this specification is used in order to ensure that fraud is complete.
In step 100, if the front door 3 is not opened, it is determined in step 120 whether or not the lid 20 is opened. If the lid 20 is opened, in the next steps 121 and 122, it is determined whether or not there is a normal door opening flag and an operation history flag. If the normal door opening flag is not ON, and if the normal door opening flag is ON but the operation history flag is not ON, it is determined in step 124 that the error is an illegal error. In such a case, the lid 20 is opened even though the front door 3 is not opened, or the lid is not operated after the front door 3 and the lid 20 are normally opened. It can be inferred that the front door 3 is closed without attaching 20. In the latter case (No in step 122), it may be possible to forget to attach the lid 20 for an unauthorized purpose. However, as described above, the behavior is suspicious and the foreign body is prevented from being completely closed. Since it is considered that the situation is sandwiched between them, this specification is used in order to ensure that fraudulent acts are ensured.

  On the other hand, if the operation history flag is ON in step 122, it is determined in step 123 that the error is not illegal. In such a case, the switch is operated after the front door 3 and the lid 20 are normally opened, but the front door 3 is closed with the lid 20 not attached or incompletely attached, or It can be inferred that the front door 3 is closed while the key is attached to the setting key switch 11. When it is determined that the error is not illegal, the error display unit 61 displays an error display different from the illegal error display, and warns that the lid 20 is forgotten to be closed and the key is forgotten to be removed. In this case, it is not necessary to perform a game disable process or a report process to the hall computer.

  If the lid 20 is not opened in step 120, the process proceeds to step 130. In step 130, it is determined whether either the normal door opening flag or the operation history flag is ON. If any of the flags is ON, the flag is reset in step 131. Then, in the next step 132, it is determined whether or not there is a switch input. As a result, if there is no switch input, the control is terminated as it is, and if there is a switch input, it is determined in step 133 that the error is incorrect. In such a case, it can be inferred that the switch operation is performed even though the front door 3 is closed and the lid 20 is not opened.

As described above, the state monitoring control unit performs the switch operation without opening the lid 20 of the switch unit 1 in the state where the front door 3 is opened, and performs the switch operation by opening the lid 20. Suspicious act of attaching the lid 20 without performing, act of opening the lid 20 of the switch unit 1 with the front door 3 closed, and act of operating the switch without opening the lid 20 It is possible to monitor, and it is possible to issue a warning of fraud against these acts. In addition, it is possible to monitor forgetting to attach the lid 20 and forgetting to remove the key after a normal setting change operation. In such a case, the operator can be alerted.
According to the present embodiment, when the operation restriction control unit 80 functions normally, the switch operation is effective only when the front door 3 is normally opened and the lid 20 is normally opened. Even in this case, although the state monitoring control is performed, an incorrect error is not issued, and the switch unit 1 is not attached with the lid 20 or the setting key switch 11 is left with a key (result) When the front door 3 is closed, a non-incorrect error occurs. And, if any trouble occurs in the operation restriction control unit 80, for example, a circuit board that outputs a switch operation signal without detection by the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30 has been added. Even in this case, illegal operation and suspicious behavior can be handled as illegal errors by the state monitoring control by the main control device 7A. That is, by using both hardware operation control by the operation restriction control unit 80 and software state monitoring control by the main controller 7A, it is possible to ensure fraud prevention and to remove the key. Simple operation mistakes such as forgetting or forgetting to close the lid can also be detected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reset switch 13 for canceling the error is also subjected to the operation restriction by the operation restriction control unit 80 and is under the state monitoring control by the main control device 7A. The act of cheating while resetting can be effectively prohibited.
In the above-described embodiment, the setting change switch 12 and the reset switch 13 are provided separately. However, the present invention may be applied even when the setting change switch and the reset switch are formed as a single switch. It can be implemented. That is, a switch that functions as a setting change switch when the setting key switch 11 is used, and a switch that functions as a reset switch in other cases is provided. Even in this case, the above-described state monitoring control can prevent unauthorized setting changes and unauthorized error cancellation. In this case, the operation restriction control unit 80 only needs to be able to restrict at least the operation signal output of the setting change switch, and even if formed in this way, the operation restriction control unit 80 is basically set as long as the front door 3 and the lid 20 are not opened. The effect that the change operation and error cancellation cannot be performed can be secured.

In the above-described embodiment, the setting change operation unit is provided in the switch unit 1. However, the setting key switch 11 and the setting change switch 12 as the setting change operation unit are provided on the front plate of the power supply device 9. Also good. In this case, a lid that covers the front plate of the power supply device 9 can be provided so that at least the setting change operation unit is covered. The lid may be detachable, or may be rotatably attached to the power supply device 9 via a hinge. Further, the lid may be capable of covering not only the setting change operation unit but also the power switch 9A and other switches.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the state monitoring control unit is provided in the main control device 7A, but the state monitoring control unit is provided in the sub control device 7B, and the state monitoring control and error notification are performed in the sub control device 7B. It may be formed to do.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a door sensor 40, a lid sensor 30, a setting key switch 11, a setting change switch 12, and a reset switch 13 are connected to the input side of the sub control device 7B. A detection signal or an operation signal is input to a CPU (not shown). Although not shown, the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12, and the reset switch 13 are also connected to the main controller 7A. The door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30 need only be connected to at least the sub-control device 7B. In addition, in the electrical connection path between the setting key switch 11, the setting change switch 12, the reset switch 13, and the CPU of the sub-control device 7B, the CPU is activated when any one of the three switches is input. Is provided with an OR circuit for outputting a signal. The reason why the OR circuit is provided is that the sub-control device 7B does not perform processing (for example, setting value change) in accordance with the operation signal of each switch, so that one of the switches has been operated. It is because it is enough if it can be judged. Of course, the determination that any one of the switches has been operated may be performed by the state monitoring control unit (CPU).

Then, based on the detection signals of the door sensor 40 and the lid sensor 30 and the output signal from the OR circuit, the same control as in the above-described embodiment can be performed. In this case, the determinations in steps 103, 110, and 132 in the flow of FIG. 5 are made based on the presence or absence of an output signal from the OR circuit. If it is determined that the error is illegal, the lamp 51, the image display unit 52, and the speaker 53 can be used to notify the error.
As described above, when the state monitoring control unit is provided in the sub-control device 7B, it is not possible to take measures such as invalidating the switch operation based on the error determination or stopping the game, By making a state abnormality known, fraudulent actions related to setting changes can be suppressed.

  The present invention includes a case where the operation restriction control unit 80 is not provided and only the state monitoring control unit performs monitoring. The present invention can also be applied to gaming machines other than slot machines.

S slot machine (game machine)
1 Switch unit 2 Housing 3 Front door
3A Front panel 3B Upper panel
3C Lower panel 3D Lower plate
3E Medals outlet 3F Medals passage 4 Medals selector 4A Medals sensor
4B Medal cancellation device 5 Operation section
5A medal slot 5B bet switch
5C Start switch 5D Stop switch
5E Settlement switch 6 Reel device (game device) 6A Rotating reel 7 Controller 7A Main controller
7B Sub-control device 8 Hopper device 9 Power supply device
9A power switch
10 Case body 11 Setting key switch (setting change operation section)
12 Setting change switch (Setting change operation section)
13 Reset switch 14 Stop switch
20 Lid 30 Lid sensor (Lid detection part)
40 Door sensor (door detector)
50 Production display 51 Lamp
52 Image display 53 Speaker
60 Numeric display 61 Error display
70 CPU (status monitoring controller) 71 ROM
72 RAM (Operation history storage) 73 Random number generator
74 Clock pulse generator 75 Input port
76 Output port 77 Signal output circuit
80 Operation restriction controller 81 to 84 AND circuit
90 Symbol display window

Claims (2)

A gaming device and a housing with a built-in control device for controlling the operation of the gaming device, a front door capable of opening and closing a front opening of the housing, and a setting change operation unit for changing settings related to gaming of the control device At least in a game machine
A lid capable of covering the setting change operation unit inoperably;
A lid detector for detecting the open covering state of the lid;
A door detector for detecting the open / closed state of the front door;
An operation history storage unit that stores a history of operations performed on the setting change operation unit;
Based on the detection of the lid detection unit and the door detection unit, the operation on the setting change operation unit, and the storage of the operation history storage unit, a state monitoring control unit for monitoring the state of the gaming machine,
The operation history storage unit
After the door detection unit detects the open state and the lid detection unit detects the open state, when the setting change operation unit is operated, the operation history is stored, and the operation history is stored, When the lid detection unit detects a covering state and the door detection unit detects a closed state, the lid detection unit is formed to erase the memory,
The state monitoring control unit
When the door detection unit detects an open state and the lid detection unit detects a covering state, when the setting change operation unit is operated, it is determined as an illegal error,
When the door detection unit detects an open state and the lid detection unit detects an open state, and then the lid detection unit detects a covering state, and the operation history storage means does not store an operation history Is considered an invalid error,
In the case where the door detection unit detects a closed state and the lid detection unit detects an open state, if the operation history storage means does not store an operation history, it is determined as an illegal error. If the operation history storage means stores an operation history, it is determined that the error is not illegal,
In the case where the door detection unit detects a closed state and the lid detection unit detects a covering state, when the setting change operation unit is operated, the door detection unit is configured to determine an illegal error. A gaming machine characterized by   In the electrical connection path connecting the setting change operation unit and the control unit related to the setting change of the control device, the setting change operation unit of the setting change operation unit is subject to detection of the open state of both the door detection unit and the lid detection unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operation restriction control unit that validates an operation signal based on an operation.

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