JP2000317043A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To especially inspect the occurrence of an error concerning a setting value. SOLUTION: A game controller 20 is provided with a check sum generating means 210, a storage means 220, a check sum inspecting means 230 and an error processing means 240. The inspecting means 230 is for inspecting the coincidence or non-coincidence of a check sum generated by the means 210 with storage data read from the means 220 when a main power source is supplied by a power source switch 30. The error processing means 240 executes an error processing when an inspection result by the means 230 is non- coincidence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine, and more particularly to a slot machine capable of inspecting the occurrence of an error relating to a set value when power is turned on.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a pachinko machine, an error checking method using a checksum has been adopted (for example, JP-A-8-155114 and JP-A-8-3).
No. 22980, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-118280,
JP-A-10-24909 and the like).

[0003]

However, the error check method using the checksum employed in the above-mentioned conventional pachinko machine has a problem that it is difficult to check an error relating to a set value unique to the slot machine. was there. That is, since the pachinko machine does not have a backup power supply in the memory, the contents of the checksum are erased after the power is turned off.

Accordingly, the inventions described in the respective claims have been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the objects thereof are as follows. (Claim 1) That is, according to the invention described in claim 1, by holding the checksum of the game data including the set value by the backup power supply, it is possible to inspect the occurrence of an error relating to the set value when the power is turned on. It is made possible. (Claim 2) The invention described in claim 2 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1.

[0005] That is, the invention according to claim 2 is such that an error can be notified by a warning sound. (Claim 3) The invention described in claim 3 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 1 or 2.

That is, the invention according to claim 3 is such that an error can be visually reported. (Claim 4) The invention described in claim 4 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 described above.

[0007] That is, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when an error is found, the game of the slot machine can be stopped. (Claim 5) The invention described in claim 5 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 described above.

[0008] That is, the invention according to claim 5 is such that when an error is found, it is possible to wait for the setting of the step setting value. (Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 has the following object in addition to the object of the invention described in claim 5 described above.

That is, according to the invention of claim 6, when an error is found, the step setting value can be manually changed.

[0010]

The inventions described in the respective claims are made to achieve the above-mentioned objects, and the features of the inventions are shown in the drawings. This will be described below using embodiments. In addition, the code | symbol in a parenthesis shows the code | symbol used in embodiment of this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.

Also, the drawing numbers indicate the drawing numbers used in the embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. (Claim 1) The invention according to claim 1 has the following features. First, the slot machine (10) has a power switch (30) and a setting switch (40) as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
And a game control device (20).

The power switch (30) is for turning on / off the power by the main power supply (70). The setting switch (40) can set the difficulty level of the game step by step. The game control device (20) is connected to a power switch (30) and a setting switch (40) as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

Second, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a checksum creating means (210), a storage means (220), a checksum checking means (230), Processing means (240). Checksum creation means (21
0) is for creating a checksum of game data including the step setting value set by the setting switch (40).

The storage means (220) stores the checksum created by the checksum creation means (210) when the main power supply (70) is turned off, and a backup power supply (holds the stored data). 80). The checksum inspection means (230) is, when the main power supply (70) is turned on by the power switch (30), a checksum creation means (210).
This is for checking whether the created checksum matches the storage data read from the storage means (220).

The error processing means (240) is for executing error processing when the check results from the checksum checking means (230) do not match. (Claim 2) The invention of claim 2 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention of claim 1 described above.

First, the slot machine (10) includes a speaker (110), for example, as shown in FIG. The speaker (110) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to (20). Second, error handling means
In (240), for example, as shown in FIG.
(241).

The warning sound generating means (241) is provided with a speaker (11
This is for generating a warning sound through 0). (Claim 3) The invention according to claim 3 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 1 or 2.

First, the slot machine (10) includes an error display device (120) as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The error display device (120) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the game control device (20). Second, the error processing means (240) includes an error display means (242) as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

The error display means (242) is for visually displaying the occurrence of an error on the error display device (120). (Claim 4) The invention described in claim 4 is characterized by the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 described above.

That is, the error processing means (240) includes a game stopping means (243) as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
The game stop means (243) is for putting the main power supply 70 in a state of waiting for the main power supply 70 to be shut off by the power switch 30. (Claim 5) The invention according to claim 5 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 described above.

First, the game control device (20) includes a setting switch determination means (250) as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The setting switch determination means (250) is a setting switch
This is for determining the on / off state of (40). Second, the error processing means (240) is
The error processing is executed on condition that the OFF state of the setting switch (40) is determined from 0). (Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 has the following features in addition to the features of the invention described in claim 5 described above.

That is, the game control device (20) includes a set value changing means (260) as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The setting value changing means (260) is a setting switch determining means (250)
When the ON state of the setting switch (40) is determined,
This is for changing the current step setting value to the step setting value set by the setting switch (40).

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Explanation of the Drawings) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the slot machine, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process when the power of the slot machine is turned on. (Slot Machine 10) In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a slot machine.

The slot machine 10 includes a game control device 20 as shown in FIG. The game control device 20 includes:
Although not shown, the CPU is mainly configured, and ROM, RA
M, I / O, etc., and CPU is ROM
By reading the program stored in the program, it functions as the following means as shown in FIG. (1) Game control means 200 (2) Checksum creating means 210 (3) Storage means 220 (4) Checksum checking means 230 (5) Error processing means 240 (6) Setting switch determining means 250 (7) Setting value change Means 260 The means of the game control device 20 are not limited to the means described above, and may include other means and tables.

The CPU comprises a main CPU and a sub-CP.
U and U may be controlled separately. (Input Stage) The following parts are connected to the input stage of the game control device 20, as shown in FIG.

(1) Power switch 30 (2) Setting switch 40 (3) Start switch 50 (4) Stop switch 60 (5) Main power supply 70 (6) Backup power supply 80 Connected to the input stage of game control device 20 The parts are not limited to the parts described above, and other parts may be connected. (Output Stage) The following parts are connected to the output stage of the game control device 20, as shown in FIG.

(1) Reel unit 90 (2) Hopper unit 100 (3) Speaker 110 (4) Error display device 120 The parts connected to the output stage of game control device 20 are limited to the above-mentioned parts. Instead, other parts may be connected. (Power Switch 30) The power switch 30 is for turning on / off the power by the main power supply 70. (Setting Switch 40) The setting switch 40 can set the difficulty of the game step by step. (Start Switch 50) The start switch 50 starts driving the reel unit 90 on condition that a medal is inserted. (Stop Switch 60) The stop switch 60 starts driving the reel unit 90. (Main Power Supply 70) The main power supply 70 supplies power to the game control device 20, the reel unit 90, the hopper unit 100, the speaker 110, the error display device 120, and the like.

It should be noted that the main power supply 70 may be inside the slot machine 10 or outside. (Backup Power Supply 80) The backup power supply 80 is for supplying power to the storage means 220 of the game control device 20. As a result, the stored data stored in the storage unit 220 is retained even after the main power supply 70 is turned off. (Reel Unit 90) Although not shown, the reel unit 90 includes a plurality of, for example, three reels, and a plurality of, for example, three motors for individually rotating each reel. A plurality of types of symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel. (Hopper unit 100) The hopper unit 100 is for paying out medals based on the result of the game. (Speaker 110) The speaker 110 generates various sound effects in accordance with the progress of the game. (Error Display Device 120) The error display device 120 is for visually displaying the occurrence of an error.

Specifically, as the error display device 120, an LED, a lamp, a liquid crystal, or the like can be used. (Game control means 200) The game control means 200 is a normal game,
Based on the result of the normal game, a special game such as a so-called big bonus game or a regular bonus game is performed. (Checksum creating means 210) Checksum creating means 210
Is for creating a checksum of the game data including the step setting value set by the setting switch 40.

The checksum is one of detection methods for checking whether data has been exchanged correctly. Specifically, the data string is divided into blocks of a fixed length, and the sum total of the data strings in the block is obtained. The game data is stored in a RAM,
As a process at the time of power-off, a RAM sum check is created. (Storage means 220) The storage means 220
This is for storing the checksum created by the checksum creation means 210.

When the main power supply 70 is turned off, for example, the following case is assumed. (1) When the main power supply 70 is turned off by the power switch 30. (2) When the main power supply 70 is cut off due to force majeure such as a lightning strike. (3) When the main power supply 70 is intentionally shut down due to misconduct or the like. (Checksum inspection means 230) Checksum inspection means 230
Is for checking whether or not the checksum created by the checksum creating means 210 matches the storage data read from the storage means 220 when the main power supply 70 is turned on by the power switch 30.

More specifically, the checksum creating means 210 creates a checksum of the RAM as a process at the time of power-off, and determines whether the contents of the RAM match the contents at the time of the next power-on. , And the checksum check means 230 confirms this. For example, the following case is assumed as a cause of the mismatch between the sum checks.

(1) When the main power supply 70 is shut off for a long time, and the backup power supply 80 is used, for example, when the battery runs out. (2) R due to force majeure noise such as lightning
When the contents of AM are destroyed. (3) When the contents of the RAM are destroyed due to intentional noise. (Error Processing Means 240) The error processing means 240 is for performing error processing when the check result by the checksum checking means 230 does not match.

More specifically, the error processing means 240
The following means are provided. (1) Warning sound generating means 241 The warning sound generating means 241 is for generating a warning sound through the speaker 110. (2) Error display means 242 The error display means 242 is for visually displaying the occurrence of an error on the error display device 120.

(3) Game Stop Means 243 The game stop means 243 is for waiting for the main power supply 70 to be shut off by the power switch 30. Note that the various units of the error processing unit 240 are not limited to the above-described units, and may include other units. (Setting switch determining means 250) Setting switch determining means 250
Is for determining whether the setting switch 40 is on or off. (Setting value changing means 260) When the setting switch judgment means 250 determines that the setting switch 40 is in the ON state, the setting value changing means 260 changes the current step setting value to the setting switch.
This is for changing to the step set value set by 40.

Conversely, the error processing means 240 executes error processing on condition that the setting switch determination means 250 determines that the setting switch 40 is in the OFF state. (Flowchart) Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG.
After the power is turned on, the process proceeds to a first step S1 to check the checksum of the ROM data.

The power is turned on by operating the power switch 30 to turn on the main power supply 70. The inspection is executed by the game control device 20. After the inspection, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the next second step S2, where an initialization process is performed. The processing is executed by the game control device 20. After the initialization process, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the next third step S3, where the checksum of the RAM is checked. The inspection is performed by the checksum inspection means 230.

After the above inspection, as shown in FIG.
Proceeding to step S4, it is determined whether the checksums match. The above determination is also executed by the checksum checking means 230. If the determination result is a match, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the next fifth step S5, and it is determined whether the step setting value is normal. The determination is a game control device
Performed by 20.

When the result of the determination is not normal, that is, when the result is abnormal, the process proceeds to the next sixth step S6, as shown in FIG. 2, and the initial value of the step setting value is set. The set is executed by the game control device 20. After the above setting, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the next seventh step S7,
It is determined whether the setting switch 40 is in the ON state. The determination is performed by the setting switch determination unit 250.

If the result of the determination is that it is in the ON state, the process proceeds to the next eighth step S8, as shown in FIG. 2, in which all data other than the step set values in the RAM are cleared. The processing is executed by the game control device 20. After the above processing, as shown in FIG.
Proceeding to S9, step setting value change processing is performed. The above processing is executed by the set value changing means 260.

That is, even if the initial value of the step setting value is set in the sixth step, the setting switch 40
The step setting value set by (1) has priority. as a result,
The initial value of the step setting value stored in the RAM is changed to the step setting value set by the setting switch 40. Since then
The game is started with the step setting value set by the setting switch 40.

After the above processing, as shown in FIG.
In step S10, all data other than the step set values in the RAM are cleared. The processing is executed by the game control device 20. At this time, the step setting value set by the setting switch 40 remains in the RAM. After the above process, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to a normal game process. That is, thereafter, the normal game is started by the game control means 200.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the previous seventh step S7 that the setting switch 40 is not in the ON state, that is, when it is determined that the setting switch 40 is in the OFF state, as shown in FIG. Proceeding to S10, all data other than the step set values in the RAM are cleared. That is,
The initial value of the step setting value set in the sixth step becomes effective, and thereafter, the game is started with the initial value.

If it is determined in the preceding fourth step S4 that the checksums do not match, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the next eleventh step S11, where the setting switch 40 is set.
Is determined to be in the ON state. The determination is performed by the setting switch determination unit 250. When the above determination result is
If it is determined to be in the ON state, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds from the eleventh step S11 to the eighth step S8, and thereafter, the game is started with the step setting value set by the setting switch 40.

On the other hand, in an eleventh step S7,
If it is determined that the setting switch 40 is not in the ON state, that is, if it is determined that the setting switch 40 is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to the next twelfth step S12 as shown in FIG. . The processing is performed by the error processing means 240
Is executed by Specifically, the warning sound generation unit 241 generates a warning sound through the speaker 110. Further, the error display means 242 causes the error display device 120 to visually display the occurrence of the error.

After the above processing, as shown in FIG.
The process proceeds to step S13, and waits for power-off. The above processing is executed by the error processing means 240. Specifically, the game stop means 243 sets the main power supply 70 in a state of waiting for the main power supply 70 to be shut off by the power switch 30, and the process is repeated in an infinite loop unless the main power supply 70 is turned off by the power switch 30.

In the fourth step S4, when it is determined that the checksums do not match, the process proceeds to the sixth step in FIG. 2 and the initial value is not set for the following reason. That is, for example, the following case is assumed as a cause of the mismatch between the sum checks.

(1) When the main power supply 70 is shut off for a long time and the backup power supply 80 is used, for example, when the battery runs out. (2) R due to force majeure noise such as lightning
When the contents of AM are destroyed. (3) When the contents of the RAM are destroyed due to intentional noise.

In the case of the above (2) or (3), setting the initial value to the step set value may be different from the set value of the hall, in which case both the hall and the player may be troubled. Is considered. Also,
This is because, in the case of (3), it is conceivable that the player may perform it as fraud. Therefore, the step setting value is set again by the setting switch 40.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the preceding fifth step S5 that the step setting value is normal, the process proceeds to the next fourteenth step S14 as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether 0 is in the ON state. The determination is performed by the setting switch determination unit 250. When the result of the determination is determined to be the ON state, as shown in FIG. 2, the process proceeds from the fourteenth step S14 to the eighth step S8, and thereafter, the game is performed according to the step setting value set by the setting switch 40. Be started.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting switch 40 is not in the ON state, that is, if it is determined that the setting switch 40 is in the OFF state, as shown in FIG.

[0052]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. (Claim 1) According to the invention described in claim 1, the following effects are obtained.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the checksum of the game data including the set value is held by the backup power supply, so
The occurrence of an error relating to the set value can be checked. (Claim 2) According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following effect is exerted.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, an error can be notified by a warning sound. (Claim 3) According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the following effect is exerted.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, an error can be visually reported. (Claim 4) According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the following effect is exerted.

That is, according to the invention described in claim 4, when an error is found, the game of the slot machine can be stopped. (Claim 5) According to the invention set forth in claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the following effects are provided.

That is, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an error is found, it is possible to wait for the setting of the step setting value. (Claim 6) The invention according to claim 6 has the following effect in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5 described above.

That is, according to the present invention, when an error is found, the step setting value can be manually changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a slot machine.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process when the power of the slot machine is turned on.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Slot machine 20 Game controller 30 Power switch 40 Setting switch 50 Start switch 60 Stop switch 70 Main power supply 80 Backup power supply 90 Reel unit 100 Hopper unit 110 Speaker 120 Error display device 200 Game control means 210 Checksum creation means 220 Storage means 230 Checksum checking means 240 Error processing means 250 Setting switch judgment means 260 Setting value changing means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power switch for turning on / off a power supply by a main power supply, a setting switch capable of setting a difficulty level of a game in stages, and a game control connected to the power switch and the setting switch, respectively. A checksum creating means for creating a checksum of game data including a step set value set by the setting switch, the checksum when the main power is turned off. A storage unit having a backup power supply for storing the checksum created by the creation unit and holding the stored storage data; and a storage unit that is created by the checksum creation unit when the main power is turned on by the power switch. Check for checking whether or not a checksum matches the storage data read from the storage means A slot machine comprising: a sum checking unit; and an error processing unit for executing an error process when a check result by the checksum checking unit does not match. 2. The slot machine includes a speaker connected to the game control device, and the error processing unit includes a warning sound generating unit for generating a warning sound through the speaker. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The slot machine includes an error display device connected to the game control device, and the error processing means includes an error display for visually displaying occurrence of an error on the error display device. 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising means. 4. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein said error processing means includes a game stopping means for waiting for a cutoff of said main power supply by said power switch. The slot machine described in. 5. The game control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a setting switch determining unit configured to determine whether the setting switch is on or off, wherein the error processing unit determines whether the setting switch is in an off state by the setting switch determining unit. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein error processing is performed on condition that the determination is made. 6. The game control device, wherein when the setting switch determination means determines that the on state of the setting switch is ON, the current step setting value is changed to a step setting value set by the setting switch. 6. The slot machine according to claim 5, further comprising a setting value changing unit for performing the setting.