US20060211492A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060211492A1
Application number: US11/361,047
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazuki Emori
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2005-02-25
Filing date: 2006-02-24
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: JP2006230822A; JP4204001B2

Abstract

A gaming machine according to the invention includes a base frame, a base door which is openably and closably supported on and attached to the base frame, a circuit board case which is arranged on a back side of the base door and holds predetermined circuit boards, a circuit board case cover which is arranged to cover the circuit board case, a first detecting switch which detects opening of the base door, a second detecting switch which detects opening of the circuit board case cover, and a sub-CPU which determines, when opening of the circuit board case cover is detected by the second detecting switch, whether the opening is illegal on the basis of detection results of the first detecting switch and the second detecting switch.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine and, more particularly, to an art effectively applied to gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine in which a circuit board case having a control circuit board built therein is arranged.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, there is a risk of illegally exchanging a ROM built in a circuit board case in a gaming machine (back side of a base door) by the third party.

In order to cancel the risk of falsifying a gaming electronic circuit board by the illegal exchange, it is more practical that the falsification is early detected to make an after-the-fact countermeasure. On the basis of the knowledge, a gaming machine having a seal member which seals the circuit board case is devised (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-62114).

A seal head of the seal member has an arrowhead shape. At the distal end of the seal head, a pair of engaging pieces which can be elastically transformed internally each other are formed. The distal end of the seal head is inserted into a communication hole of the circuit board case with a retaining member.

For this reason, when the seal member is tried to be unsealed to open the circuit board case, the seal member is torn, an evidence of the opening of the circuit board case is left.

For this reason, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open 2001-62114 can detects illegal opening of a circuit board case. Therefore, it can be appropriately known that a gaming electronic circuit board is falsified.

In the conventional art, illegal opening of the circuit board case can be detected. However, when the circuit board case itself is illegally exchanged, illegality to the circuit board case cannot be detected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine which can detect illegality to a circuit board case even though the circuit board case itself is illegally exchanged.

In order to solve the above problem, a gaming machine of a first invention includes: a base frame (base frame3b) constituting a part of a gaming machine main body; a base door (base door3a) which is openably and closably supported on and attached to the base frame; a circuit board case (for example, a sub-controlcircuit board case50, a main controlcircuit board case100, a frame relaycircuit board case130, a power supplycircuit board case150, a payout controlcircuit board case170, and the like) which is arranged on a back side of the base door and holds predetermined circuit boards (for example, a sub-control circuit board, a main control circuit board, a frame relay circuit board, a power supply circuit board, a payout control circuit board, and the like); a circuit board case cover (circuit board case cover500) which is arranged to cover the circuit board case; first detecting means (first detecting switch600) which detects opening of the base door; second detecting means (second detecting switch700) which detects opening of the circuit board case cover; and illegal opening determining means (sub-CPU301) which determines, when opening of the circuit board case cover is detected by the second detecting means, whether the opening is illegal on the basis of detection results of the first detecting means and the second detecting means.

In this manner, when the circuit board case cover which covers the circuit board case is opened, it is determined on the basis of the detection results of the first detecting means and the second detecting means whether the opening of the circuit board case cover is illegal. For this reason, illegality to the circuit board case can be properly detected. Furthermore, in this manner, even though the circuit board case itself is illegally exchanged, illegality to the circuit board case can be detected.

In a second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, when the second detecting means detects opening of the circuit board case cover in a state in which the first detecting means does not detect opening of the base door, the illegal opening determining means determines that the opening of the circuit board case cover is illegal.

In this manner, when opening of the circuit board case cover is not performed on the basis of a predetermined procedure, the opening is determined as illegal opening. For this reason, illegal opening can be more properly detected. For this reason, even though the circuit board case itself is illegally exchanged, illegality to the circuit board case can be reliably detected.

A third invention includes, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, storing means (work RAM303) which stores a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means.

In this manner, the number of times of illegal opening, time of the illegal opening, and the like can be stored, and a larger number of pieces of information related to illegal opening can be collected. For this reason, a countermeasure against illegal opening can be more appropriately performed.

In a fourth invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the predetermined circuit board is a main control circuit board on which a main control circuit (main control circuit200) which is held in the circuit board case and controls progress of a game is mounted, and includes a sub-control circuit board which is arranged independently of the main control circuit board and on which a sub-control circuit (sub-control circuit300) which executes predetermined control on the basis of a control signal received from the main control circuit on the main control circuit board is mounted, and the sub-control circuit board is connected to the first detecting means and the second detecting means and has an illegal opening determining means and a storing means.

Since falsification by the third party is frequently executed to the main control circuit board on which the main control circuit which controls progress of a game, functions of the illegal opening determining means, the storing means, and the like are held by the sub-control circuit board being at relatively low risk of being falsified, illegal opening of the circuit board case cover or the like can be more properly detected, and a more appropriate countermeasure against illegal opening can be taken.

A fifth invention includes, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, notifying means (liquid crystal display device21) which notifies a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means.

In this manner, when the circuit board case cover is illegally opened, employees are notified that the circuit board cover is illegally opened. A countermeasure against the illegal opening can be properly performed, damage by falsification caused by illegal exchange or the like of a circuit board case can be minimized.

Since a deterrent against illegal opening is opened by the notification, the illegal opening can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a back side of a base door of the gaming machine and a circuit board case cover in the gaming machine inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the circuit board case cover inFIG. 3 is attached to the back side of the base door;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a base frame of the gaming machine inFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a back side of the circuit board case cover according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a first detecting switch according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the first detecting switch according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a state in which the first detecting switch is brought into contact with a contact portion;

FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a state the first detecting switch is separated from the contact portion;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a command reception interrupting process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a detection signal receiving process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a main process performed by a sub-control circuit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a illegal opening determining process according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a determination result obtained by a illegal opening determining unit is displayed in a display area of a liquid crystal display device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A best mode to carry on the present invention will be concretely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals as in the accompanying drawings denote the same parts in the drawings, and a repetitive explanation will be omitted. Since the explanation made here is the best mode to carry out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this mode.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a back side of a base door of the gaming machine and a circuit board case cover in the gaming-machine inFIG. 1,FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the circuit board case cover inFIG. 3 is attached to the back side of the base door,FIG. 5 is a front view showing a base frame of the gaming machine inFIG. 1,FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a back side of the circuit board case cover according to the embodiment,FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a first detecting switch according to the embodiment,FIG. 8 is a front view showing the first detecting switch according to the embodiment,FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a state in which the first detecting switch is brought into contact with a contact portion,FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a state the first detecting switch is separated from the contact portion,FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a command reception interrupting process according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a detection signal receiving process according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a main process performed by a sub-control circuit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a illegal opening determining process according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a determination result obtained by a illegal opening determining unit is displayed in a display area of a liquid crystal display device.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in a pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine)1, abase door3aon which a gaming board2 (FIG. 2) is arranged is pivotally attached to abase frame3bfixed to island equipment through ahinge3c(FIG. 5) (that is, thebase door3ais supported at one end of thebase door3aserving as a pivotal supporting point and openably and closably supported on and attached to thebase frame3b.), and a gaming machinemain body3 is constituted by thebase door3aand thebase frame3b. On thebase door3aof the gaming machinemain body3,

speakers

8aand8b(FIG. 10), a liquid crystal display device (LCD)21, aglass door9 visibly covering thegaming board2, an upper receivingportion4, a lowerreceiving portion5, acover6, and ahandle7 are arranged.

Thegaming board2 has agaming region2awhich is surrounded by arail11, along which gaming balls can fall. Disposed in thegaming region2aare gaming members including obstacles (not shown) such as a number of nails and pinwheels, regular winningopenings12,pass gates13, a special winningopening15, anoutlet16, and anelectronic accessory member18 having

starting winning openings

14 and17.

In this case, each regular winningopening12 is a device which pays out a predetermined number of gaming balls when a gaming ball comes into the winning openings, a passinggate13 is a device which moves and stops a plurality of symbols displayed in a regular symbol display area in the wake of passing of a gaming ball through the passinggate13, and thestarting winning opening17 is a device which moves and stops special symbols displayed in a special symbol display area under the condition that a gaming ball comes in. The special winningopening15 is a device which is controlled such that, when a combination of special symbols in stoppage in the special symbol display area becomes a preset combination of specific symbols (big winning display mode) to start a big winning gaming state (the big winning gaming state is a state in which a big winning occurs), a flapper is opened and closed a predetermined number of times under a predetermined condition according to a predetermined setting (More specifically, only when at least one gaming ball passing through a specific area of the special winningopening15 within a predetermined period of time (unless so-called puncture occurs), the special winningopening15 is opened a predetermined number of times and switched between an open state in which a gaming ball is easily received and a closed state in which a gaming ball is not easily received a predetermined number of times. Note that the operation of switching the state between the open state and the closed state is a round operation).

Theoutlet16 is a device into which a gaming ball which does not come in any one of the regular winningopening12, the

starting winning openings

14 and17, and the special winningopening15 flows and which collects the gaming ball.

The passinggate13 is designed to detect a passing gaming ball. A gaming ball passing through the passinggate13 can be memorized as a passing memory. On the basis of the passing memory information, symbols are variably displayed in a regular symbol display area. Four regular symbol memory LEDs (not shown) which displays the number of passing memories of the passinggate13 are arranged on an upper left portion of thegaming region2a. Depending on the number of lighted regular symbol memory LEDs, the number of passing memories of gaming balls passing through the passinggate13 can be displayed.

In the regular symbol display area, for example, two regular symbols alternately flicker. Upon completion of the flicker of two regular symbols, when a “winning” is displayed, the state of thestarting winning opening17 arranged on theelectronic accessory member18 is switched to a state in which a gaming ball is easily received for a predetermined period of time.

In place of the regular symbol display area, two regular symbol display LEDs are arranged at arbitrary positions on thegaming board2, and a “winning” may be displayed by flickering of the LEDs. The two regular symbol display LEDs can also be constituted by, for example, a 7-segment display unit or the like. In this case, as regular symbols displayed on the 7-segment display unit, for example, numbers “0”, “1”, “2”, . . . “7”, “8”, “9”, and the like are variably displayed. When a number displayed in stoppage is “3” or “7”, a “winning” is set.

Thestarting winning opening17 is a device having a receiving hole which receives a gaming ball and including an opening/closing mechanism which can switch a state between a state in which a gaming ball is easily received and a state in which a gaming ball is not easily received. Thestarting winning opening17 is set in the state in which a gaming ball is not easily received in a normal state. When a predetermined condition is established (for example, a regular symbol in the regular symbol display area is stopped as a symbol which means a “winning”), thestarting winning opening17 is opened for a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.3 seconds) and set in the state in which a gaming ball is easily received. When a gaming ball comes in the receiving hole, a predetermined number of gaming balls are paid out.

Balls coming in the

starting winning openings

14 and17 are memorized as winning memories. On the basis of the winning memories, variable display of special symbols in the special symbol display area is performed. At the central portion of thegaming region2a, four special symbol memory LEDs (not shown) which display the number of winning memories of balls coming in the

starting winning openings

14 and17 are arranged. Depending on the number of lighted special symbol memory LEDs, the number of winning memories of gaming balls coming in the

starting winning openings

14 and17 can be displayed.

The special symbols displayed in the special symbol display area are constituted by, for example, numbers of three lines such as “0”, “1”, “2”, . . . , “9”, and the like. These numbers are variably displayed in the wake of coming a gaming ball in thestarting winning opening17. Upon completion of the variable display of the numbers, a combination of special symbols obtained when a variable display result (more specifically, a combination of numbers displayed in stoppage. The combination is also called stop symbols.) consists of three equal numbers such as [“0” “0” “0” ] , [“7” “7” “7” ], or the like is called a big winning display mode (big winning symbol). This big winning display mode is a display mode to cause a player to recognize that a gaming state shifts to a big winning gaming state which is advantageous to the player more than a normal gaming state (more specifically, a “big winning” occurs). A variable display result except for the big winning display mode is called a non-big winning display mode (missed symbol).

The big winning gaming state is a gaming state in which, for example, a special winningopening SOL72S (will be described later) opens and closes the flapper of the special winningopening15 to make it easy that gaming balls the number of which is larger than the number of balls coming in the special winningopening15 in the normal gaming state come in the special winningopening15.

The big winning display mode to cause a player to recognize that the normal gaming state shifts to the big winning gaming state is divided into a special display mode (probability-variable big winning symbol) which is a display mode representing a probability-variable big winning and a nonspecial display mode (normal big winning symbol) which is a display mode representing a normal big winning.

The special display mode is a case in which three equal special numbers such as “7”, “3”, or the like are displayed. On the other hand, the nonspecial display mode is a case in which three equal numbers except for the special numbers or symbols are displayed.

When the variable display result of the special symbol is in the special display mode, (more specifically, a probability-variable winning occurs), upon completion of the big winning gaming state, the gaming state is shifted to a special gaming state (probability-variable state) in which a probability that a variable display result of the special symbol in the special symbol display area is set in the big winning display mode. On the other hand, when the display mode of the special symbol becomes the nonspecial display mode (more specifically, a normal big winning occurs), the gaming state is shifted to the normal gaming state upon completion of the big winning gaming state.

In the embodiment, the number of winning memories and the number of passing memories are displayed by regular symbol memory LEDs and special symbol memory LEDs, respectively. The present invention is not limited to the display method, the numbers may be displayed by another display method. For example, the numbers may be displayed in adisplay area21a.

On the back side of thegaming board2, the liquid crystal display device (LCD)21 serving as a display device including thedisplay area21awhich can display an effect image (For example, an animation, other notification information, or the like corresponding to a gaming state. The image will be referred to as an “effect information image” hereinafter.) and the like is arranged.

The liquidcrystal display device21 displays an arbitrary image in thedisplay area21aon the basis of an indication from an image control circuit305 (will be described below).

Thedisplay area21aof the liquidcrystal display device21 is constituted by an information display area which displays an effect image or other notification information, a regular symbol display area (regular symbol display device) which variably displays a regular symbol, and a special symbol display area (special symbol display device) which variably displays a special symbol (discrimination symbol).

The liquidcrystal display device21 is a notification means which displays a determination result (determination result obtained by determining whether the circuitboard case cover500 is illegally opened) obtained by a CPU (illegal opening determining means)301 (will be described later) in the information display area of thedisplay area21ato notify a manager of the determination result.

In the embodiment, thedisplay area21ahas a square shape may be larger or smaller than thegaming region2a. The shape of thedisplay area21ais not limited to the square shape and may have another shape. For example, acircular display area21amay be used.

In the embodiment using thetransparent gaming board2, thedisplay area21aof the liquidcrystal display device21 is arranged visibly through thegaming board2. In place of the liquidcrystal display device21, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, or he like can also be used.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, theglass door9 and the upper receivingportion4 are integrally formed. The integrated opening/closing door (opening/closing body) has one end which is pivotally supported on thebase door3a. The other end is engaged with thebase door3a. Theglass door9 visibly covers the movably arrangedgaming board2.

Theupper receiving portion4 is located on the lower side of theglass door9, and has anupper tray4aon which paid gaming balls and gaming balls shot into thegaming region2aare reserved. At a predetermined position of the upper receivingportion4, ashutter lever8 which is operated when gaming balls reserved on theupper tray4aare moved into alower tray5a(will be described later) to be taken out at the end of a game or the like is arranged.

Thelower receiving portion5 located on the lower side of the upper receivingportion4 is fixed to thebase door3a, and has thelower tray5aon which gaming balls overflowing from theupper tray4aby payout.

Thehandle7 arranged on the right side of thelower receiving portion5 is pivotally operated when a gaming ball is shot into thegaming region2aof thegaming board2 through the rail11 (FIG. 2), and has a stop button (not shown) which stops the shot of gaming balls.

Thecover6 located on the upper side of theglass door9 is fixed to thebase door3a. Left and leftportions6aand6bof thecover6 correspond to the left and

right speakers

8aand8b(FIG. 10) arranged on thebase door3a, respectively, and have such a structure that sound from the

speakers

8aand8bcan be heard.

In this case, the speaker has a function of outputting predetermined sound (for example, music corresponding to a gaming state, other notification information, and the like).

A configuration on the back side of thebase door3awill be described below with reference toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of thebase door3aand the circuitboard case cover500.

On the back side of thebase door3ainFIG. 3, the observer's right is a hinge side (The side is pivotally supported on and attached to thebase frame3bthrough thehinge3c(FIG. 5). More specifically, the side is supported about a point of pivotal support.), and the left side is an opening/closing end side. When the inside of the gaming machine is exposed, the inside is exposed from the opening/closing side.

As shown inFIG. 3, on the back side of thebase door3a, variable electronic parts, a circuit board on which various electronic parts and the like are mounted, and the like are installed.

For example, the main controlcircuit board case100 which holds a main control circuit board (not shown) is installed at the center of the back side of thebase door3a. The frame relaycircuit board case130 on which a frame relay circuit board (not shown) is installed is installed on a slightly upper right side of the center of the back side of thebase door3a. The power supplycircuit board case150 which holds a power supply circuit board (not shown) is installed on a slightly lower left side of the center of the back side of thebase door3a. The payout controlcircuit board case170 which holds a payout control circuit board (not shown) is installed on a slightly lower right side of the center of the back side of thebase door3a.

In this case, the main control circuit board is a circuit board on which themain control circuit200 for controlling the progress of a game of thepachinko gaming machine1. The frame relay circuit board is a circuit board which takes in an AC power supply and relays a signal between circuit boards. The power supply circuit board is a circuit board which generates a power source of a voltage required for operating the electronic parts. The payout control circuit board is a circuit board which drives and controls a payout device (not shown) which pays out prize balls, rented balls, and the like toward thelower receiving portion5.

Areserve tank400 in which gaming balls are reserved is arranged on the upper portion on the back side of thebase door3a. Furthermore, interconnections (not shown), which electrically connect between the circuit boards on which the electronic parts are mounted, are disposes at various portions on the back side of thebase door3a.

The sub-controlcircuit board case50 is installed on the slightly upper left side of the center of the back side of thebase door3a, i.e., above the main controlcircuit board case100. In the sub-controlcircuit board case50, a sub-control circuit board (not shown) on which thesub-control circuit300 for executing predetermined control on the basis of a control signal received from themain control circuit200 on the main control circuit board is mounted is stored.

In the embodiment, the sub-control circuit board performs image display control of thedisplay area21aof the liquidcrystal display device21, light-emitting display control of lamps, LEDs (not shown), and the like arranged at respective positions of thepachinko gaming machine1, and control of sound output from the

speakers

8aand8b.

Furthermore, inFIGS. 3 and 4, on the left side of thereserve tank400 in the drawings, the first detecting switch600 (first detecting means) which detects opening of thebase door3ais attached. More specifically, in the embodiment, the first detectingswitch600 is attached on the opening/closing end side of thebase door3a.

In this case, thebase door3ais openably/closably supported on and attached to thebase frame3bas described above. In this case, the first detectingswitch600 is brought into contact with anouter frame portion3d(seeFIG. 5) on thebase frame3b(in the embodiment, the first detectingswitch600 is brought into contact with the upper right of theouter frame portion3dinFIG. 5.

More specifically, theouter frame portion3dis designed to be brought into contact with a switch unit620 (FIGS. 7 and 8) of the first detectingswitch600 when thebase door3ais closed (the opening/closing end side of thebase door3acontacts thebase frame3b). On the other hand, theouter frame portion3dis designed to be separated from theswitch unit620 of the first detectingswitch600 when thebase door3ais released from the opening/closing end side (the opening/closing end side of thebase door3ais separated from thebase frame3b) (seeFIG. 9B).

The second detecting switch (second detecting means)700 which detects the opening of the circuit board case cover500 (will be described later) is attached between the frame relaycircuit board case130 and the main control circuit board case100 (seeFIG. 3).

InFIGS. 3 and 4,

shaft portions

30aand30bon which the circuitboard case cover500 is pivotally supported are arranged on the left of the sub-controlcircuit board case50 and the left of the power supplycircuit board case150, respectively.

The circuitboard case cover500 has bearing

units

501aand501b(will be described below in detail) formed on one end of the circuitboard case cover500. The bearing

units

501aand501bare pivotally supported on the

shaft portions

30aand30b, respectively, so that the circuitboard case cover500 is openably/closably attached to the back side of thebase door3a(seeFIG. 4). In this manner, the circuit board cases such as the sub-controlcircuit board case50, the main controlcircuit board case100, the frame relaycircuit board case130, the power supplycircuit board case150, and the payout controlcircuit board case170 are covered with and protected by the circuitboard case cover500.

In the circuitboard case cover500, a convex and a concave matched with the shape of the circuit board case or the like are formed (seeFIGS. 3, 4 and7). In this manner, an interval between the back side of thebase door3aand the circuitboard case cover500 decreases to improve space efficiency on the back side of thebase door3a.

Thebase frame3bfixed to the island equipment will be described below with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a base frame of the gaming machine inFIG. 1.

On thebase frame3b, thehinges3cto which the hinge side of thebase door3ais pivotally attached are arranged on the upper and lower left inFIG. 5.

The circuitboard case cover500 will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the back side of the circuit board case cover according to the embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 6, the bearing

units

501aand501bare formed on one end of the circuit board case cover500 (The end portion on which the bearing

units

501aand501bare formed will be called a “shaft side” hereinafter, and the end portion opposing the shaft side is called an “opening/closing end side” hereinafter.). The bearing

units

501aand501bare pivotally supported by the

shaft portions

30aand30b, so that the circuitboard case cover500 is pivotally attached to the back side of thebase door3aby using the shaft side as a point of pivotal support.

On the end portion opposing the shaft side, i.e., on the opening/closing side, a fixingportion502 which prevents the circuit board case cover500 from being pivoted is formed (seeFIGS. 3, 4, and6).

A screw hole is formed in the fixingportion502, so that the fixingportion502 is fixed and attached to the back side of thebase door3aby a screw or the like. The invention is not limited to the method. For example, the fixingportion502 may be fixed by a pin or the like or attached by adhesion.

On the opening/closing end side, acontact portion503 which is brought into contact with the second detecting switch700 (FIG. 3) is arranged (seeFIGS. 3, 4, and6).

Thecontact portion503 is designed to be brought into contact with a switch unit (not shown) of the second detectingswitch700 when the circuitboard case cover500 is closed (the circuitboard case cover500 is fixed and attached to the back side of thebase door3aby the fixing portion502). On the other hand, when the fixing of the fixingportion502 is canceled to release the circuit board case cover500 from the opening/closing end side, thecontact portion503 is separated from the second detectingswitch700.

The first detectingswitch600 and the second detectingswitch700 will be described below with reference toFIGS. 7, 8, and9. Since the first detectingswitch600 and the second detectingswitch700 are approximately equal to each other in structure and function, one of them, i.e., the first detectingswitch600 will be described here.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the first detectingswitch600 is constituted by a rectangularmain body610 and aswitch unit620 biased by spring force and projected from themain body610.

Theswitch unit620 is biased by the spring force and projected. However, when theswitch unit620 is brought into contact with theouter frame portion3d(more specifically, thebase door3ais closed), as shown inFIG. 9A, theswitch unit620 is depressed in themain body610 as shown inFIG. 9A.

When theswitch unit620 is separated from theouter frame portion3d(i.e., when thebase door3ais released from the opening/closing end side), as shown inFIG. 9B, spring force acts to project theswitch unit620 again.

An electric circuit is arranged inside themain body610. When theswitch unit620 is projected, the electric circuit is energized to detect the projection. In this manner, the opening of thebase door3acan be detected. When theswitch unit620 is depressed, the energizing is canceled.

The first detectingswitch600 is electrically connected to the sub-control circuit300 (will be described later) mounted on the sub-control circuit board (not shown). When the first detectingswitch600 is energized to detect the opening of thebase door3a, a signal (The signal will be referred to as a “base door opening detection signal” hereinafter.) representing that thebase door3ais opened is kept being transmitted to thesub-control circuit300 until the energization is canceled.

The second detectingswitch700 has the same configuration as that of the first detectingswitch600. For example, when the circuitboard case cover500 is opened to separate the switch unit (not shown) of the second detectingswitch700 from thecontact portion503 of the circuitboard case cover500, the second detectingswitch700 is energized to detect the energization. Until the energization is canceled, a signal (to be referred to as a “circuit board case cover opening detection signal” hereinafter) representing the circuitboard case cover500 is opened is kept being transmitted to thesub-control circuit300.

In this manner, the electronic parts, the circuit board cases, and the like are mounted on the back side of thebase door3a.

The mounting positions of the circuit board cases and the like are only examples. Electronic parts, circuit boards, circuit board cases, and the like to be mounted on the gaming machine according to the present invention are not limited to the electronic parts, the circuit boards, the circuit board cases, and the like mentioned above.

A control system of thepachinko gaming machine1 shown inFIG. 1 will be described below with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine shown inFIG. 1.

The control system of thepachinko gaming machine1 has amain control circuit200 mounted on a main control circuit board (not shown), thesub-control circuit300 connected to themain control circuit200 and mounted on a sub-control circuit board (not shown), and apayout control circuit70aand ashot control circuit70bthat are mounted on a payout control circuit board (not shown).

In this manner, in the embodiment, the main control circuit board on which themain control circuit200 is mounted is arranged independently of the sub-control circuit board on which thesub-control circuit300 having an illegal opening determining means and a memory means is mounted. More specifically, thesub-control circuit300 and themain control circuit200 are independently arranged.

Acard unit81 is connected to thepayout control circuit70aof thepachinko gaming machine1.

Thecard unit81 is installed near thepachinko gaming machine1 and has an insertion slot into which a prepaid card can be inserted. Thecard unit81 has a reading means which reads recording information recorded on the prepaid card inserted into the insertion slot, a rental command signal output means which outputs a rental command signal for commanding thepayout control circuit70ato rent gaming balls in accordance with an operation of a ball renting operation panel10 (FIG. 10), and a writing means which subtracts the number of balls commanded to be rented by the rental command signal output means from the maximum number of rented balls specified by the recording information read by the reading means to record the information on the prepaid card inserted into the insertion slot.

On themain control circuit200, a main CPU (microprocessing unit)201 which performs a game operation of thepachinko gaming machine1 in accordance with a preset program; aninitial reset circuit204 which generates a reset signal to returns various settings to initial values in an abnormal state or a power-on state; amain RAM203 in which various data required for operating themain CPU201 are stored; and amain ROM202 which stores a program to cause themain CPU201 to process and control a gaming operation of thepachinko gaming machine1, a big winning determining table which is referred when a big winning is determined by random-number lottery, a regular winning determining table which is referred when a regular winning is determined by random number lottery; a winning variable display pattern determining table and a missing variable display pattern table which is referred when a variable display pattern of a special symbol is determined by random number lottery, an effect information image display pattern determining table which is referred when a display pattern of an effect information image such as a character image or a background image by random number lottery, and various probability tables which are referred when lottery of other effects is performed.

Themain RAM203 includes a winning memory counter to memorize the number of winning memories (the number of balls coming in thestarting winning openings14 and17) counted by themain CPU201, a passing memory counter to memorize the number of passing memories (the number of balls passing through the passing gate13) counted by themain CPU201, a special winning opening winning counter to memorize the number of gaming balls coming in the special winningopening15 during one round, a special winning opening opening number counter to memorize the number of times of opening of the special winningopening15 in one big winning gaming state, and the like.

Themain CPU201 has functions of a big winning gaming state determining means, a discrimination symbol variable display control means, a gaming state shifting means, and a winning opening SOL control means.

The big winning gaming state determining means determines whether the gaming state is shifted to the big winning gaming state advantageous to a player when a gaming ball comes in the special winning opening (starting winning opening14 or17) arranged on the gaming machine main body in a broad sense (or the gaming machine main body3).

For example, when a gaming ball comes in the

starting winning opening

14 or17, the big winning gaming state determining means executes a big winning determining process on the basis of a big winning determining random number extracted by the random number lottery. When a big winning is determined by the determining process, it is determined that the gaming state is shifted to the big winning gaming state (set in the big winning gaming state).

In this case, when it is determined by the big winning gaming state determining means that the gaming state is shifted to the big winning gaming state, upon completion of variable display of a special symbol by an discrimination symbol variable display means (will be described later), i.e., after a big winning display mode (big winning symbol) is displayed in the special symbol display area, the gaming state shifting means shifts the gaming state to the big winning gaming state.

As described above, the big winning includes winnings of two types, i.e., a normal big winning and a probability-variable winning. In case of probability-variable big winning, upon completion of the big winning gaming state, the gaming state shifting means shifts the gaming state to a special gaming state in which the probability-of shifting the gaming state to the next big winning gaming state is high.

The discrimination symbol variable display control means generates a variable display pattern command to variably display a special symbol in the special symbol display area and sets the variable display pattern command. On the basis of the big winning determining result of the big winning gaming state determining means, a variable display pattern to execute variable display of the special symbol is determined.

More specifically, on the basis of the big winning determining result of the big winning gaming state determining means, the discrimination symbol variable display means generates a variable display pattern command for indicating a variable display pattern to execute variable display of the special symbol or display of effect information and a command for indicating a stop symbol of the variable display and sets these commands.

The variable display pattern includes a special symbol display pattern and an effect information display pattern. Therefore, the variable display pattern command includes data for indicating the special symbol display pattern and data for indicating the effect information display pattern.

The special symbol display pattern is a variable display pattern of the special symbol variably displayed in the special symbol display area. The special symbol display pattern also includes display time information representing variable display times of three special symbols (for example, “left”, “center”, and “right”). Therefore, the special symbol display pattern includes the variable display pattern and the time information.

The effect information display pattern is a pattern related to a display of effect information of a character or the like. Therefore, effect information display patterns depending on the number of characters are prepared. Of the plurality of effect information display patterns, an effect information display pattern of effect information (effect information image) is designated (indicated) to actually display the effect information display pattern.

The winning opening SOL control means controls a special winningopening SOL72S (will be described later) to open/close the special winning opening15 (open the special winning opening) when the gaming state is shifted to the big winning gaming state.

Programs to realize the functions of the respective means are stored in themain ROM202. Themain CPU201 loads the programs from themain ROM202 onto themain RAM203 to execute the programs, so that the functions of the respective means are realized. As a matter of course, the means may be constituted by dedicated hardware.

Themain CPU201 performs a determining process or the like for contents displayed in the regular symbol display area.

Themain CPU201 executes the functions of the means to transmit various commands such as a command related to indication of an effect in a game to thesub-control circuit300, thereby executing the effect in the game.

The command related to the indication of the effect in the game includes a command related to indication of an display effect by thedisplay area21aor the like, a command related to indication of a sound effect by a sound generating means such as a speaker, and a command related to indication of an optical effect by a light-emitting means such as a lamp or an LED.

The command related to the indication of the display effect includes various commands such as the variable display pattern command.

To the I/O port205 of themain control circuit200, a passing gate SW19Sa arranged inside the passinggate13 and serving as a sensor which detects passing of a gaming ball and a startingopening SW19aserving as a sensor which detects a gaming ball coming in the

starting winning opening

14 or17 are connected.

To the I/O port205, a V-count SW19Sd arranged in a continuous winning opening in the special winningopening15 and serving as a sensor which detects a gaming ball coming in the continuous winning opening, a count SW19Se arranged in a normal winning opening in the special winningopening15 and serving as a sensor which detects a gaming ball coming in the normal winning opening, a regular wining opening SW19Sb serving as a sensor which detects a gaming ball coming in the regular winningopening12, and a backupclear SW74S to erase various data stored in themain RAM203 are connected.

Furthermore, to the I/O port205, the following constituent elements are connected. More specifically, sensors such as a shot ball sensor (not shown) which detects a gaming ball shot from ashooting device90 by operating thehandle7 and a return ball sensor (not shown) which detects a gaming ball shot but returned through therail11 without reaching a board surface of thegaming board2 are connected. Actuators such as a movable member SOL (solenoid)71S which switches thestarting winning opening17 between a state in which a gaming ball is easily received and a state in which a gaming ball is not easily received, a special winning opening SOL (solenoid)72S which opens or closes the flapper of the special winningopening15, and a seesaw SOL (solenoid)73S which drives a seesaw in the special winningopening15.

In this case, when the sensors detect gaming balls, detection signals from the sensors are input to themain CPU201 of themain control circuit200. For this reason, themain CPU201 drives and controls the

actuators

71S,72S, and73S depending on the input detection signals.

From acommand output port206 of themain control circuit200, control commands are transmitted to thesub-control circuit300, thepayout control circuit70a, and theshot control circuit70b, respectively.

Thesub-control circuit300 which receives the control command controls operations of the liquidcrystal display device21, the

speakers

8aand8b, and anlamp LED39a. Thepayout control circuit70aand theshot control circuit70bwhich receives the control commands control operations of apayout device82 and theshooting device90.

Thepayout device82 which pays out prize balls, rented balls, and the like is connected to thepayout control circuit70a. Thepayout control circuit70adrives and controls thepayout device82 in response to a payout command signal output from themain control circuit200 under the condition that a gaming ball comes in the regular winningopening12, the special winningopening15, or the like to pay out a predetermined number of gaming balls as prize balls. Thepayout control circuit70adrives and controls thepayout device82 in response to a renting command signal output from thecard unit81 to pay out a predetermined number of gaming balls as rented balls.

Theshooting device90 which shoots a gaming ball toward thegaming region2ais connected to theshot control circuit70b. Theshot control circuit70bdrives and controls a shot solenoid in accordance with a pivoting operation of thehandle7. Thus, a gaming ball is shot from theshooting device90.

A configuration of thesub-control circuit300 will be described below. Thesub-control circuit300 includes the sub-CPU301, aprogram ROM302, awork RAM303, acommand input port304, animage control circuit305, asound control circuit306, and alamp control circuit307.

Thesub-CPU301 interprets a command received from themain control circuit200 through thecommand input port304 or detection signals received from the first detectingswitch600, the second detectingswitch700, and the like and controls theimage control circuit305, thesound control circuit306, thelamp control circuit307, and the like in accordance with the interruption results.

Furthermore, when the sub-CPU301 serving as an illegal opening determining means receives a detection signal (base door opening detection signal, circuit board case cover opening detection signal, or the like) from the first detectingswitch600 or the second detecting switch70, thesub-CPU301 determines whether the circuitboard case cover500 is illegally opened.

In the embodiment, only when the circuitboard case cover500 is opened when thebase door3ais open (more specifically, when the circuit board case cover opening detection signal is received when the base door opening detection signal is received), thesub-CPU301 determines that the opening is legal opening.

On the other hand, when the circuitboard case cover500 is opened during a closing state of thebase door3a(more specifically, when the circuit board case cover opening detection signal is received when no base door opening detection signal is received), the opening is determined as illegal opening.

The sub-CPU301 which determines that the circuitboard case cover500 is illegally opened generates and sets an illegal opening notifying command to notify an manager of the determination result.

The illegal opening notifying command includes time when the illegal opening is started or the like.

In theprogram ROM302, a control program (control data) to process and control theimage control circuit305 by the sub-CPU301 on the basis of various commands or an illegal opening notifying command output from themain control circuit200, a control program to process and control thesound control circuit306, a control program to process and control thelamp control circuit307, and the like are stored.

When thesub-CPU301 receives a variable display pattern command from themain control circuit200, the sub-CPU301 sets control data corresponding to the received command.

Furthermore, the sub-CPU301 changes data to indicate theimage control circuit305 to display a special symbol or an effect image depending on an effect pattern included in the set control data with time.

Theimage control circuit305 executes an indication of the sub-CPU301 transmitted every predetermined time. And in thedisplay area21a, for example, a special symbol or an effect image corresponding to a variable display pattern is displayed.

Even though thesub-CPU301 generates the illegal opening notifying command, as in a case in which the variable display pattern command is received, control data corresponding to the illegal opening notifying command is set. In this manner, a determination result obtained by the sub-CPU301 serving as the illegal opening determining means and time at which illegal opening is started are displayed in the information display area of thedisplay area21a(for example, seeFIG. 15).

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a state in which a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means is displayed in the display area of the liquid crystal display device.

In this case, inFIG. 15, it is displayed in the information display area of thedisplay area21athat illegal opening occurs at 23:00 on Jan. 20, 2005.

A determining result obtained by the illegal opening determining means in the embodiment is automatically displayed in thedisplay area21a. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration. Only when a predetermined operation is performed, the determination result may be displayed in thedisplay area21a. In this manner, a person who illegally opens the circuitboard case cover500 or a person who does not engage in management of a gaming machine can be prevented from knowing the fact that the illegal opening occurs. The secrecy of the gaming machine can be improved.

Thework RAM303 serves as a temporary storing means used when the sub-CPU301 performs processing control in accordance with the control programs. Allocated thereto include a receiving buffer area (not shown) which stores a command from themain CPU201, an illegal opening notifying command, and the like; a detection signal storing area (not shown) which stores detection signals from such as the first detectingswitch600 and the second detectingswitch700; an illegal opening time storing area (not shown) which stores time when illegal opening is started (time when it is determined that the illegal opening occurs, i.e., a value (99) representing illegal opening is set in an illegal opening flag (will be described later) and time when the illegal opening is ended (time when it is determined that the illegal opening is ended, i.e., a value (00) representing a normal state is set in the illegal opening flag); and a work area (not shown) which stores data required for processing control.

Furthermore, thework RAM303 includes a circuit board case cover illegal opening counter to store the number of times of occurrence of illegal opening of the circuitboard case cover500, a first detecting flag representing an opening/closing state of thebase door3a, a second detecting flag representing an opening/closing state of the circuitboard case cover500, an illegal opening flag, and the like.

In this case, in the circuit board case cover illegal opening counter, 0 is set in an initial state. The circuit board case cover illegal opening counter is updated each time illegal opening of the circuitboard case cover500 occurs. However, in the embodiment, the counter is set not to be reset by shutoff of the power supply of thepachinko gaming machine1, an initializing process in step S210 (will be described later), and the like.

The value of the circuit board case cover illegal opening counter may be displayed in an information display area of thedisplay area21aat a predetermined timing or may be displayed by an operation of a manager of thepachinko gaming machine1.

An access block such as a password may be made to make it impossible that a third person checks the value of the circuit board case cover illegal opening counter. In this manner, only a true manager of thepachinko gaming machine1 can collect detailed information (the number of times of illegal opening, time of illegal opening, and the like) for the illegal opening of the circuit board case cover.

The first detecting flag is a flag representing whether thebase door3ais in an open state. When thebase door3ais in a closed state, a value (00) representing closing of the base door is set.

When thebase door3ais opened, a value (01) representing base door opening is set in the first detecting flag.

The second detecting flag is a flag representing whether the circuitboard case cover500 is set in an open state. When the circuit board case cover is set in a closed state, a value representing circuit board case cover closing is set.

When the circuitboard case cover500 is opened, a value (01) representing circuit board case cover opening is set in the first detecting flag.

The illegal opening flag is a flag representing whether illegal opening of the circuitboard case cover500 occurs. When the illegal opening does not occur, a value (00) representing a normal state is set. On the other hand, when the illegal opening occurs, a value (99) representing the illegal opening is set.

In this manner, thework RAM303 includes an illegal opening time storing area, a circuit board case cover illegal opening counter, a first detecting flag representing an opening/closing state of thebase door3a, a second detecting flag representing an opening/closing state of the circuitboard case cover500, and the like. And thework RAM303 functions as a storing means which stores a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means.

Theimage control circuit305 is to execute display such as variable display of a special symbol in thedisplay area21adepending on an indication (indication based on control data set in a predetermined work area of thework RAM303 in accordance with a command received from the main control circuit200) from thesub-CPU301. Theimage control circuit305 includes animage data ROM305bwhich stores various image data, a VDP (Video Display Processor)305awhich extracts corresponding image data from theimage data ROM305bdepending on the control by the sub-CPU301 and which executes variable display of the special symbol, display of an effect image, or the like on the basis of the extracted image data, and a D/A converting circuit (D/A converter)305dwhich converts the display image data generated by the VDP (Video Display Processor)305ainto an analog signal.

For example, theimage control circuit305 performs an image display control process, on the basis of an indication from the sub-CPU301, which causes thedisplay area21ato perform variable display of the special symbol or display of the effect image corresponding to a result of a big winning determination.

For example, theimage data ROM305bstores special symbol image data to variably display the special symbol in the special symbol display area in thedisplay area21a, effect image data to display an effect image in the information display area in thedisplay area21a, notifying image data to display a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means in the information display area in thedisplay area21a. In this case, the various image data include a plurality of pixel data (data in units of dots) required for displaying the image data in thedisplay area21a.

In this case, aVRAM305cin which two buffer areas are formed is connected to theVDP305a. When data to execute display in thedisplay area21ais generated on the basis of an indication transmitted from the sub-CPU301 every predetermined time (for example 1/30 seconds), theVDP305areads predetermined image data from theimage data ROM305b, develops the image data in theVRAM305c, and reads the developed image data from theVRAM305c. More specifically, theVDP305aperforms a developing process to one buffer area formed in theVRAM305cand reads the image data to which the developing process is performed from the other buffer area. TheVDP305aswitches the buffer area to which the developing process is to be performed and the buffer area from which the data is to be read on the basis of the indication from thesub-CPU301. TheVDP305adisplays the read image data in thedisplay area21athrough the D/A converting circuit305d.

In the embodiment, the VRAM is used as a storing device in which image data is developed. However, the storing device is not limited to a VRAM, and another storing device may be used. For example, an SDRAM from/in which data can be read or written at a high speed may be used.

The

speakers

8aand8bare connected to thesound control circuit306. Thesound control circuit306 generates a sound signal on the basis of control of thesub-CPU301. The

speakers

8aand8bgenerate sound on the basis of the input sound signal.

The lamp LED39ais connected to thelamp control circuit307. Thelamp control circuit307 generates a signal on the basis of control of thesub-CPU301. The lamp LED39aperforms lighting, display, or the like of lamps and LEDs (for example, regular symbol memory LEDs, special symbol memory LEDs, and the like) arranged at respective positions of thepachinko gaming machine1 on the basis of the input signal.

In this case, the

speakers

8aand8b, thelamp LED39a, and the liquidcrystal display device21 function as effect means which perform effects on the basis of control data set by thesub-CPU301.

The respective processes in thepachinko gaming machine1 are controlled by themain control circuit200 and thesub-control circuit300. However, themain control circuit200 may perform all or some of the processes controlled by thesub-control circuit300, and thesub-control circuit300 may perform all or some of processes controlled by themain control circuit200.

A main process performed by thesub-control circuit300 and a command reception interrupting process which is executed to interrupt the main process in the wake of reception of a command from themain control circuit200 will be described below.FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the command reception interrupting process according to the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the main process performed by the sub-control circuit of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the command reception interrupting process will be described below with reference toFIG. 11. This command reception interruption is designed to occur each time thesub-control circuit300 receives a command from themain control circuit200.

In step S201, the sub-CPU301 retreats information stored in a register to interrupt an in-execution process (main process (will be described later)).

In step S202, the sub-CPU301 stores a command (for example, a variable display pattern command or the like) received from themain CPU201 through thecommand input port304 in a receiving buffer area of thework RAM303 and executes a predetermined process on the basis of the received command.

More specifically, the sub-CPU301 sets control data corresponding to the received command in a work area of thework RAM303.

In step S203, the sub-CPU301 causes the information retreated in step S201 to return to the register. In this manner, the interrupted process can be restarted.

The main process of thesub-control circuit300 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 12.

In step S210, thesub-CPU301 performs an initializing process for initializing various setting, executes a detection signal receiving process and an illegal opening determining process, and then execute a command analyzing process.

In this case, the detection signal receiving process in step S220 will be described below with reference toFIG. 13.FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the detection signal receiving process.

In step S220-1, the sub-CPU301 checks whether a base door opening detection signal is received from the first detecting switch (first detecting means)600. When thesub-CPU301 receives the base door opening detection signal, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S220-2. When thesub-CPU301 does not receive the base door opening detection signal, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S220-3.

In step S220-2, the sub-CPU301 sets a value (01) representing base door opening in the first detecting flag.

In step S220-3, the sub-CPU301 sets a value (00) representing base door closing in the first detecting flag.

Instep S220-4, the sub-CPU301 checks whether thesub-CPU301 receives a circuit board case cover opening detection signal from the second detectingswitch700. When thesub-CPU301 receives the circuit board case cover opening detection signal, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S220-5. When thesub-CPU301 does not receive the circuit board case cover opening detection signal, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S220-6.

In step S220-5, the sub-CPU301 sets a value (01) representing circuit board case cover opening in the second detecting flag.

In step S220-6, the sub-CPU301 sets a value (00) representing circuit board case cover closing in the second detecting flag.

In this case, the illegal opening determining process in step S230 will be described below with reference toFIG. 14.FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the illegal opening determining process.

In step S230-1, the sub-CPU301 checks whether a value (99) representing illegal opening is set in an illegal opening flag. When the value (99) representing the illegal opening is set in the illegal opening flag, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S230-8. On the other hand, the value (99) representing the illegal opening is not set in the illegal opening flag, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S230-2.

In step S230-2, the sub-CPU301 checks whether a value (01) representing base door opening is set in the first detecting flag. When the value (01) representing the base door opening is not set in the first detecting flag, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S230-3. On the other hand, when the value (01) representing the base door opening is set in the first detecting flag, the sub-CPU301 ends the illegal opening determining process.

In step S230-3, the sub-CPU301 checks whether a value (01) representing circuit board case cover opening is set in the second detecting flag. When the value (01) representing the circuit board case cover opening is set in the second detecting flag, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S230-4. On the other hand, when the value (01) representing the circuit board case cover opening is not set in the second detecting flag, the sub-CPU301 ends the illegal opening determining process.

In step S230-4, the sub-CPU301 serving as an illegal opening determining means sets a value (99) representing illegal opening in an illegal opening flag. More specifically, when the second detecting means detects opening of the circuit board case, thesub-CPU301 determines on the basis of detection results of the first detecting means and the second detecting means whether the opening is illegal.

In step S230-5, thesub-CPU301 performs an illegal opening start time storing process.

More specifically, time at which the value (99) representing illegal opening in an illegal opening flag in step S230-4 is stored in an illegal opening time storing are of thework RAM303.

In step S230-6, thesub-CPU301 adds “1” to value of circuit board case cover illegal opening counter.

In step S230-7, thesub-CPU301 generates an illegal opening notifying command including time at which illegal opening is started (more specifically, time at which the value (99) representing illegal opening is set in step S230-4), stores the illegal opening notifying command in thework RAM303, and executes a predetermined process on the basis of the illegal opening notifying command.

More specifically, the sub-CPU301 sets control data corresponding to the illegal opening notifying command in the work area of thework RAM303.

In step S230-8, the sub-CPU301 checks whether a value (01) representing circuit board case cover opening is set in the second detecting flag. When the value (01) representing the circuit board case cover opening is not set in the second detecting flag, the sub-CPU301 shifts to the process in step S230-8. On the other hand, when the value (01) representing the circuit board case cover opening is set in the second detecting flag, the sub-CPU301 ends the illegal opening determining process.

In step S230-9, the sub-CPU301 serving as an illegal opening determining means sets a value (00) representing a normal state in the illegal opening flag. More specifically, thesub-CPU301 determines that the illegal opening is ended.

In step S230-10, thesub-CPU301 performs an illegal opening end time storing process.

More specifically, time at which a value (00) representing the normal state is set in the illegal opening flag is stored in the illegal opening time storing area of thework RAM303.

The explanation is performed with reference toFIG. 12. In step250, the sub-CPU301 checks control data set in step S202 (FIG. 11), step S230-7 (FIG. 14), and the like. When the control data is a control program to perform processing control of theimage control circuit305, thesub-CPU301 executes an image display control process on the basis of the control data.

For example, when control data corresponding to a variable display pattern command is set in step S202 (FIG. 11), the sub-CPU301 changes data to be indicated to theVDP305awith time such that variable display of a special symbol according to a variable display pattern included in the set control data is performed. TheVDP305 a executes the indication transmitted every predetermined time, so that variable display of the special symbol corresponding to the variable display pattern command is performed in the special symbol display area of the liquidcrystal display device21 during variable display time. At the end of the variable display time, as the special symbol, a symbol represented by a stop symbol command is displayed and stopped.

The sub-CPU301 changes data to be indicated to theVDP305awith time such that an effect information image according to an effect pattern included in the set control data is display. When theVDP305aexecute the indication transmitted every predetermined time, display of the effect information image corresponding to the variable display pattern command is performed in thedisplay area21a.

On the other hand, when control data corresponding to the illegal opening notifying command is set in step S230-7 (FIG. 14), the sub-CPU301 changes data to be indicated to theVDP305awith time in accordance with the set control data. When theVDP305aexecutes the indication transmitted every predetermined time, information including the illegal opening notifying command (more specifically, time at which illegal opening is started) and information notifying that the illegal opening occurs, and the like are displayed in the information display area of thedisplay area21a(seeFIG. 15).

In step S260, thesub-CPU301 executes a sound control process.

More specifically, in the sound control process, when control data set in step S202 (FIG. 11), step S230-7 (FIG. 14), or the like is data corresponding to sound control, the sub-CPU301 transmits the control data to thesound control circuit306. On the basis of the control data, thesound control circuit306 causes the

speakers

8aand8bto output sound signals to notify a player of a predetermined gaming state.

Instep S270, thesub-CPU301 executes a lamp-LED lighting control process.

In the lamp-LED lighting control process, when control data set in step S202 (FIG. 11), step S230-7 (FIG. 14), or the like is data corresponding to lighting control of a lamp or an LED, the sub-CPU301 transmits the control data to thelamp control circuit307. On the basis of the control data, thelamp control circuit307 turns on or off thelamp LED39ain accordance with a predetermined turn on/off pattern.

In the main process, the processes in steps S220 to step S270 are repeated.

In this manner, according to the embodiment, in thework RAM303 serving as a storing means, the value of the circuit board case cover illegal opening counter, the illegal opening start time, the illegal opening end time, and the like are stored. In this manner, the number of time of illegal opening, time at which illegal opening occurs, time between the start of illegal opening and the end of illegal opening, and the like can be detected.

In the embodiment, when the circuitboard case cover500 is opened when thebase door3ais closed, the sub-CPU301 serving as the illegal opening determining means determines that the opening is illegal opening. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the sub-CPU301 may determine the opening as illegal opening when a different condition is satisfied. For example, the sub-CPU301 may determine the opening as illegal opening when the circuitboard case cover500 is opened while thebase door3ais open.

In the embodiment, when the circuitboard case cover500 is illegally opened, a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means may be displayed in the information display area of thedisplay area21a. However, together with the display, the lamps, the LEDs, and the like arranged at respective positions of the gaming machine may be lit and displayed, or sound to notify that illegal opening is performed may be generated by the

speakers

8aand8b.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the bearing

units

501aand501bare arranged on the circuitboard case cover500, and the

shaft portions

30aand30bare arranged on the back side of thebase door3a. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be conceived. For example, the

shaft portions

30aand30bmay be arranged on the circuitboard case cover500, and the bearing

units

501aand501bmay be arranged on the back side of thebase door3a.

In the embodiment, the circuitboard case cover500 is pivotally supported on and attached to the

shaft portions

30aand30bon the back side of thebase door3aHowever the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the circuitboard case cover500 may be attached to the

shaft portions

30aand30bsuch that the circuitboard case cover500 cannot be pivoted.

A hook portion to lock to the circuitboard case cover500 may be arranged. And the circuitboard case cover500 may be attached to the back side of thebase door3aby the hook portion.

As described above, according to the embodiment, when the circuitboard case cover500 which covers the circuit board cases (for example, the sub-controlcircuit board case50, the main controlcircuit board case100, the frame relaycircuit board case130, the power supplycircuit board case150, the payout controlcircuit board case170, and the like) is opened, it is determined on the basis of detection results of the first detecting switch (first detecting means)600 and the second detecting switch (second detecting means)700 whether opening of the circuitboard case cover500 is illegal. For this reason, illegality to the circuit board case can be properly detected. In this manner, even though the circuit board case itself is illegally exchanged, illegality to the circuit board case can be detected.

According to the embodiment, in a state in which the first detecting switch (first detecting means)600 does not detect opening of thebase door3a, when opening of the circuitboard case cover500 is detected by the second detecting switch (second detecting means)700, the sub-CPU301 serving as the illegal opening determining means determines the opening as illegal opening. More specifically, when opening of the circuitboard case cover500 is not performed on the basis of a predetermined procedure, the opening is determined as illegal opening. For this reason, illegal opening can be more properly detected. In this manner, even though the circuit board itself is illegally exchanged, illegality to the circuit board case can be more reliably detected.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment; since the work RAM (storing means)303 which stores a determination result obtained by the illegal opening determining means is arranged, the number of times of illegal opening, time of illegal opening, and the like can be stored, and information related to illegal opening can be collected more. For this reason, a countermeasure against illegal opening can be more appropriately performed.

Since falsification by a third person is frequently performed to a main control circuit board on which themain control circuit200 for controlling progress of a game is mounted, according to the embodiment, the functions of the illegal opening determining means, the storing means, and the like are arranged on the sub-control circuit board being at relatively low risk of being falsified, illegal opening of the circuit board case cover or the like can be more properly detected, and a more appropriate countermeasure against illegal opening can be taken.

According to the embodiment, the liquid crystal display device (notifying means)21 which notifies a manager of a determining result obtained by the illegal opening determining means is arranged as a characteristic feature. For this reason, when the circuit board case cover or the like is illegally opened, employees are notified that the circuit board cover is illegally opened. A countermeasure against the illegal opening can be properly performed, damage by falsification caused by illegal exchange or the like of a circuit board case can be minimized.

Since a deterrent against illegal opening acts by the notification, the illegal opening can be prevented.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the above explanation, the present invention is applied to a gaming machine obtained by attaching a pachinko gaming machine main body to a gaming table. However, the present invention is not limited to the explanation. The present invention can be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachi-slot machine (slot machine), a machine of a combination of Japanese pinball and mahjong, a smart-ball machine, and various gaming machines installed in a game arcade.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a base frame constituting a part of a gaming machine main body;

a base door which is openably and closably supported on and attached to said base frame;

a circuit board case which is arranged on a back side of said base door and holds predetermined circuit boards;

a circuit board case cover which is arranged to cover said circuit board case;

first detecting means which detects opening of said base door;

second detecting means which detects opening of said circuit board case cover; and

illegal opening determining means which determines, when opening of said circuit board case cover is detected by said second detecting means, whether the opening is illegal on the basis of detection results of said first detecting means and said second detecting means.

2. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein

said illegal opening determining means,

when opening of said circuit board case cover is detected by said second detecting means in a state in which said first detecting means does not detect opening of said base door, determines that the opening is illegal.

3. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, further comprising:

storing means which stores a determination result obtained by said illegal opening determining means.

4. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein

said predetermined circuit board is a main control circuit board on which a main control circuit, held in said circuit board case, for controlling progress of a game is mounted,

a sub-control circuit board which is arranged independently of said main control circuit board and on which a sub-control circuit for executing predetermined control on the basis of a control signal received from the main control circuit on said main control circuit board is mounted is arranged, and

said sub-control circuit board is connected to said first detecting means and said second detecting means and has said illegal opening determining means and said storing means.

5. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, further comprising:

notifying means which notifies a determination result by said illegal opening determining means.